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Leonard Nimoy

Actor

"The camera can capture thought in a way that's quite surprising and shocking. You can become very simple and minimal in your work and communicate a lot with just a finger or an eyebrow, or a look, or a glance."

About This Interview

Leonard Nimoy expresses how he felt at being Emmy-nominated: "I cried. I thought, whoa. Wow. What a thrill. Particularly because the nominations are done by your fellow actors, and I thought: they're getting it, they can see what I'm doing.... it just really moved me deeply."  Leonard Nimoy received an Emmy nomination for each season of Star Trek, playing now-iconic "Mr. Spock," and is also known for hosting the documentary series In Search Of... and as a director of series TV and films (including two Star Trek features).

In his four-hour Archive interview, Nimoy (1931-2015) reminisces about growing up in the inner city of Boston: the mix of nationalities in his neighborhood and his stage debut at the age of eight at a community theater. He discusses his acting ambitions and his move to Hollywood, making television appearances on such series as The Pinky Lee Show and Matinee Theater. He chronicles his life as a struggling actor, commenting on regularly playing ethnic roles and heavies while working on western series such as Wagon Train and Gunsmoke. He also discusses working on several series produced by syndication giant Ziv Television Programs, among them West Point, Sea Hunt and Highway Patrol. He recounts auditioning for The Lieutenant, a series produced by Gene Roddenberry, which led to his casting on Star Trek. Backtracking to his '50s experiences, he notes his time in the Army (assigned to mount Army-produced shows) and describes his role (and meager pay) for his first starring feature film Kid Monk Baroni, as well as his first work in a sci-fi role in the serial Zombies of the Startosphere. He also talks about his work as an acting teacher. Regarding Star Trek, he speaks in great detail about his character "Mr. Spock" and gives the origin of such Vulcanisms as the Vulcan salute and nerve pinch, both of which he invented. He describes a typical work-week on the series, eludes to the restrictive budget and strict adherence to schedule, describes Gene Roddenberry's vision for the series, gives his impressions of his fellow cast mates and looks back on several notable episodes. Regarding the creation of the "Mr. Spock" character, Nimoy reveals: "[During a scene once,] Spock had one word to say and the word was 'fascinating.' And we're looking at this thing on the screen and I got caught up in that energy and I said, 'fascinating!' And the director gave me a brilliant note which said: 'Be different. Be the scientist. Be detached. See it as something that's a curiosity rather than a threat.' I said, 'fascinating.' Well, a big chunk of the character was born right there." Nimoy then speaks frankly about his work as a series regular on Mission:Impossible, which he ultimately found unfulfilling. He discusses later career highlights including his work as narrator/host of In Search of... and star of such television movies as A Woman Called Golda and Never Forget. He notes his second career as a director, initially with an episode of Rod Serling's Night Gallery and his graduation to such popular feature films as Star Trek III and IV and Three Men and a Baby. Karen Herman conducted the interview in Beverly Hills, CA on November 2, 2000.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • Assault on the Wayne
  • Bonanza
  • Broken Arrow
  • Combat
  • Dr. Kildare
  • Dragnet
  • Emmy Awards, The (primetime and daytime)
  • Get Smart
  • Gunsmoke
  • Highway Patrol
  • In Search of...
  • Lieutenant, The
  • Lights, Camera, Action
  • M Squad
  • Man From U.N.C.L.E., The
  • Matinee Theater
  • Mission: Impossible
  • Never Forget
  • Night Gallery
  • Outer Limits, The (1963-65, ABC)
  • Pinky Lee Show, The
  • Queen for a Day
  • Questor
  • Sea Hunt
  • Star Trek
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation
  • Wagon Train
  • West Point
  • Woman Called Golda, A

People

  • Lucille Ball
  • Ernest Borgnine
  • Norman Felton
  • Robert Justman
  • Walter Koenig
  • Nichelle Nichols
  • Gene Roddenberry
  • Joseph Sargent
  • William Shatner
  • George Takei

Topics

  • Bloopers
  • Creative Influences and Inspiration
  • Drama
  • Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
  • Minorities
  • Studio Management
  • Television Industry

Professions

  • Director
  • Hosts
  • Performers
  • Producer

Featured Content

Video: Embeddable playlist from Leonard Nimoy's interview

Video: Leonard Nimoy's appearance on Shatner's Raw Nerve

Video: Leonard Nimoy's first starring role in the 1952 feature film Kid Monk Baroni (note: see chapter three of his Archive interview where he discusses this movie)

 

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  • Interview
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Highlights

  • Leonard Nimoy on his creation of the Vulcan nerve pinchLeonard Nimoy on his creation of the Vulcan nerve pinch
    Clip begins at: 02:18, Duration: 02m 08s
  • Leonard Nimoy on his <i gx_name="i" class="gx_element gx_inline gx_name_i">Star Trek</i> character "Mr. Spock"<br id="anonymous_element_1202"/>Leonard Nimoy on his Star Trek character "Mr. Spock"
    Clip begins at: 12:51, Duration: 04m 28s
  • Leonard Nimoy on directing the feature film <i gx_name="i" class="gx_element gx_inline gx_name_i">Three Men and a Baby</i>Leonard Nimoy on directing the feature film Three Men and a Baby
    Clip begins at: 12:04, Duration: 03m 04s
  • Leonard Nimoy on working with <i gx_name="i" class="gx_element gx_inline gx_name_i">Star Trek</i> co-star William Shatner (in comparison to pilot episode co-star Jeffrey Hunter)Leonard Nimoy on working with Star Trek co-star William Shatner (in comparison to pilot episode co-star Jeffrey Hunter)
    Clip begins at: 21:15, Duration: 01m 00s
  • Leonard Nimoy on his creation of the Vulcan salute and its use in the <i gx_name="i" class="gx_element gx_inline gx_name_i">Star Trek</i> episode "Amok Time"Leonard Nimoy on his creation of the Vulcan salute and its use in the Star Trek episode "Amok Time"
    Clip begins at: 04:26, Duration: 01m 51s

