Spock's retirement means no Star Trek 2 cameo

: 22 April 2010; John Howell

After a highly successful career in film and television, in particular the iconic role as Spock in Star Trek, Leonard Nimoy is hanging up his ears and will perform no more. He played the pivotal role of Spock in the three original Star Trek seasons and the first eight Star Trek feature films. As well as acting, he has directed seven films (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek VI: The Voyage Home and the box office hit 3 Men and a Baby included). He also appeared in countless other film and TV roles, including The Outer Limits, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the best version starring Donald Sutherland in 1978) and more recently in J.J. Abrams' science fiction TV show Fringe as Doctor William Bell (this is a great show if you haven't been watching). He also did a great deal of voice over work and directed the occasional TV show, even an episode of T. J. Hooker staring his good friend and former Captain, William Shatner.

Nimoy told the Toronto Star that "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."

Zachary Quinto took over the role of a younger Spock in Abrams' highly successful Star Trek reboot in 2009.

Leonard Nimoy has had mixed emotions regarding Star Trek. He famously wrote a book titled I Am Not Spock in 1977 to the annoyance of some hard core fans, but later recanted, releasing another book titled I am Spock. Apparently he refused to reprise his role as Spock in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan unless they killed the character off.

This is sad news for any fans of Star Trek and science fiction in general and his acting will be sorely missed. While he may be persuaded to perform a cameo, he'll never wear the ears again, so we won't be seeing him in the second Abrams' Star Trek movie. I'm going to miss him.

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