From the archives: Leonard Nimoy on "Star Trek"
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.พ. 2015
- Watch excerpts from correspondent John Blackstone's 2005 interview with actor Leonard Nimoy, who created the character of Mr. Spock on "Star Trek." He talks about what the role meant to him and his career; about competition among the show's ensemble cast; how fans kept the sci-fi series alive through syndication and beyond; and about his reaction to the release of "Star Wars."
Star Trek would not be Star Trek without Spock.
If I had to pick just one character to represent the heart and soul of Star Trek, it would have to be Spock, and when you think of the amazing iconic characters that have been a part of this show over the last several decades, that's really saying something.
There will always be only 1 Spock..... Leonard Nimoy!
My childhood idol r.i.p
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT.
Agreed. Star Trek would have had been so different.
Overnight success after 15 years of hard work. Well deserved. Mr Nimoy made this world a much better place with his life's work.
The relationship between Bones and Spock was one of the pillars of that show
And Kirk too. the 3 amigos
Few reflective experts like Leonard have a grasp of the hunger in college Class of '69 viewers for a glimpse of what our future held.
Hollywood has been seat of humanity's single most educational use of media, and the most important component of that has been Roddenberry/Shatner/Nimoy. College philosophy insisted that I ask questions and think for myself. Startrek monitored and quantified all the sensory data a human being can perceive, and Fairfield communications grad school showed all of that commonly at our disposal in the detective work of exploring the future where no man's gone before, where in freedom under God the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.
I always felt they were like the sides of kirk's brain, left and right, fighting for dominance.
Logic & emotion. Spock & McCoy gave Kirk guidance.
Picard had logic with Data but no one filled the role of emotion.
Captain Sisko had a crew that was chaotic, so he needed to be strong. Janeway had Tuvok for logic & Chakotay for emotion. Archer repeated the Kirk style (a Vulcan for logic & doctor for emotion)
.
I had a chance to meet him around the year 2000 when I was managing a restaurant in NYC that he and his wife often came to. After several visits when I was there, I finally couldn't stand it anymore and had to say hello. I approached him and told him what an honor it was to meet him and shook his hand. And all he did was flash me a huge and appreciative smile. Maybe he said thank you, I don't remember, but of all the celebs that used to come to that restaurant and all the others I've seen in the city over the last 20 years, meeting him was the biggest thrill. A very nice, classy and charming man. And his wife, btw, was lovely as well. An incredible memory for me that I'll never forget.
How fortunate we all were that he won the role of Spock. Star Trek would not have been what it was absent his gentility, grace and wisdom.
True. It took the 3 guys who played the 3 leads to have the chemistry as actors that they had for the magic to unfold. It was unique.
well s tated
He had a great way of speaking ❤❤❤.
Unless you were his wife at the time because as soon as his career took off he left his wife
And STRENGTH
Kirt, Spock, McCoy was one of the best trios on TV history.
Kirk.
Don't forget Scotty
One of?!?!?
The trio was a brilliant solution to a potential conflict that could have ruined the series. Kirk was lead, but Spock was so intriguing. Creating their friendship enhanced both characters. Adding McCoy to form a triad was the finishing masterstroke. Triangles are notoriously unstable, but drama runs on conflict fuel. The friendship of the three of them became the heart of the show. My heart was overflowing when they finished a film with all three sitting round a campfire singing "row row row your boat"
The most unforgettable character in television history
Steve Rodgers, It’s easy to agree with you. Of all the shows that have been on TV, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Cheers, so many others that were on for years. No other show has made such an impact on people around the world. Spock, the half human, gave us a way to look at our human selves in a beneficial way. Those 3 seasons were remarkable. Too bad it ended so soon, that the networks didn’t try to restart it back then or try to recapture it now. To me all of the following series have missed the point, focusing on special effects, fighting and wars, costumes.
@@markw208 You nailed it. They should have brought the whole cast and crew back and rebooted the show. The movies were weak sauce.
I just wrote the exact same words just now.
“ The only actor I’m a totally unabashed fanboy for. Nimoy created arguably the greatest, most memorable character in television history in under 3 seasons.”
@@markw208 The impact of Star Trek to the progress of humanity is uncountable. Example: the cellphone.