Interview

  • Part 1
  • On his early years growing up in Boston; on his first acting experience, age eight, at a community theater; on appearing in and listening to radio
    Clip begins at: 0:56
  • On his memories of selling newspapers on Pearl Harbor day; on getting the acting bug; on his disappointing experience studying at the Pasadena Playhouse; on setting himself up in Hollywood with the help of actress Ruth Roman
    Clip begins at: 08:57
  • On his appearance on TV's The Pinky Lee Show and earliest memories of watching television; on being a struggling actor; on other early TV exposure on: Lights, Camera, Action and Matinee Theater
    Clip begins at: 18:24
  • Part 2
  • On his appearance on Matinee Theater (continued); on working in live TV; on guest appearances in series produced by syndication giant Ziv Television Programs: West Point and Sea Hunt, by which he earned a living
    Clip begins at: 0:26
  • On a significant guest appearance on Wagon Train in the episode "The Estaban Zamora Story" (acting with Ernest Borgnine); on his penchant for playing ethnic roles; on his guest appearances on Bonanza and a television movie revival (acting with character actor Ben Johnson); on why villains were not allowed to smoke on Ziv Television Programs' syndicated shows, due to sponsorship
    Clip begins at: 09:41
  • On the plot of a Gunsmoke episode he guest-starred in, "Treasure of John Walking Fox"; on series star Vic Morrow helping him to get work on Combat!; on auditioning and winning a guest part on The Lieutenant, which led him to be cast on Star Trek; on taking a small part on Get Smart
    Clip begins at: 17:25
  • Part 3
  • On his guest appearances on the series: Dragnet, M Squad, Broken Arrow, and Highway Patrol (and the cost cutting techniques of shows he did in those days)
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On appearing on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and shadowing director Joseph Sargent to learn how to direct for television (per producer Norman Felton); on appearing on The Outer Limits episode "I Robot" in the 1960s and the remake in the 1990s
    Clip begins at: 11:05
  • On serving in the Army in the mid-50s, becoming an "entertainment specialist" to Army-produced shows; on getting an agent and landing the feature film Kid Monk Baroni , in which he played the title role (a boxer); on his family's take on his choice of profession
    Clip begins at: 17:03
  • Part 4
  • On appearing in his first sci-fi role, in the 1952 serial Zombies of the Stratosphere; on how appearing in a stage production of "The Three Musketeers" for children got him the job on a feature film version of radio-TV's Queen for a Day; on the Hollywood blacklist and how he became involved in teaching as an indirect result
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On teaching acting, circa the late 1950s; on how he prepares for a role, and the importance of subtext
    Clip begins at: 10:14
  • On the intimacy the camera can provide to an actor; on how being an actor informed his directing; on getting cast on Star Trek; on Star Trek producer Gene Roddenberry's description of "Spock"; on "Spock's" make-up
    Clip begins at: 18:59
  • Part 5
  • On his make-up as Star Trek' s "Mr. Spock"; on the reaction of the network to the "Spock" character; on the premise of Star Trek; on how the series was useful as a platform for its writers; on what he was told about lead Jeffrey Hunter's departure following the initial pilot
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On the character of "Mr. Spock" and developing his traits
    Clip begins at: 12:43
  • On precedent of a "Spock"-like character in The Day the Earth Stood Still; on being influenced in his minimalist "Spock" characterization by something he saw Harry Belafonte do on stage in the '50s; on abandoning an actor's "emotion" as a requirement for playing "Dr. Spock" and how playing him affected him personally; on his typical workweek on Star Trek;  on Star Trek's "transporter"
    Clip begins at: 18:58
  • Part 6
  • On Star Trek's bridge set; on the show's restrictive budget; on Lucille Ball complimenting him; on the directors of Star Trek and the tight adherence to schedule; on his unfulfilled interest in directing for Star Trek; on comparing Star Trek's short shooting schedule to that of "sister series" Mission:Impossible
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On Star Trek creator/producer Gene Roddenberry involvement during the show's run and vision for the series; on Star Trek writer/producer Gene L. Coon and his idea of the Klingons; on associate producer Robert H. Justman; on the interrelationship between McCoy, Spock, Capt. Kirk; on working with the show's ensemble
    Clip begins at: 10:40
  • On working with Star Trek co-star William Shatner; on Star Trek's popularity and the network's mismanaging of its timeslot, which hastened its cancellation
    Clip begins at: 21:12
  • Part 7
  • On the Star Trek episode "The Devil in the Dark"; on "Vulcanisms": the mind meld, the Vulcan nerve pinch, the Vulcan salute (and its use in the episode "Amok Time"); on his favorite and least favorite Star Trek episodes; on being Emmy-nominated for each of the three seasons of Star Trek
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On the legacy of Star Trek; on being cast in Mission:Impossible, and how ultimately he found the job unfulfilling; on the premise of Mission:Impossible and on the character he played, master-of-disguise "Paris"; on the cast of Mission:Impossible— Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Sam Elliot, and Lesley Ann Warren; on his favorite episode of Mission:Impossible; on the television movie Assault on the Wayne
    Clip begins at: 09:12
  • On becoming a director at Universal Studios; on feeling typecast as a heavy while at Universal in the early 1970s; on being replaced on creator/producer Gene Roddenberry's pilot Questor (aka The Questor Tapes) in the mid '70s; on directing the Rod Serling's Night Gallery episode "Death on a Barge"; on hosting In Search Of...
    Clip begins at: 19:58
  • Part 8
  • On producer Alan Landsburg's concept for In Search Of…; on starring with Ingrid Bergman in her final performance in A Woman Called Golda; on his disappointment with Star Trek—The Motion Picture; on getting hired to direct Star Trek III; on Star Trek: The Next Generation
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On his experience directing the feature film Three Men and A Baby; on starring in the television movie Never Forget , and its reception
    Clip begins at: 11:56
  • On his interest in photography; on the ups and downs of fame; on his proudest achievements (including his first Emmy nomination for Star Trek; his Broadway experiences; the reception of Star Trek IV, which he directed)
    Clip begins at: 18:02

