Leonard Simon Nimoy was an American actor, film director, poet, musician and photographer. Nimoy's most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series 1966–1969, multiple films, television and video game sequels.
Nimoy began his career in his early twenties, teaching acting classes in Hollywood and making minor film and television appearances through the 1950s, as well as playing the title role in Kid Monk Baroni. In 1953, he served in the United States Army. In 1965, he made his first appearance in the rejected Star Trek pilot, "The Cage", and would go on to play the character of Mr. Spock until 1969, followed by seven further films and a number of guest slots in various sequels. His character of Spock generated a significant cultural impact and three Emmy Award nominations; TV Guide named Spock one of the 50 greatest TV characters. Nimoy also had a recurring role in Mission: Impossible and a narrating role in Civilization IV, as well as several well-received stage appearances. Nimoy's fame as Spock is such that both his autobiographies, I Am Not Spock (1977) and I Am Spock (1995) detail his existence as being shared between the character and himself.
Nimoy was born to Yiddish-speaking Orthodox Jewish immigrants from Iziaslav, Ukraine. His father, Max Nimoy, owned a barbershop in the Mattapan section of the city. His mother, Dora Nimoy (née Spinner), was a homemaker. Nimoy began acting at the age of eight in children's and neighborhood theater. His parents wanted him to attend college and pursue a stable career, or even learn to play the accordion—which, his father advised, Nimoy could always make a living with—but his grandfather encouraged him to become an actor. His first major role was at 17, as Ralphie in an amateur production of Clifford Odets' Awake and Sing!. Nimoy took Drama classes at Boston College in 1953 but failed to complete his studies, and in the 1970s studied photography at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has an MA in Education and an honorary doctorate from Antioch University in Ohio. Nimoy served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1953 through 1955, alongside fellow actor Ken Berry and architect Frank Gehry.
Known For
Time Bomb Y2K
Self (archive voice)
2023
Emily @ the Edge of Chaos
Sigmund Freud (voice)
2021
My Brother Vincent
Self
2018
Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault
(archive footage)
2016
For the Love of Spock
Self (archive footage)
2016
50 Years of Star Trek
Self
2016
To Be Takei
Self
2014
The Prime Ministers: The Pioneers
Levi Eshkol (voice)
2013
Leonard Nimoy's Oral History
Self - Interviewee
2013
Star Trek Into Darkness
Ambassador Spock
2013
Hava Nagila: The Movie
Self
2012
Zambezia
Sekhuru (voice)
2012
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Sentinel Prime (voice)
2011
Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored
Spock (archive footage)
2011
Billy Blackburn's Treasure Chest: Rare Home Movies and Special Memories
2011
Star Trek: Evolutions
Narrator
2009
The Evolution of the Enterprise
Self
2009
Land of the Lost
The Zarn (voice)
2009
Bring Back... Star Trek
Self
2009
Star Trek
Ambassador Spock
2009
Star Trek: The Captain's Summit
Self
2009
The Pixar Story
Spock (archive footage)
2007
Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier
Self - Host
2007
The Once and Future Griffith Observatory
Self
2006
William Shatner in Concert
Self
2006
40 Years of Star Trek
Self
2006
Ringers: Lord of the Fans
Self
2005
Rambam - The Story of Maimonides
Rambam (voice)
2005
Reflections on Spock
2004
Kiss 'N' Tell: Romance in the 23rd Century
2004
Birth of a Timeless Legacy
2004
The Making of 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire'
Self
2002
Mind Meld: Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime
Himself
2001
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
King Kashekim Nedakh (voice)
2001
The Fly Papers: The Buzz on Hollywood's Scariest Insect
Narrator
2000
Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists
Akron/ Baraba/ King Chandra
2000
Forging Greatness: Lincoln in Indiana
Narrator
2000
The Story of Computer Graphics