😮
Leonard Nimoy brought Spock to life. The script writers may have written the words, but Leonard made the character much more than that. His son mentioned that his dad used to stay Spock even at home and so there's a lot of Leonard's personality in Spock. He was a fascinating man - a true artist.
He meant SO much to me as I grew up in the '60's and '70's. He will live in my heart until the day I die.
Just like Bryan Cranston as Walter White on Breaking Bad.
During the late 1970s he gave a talk to a packed house at the college in northern Michigan I attended, and took questions from the audience. I was lucky enough to get called on, and asked him if the sharp give and take between Spock, Kirk and (especially) Bones was scripted or ad libed. He seemed to like the question, and explained in some detail that the chemistry between them made improvisation easy to do. Not entirely, of course, they still had a script to go by, but the directors let them flesh out the dialogue. Led to some wonderful scenes.
I could listen to him speak for hours...really "fascinating".
Highly logical
In all my travels and the souls I met ... His was the most human.
Fascinating.
Of all the souls I've encountered in my travels his was the most....... human. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 to this day almost 40 years later Spock's death and funeral still requires a tissue.
Bill Shatner could certainly deliver a line.. his voice breaking at the word ‘human’ was incredible..
@@waynester71 a lot of people tend to make fun of that line including Nimoy, I can see why XD the first half was soul wrenching but as soon as he said "human" it was as if he was either exceeding constipated or he was uncertain which way a far was going to go XD I do adore the line in its entirety but it was a touch humourous
I'm currently watching Enterprise, and, comparing with T'Pol, a much under appreciated aspect of Spock is how he conveyed the human part of his character. We saw the Vulcan, we saw the struggle between the two, but we never doubted his humanity.
I worked a convention in 76. I met all the stars. Nimoy was so nice, friendly, down to earth.
down to Vulcan one might say
I always wanted to go to a Star Trek convention!
Down to earth???? 🌎
This is most........illogical.
He played one of the most recognizable characters in tv history
I think perhaps the only character more referenced and more well known would have to be Sherlock Holmes
Leonard Nimoy, one word:- Class
I became a scientist because of Mr. Spock as played by Leonard Nimoy. I finally got a chance to meet him at a convention and he was very soft spoken, kind, and nice. He signed an autograph for my son and I told him he led to me to my path and for that I am grateful. He seemed really shocked but he smiled. My son is now an engineer but alas Jimmy Doohan is no longer with us. Star Trek was the show I loved the most when I was a kid.
Your comment reminded me that this was a show that celebrated intelligence and science. We could really use more shows like this.
It was what Nimoy put into the character that made it iconic.
Lenny Nimoy is the heart and soul of Star Trek !!! He understood how intense and spiritual the Star Trek experience was for people and how it was a family.
Hind sight of a subject is always phenomenal...
So true.
That’s so true, because I don’t think that Shatner ever really felt or understood how Star Trek influenced and connected with so many people!
@@steveturner609 A part of me kind of thinks that this world where Shatner is the lead character of Star Trek is one of those weird parallel universes that just seems off.
Shatner is not really right for the lead role if Star Trek was thought up more carefully. They sorted that out with Patrick Stewart.
TRUE INDEED.
I miss him . Star Trek will always be a huge part of life. Spock will always be the ultimate hero.
Mine too
Indeed.
I was a young boy when Star Trek first aired. I was fortunate enough to be standing in the studio one day to see a few scenes being filmed. It was "The Trouble With Tribbles". I stood behind Kirk and Spocks directors chairs as they worked. I got both of their autographs on an 8x10 glossy. Man do I wish I still had those pictures.
How did you get that kind of access as a boy. Your folks work at Desilu?
@@christopherwood2290 I had an uncle who managed a lot of celebrities. He had access to all kinds of places back then. I was also backstage for shows like the original Mission Impossible, I Spy, and The Rifleman. Great memories.
@@ronpagan Man, I envy you. Thanks for sharing the memories.
@@christopherwood2290 I remember meeting Chuck Connors (The Rifleman). Saw a segment of the show being produced; then went to Chuck Connors office where we met and he asked me if I'd like a gift. Two choices: an Indian headdress or a toy replica of his rifle. I was 9 at the time. I took the rifle.