Shows

  • Assault on the Wayne
    • Leonard Nimoy on the television movie Assault on the Wayne
      Clip begins at: 19:13, Duration: 00m 45s
  • Bonanza
    • Leonard Nimoy on his guest appearances on Bonanza and a television movie revival (acting with character actor Ben Johnson)
      Clip begins at: 13:09, Duration: 02m 24s
  • Broken Arrow
    • Leonard Nimoy on appearing on Broken Arrow
      Clip begins at: 06:16, Duration: 01m 23s
  • Combat
    • Leonard Nimoy on series star Vic Morrow helping him to get work on Combat!
      Clip begins at: 21:58, Duration: 01m 16s
  • Dr. Kildare
    • Leonard Nimoy on getting cast on Star Trek (after submitting an episode of Dr. Kildare to show his "range" to producer/creator Gene Roddenberry)
      Clip begins at: 23:59, Duration: 03m 03s
  • Dragnet
    • Leonard Nimoy on appearing on Dragnet, early in his career, and the show's impersonal use of a TelePromtper
      Clip begins at: 00:07, Duration: 01m 43s
  • Emmy Awards, The (primetime and daytime)
    • Leonard Nimoy on being Emmy-nominated for all three seasons of Star Trek, yet never winning due to his belief that there's a prejudice against awarding performances in the science fiction genre
      Clip begins at: 07:44, Duration: 01m 28s
    • Leonard Nimoy on initially turning down the role that earned him an Emmy nomination in A Woman Called Golda
      Clip begins at: 04:01, Duration: 00m 22s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his reaction to being Emmy-nominated for Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 22:29, Duration: 00m 26s
  • Get Smart
    • Leonard Nimoy on taking a small part on Get Smart, prior to his starring on Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 26:58, Duration: 01m 17s
  • Gunsmoke
    • Leonard Nimoy on the plot of a Gunsmoke episode he guest-starred in, "Treasure of John Walking Fox"
      Clip begins at: 17:28, Duration: 02m 30s
    • Leonard Nimoy on fellow actor James Arness mentioning that he'd been cast on Gunsmoke
      Clip begins at: 20:00, Duration: 01m 15s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Marc Daniels directing him in his last TV guest role (on Gunsmoke) before they collaborated on Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 26:14, Duration: 00m 31s
  • Highway Patrol
    • Leonard Nimoy on not shooting a master shot on the syndicated series of Ziv Television Programs circa 1950s-60s, as a cost cutting technique
      Clip begins at: 01:58, Duration: 02m 23s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his work on Highway Patrol and how the show was done economically
      Clip begins at: 07:42, Duration: 02m 56s
  • In Search of...
    • Leonard Nimoy on getting hired as the host of In Search of...
      Clip begins at: 24:55, Duration: 01m 18s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the longevity of In Search of... and how the schedule allowed him to do stage work during the series run
      Clip begins at: 26:13, Duration: 01m 56s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the subject matter that msot appealed to him on In Search of...
      Clip begins at: 28:09, Duration: 00m 35s
    • Leonard Nimoy on In Search of… producer Alan Landsburg and the show's concept
      Clip begins at: 00:05, Duration: 00m 49s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the episode of In Search Of… that came out of his touring in a one-man show about Vincent van Gogh
      Clip begins at: 00:57, Duration: 01m 03s
  • Lieutenant, The
    • Leonard Nimoy on auditioning and winning a guest part on The Lieutenant, which led him to be cast on Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 23:14, Duration: 02m 30s
  • Lights, Camera, Action
    • Leonard Nimoy on appearing on the TV show Lights, Camera, Action
      Clip begins at: 24:35, Duration: 01m 43s
  • M Squad
    • Leonard Nimoy on James Coburn oversleeping for a call on M Squad
      Clip begins at: 04:22, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Man From U.N.C.L.E., The
    • Leonard Nimoy on playing a Russian on The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 11:14, Duration: 00m 54s
    • Leonard Nimoy on producer Norman Felton, who let Nimoy shadow director Joseph Sargent on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. to learn how to direct for television
      Clip begins at: 12:10, Duration: 01m 24s
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with William Shatner on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. previous to Star Trek, but not interacting much with him
      Clip begins at: 14:14, Duration: 00m 27s
  • Matinee Theater
    • Leonard Nimoy on appearing on Matinee Theater and the workweek on this daily "live" anthology
      Clip begins at: 26:21, Duration: 01m 54s
    • Leonard Nimoy on getting a small role on a Matinee Theater episode (with Vincent Price, directed by Boris Sagal) and getting fired from another episode
      Clip begins at: 00:05, Duration: 02m 08s
  • Mission: Impossible
    • Leonard Nimoy compares the shooting schedule of Star Trek to "sister series" Mission:Impossible
      Clip begins at: 09:44, Duration: 00m 56s
    • Leonard Nimoy on being cast as master-of-disguise "Paris" in Mission:Impossible, and how ultimately he found the job unfulfilling
      Clip begins at: 10:35, Duration: 02m 02s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his Mission:Impossible character "Paris" and his lack of three-dimensionality
      Clip begins at: 13:14, Duration: 01m 23s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the cast of Mission:Impossible— Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Sam Elliot, and Lesley Ann Warren
