Star Trek veteran Leonard Nimoy has finally announced his retirement from acting. After more than four decades of playing the half-Vulcan, half-human first officer on USS Enterprise, Mr. Spock has decided to hang up his boots once and for all. And this time the retirement decision is final, says the 79-year-old actor.
The Toronto Sun quotes the original Spock as saying,
I’ve been doing this professionally for 60 years. I love the idea of going out on a positive note. I’ve had a great, great time. I want to get off the stage. Also, I don’t think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto. He’s a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it’s time to give him some space. And I’m very flattered the character will continue. Since JJ Abrams revived the ‘Star Trek’ franchise, I felt I owed him something. And I’m glad I did it because he promised me a good story, and it was.
If you ask my opinion, there’s no Star Trek without Leonard Nimoy. I do not doubt Zachary Quinto’s immense potential as an actor, but then, Nimoy was the pointy-eared Spock who brought me so close to my TV set during my childhood days. I can’t explain the emotions; it’s something very personal. I still remember my mom forcing the food down my throat and threatening to shut the TV off if I refused to eat. Well, every good thing has an end, but I’m glad my memory is solely mine and no one can force me to imagine anyone else as Mr. Spock.