Thanks for sharing, I wish I had the autographed napkin Mr Nimoy signed for me when I met him at the Brown Derby. A man that worked for my father’s restaurant also was head waiter at the Brown Derby and let us come there, Nimoy was one of the first celebrities I met. I was about 12 at the time.
I grew up in the south. When I was a kid, 6-8 years old, I remember EVERYBODY loved Star Trek and Spock was the coolest guy ever. People weren't at all hung up on the "devil look".
He rolled his eyes when he said that. That was the crazy executives who don't know squat!
Charles Ross same here, that thought never crossed my mind
It's called "Religious Zealotry"... it's been destroying humanity since it began, and continues to do so today. You don't see people up North (where religion doesn't rule us) protesting Covid-19 like it's fake, now do you?
=M=
@@mrcollection8677 the religious zealotry in this case was in the conference rooms of mostly atheist and non practicing Jewish studio and network executives, and Roddenberry himself. Roddenberry also exaggerated those sentiments, which grew in severity every time he spoke at a convention, with he himself being the great social warrior (which he was not)
They didn't ask Aunt Sally Mae or Cousin Bubba. They didn't even know those people. Such makeup and visuals were nothing new on TV at the time. Irwin Allen, Outer Limits and other shows used very similar makeup and had ratings success everywhere.
Test audiences for reactions were pulled from malls in LA, not in Lower Alabama.
@@mrcollection8677 *THIS GUYS A FRAUD ANYWAY*
Unreal influence on the children of the 60’s. Logical, but approachable. Stoic, but intelligent. Vulnerable, but intensely private. Nimoy was an actors actor in portraying everything he was not. I’ve read both books...his duality did not translate into inconsistency. Absolute intelligence in thought and character. He will never be forgotten as an actor, as Nimoy, and as Spock. Thanks Leonard for the memories.
“Stoic, but intelligent” don’t you mean “Stoic and intelligent”. What do you have against Stoics? Socrates? What, what? Just kidding! Terrific analysis. You be a bit Stoic yourself and wish you weren’t be my guess. A little more instinctive, right? A little more emotional and less withdrawn into thoughts. Just a bit of psychoanalysis. Terrific, period.
Wasn’t Spock cool 😎? He gave all the intellectual kids the right to be who they were. It’s why people loved him. We all figured out when he was suffering in silence. Instant identification.
Few of us got McCoy, understanding his constant pessimism doesn’t come until you’re older. Only then does he make sense.
You can call them the three ages. Spock, the Child, Kirk, the Adult, and McCoy, the Old Man. It takes a long time to see that McCoy makes sense. Making him a doctor who saw people die was just perfect for the character. All in all, a great show. Nothing has topped it. Identification is the key to their popularity. Again, terrific analysis.
I loved his show IN SEARCH OF. It was really interesting.
Another excellent show to add to his glorious CV.
Freakin' Genius show
As a child I had so many questions! Leonard seemed to be saying "yes, look everywhere. It's not all true, but oh boy! When it is!"
It's all on DVD!!!😁
And his alien documentaries Chariots of the Gods.
@@avidnongetit8710 When I was young in the 1970s, I always thought he was a Elf. Because he looked like the Elves on Rudolph the red nose Raindeer.
When Spock died I cried, When Nimoy died I thanked him.
Down to earth, gracious, intelligent man.
I went to a ST convention when I was 13 and was privileged to meet both Mr Nimoy and Mr Shatner. I always cherish that memory.
Living in Fort Worth in the early 80's this show is the only reason I knew about the universe existing. I was always in bed by 9pm and with the light pollution I never knew there were stars. Now I photograph them and study them, thanks to the internet, but without this show rerunning I doubt I would have ever cared about the universe.
Kudos to Nimoy for pulling off a very difficult role. Although his character was emotionless, he could effortlessly exude warmth and humor with aplomb. Some of his best work was scenes with DeForrest Kelly.
BRILLIANT.
Hope he met up with 'Bones' in Vulcan Heaven LLAP
Spock did have emotion, particularly as a half human. The difference is that Vulcans consider it uncivilized to display emotion. Their ancestors were extremely passionate and that nearly rendered them extinct. To prevent a recurrence, the species trained hard in self-discipline.
I miss him. He was a really great actor who played a really great character.
