Leonard Nimoy was an American actor film director poet musician and photographer Nimoys most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series 19661969 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 wellreceived stage appearances Nimoys 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 Yiddishspeaking 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 childrens and neighborhood theater His parents wanted him to attend college and pursue a stable career or even learn to play the accordionwhich his father advised Nimoy could always make a living withbut 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 US Army from 1953 through 1955 alongside fellow actor Ken Berry and architect Frank Gehry
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