      Clip begins at: 14:37, Duration: 02m 13s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his favorite episode of Mission:Impossible
      Clip begins at: 16:50, Duration: 00m 41s
    • Leonard Nimoy compares his two '60s series: Star Trek and Mission:Impossible in terms of approach to the written word
      Clip begins at: 17:31, Duration: 00m 39s
    • Leonard Nimoy on having more "down time" on Mission:Impossible versus Star Trek during shooting
      Clip begins at: 18:10, Duration: 00m 57s
  • Never Forget
    • Leonard Nimoy on starring in the television movie Never Forget
      Clip begins at: 15:15, Duration: 02m 34s
  • Night Gallery
    • Leonard Nimoy on directing the Rod Serling's Night Gallery episode "Death on a Barge"
      Clip begins at: 22:42, Duration: 02m 03s
  • Outer Limits, The (1963-65, ABC)
    • Leonard Nimoy on appearing on The Outer Limits episode "I Robot" in the 1960s and the remake in the 1990s
      Clip begins at: 15:08, Duration: 01m 54s
  • Outer Limits, The (1995-02, Showtime/Sci-Fi)
    • Leonard Nimoy on appearing on The Outer Limits episode "I Robot" in the 1960s and the remake in the 1990s
      Clip begins at: 15:08, Duration: 01m 54s
  • Pinky Lee Show, The
    • Leonard Nimoy on his appearance on TV's The Pinky Lee Show, describing the show
      Clip begins at: 18:33, Duration: 02m 30s
  • Queen for a Day
    • Leonard Nimoy on how appearing in a stage production of "The Three Musketeers" for children got him the job on a feature film version of radio-TV's Queen for a Day
      Clip begins at: 05:22, Duration: 02m 24s
  • Questor
    • Leonard Nimoy on being replaced on creator/producer Gene Roddenberry's pilot Questor (aka The Questor Tapes) in the mid '70s
      Clip begins at: 21:25, Duration: 01m 17s
  • Sea Hunt
    • Leonard Nimoy on his guest appearances on Sea Hunt, and how this series compared budget and salary-wise to other series produced by syndication giant Ziv Television Programs
      Clip begins at: 07:24, Duration: 01m 43s
  • Star Trek
    • Leonard Nimoy on auditioning and winning a guest part on The Lieutenant, which led him to be cast on Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 23:14, Duration: 02m 30s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Marc Daniels directing him in his last TV guest role (on Gunsmoke) before they collaborated on Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 26:14, Duration: 00m 31s
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with William Shatner on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. previous to Star Trek, but not interacting much with him
      Clip begins at: 14:14, Duration: 00m 27s
    • Leonard Nimoy on getting cast on Star Trek (after submitting an episode of Dr. Kildare to show his "range" to producer/creator Gene Roddenberry)
      Clip begins at: 23:59, Duration: 03m 03s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his make-up as Star Trek 's "Mr. Spock" and how it eventually gravitated toward a "cooler, more controlled" look
      Clip begins at: 00:05, Duration: 01m 47s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his discover that the original marketing campaign of Star Trek tried to de-emphasize Spock's "devilish" look
      Clip begins at: 02:08, Duration: 02m 31s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the Spock character's inclusion being questioned within a network television system that relied on the norm
      Clip begins at: 05:47, Duration: 01m 28s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the premise of Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 07:15, Duration: 01m 44s
    • Leonard Nimoy on how Star Trek was useful as a platform for its writers
      Clip begins at: 10:21, Duration: 00m 31s
    • Leonard Nimoy on what he was told about lead Jeffrey Hunter's departure following the initial pilot of Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 11:02, Duration: 01m 16s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his Star Trek character "Mr. Spock"
      Clip begins at: 12:51, Duration: 04m 50s
    • Leonard Nimoy on developing his Star Trek character "Mr. Spock" and an important "note" he received from a series director (which has been attributed to Joseph Sargent)
      Clip begins at: 17:19, Duration: 01m 39s
    • Leonard Nimoy in the precedent of the Spock character in Michael Rennie's "Klaatu" from The Day the Earth Stood Still
      Clip begins at: 18:58, Duration: 00m 55s
    • Leonard Nimoy on being influenced in his Star Trek "Mr. Spock" characterization by something he saw Harry Belafonte do on stage circa the 1950s
      Clip begins at: 19:53, Duration: 01m 45s
    • Leonard Nimoy on abandoning an actor's "emotion" as a requirement for playing "Mr. Spock" and how playing Spock effected him personally
      Clip begins at: 21:40, Duration: 01m 27s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his Star Trek character "Mr. Spock's" trademark eyebrow arching
      Clip begins at: 23:25, Duration: 00m 40s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his typical workweek on Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 24:47, Duration: 02m 43s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek's "transporter"
      Clip begins at: 27:44, Duration: 01m 01s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek's bridge set
      Clip begins at: 01:04, Duration: 01m 02s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek's restrictive budget
      Clip begins at: 02:06, Duration: 01m 01s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Lucille Ball saying hello in the commissary to him during the run of Star Trek (which was being produced by her studio Desilu)