Rest in peace, Mr. Nimoy. 🖖🏼🖖🏼🖖🏼
I could have listened to him for hours! So well-spoken and down to earth. Awesome personality.
Spock made Star Trek the phenomena it has become.
He's really not dead if we remember him.....
He's not dead. He just went home.
true
He's still alive in our hearts and memories. Same with De and Jimmy (and the others).
No, he’s dead 😩👊
Such men never really die.
Leonard Nimoy was such a mensch. I miss him so much.
what's a 'mensch' - ?
@@myfrugalraggylife7104 Look here, it's only 51 seconds:
th-cam.com/video/mlGXkUoIJYE/w-d-xo.html
@@myfrugalraggylife7104 Human in German.
My Frugal Raggy Life Quark says ‚Hu-man‘
A real renaissance mensch, fo sho.
God, I miss this man; I never met him, and he had no idea I even existed, but when he died I felt like I'd lost a very close member of my family...
Ditto. Mr. Nimoy was somehow able to do that-make us feel as though he was family.
you can tell that Leonard was shocked and humbled by his experience. that he struggled a bit to understand it all while he was going through it, but that ultimately he kept a positive and reflective attitude, while he sought to not be fully defined by it. LLAP
Wow! Spock is a real guy. I love the way Leonard talked. That was too cool. That is someone I would SO hang out with. 🤗
Leonard was a great actor. Superb in Star Trek, Columbo - and not forgetting the remake of the Body Snatchers 1978.
And might I add... he was Paris in "Mission Impossible"
@@huskynation2318 Yes, which he mentioned. :)
Plus the dozens of appearances in shows from about 1960 on.
One of the most attractive men ever graced the screen. He was always incredibly magnetic, you can't look away when he came on. SO MUCH AHEAD of his time, different than everybody else in a wonderful way!
Such an original and elegant character, whom I've admired since the first time the show came on when I was 5 years old.
My biggest regret in life will always be never having met Leonard Nimoy. Star Trek got me through a lonely childhood and agonizing teen years, and the Star Trek cast inspired me so much that many traits and values their characters had have influenced my writing.
He did extremely well voice acting in the animated series as well.
Thoughtful, intelligent, talented, kind gentleman. Thank you Mr Nimoy. LLAP
samrcat4077 🖖🏿
@@NoirAngel921 Fascinating.
The 7 dislikes are Khan and his crew.
Romulans
Doc Mcoy
Maybe Dilma Roussef baging the wind..
It's up to 13 now.
Or Klingons
Legendary man. I'm honoured to have met him once. LLAP
Lucky man. Wish i had that honor. Mr. Spock is a very influential character for me. I think the World need to be more logical.
+João Pacheco It certainly was a great day. Very gracious man, shaking hands and talking to us fans during the photo ops.
Honored.
Learn how to spell.
Grow some hair on that gleaming meat dome while you're at it.
@@tonytafoya6217 "Honoured" is also correct. English has two spelling variations. In British-English the preferred spelling is "Honoured" and in American-English it is "Honored". However both are correct regardless. Surprising that you don't know this simple fact if you are into correct spelling.
dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/honoured
He was great! Liked him on "In Search Of". Loved hearing from him again! Very cool! RIP!!!!
This is a fantastic Interview! This shows the intelligence, compassion, and maturity of Leonard Nimoy. I wish I could have seen him on Broadway!
Still love In Search Of..
Find it here on TH-cam.
I could listen to him for hours on end. Amazing guy.
When paramount studios was promoting "the voyage home" in 1986, i had the rare opportunity to briefly meet leonard nimoy. The things they say about him are true. He was genuinely a super nice guy.
The original series has aged really well. It looks really good on Netflix. Some of the episodes are iconic.
UberPilot You’re getting to see the remastered versions. Luckily they were shot on film and amenable to special effects and clean up. The original VHS 480i SD versions were ok but the 60’s props and relatively primitive special effects were fun to see.
Dear Leonard, as with eveybody else, I loved the logical, intelligent guy you gave to the Star Trek franchise. But what you really gave me was your show, In Search Of, about esoteric and occult things, that really opened my mind, thank you sooo much!
You, Shatner, Roddenberry, and the rest of the cast gave humanity something very special indeed.
i don't think anyone will ever get tired of watching the old star trek. Love Leonard. My favourite episode was the squire of gorthos.
