Just four days after William Shatner celebrated his 89th birthday, Star Trek fans are celebrating the life of Leonard Nimoy who also would have turned 89 today (March 26th). Just like Shatner, it was Nimoy’s iconic role on The Original Series – as Vulcan science officer Spock – that made him a known name around the world and a legend of the sci-fi genre.
Unlike Shatner though, Nimoy’s association with Trek actually goes back to the original pilot “The Cage” in 1966. The network was so impressed with his performance that he was retained for the series proper with his role expanded to secondary lead behind Captain Kirk, and the rest is screen history. Following the conclusion of TOS in 1969, Nimoy reprised Spock for the animated series (1973-4) and then numerous movies between 1979 and 1991.
And now, on what would’ve been his 89th birthday, tons of fans are paying tribute, as you can see below:
😭 the world just isn't the same without Leonard Nimoy. https://t.co/LTi5svtQvE
— Ashley Kötturinn 🐈🐾🌻 (@truestorydesu) March 26, 2020
Happy TOSS Birthday to the great Leonard Nimoy. Born just four days after his friend and shipmate William Shatner, it's as if the stars were aligned from the beginning. Gone much too soon, but never forgotten. #TOSSatNight pic.twitter.com/3T3smEEP4c
— TOSSatNight (@TOSSatNight) March 26, 2020
Happy birthday to actor/writer/poet Leonard Nimoy (March 26, 1931), author of “I Am Spock” (1995) and many other works.
— Book_Addict (@Book_Addict) March 26, 2020
THE GREAT LEONARD NIMOY
Leonard Simon Nimoy was an American actor, film director, photographer, author, singer, and songwriter. He was known for playing Spock in the Star Trek, and he was in Mission Impossible!
March 26, 1931, West End, Boston, MA pic.twitter.com/vBmJEw809h
— South River Library (@soriverlibrary) March 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/CalebAhlersmeye/status/1243177218869727232
Today (March 26th) is #LiveLongAndProsperDay in honor of Leonard Nimoy's birthdate. #Spock @StarTrek pic.twitter.com/TGvp403w2e
— Carolyn Muse (@NLCarolynMuse) March 26, 2020
🖖 May you live long and prosper. Happy Birthday Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy)! 💫 pic.twitter.com/OjA25fv3dL
— JuiceTea69 (@JuiceTea69) March 26, 2020
Famously, Nimoy was the only original cast member J.J. Abrams brought back for the rebooted film franchise, with the actor playing Spock – now designated Spock Prime, to differentiate him from Zachary Quinto’s alternate version – in 2009’s Star Trek and 2012’s Star Trek into Darkness. This was to be his last turn in the role, as Nimoy passed away from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in February 2015. 2016’s Star Trek Beyond was dedicated to his memory.
Nimoy’s legacy in the Star Trek universe remains keenly felt following his death, with Spock being played by a third actor in the form of Ethan Peck on Star Trek: Discovery season 2. The Nimoy family approved of Peck’s casting as well – just as Nimoy had a hand in hiring Quinto. The great man thankfully lived long enough to see that he’d created an immortal character in Spock, so he would no doubt be touched to know that the Vulcan was continuing to live long and prosper.