      Clip begins at: 03:37, Duration: 00m 27s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the directors of Star Trek and the tight adherence to schedule
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 01m 50s
    • Leonard Nimoy on how he and William Shatner expressed interest in directing for Star Trek, but the opportunity wasn't offered
      Clip begins at: 05:54, Duration: 00m 52s
    • Leonard Nimoy on being firm with script notes despite the pressures of TV production on Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 08:55, Duration: 00m 50s
    • Leonard Nimoy compares the shooting schedule of Star Trek to "sister series" Mission:Impossible
      Clip begins at: 09:44, Duration: 00m 56s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek creator/producer Gene Roddenberry's involvement during the show's run and vision for the series
      Clip begins at: 10:48, Duration: 01m 36s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek writer/producer Gene L. Coon and his idea of the Klingons
      Clip begins at: 12:24, Duration: 01m 34s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek associate producer Robert Justman
      Clip begins at: 13:58, Duration: 01m 04s
    • Leonard Nimoy on "McCoy" and "Spock" representing the humanist and rational sides of "Capt. Kirk" on Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 17:03, Duration: 01m 35s
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with the ensemble cast of Star Trek: DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig
      Clip begins at: 18:40, Duration: 02m 32s
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with Star Trek co-star William Shatner (in comparison to pilot episode co-star Jeffrey Hunter)
      Clip begins at: 21:15, Duration: 01m 00s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek's popularity and the network's mismanaging of its timeslot, which hastened its cancellation
      Clip begins at: 23:45, Duration: 01m 24s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the Star Trek episode "The Devil in the Dark," and "Spock's" mind meld ability
      Clip begins at: 00:07, Duration: 02m 11s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his creation of the Vulcan nerve pinch
      Clip begins at: 02:18, Duration: 02m 08s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his creation of the Vulcan salute and its use in the episode "Amok Time"
      Clip begins at: 04:26, Duration: 01m 51s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his favorite and least favorite episodes of Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 06:17, Duration: 01m 27s
    • Leonard Nimoy on being Emmy-nominated for all three seasons of Star Trek, yet never winning due to his belief that there's a prejudice against awarding performances in the science fiction genre
      Clip begins at: 07:44, Duration: 01m 28s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the legacy of Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 09:12, Duration: 01m 16s
    • Leonard Nimoy compares his two '60s series: Star Trek and Mission:Impossible in terms of approach to the written word
      Clip begins at: 17:31, Duration: 00m 39s
    • Leonard Nimoy on having more "down time" on Mission:Impossible versus Star Trek during shooting
      Clip begins at: 18:10, Duration: 00m 57s
    • Leonard Nimoy on how the quality of the screenplay for the feature film Star Trek—The Motion Picture mirrored the poor quality of the writing on the third and last season of the original Star Trek series
      Clip begins at: 05:27, Duration: 02m 02s
    • Leonard Nimoy on an idea he came up with to inject some humor into the final scene of Star Trek—The Motion Picture, which was not used
      Clip begins at: 07:39, Duration: 01m 22s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the video release of Star Trek—The Motion Picture (1979), which included previously cut material
      Clip begins at: 09:03, Duration: 00m 21s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the "death" of Spock in the Star Trek feature films and on getting an opportunity to direct two of them
      Clip begins at: 09:32, Duration: 00m 33s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his reaction to being Emmy-nominated for Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 22:29, Duration: 00m 26s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his satisfaction with the positive response to the feature film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
      Clip begins at: 23:23, Duration: 00m 59s
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation
    • Leonard Nimoy on appearing on Star Trek: The Next Generation
      Clip begins at: 10:09, Duration: 00m 27s
    • Leonard Nimoy on initially being asked to produce the series Star Trek: The Next Generation
      Clip begins at: 10:44, Duration: 01m 09s
  • Wagon Train
    • Leonard Nimoy on a significant guest appearance on Wagon Train in the episode "The Estaban Zamora Story"
      Clip begins at: 09:45, Duration: 01m 54s
  • West Point
    • Leonard Nimoy on his guest appearances on West Point, a series produced by syndication giant Ziv Television Programs
      Clip begins at: 04:44, Duration: 02m 37s
  • Woman Called Golda, A
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with Ingrid Bergman on A Woman Called Golda
      Clip begins at: 02:29, Duration: 01m 32s
    • Leonard Nimoy on initially turning down the role that earned him an Emmy nomination in A Woman Called Golda
      Clip begins at: 04:01, Duration: 00m 22s
    • Leonard Nimoy on calling Ingrid Bergman about six months after the production of A Woman Called Golda and on being informed of her death
      Clip begins at: 04:24, Duration: 00m 49s