Narrator
1999
Y2K Family Survival Guide
Self - Host / Narrator
1999
Rashi: A Light After The Dark Ages
Rashi (voice)
1999
A Life Apart: Hasidism in America
Narrator
1998
The Lost World
Angus McArdle
1998
Brave New World
Mustapha Mond
1998
Trekkies
Self
1997
David
Samuel
1997
The Great Pyramids
Narrator (voice)
1997
The Harryhausen Chronicles
Self - Narrator (voice)
1997
Mystical World of Ancient Greece
Narrator (voice)
1996
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
Self
1996
Star Trek Story
Self
1996
Jellies & Other Ocean Drifters
Narrator
1996
Mysterious Spirits of the Mayans
Narrator (voice)
1995
The New Explorers: The Science of Star Trek
Self
1995
Bonanza: Under Attack
Frank James
1995
William Shatner's Star Trek Memories
Self
1995
Science Fiction: A Journey Into the Unknown
1994
The Making of 'The Pagemaster'
Self (archive footage)
1994
William Shatner: Captain's Log
Self
1994
Star Trek: A Captain's Log
Himself
1994
The Pagemaster
Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde (voice)
1994
Destiny in Space
Narrator (voice)
1994
Ancient Mysteries: Bigfoot
Host
1994
The Halloween Tree
Mr. Moundshroud (voice)
1993
Titanica
narrator
1992
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Captain Spock
1991
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unification
Spock (archive footage)
1991
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special
Self - Host
1991
Never Forget
Mel Mermelstein
1991
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Captain Spock
1989
The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next
Self
1988
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Spock
1986
The Transformers: The Movie
Galvatron (voice)
1986
Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp
The Evil Moroccan Magician
1986
Super Duper Bloopers
Self
1986
Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
Self (archive footage)
1985
Planets of the Sun
Narrator
1985
Lights
Greek Nobleman
1984
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Captain Spock / Elevator Voice
1984
Leonard Nimoy: Star Trek Memories
Host
1983
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Captain Spock
1982
A Woman Called Golda
Morris Meyerson
1982
Night of 100 Stars
Self
1982
Vincent
Theo van Gogh
1981
Seizure: The Story of Kathy Morris
Dr. Richard Connought
1980
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Mr. Spock
1979
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Dr. David Kibner
1978
The Star Trek Dream
Self
1975
Mitzi & 100 Guys
Self
1975
The Missing Are Deadly
1975
Rex Harrison Presents Stories of Love
Mick
1974
The Alpha Caper
Mitch
1973
Baffled!
Tom Kovack
1973
Catlow
Miller
1971
Assault on the Wayne
Comdr. Phil Kettenring
1971
Valley of Mystery
Spence Atherton
1967
Deathwatch
Jules LaFranc
1966
Star Trek: The Cage
Spock
1965
The Balcony
Roger
1963
The Brain Eaters
Professor Cole
1958
Satan's Satellites
Narab
1958
Them!
Army Sergeant
1954
Old Overland Trail
Chief Black Hawk
1953
Zombies of the Stratosphere
Narab
1952
Francis Goes to West Point
Football Player
1952
Kid Monk Baroni
Paul 'Monk' Baroni
1952
Symphony to the Planets: A Star to Call Home
Narrator
Symphony to the Planets: Mysteries Beyond Our Reach
Narrator
Rhubarb
Young Baseball Player (uncredited)
1951
Leonard Nimoy Demonstrates the Magnavision Videodisc Player
Self
Sally
Self (archive footage)
2025
Tolkien: The True Story of the Rings
Self - Actor (archive footage)
2024
765874: Memory Wall
Spock (Archival Footage & Face)
2022
The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek
Self (archive footage) · (4 episodes)
2021
Star Trek: Prodigy
Spock (voice) · (1 episode)
2021
Star Trek: Discovery
Spock (archive footage) · (1 episode)
2017
The Shannara Chronicles
Spock (archive footage) · (1 episode)
2016
Honest Trailers
Spock (archive footage) · (2 episodes)
2012
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Self · (1 episode)
2009
Shatner's Raw Nerve
Self · (1 episode)
2008
Fringe
Dr. William Bell · (87 episodes)
2008
The Real Story
Himself · (1 episode)
2008
The Big Bang Theory
Mr. Spock (voice) · (1 episode)
2007
Bring Back...
