The Death of Leonard Nimoy

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 2/28/15 at 3:56am

Although Leonard Nimoy was primarily known as a TV actor, and secondarily as a movie actor, he also appeared on stage. He played Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" and the psychiatrist in "Equus," among other stage roles.

I am a huge admirer of his, and am heartbroken at his passing. Nevertheless, I am surprised at the huge outpouring of grief and love, because I didn't realize that so many other people felt the same way about him as I do.

Because there was no thread discussing the loss of this giant, I thought it appropriate to start one. Feel free to post your thoughts about Leonard Nimoy's life, his career, and his death.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 2/28/15 at 4:06am

So sad to hear he's passed away.

He also played Higgins in MY FAIR LADY at Melody Top Theater once.

[Fan123]

Posted: 2/28/15 at 4:51am

Very sad news. For what it's worth, some posts have been made regarding this on the off-topic board (that thread's title is outdated, having been written when he was just hospitalised).
Off-topic board thread

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 2/28/15 at 11:26am

He should be remembered on the "Broadway" board. He devoted a good deal of his later life to theatre. His one man show "Vincent" in which he played Vincent Van Gogh's brother as well as moments where he was also Vincent, was truly a great performance. I also saw him as Dysart in "Equus" (I had the good fortune to have seen Him, Anthony Hopkins, Tony Perkins and Richard Burton in the original run) and he was very good.
Rest In Peace and Thank You!

[beaemma]

Posted: 2/28/15 at 2:15pm

Although his name became synonymous with Spock, he was a very versatile actor. I saw him as Henry Higgins, the King of Siam, and Fagin. He was excellent in all those roles.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/28/15 at 4:26pm

Though I didn't see him in the show, I once had coffee with the actress Laurinda Barrette ("Heart is a Lonely Hunter") who was doing "Equus" with Nimoy at the time. She said his take on Dysert wasn't complex or especially sharp in any theatrical sense. Yet he had something no other had: an immediate connection with the audience. The play came alive in unexpected and even powerful ways* because from the first words, the audience was "with" the Nimoy Dysart, ready to invest in every thought and opinion he uttered. She said the show became a different experience to play with him because of that desire to trust and buy into his performance. At the time (my early 20's) I didn't fully appreciate the wisdom in what she spoke of. Now, having seen several actors in roles they weren't ideally suited for, or who had more limited stage chops but still managed to produce a winning evening, I get it. Barrett said Nimoy brought people to "Equus" who might not have been there, and found it thrilling. I thought of her remarks when Radcliffe did the same play. There's a reason why stars are good for Broadway.


*I saw Anthony Perkins, and the same might be said about him. His fascination with Alan took on an odd doppleganger aspect, because even at that age, Perkins' inherent boyishness made his obsession with this troubled adolescent a very different read of the play.

Updated On: 2/28/15 at 04:26 PM

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 3/3/15 at 5:59pm

This is a little hard to express. Unlike most here, Star Trek has been a friend through most of my life, beginning with watching the original first-run TV series episodes as a teenager, and the multitudinous reruns of the original with new college roommates.

The original film series was such a disappointment, except for the comic film directed by Nimoy, that they could have easily reached the end of the galaxy.

But such was the pull of those Star Trek characters that it was decided to chance a new series, Star Trek, TNG, that turned out to be the best Star Trek of all, led by the accomplished actor Patrick Stewart, who gave the series respectability. This series was a great comfort to me during a lonely period of my life.

New TV series and films of mixed value followed and still follow. Almost all were an improvement on the original films.

Finally the payoff for all this verbosity. The entire multi-billion dollar Star Trek franchise is due to Leonard Nimoy and his creation of one of those few classic TV characters: SPOCK. Without SPOCK, Star Trek is just another pedestrian network series that, if it succeeded at all, would never have spawned so much subsequent
activity. So many giving the Vulcan peace sign, the greeting "Live Long and Prosper," and the Vulcan neck pinch. Above all, the Vulcan choice of logic over Earth's emotion in a man who had a parent from each planet.

SPOCK: Galileo to Enterprise. Galileo to Enterprise, come in, please. Galileo to Enterprise. Come in, please.
(He ponders for a moment, then flicks the Fuel Jettison button)
SCOTT: Mister Spock!
(There's a jolt as two long plumes of flame streak out from the nacelles)
MEARS: What happened?
SCOTT: He jettisoned the fuel and ignited it.
BOMA: We need that fuel to maintain orbit. Are you out of your mind?
SPOCK: Perhaps, Mister Boma.
SCOTT: A distress signal? It's like sending up a flare. Mister Spock, that was a good gamble. Perhaps it was worth it.
SPOCK: No one out there to see it.
(The plume of flame fades out)
SCOTT: Orbit decaying, Mister Spock. Ten seconds to atmosphere.
MCCOY: It may be the last action you'll ever take, Mister Spock, but it was all human.
SPOCK: Totally illogical. There was no chance.
MCCOY: That's exactly what I mean.
..................The Galileo Seven