People

  • Lesley Ann Warren
    • Leonard Nimoy on the cast of Mission:Impossible— Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Sam Elliot, and Lesley Ann Warren
      Clip begins at: 14:37, Duration: 02m 13s
  • Lucille Ball
    • Leonard Nimoy on Lucille Ball saying hello to him in the commissary during the run of Star Trek (which was being produced by her studio Desilu)
      Clip begins at: 03:37, Duration: 00m 27s
  • Ingrid Bergman
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with Ingrid Bergman on A Woman Called Golda
      Clip begins at: 02:29, Duration: 01m 32s
    • Leonard Nimoy on calling Ingrid Bergman about six months after the production of A Woman Called Golda and on being informed of her death
      Clip begins at: 04:23, Duration: 00m 50s
  • Ernest Borgnine
    • Leonard Nimoy on a significant guest appearance on Wagon Train in the episode "The Estaban Zamora Story" (and working with Ernest Borgnine)
      Clip begins at: 09:45, Duration: 01m 54s
  • Lloyd Bridges
    • Leonard Nimoy recalling that Lloyd Bridges accidentally swore on live TV
      Clip begins at: 03:22, Duration: 00m 28s
  • James Coburn
    • Leonard Nimoy on James Coburn oversleeping for a call on M Squad
      Clip begins at: 04:22, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Gene Coon
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek writer/producer Gene Coon and his idea of the Klingons
      Clip begins at: 12:24, Duration: 01m 34s
  • Jeff Corey
    • Leonard Nimoy on actor Jeff Corey's blacklisting, and how Nimoy became involved in teaching as an indirect result
      Clip begins at: 09:05, Duration: 00m 42s
    • Leonard Nimoy on teaching acting with actor Jeff Corey
      Clip begins at: 10:21, Duration: 02m 32s
  • Marc Daniels
    • Leonard Nimoy on the directors of Star Trek and the tight adherence to schedule
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 01m 50s
  • James Doohan
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with the ensemble of Star Trek: DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig
      Clip begins at: 18:40, Duration: 02m 32s
  • Sam Elliot
    • Leonard Nimoy on the cast of Mission:Impossible— Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Sam Elliot, and Lesley Ann Warren
      Clip begins at: 14:37, Duration: 02m 13s
  • Norman Felton
    • Leonard Nimoy on producer Norman Felton, who let Nimoy shadow director Joseph Sargent on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. to learn how to direct for television
      Clip begins at: 12:10, Duration: 01m 24s
  • Peter Graves
    • Leonard Nimoy on the cast of Mission:Impossible— Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Sam Elliot, and Lesley Ann Warren
      Clip begins at: 14:37, Duration: 02m 13s
  • Jeffrey Hunter
    • Leonard Nimoy on what he was told about lead Jeffrey Hunter's departure following the initial pilot of Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 11:02, Duration: 01m 16s
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with Star Trek co-star William Shatner (in comparison to pilot episode co-star Jeffrey Hunter)
      Clip begins at: 21:15, Duration: 01m 00s
  • Ben Johnson
    • Leonard Nimoy on Ben Johnson who he worked with on a Bonanza  television movie revival
      Clip begins at: 13:09, Duration: 02m 24s
  • Robert Justman
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek associate producer Robert Justman
      Clip begins at: 13:58, Duration: 01m 04s
  • DeForest Kelley
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with the ensemble of Star Trek: DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig
      Clip begins at: 18:40, Duration: 02m 32s
  • Walter Koenig
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with the ensemble of Star Trek: DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig
      Clip begins at: 18:40, Duration: 02m 32s
  • Alan Landsburg
    • Leonard Nimoy on In Search of… producer Alan Landsburg and the show's concept
      Clip begins at: 00:05, Duration: 00m 49s
  • Peter Lupus
    • Leonard Nimoy on the cast of Mission:Impossible— Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Sam Elliot, and Lesley Ann Warren
      Clip begins at: 14:37, Duration: 02m 13s
  • Greg Morris
    • Leonard Nimoy on the cast of Mission:Impossible— Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Sam Elliot, and Lesley Ann Warren
      Clip begins at: 14:37, Duration: 02m 13s
  • Vic Morrow
    • Leonard Nimoy on series star Vic Morrow helping him to get work on Combat!
      Clip begins at: 21:58, Duration: 01m 16s
  • Nichelle Nichols
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with the ensemble of Star Trek: DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig
      Clip begins at: 18:40, Duration: 02m 32s
  • Joseph Pevney
    • Leonard Nimoy on the directors of Star Trek and the tight adherence to schedule
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 01m 50s
  • Gene Roddenberry
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek creator/producer Gene Roddenberry's involvement during the show's run and vision for the series
      Clip begins at: 11:12, Duration: 01m 37s
  • Ruth Roman
    • Leonard Nimoy on setting himself up in Hollywood with the help of actress Ruth Roman
      Clip begins at: 16:49, Duration: 01m 35s
  • Boris Sagal
    • Leonard Nimoy on getting the acting bug, cast by director Boris Sagal in "Awake and Sing"
      Clip begins at: 11:24, Duration: 02m 53s
  • Joseph Sargent
    • Leonard Nimoy on developing his Star Trek character "Mr. Spock" and an important "note" he received from a series director (which has been attributed to Joseph Sargent)
      Clip begins at: 17:19, Duration: 01m 39s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the directors of Star Trek and the tight adherence to schedule
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 01m 50s
  • William Shatner
    • Leonard Nimoy on how he and William Shatner expressed interest in directing for Star Trek , but the opportunity wasn't offered
      Clip begins at: 05:54, Duration: 00m 52s
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with Star Trek co-star William Shatner (in comparison to pilot episode co-star Jeffrey Hunter)
      Clip begins at: 21:15, Duration: 01m 00s
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with William Shatner on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. previous to Star Trek, but not interacting much with him
      Clip begins at: 14:14, Duration: 00m 27s
  • George Takei
    • Leonard Nimoy on working with the ensemble of Star Trek: DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig
      Clip begins at: 18:40, Duration: 02m 32s