Self · (1 episode)
2005
Comedy Central Roasts
Self · (1 episode)
2003
HypaSpace
Self · (1 episode)
2002
After They Were Famous
Self · (1 episode)
2002
Futurama
Leonard Nimoy's Head (Voice) · (2 episodes)
1999
Becker
Professor Emmett Fowler · (1 episode)
1998
Invasion America
General Konrad (voice) · (13 episodes)
1998
Armageddon: Target Earth
Host
1998
David
Samuel · (2 episodes)
1997
Davide
Samuel · (2 episodes)
1997
The Daily Show
Self · (1 episode)
1996
Muppets Tonight
Self · (1 episode)
1996
The Outer Limits
Thurman Cutler · (1 episode)
1995
Duckman
(1 episode)
1994
Ancient Mysteries
(1 episode)
1994
Ancient Mysteries
Narrator · (94 episodes)
1994
MTV Movie & TV Awards
Spock (archive footage) · (1 episode)
1992
Haunted Lives: True Ghost Stories
Host · (3 episodes)
1991
The Simpsons
Leonard Nimoy (voice) · (2 episodes)
1989
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Spock · (2 episodes)
1987
The Sun Also Rises
Count Mippipopolous · (2 episodes)
1984
Marco Polo
Achmet · (3 episodes)
1982
Faerie Tale Theatre
The Evil Moroccan Magician · (1 episode)
1982
Wogan
Self · (1 episode)
1982
A Woman Called Golda
Morris Meyerson · (2 episodes)
1982
T. J. Hooker
Lt. Paul McGuire · (1 episode)
1982
Please Turn the Page
Self · (1 episode)
1977
In Search of...
(1 episode)
1977
In Search of...
Narrator · (152 episodes)
1977
Auf los geht's los
Self · (1 episode)
1977
The Captain and Tennille
Self · (1 episode)
1976
Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited) · (1 episode)
1975
Star Trek
Spock (voice) · (22 episodes)
1973
Columbo
Barry Mayfield · (1 episode)
1971
Night Gallery
Henry Auden · (1 episode)
1970
Mission: Impossible - The Falcon
Paris
1970
Mission: Impossible - The Controllers
Paris
1969
The Barbara McNair Show
Self · (1 episode)
1969
The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show
Self · (1 episode)
1968
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Self · (1 episode)
1968
The Carol Burnett Show
Self - Guest / Various Characters · (1 episode)
1967
Malibu U
Self · (1 episode)
1967
Star Trek: The Menagerie
Mr. Spock
1966
Star Trek: Where No Man Has Gone Before
Mr. Spock
1966
Mission: Impossible
Paris · (49 episodes)
1966
Star Trek
Spock · (79 episodes)
1966
Get Smart
(1 episode)
1965
Profiles in Courage
Burr Jones · (1 episode)
1964
Daniel Boone
Oontah · (1 episode)
1964
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
(1 episode)
1964
The Hollywood Palace
Self - Singer · (1 episode)
1964
Kraft Suspense Theatre
Lawrence Brody · (1 episode)
1963
Kraft Suspense Theatre
Cowell · (1 episode)
1963
The Outer Limits
Konig · (1 episode)
1963
The Outer Limits
Judson Ellis · (1 episode)
1963
The Lieutenant
Gregg Sanders · (1 episode)
1963
You Don't Say!
(1 episode)
1963
Combat!
Neumann · (1 episode)
1962
Combat!
Pvt. Baum · (1 episode)
1962
The Virginian
Wismer · (1 episode)
1962
The Virginian
Benjamin Frome · (1 episode)
1962
The Virginian
Keith Bentley · (1 episode)
1962
Sam Benedict
Insp. Joe Shatley · (1 episode)
1962
The Mike Douglas Show
Self · (2 episodes)
1961
Dr. Kildare
Harry · (1 episode)
1961
87th Precinct
(1 episode)
1961
Cain's Hundred
Ralph Tomek · (1 episode)
1961
The Tall Man
(1 episode)
1960
The Tall Man
Deputy Sheriff Johnny Swift · (1 episode)
1960
Tate
(1 episode)
1960
The Rebel
Jim Colburn · (1 episode)
1959
The Twilight Zone
Hansen · (1 episode)
1959
Lock-Up
(1 episode)
1959
Bonanza
Freddy · (1 episode)
1959
Rawhide
Anko · (1 episode)
1959
The Rough Riders
(1 episode)
1958
Sea Hunt
(6 episodes)
1958
26 Men
(2 episodes)
1957
Harbor Command
(1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Pete Chennery · (1 episode)
1957
Wagon Train
Bernabe Zamora · (1 episode)
1957
West Point
(1 episode)
1956
West Point
Cadet Tom Kennedy · (1 episode)
1956
Broken Arrow
Winnoa · (1 episode)
1956
The Man Called X
(1 episode)
1956
Highway Patrol
(2 episodes)
1955
Navy Log
(1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Grice · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Holt · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Arnie · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
John Walking Fox · (1 episode)
1955
Dragnet
(2 episodes)
1951
Queen for a Day
Chief
1951
The Universe & I
Sherlock Holmes · (1 episode)
Golden Globe Awards
Self - Presenter · (1 episode)
1944