* Gothos
Terrific acting on the part of the guest star. Finding out he was an alien child and not a lunatic was terrific. Star Trek, behind the camera, was outstanding. What a spoilt little brat, the Squire deserves a spanking for mistreating and terrorizing his pets. Let the wild animals go, you little pest!
Excellent show!
Such a wonderful guy. A real inspiration for me. Him and Jimmy Doohan guided my love for the sciences and engineering. Long live Star Trek, Spock, and Scotty.
So grateful for the hard work he put in on that show. How many lives were impacted...
Fantastic Interview I wish it would have lasted longer
This interview is FASCINATING!
Spock was one of the great characters to grace television.
RIP Mr. Nimoy. You and the show were a pivotal moment in our cultural history. Great work!
I watched Star Trek from the beginning and miss Spock rest in peace
Star Trek was ahead of its time in profound lessons for humanity. Loved the show.
Great interview. He and Spock have always been my heroes. R.I.P, Mr. Nimoy. I pray you're in a better place.
Compelling man.
And very "fascinating"....
Love hearing him talk and give his insights and thoughts.
A funny man too.
And the laugh.
No one has that laugh!
amazing impact for a show that the network cancelled after 3 seasons. it really says something about the lack of insight of tv execs.
I miss this guy. wish the show could have been treated better.
I saw the motion picture I think in 1980 in Eugene Oregon. William shatner's name came up on the screen at the beginning and everyone clapped. Leonard Nimoy's name came up and he got a standing ovation! That's the impression he made on the fans. Cosplay was born at Star trek conventions.
One man I never had the privilege to meet, though I sincerely wish I had had. Live long. And prosper.
It never ceases to amaze me the effect from this show on my life.
"My first steady job in 15-years..." ; "I had never worked more than two weeks in a row until Star Trek". Another incredible, real, story of one human being in the right place, at the right time, and another incredible story of the power of cooperation of like-minded and committed souls - human or otherwise. His humility reveals him to be the kind of guy you can actually trust.
Star trek is one of the few series where the great writing is actually improved upon by certain actors' mannerisms and the quirks they bring to the character when playing them, and leonard nimoy is the actor who most prominently makes me think this when watching the show, he makes the character charming past the lines he says
R.I.P. Mr. Nimoy.
It's so great to hear him say "that's not real Star Trek" about the first film. The director's cut is a big improvement, but still I think most of us generally agree with Leonard here.
I don’t. Actually, it’s annoying to hear him say that. Paramount begged him to come back; they gave him everything he wanted - salary level, royalties, and input into the script. And then he bad-mouths that film, despite the hard work and dedication of Robert Wise and the whole crew, who busted their chops to get that film out by Christmas 1979. Oh, by the way, it also turned him into a film director.
@@thomaschacko6320 that being said, Leonard’s opinion of that movie was that it wasn’t really Star Trek, and you should respect that. If anyone should know, it’s the actor that played SPOCK! Many people agree with him, too. If you enjoy it, that’s great, but Nimoy’s opinion is still valid. Yes, it was a job for him and I’m sure that as an actor that needed an income, he was grateful that he was brought back, but he wasn’t fond of the movie. Big deal. He’s not alone.
@@StevieMooreOfficial Stevie, I do respect Nimoy for his work; I saw him play Sherlock Holmes on stage! I was sorry that he became so ill and passed on. (My mother loved “Three Men and a Baby,” which Nimoy directed.) My issue is with actors who take the salary and perks, and then complain about the film or TV show afterwards. Sean Connery and Robert Vaughn had done it on occasion - and I’ve always admired their work. Just forget the film and move on, guys, if you don’t have anything positive to say.
I remember standing in line in New York City for “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” It was a bigger thrill for me than “Star Wars” or the other sci-fi films of the time. I’m glad Nimoy got to direct two of the best in the series. Look - it could have been worse; look at Number 5, which Shatner directed! (By the way, I’ve seen him on stage, too; he was fabulous!)
Live Long and Prosper, Stevie!
And then there was Scotty. He took each of their characters apart and put them back together (via transporter).
with dilithium crystals no less.
For the warp engines !