Topics

    • Leonard Nimoy on his guest appearances on Sea Hunt, and how this series compared budget and salary-wise to other series produced by syndication giant Ziv Television Programs
      Clip begins at: 07:24, Duration: 01m 43s
    • Leonard Nimoy on why villains were not allowed to smoke on Ziv Television Programs' syndicated shows, due to sponsorship
      Clip begins at: 15:43, Duration: 01m 42s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his discover that the original marketing campaign of Star Trek tried to de-emphasize his character "Mr. Spock's" "devilish" look
      Clip begins at: 02:09, Duration: 02m 30s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his Star Trek character "Mr. Spock's" inclusion being questioned within a network television system that relied on the norm
      Clip begins at: 05:47, Duration: 01m 28s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his make-up as Star Trek's "Mr. Spock" and how it eventually gravitated toward a "cooler, more controlled" look
      Clip begins at: 00:05, Duration: 01m 47s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his Star Trek character "Mr. Spock"
      Clip begins at: 12:51, Duration: 04m 28s
    • Leonard Nimoy on being influenced in his Star Trek "Mr. Spock" characterization by something he saw Harry Belafonte do on stage circa the 1950s
      Clip begins at: 19:53, Duration: 01m 45s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his Star Trek character "Mr. Spock's" trademark eyebrow arching
      Clip begins at: 23:25, Duration: 00m 40s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his creation of "Mr. Spock's" Vulcan nerve pinch
      Clip begins at: 02:18, Duration: 02m 08s
    • Leonard Nimoy on his creation of "Mr. Spock's" Vulcan salute and its use in the episode "Amok Time"
      Clip begins at: 04:26, Duration: 01m 51s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the ups and downs of fame
      Clip begins at: 20:49, Duration: 01m 17s
  • Bloopers
    • Leonard Nimoy recalling that Lloyd Bridges accidentally swore on live TV
      Clip begins at: 03:22, Duration: 00m 28s
    • Leonard Nimoy on James Coburn oversleeping for a call on M Squad but stardom was around the corner
      Clip begins at: 04:22, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Historic Events and Social Change > Diversity in Television > Minorities
    • Leonard Nimoy on his penchant for playing ethnic roles in his early TV career
      Clip begins at: 11:55, Duration: 01m 05s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek producer Gene Roddenberry's description of "Spock" and the concern that "Spock's" initial skin coloring of red might read black on black and white TV sets
      Clip begins at: 27:04, Duration: 00m 57s
  • Pivotal Career Moments > Creative Influences and Inspiration
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek producer Gene Roddenberry's description of "Spock" and Nimoy's admiration for Lon Chaney in immersing himself into characters
      Clip begins at: 27:04, Duration: 00m 57s
  • Pop Culture > Classic TV series episodes > Drama
    • Leonard Nimoy on the Star Trek episode "The Devil in the Dark," and "Spock's" mind meld ability
      Clip begins at: 00:07, Duration: 02m 11s
  • Television Industry
    • Leonard Nimoy on the ups and downs of fame
      Clip begins at: 20:49, Duration: 01m 17s
  • Television Industry > Industry Crossroads > Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
    • Leonard Nimoy on actor Jeff Corey's blacklisting, and how Nimoy became involved in teaching as an indirect result
      Clip begins at: 09:05, Duration: 00m 42s
  • Television Industry > Studio Management
    • Leonard Nimoy on his guest appearances on Sea Hunt, and how this series compared budget and salary-wise to other series produced by syndication giant Ziv Television Programs
      Clip begins at: 07:24, Duration: 01m 43s

Genres

  • Commercials
    • Leonard Nimoy on why villains were not allowed to smoke on Ziv Television Programs' syndicated shows, due to sponsorship, circa 1950s-60s
      Clip begins at: 15:43, Duration: 01m 42s
  • Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
    • Leonard Nimoy on his Star Trek character "Mr. Spock"
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 28m 46s
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek's set, actors, and behind-the-scenes staff
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 25m 10s
    • Leonard Nimoy on being Emmy-nominated for all three seasons of Star Trek, yet never winning due to his belief that there's a prejudice against awarding performances in the science fiction genre
      Clip begins at: 07:44, Duration: 01m 28s

