Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery
Blog.
Last Friday, the world wept at the death of Leonard Nimoy. People everywhere saluted Nimoy’s sudden
demise with the iconic Vulcan hand gesture. Tweets and statuses were made to
honor one of the greatest actors of our time. Fanart and comics of Spock spread
throughout the web like wildfire as well as Star Trek merchandise. Since
February 27th, the world somehow feels different with the loss of a
terrific man.
Leonard Nimoy was a great man who was best known as Mr.Spock in the “Star Trek” series. Most people could tell it was him no sooner his character appeared on the screen. Not only did this become a famous role in all of television history, but he helped shaped the show itself. Gene Roddenbury (writer and producer of “Stark Trek” book and television series), allowed Nimoy to adjust Spock to his liking which ultimately drew the attention of many viewers. Not only did he revel in his new found fame, but he also assisted behind the scenes by making suggestions and inventing the Vulcan Nerve Pinch which gave way to a bit of backstory to Spock.
Leonard Nimoy was a great man who was best known as Mr.Spock in the “Star Trek” series. Most people could tell it was him no sooner his character appeared on the screen. Not only did this become a famous role in all of television history, but he helped shaped the show itself. Gene Roddenbury (writer and producer of “Stark Trek” book and television series), allowed Nimoy to adjust Spock to his liking which ultimately drew the attention of many viewers. Not only did he revel in his new found fame, but he also assisted behind the scenes by making suggestions and inventing the Vulcan Nerve Pinch which gave way to a bit of backstory to Spock.
I remember Nimoy from my favorite childhood program, ”The
Simpsons.” While Nimoy only voice acted in two episodes (“Marge vs the Monorail”
and “The Springfield Files”), I distinctly remember his voice and the iconic
Simpsonized version of himself. I
believe it was the first time I had ever seen or heard of Leonard Nimoy, but for
some reason or another, I was immediately drawn to him. Perhaps it was his
voice, his well noted persona, or how he held himself. It wasn’t long until I
became a Trekkie/Trekker, watching both the original “Star Trek” series and the
new series.
From watching these series and reading up on Nimoy, I
discovered a few things that I never knew about him.
5. Voice Acting
Apparently Nimoy did more voice acting that just “The Simpsons.” He also played Master Xehanort in the Kingdom Hearts series. He was also King Kashekim from “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” and another Atlantean King with a video game of the same name. Naturally, he voiced Spock in the many versions of “Stark Trek” from animated television series to online games. He even played the part of Sentinel Prime in “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.” Nimoy’s last voice acting venture was in a film called “Zambezia” in 2012.
Along with voice acting, Nimoy did audio readings of famous stories like “The Time Machine,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “The Invisible Man,” “The Lost World,” and “The First Men in the Moon.” He also did narration for many programs and video games such as “Seamen” for the Dreamcast and “Ancient Mysteries” on A&E.
4. Jewish
Nimoy was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family. When he pursued his acting career, he somehow managed to weave his religion into one of the most iconic phrases in television history. Most of you know this phrase as, “Live long and prosper” (or LLAP as he put on his Twitter). This mere phrase is a mild adaption of a Jewish prayer called the kohanim that is usually given by Jewish priests.
3. “Vincent”
Apparently Nimoy did more voice acting that just “The Simpsons.” He also played Master Xehanort in the Kingdom Hearts series. He was also King Kashekim from “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” and another Atlantean King with a video game of the same name. Naturally, he voiced Spock in the many versions of “Stark Trek” from animated television series to online games. He even played the part of Sentinel Prime in “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.” Nimoy’s last voice acting venture was in a film called “Zambezia” in 2012.
Along with voice acting, Nimoy did audio readings of famous stories like “The Time Machine,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “The Invisible Man,” “The Lost World,” and “The First Men in the Moon.” He also did narration for many programs and video games such as “Seamen” for the Dreamcast and “Ancient Mysteries” on A&E.
4. Jewish
Nimoy was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family. When he pursued his acting career, he somehow managed to weave his religion into one of the most iconic phrases in television history. Most of you know this phrase as, “Live long and prosper” (or LLAP as he put on his Twitter). This mere phrase is a mild adaption of a Jewish prayer called the kohanim that is usually given by Jewish priests.
3. “Vincent”
Along with starring and directing programs, Nimoy wrote a short play based on Vincent Van Gogh. Simply entitled “Vincent”, the one man play takes place a few days after Vincent Van Gogh’s death. Terrible rumors of Van Gogh being a prostitute lover, a poor artist, and a lunatic who took his life were passed through the streets of Paris. In the play, it’s up to Van Gogh’s brother, Theo, to clear his departed sibling’s name and set the record straight.
2. Photography
At one point in his life, Nimoy considered changing his career from acting to photography. Having studied the subject at the University of California, Nimoy was interested in the art of taking pictures. His work has been featured in R. Michelson galleries in Northampton, Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Nimoy’s work ranged from different beautiful woman to secret personas and wagon wheels. He was a very diverse artist and had a few photography series.
At one point in his life, Nimoy considered changing his career from acting to photography. Having studied the subject at the University of California, Nimoy was interested in the art of taking pictures. His work has been featured in R. Michelson galleries in Northampton, Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Nimoy’s work ranged from different beautiful woman to secret personas and wagon wheels. He was a very diverse artist and had a few photography series.
1. Poetry
While studying photography in the 70s, Nimoy also issued
several volumes of poetry. His
topics focus on people and emotions and read with a consistent, addictive beat.
His simplistic free verse style suits
him. He was able to take such difficult matters such as mankind, loneliness, and love and
condense them into miniature verses that packed so much emotion. In a way,
his poetry is like Spock: logical, complex, but
very few on words.
very few on words.
Rest in peace, Leonard Nimoy. While you no longer walk this
world, you will be remembered in everything that you have ever done. Your life
was just as fulfilling as you desired. In life and now in death, you will still
continue to inspire people to go boldly where no one has gone before. Thank you
for that inspiration and a wonderful life.
Thank you for reading today’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel
free to comment, share, and offer any feedback you may have.
So tell me, what did you like best about Leonard Nimoy?
So tell me, what did you like best about Leonard Nimoy?
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