Mr Nimoy sure has a way of making you feel like family when you talk to him...Seems like such a down to earth man...He did such a great job of portraying an iconic character in Mr Spock that will go down in cinematic sci-fi history as the greatest alien of then all.. RIP Mr Nimoy, you are so missed..
We are family, because he's talking about his professional life. He made us what we are, but also we made him what he was as an artist.
What a wonderful man! I hope he knew how much we loved him.
Leonard certainly DID know ... how much the fans love(d) him.
I think he did. He was so great!
His honesty & humilty speaks volumes. LIVE LONG & PROSPER.
Awwwww I love this intelligent person!
Lenard Nimoy is still a amazing person!
I still love this man even after he is gone!
A great person in life and after.......
Always loved Spock. Love listening to these interviews.
Mad respect for tthis man. Even after he has been dead for years, I still miss him.
A series of questions I would have loved to ask him, describe what was going on in "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins".
Chris Kelling, 😀 My dad gave the LP “The 2 Sides of Leonard Nimoy” to me on my birthday in 1968. I played it many times. Funny little hobbit with a tail.
My family lived in Joplin, Mo. A true Bible belt area. We loved Spock. We still do.
We love Star Trek and all those wonderful actors..
Leonard, your voice and presence makes me feel at home.. RIP
I am rewatching Star Trek on H&I. Can't stay awake for my next favorite, Enterprise. 🙄
I think the Bible Belt story is bogus.
Watching Star Trek as a 5-7 year old, Spock commanded a certainty to every episode. I grew up in an alcoholic household and although I was still too young to understand the situation, I believe
The logic, the poise, not over-reacting with emotions, Nimoy’s character development brought a rock of stability, a surety that everything is going to be ok in the end.
Arguably the most essential character on the show and one of the greatest characters ever created.
3:45 made me smile! As ridiculous as it may sound, I went by the old 1970 location of "Leonard Nimoy's (Exotic) Pet Pad." Located in Canoga Park, Calif. Now it's a Vietnamese takeout and an adjacent electronics shop. There used to be a Denny's right across from it. 🖖
Rip Leonard, live long and prosper....
that's my HERO, Leonard Nimoy, LLAP, My Fellow Trekkers
A truly honest sincere genuine gentle caring loving soul full of gratitude & gratefulness
So glad I clicked on this link. Loved it.
No other Star Trek will ever replace the original series.
I was ten when I saw you for the first time and I loved you since . R.I.P Spock.
Nimoy was a brilliant man.
Outside of Star Trek, I enjoyed Leonard Nimoy in the show "In Search Of".
YES!
He was also great in a Columbo episode called A Stitch In Crime.
Yes that was a great show!
Thank you Leonard Nimoy. What a lovely man. What a lovely conversation. I am a huge Star Trek fan. I was glued watching as a 7 year old. Beam me up Scotty 😍😁🖖🏾🛸🌎🌍🌏✨🥰
Born: March 26, 1931, West End, Boston, MA
Died: February 27, 2015, Bel Air, Los Angeles, CA
I always enjoyed Leonard’s work whether it was ST, In Search Of, movies, or other projects! Loved this man!
THANK YOU LEONARD NIMOY. MAYBE OUR SPIRIT BODLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE .
I attended Leonard Nimoy's play "Vincent" (he wrote it, starred in it, created it from the letters between Vincent Van Gough and his brother, Theo) in 1983. He subsequently took the play completely around the U.S.A. We in Omaha gave him a 10 minute standing ovation! (As he performed it at a whisper, as he had a cold induced laryngitis.) It was a great way for him to say, "I am NOT SPOCK!"
As a young child of 10, I felt a deep connection to Spock. My mother did not allow any show of emotions around her. So I became a Vulcan around her. It did allow me to look at life in a more logical manner and realize that her lack of emotions did not mean I couldn't have any emotions when I wasn't around her.
We loved you Leonard
Pure pleasure listening 2 Mr. Nimoy
I love star trek. My DAD who was a big fan gave me my first taste of star trek. Still love it years later today
In another clip, Nimoy talks about returning to his family’s home town in Russia, about meeting his close kin, It is a charming interview.
His show "In Search of" was nothing to be ignored. Its a good interview. Seeing him relaxed, talking, sign of a good interviewer.
What a legend!