Professions

  • Director
    • Actor Leonard Nimoy on how he and co-star William Shatner expressed interest in directing for Star Trek, but the opportunity wasn't offered
      Clip begins at: 05:54, Duration: 00m 52s
  • Hosts > Host
    • Leonard Nimoy on the longevity of In Search of... and how the schedule allowed him to do stage work during the series run
      Clip begins at: 26:13, Duration: 01m 56s
  • Performers > Actor
    • Leonard Nimoy on bringing character traits to small parts, as he did on Get Smart, prior to his starring on Star Trek
      Clip begins at: 26:58, Duration: 01m 17s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the shift in acting styles in the 1950s, when he began to teach acting
      Clip begins at: 13:01, Duration: 02m 20s
    • Leonard Nimoy on how he prepares for a role, and the importance of subtext
      Clip begins at: 16:30, Duration: 02m 29s
    • Leonard Nimoy on the intimacy the camera can provide to an actor
      Clip begins at: 19:07, Duration: 01m 10s
    • Leonard Nimoy on staying in character between takes, and his experience in film vs. TV
      Clip begins at: 20:17, Duration: 01m 31s
  • Producer
    • Leonard Nimoy on producer Norman Felton, who let Nimoy shadow director Joseph Sargent on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. to learn how to direct for television
      Clip begins at: 12:10, Duration: 01m 24s
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Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2015-10-07 05:34.
I was fortunate enough to have met Mr Nimoy in the early 70s as he was in Milwaukee twice within a matter of a few months. I was working at a Milwaukee TV station at the time. The second time I was with him he was gracious enough to act as though he remembered me. A really wonderful man who owns the legend of one of TV's greatest characters and there are only a handful of actors that can say that.

Submitted by Mike Dawson on Sun, 2015-03-01 03:17.
Watching this as I report the sad news of the death of Leonard Nimoy. Thank you for making him a part of the archive record. An incredible life story. Mr. Nimoy will be missed but Mr. Spock will live on as long as people value what his character represented. LLAP

Submitted by Steve on Sat, 2015-02-28 13:34.
Thank you I had no idea that underneath Leonard Nimoy was so diverse I truly enjoyed the Man the universe now is his playground. GOD Bless and keep Steven Thomas Wall

Submitted by Fritz s. on Fri, 2015-02-27 23:00.
Leonard passed away today Feburary 27, 2015. His character Spock was a wonderful character on the original series Star Trek. He will be missed. Rest in peace.

Submitted by Randall D on Fri, 2015-02-27 20:11.
An amazing interview. So glad you were able to get so many things out of him for posterity. RIP Leonard Nimoy.

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2014-02-20 01:30.
Only part 7 is still up. Can the rest be put back on?

Submitted by Jenni Matz on Fri, 2014-02-21 19:28.
Hi there-- the entire interview is available on this page. click the "Interview" tab under the video player, and you can see/scroll through all parts of the interview there. Let us know if you have any trouble (archive@emmys.org)

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2013-07-01 17:09.
Great interview, great guy - but is there any chance to get Part 8 back? Would so want to watch it, too! LLAP

Submitted by Adrienne Faillace on Wed, 2013-07-03 16:42.
All 8 parts are up. Enjoy!

Submitted by Shaddy13 on Sun, 2013-05-26 22:32.
interesting interview. nice interviewer.

Submitted by Natalia on Thu, 2013-05-16 05:34.
Beautiful interview. Didn't know how accomplished he was in theater either. Thank you for sharing this.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2012-08-14 03:31.
From the Interview tab menu parts two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight all link to part eight. The episodes are hidden urls on youtube. It would be great if I could see them sometime. Thanks for posting part one, though, and part eight, eight, eight, eight, eight, eight, and eight.

Submitted by Jenni Matz on Thu, 2012-08-23 23:14.
Hi! thanks for your comment. I just checked and all the chapters do link to their respective parts. Please contact me at matz@emmys.org if you are still having trouble!

Submitted by Peter Craig on Thu, 2012-02-16 02:38.
Is this the definitive Leonard Nimoy interview or what? What a great document of his career. LLAP

Submitted by heavyarms01h on Mon, 2011-07-04 17:09.
@ConstantTweeter I know - and Leonard is such a gentleman, too. He's like a cool, wise grandfather who's had an amazing life. =) I just think it's kind of funny that back then, he was concerned for a while about typecasting and where his career was going after "Star Trek," but now he's become such a legend that he can't retire even if he wants to - people keep asking him to come back. =) He recently had a voice acting role in the 3rd Transformers film and his performance was amazing.

Submitted by obeythesink on Mon, 2011-04-18 15:32.
Spock's suggestions to the director pretty much shaped how a Vulcan is viewed in other Star Trek series and in the franchise itself. He invented the Vulcan grip and the salute

Submitted by ConstantTweeter on Tue, 2010-09-28 01:49.
According to his memoirs, Mr. Nimoy was paid about ten times as much to play Paris on "Mission Impossible" than he was paid to play Spock on "Star Trek." That he would walk away from that kind of money because he was not artistically fulfilled says a lot about his character. He really should have won the Emmy for Spock. But in the end, he won something better: the respect of the industry, the adulation of millions of fans and the golden aura of a legend. Who remembers who won the Emmy in 66-69?

Submitted by thereddog223 on Sat, 2010-09-11 19:20.
Yes I can it was a great interview.

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