After a lengthy run, Stark Trek’s Spock, Leonard Nimoy, is officially retired from the sci-fi series’ fan conventions. Dammit, Jim! I never got to see him!
The 80-year-old actor has certainly earned the right to bow out of convention appearances. Nimoy originally took on the role of the now-famous Vulcan back in 1966 when the original Star Trek series first aired and stepped back into the role for 2005’s Star Trek reboot.
The retirement was planned and Nimoy’s appearance at the Trek convention in Chicago this past weekened marked the occasion as well as celebrated the 45th anniversary of the series. The convention was run, as usual, by Creation Entertainment. They’re the company that does all the Xena, Stargate, Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Farscape and Smallville conventions, among others. From their website:
For over forty amazing years we have been fans of the incredibly diverse talents of Mr. Nimoy. Creating one of pop cultures most enduring characters with his Mr. Spock, Leonard has become one of the world’s most beloved performers and all of us have enjoyed his contributions to the arts as an actor, writer, director, producer, and photographer. To many of us he IS Star Trek and therefore our Chicago celebration of the 45th Anniversary would not be complete without his presence. Last year Leonard cancelled out of Chicago due to illness so we are absolutely thrilled that he has agreed to make his triumphant return to this great city, a true hotbed of Trek fandom for years!
Nimoy spent the weekend greeting fans while hosting his photography seminar and giving an hour-long speech about his life and career. THR writes, “He thanked fans for their support and uttered his Vulcan character’s famous line, ‘Live long and prosper.'”
Although I’m a Trekkie, I’ve only attended one Trek convention in my life and Nimoy was not in attendance. Two of my brothers got to meet him a long time ago and walked away with this epic photo. I am sad I never got to see him speak in person, I have a feeling it would be a magical experience. I think I shall watch Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home this weekend.
(via The Hollywood Reporter)
