Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy aka Spock, 80 years old, has been trying to retire for over a year now and is officially calling it quits. Nimoy has indicated at his recent events and through his Twitter stream that he is officially done later this year.
Over the weekend Nimoy attended his second to last event, the Official Las Vegas Star Trek Convention. He took the floor and invited his fans on a journey through his history in the Star Trek franchise. Nimoy covered his own beginnings from childhood, coming to Hollywood, career in film and television and highlights from Star Trek as well as the remainder of his illustrious career. Nimoy illustrated the origin of the now very famous Vulcan hand sign from his Jewish childhood. He spoke in earnest of his friends and fellow thespians, Bill Shatner, Deforest Kelly, and Jimmy Dohan.
As he valiantly attempted to bring his speech to a close, you could hear his voice betray him, and the tears came both on stage, and in the audience as well. His last words, as if out of an episode or movie came in the following immortal sentence: “Live long, and prosper.”
Leonard Nimoy will be making his final stage appearances October 1st at Creation’s Chicago event and October 2nd teaching his photography seminar.
One last note, Nimoy will not be a part of the sequel to Star Trek which begins filming January 2012. He was quoted in an interview with io9 saying “I want to get off the stage. Also, I don’t think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto…He’s a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it’s time to give him some space. And I’m very flattered the character will continue.
Nimoy has been a huge part of the genre for about 45 years. We are grateful to have seen so much of him through time and wish him well.