Leonard Nimoy.

In many interviews since the beginning of Star Trek 1966, Nimoy has recounted the origin of the Vulcan salute, which he introduced into the series. In one such interview with The A.V. Club in July 2010, he explained, The gesture that I introduced into Star Trek, the split-fingered Vulcan salute, we will call it… that came from an experience — I’m going all the way back to my childhood again — when I was about 8 years old, sitting in the synagogue at high holiday services with my family. There comes a moment in the ceremony when the congregation is blessed by a group of gentlemen known as Kohanim, members of the priestly tribe of the Hebrews. And the blessing is one that we see in the Old and New Testament: May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord cause His countenance to shine upon you, and so forth. When they give this blessing, you’re told not to look! You’re supposed to avert your eyes. I peeked, and I saw these guys with their hands stretched out – there were five or six of them, all with their hands stretched out toward the congregation – in that gesture, that split-fingered gesture. Some time later, I learned that the shape that hand creates is a letter in the Hebrew alphabet, the letter shin, which is the first letter in the word Shaddai, which is the name of the Almighty. So the suggestion is that they’re using a symbol of God’s name with their hands as they bless the congregation.

Served in the United States Army, under the service number ER-11-229-770, from December 3, 1953 – November 23, 1955. Received an honorable discharge with the rank of Staff Sergeant SSG.

In books over the years, the unpronouncable full name of his Star Trek character is S’chn-T’ Gaii Spock, son of S’chn-T’ Gaii Sarek of Skon and Solkar of Vulcan.

Best friends with his Star Trek 1966 co-star William Shatner.

Had appeared in episodes of six different series with William Shatner: The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 1964, Mission: Impossible 1966, Star Trek 1966, Star Trek: The Animated Series 1973, T.J. Hooker 1982 and Futurama 1999.

During an interview with Al Roker on Today 1952, to promote Star Trek 2009, it was revealed that the news anchor Ann Curry had a major crush on him. They showed several clips of her stating that she was in love with Spock. Roker then called her out on stage. She came on stage, and immediately hugged and kissed Leonard Nimoy, and told him how great she thinks he is. Leonard was very flattered and told her she had great taste.

Got his famous role of Spock on Star Trek 1966 in part because discussions among writers and producers of the series about the character of Spock led them to put out the word that they were looking for a tall, thin guy to play the role of an alien crew member. Gene Roddenberry and casting director Joseph D’Agosta remembered Nimoy from his work in Roddenberry’s first TV series, The Lieutenant 1963. After being invited to come look at the sets and props, Nimoy was offered the role…and so was born his most famous role and start as a popular culture icon.

Along with Majel Barrett, he is one of only two actors to have appeared on Star Trek in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Was William Shatner’s best man at his third wedding to Nerine Kidd.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6651 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on January 16, 1985.

As a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army, Nimoy was in charge of a platoon that included Ken Berry. Berry later said in an interview that he confided to Nimoy his ambitions to be a dancer and performer and Nimoy encouraged him to go to California at the end of his enlistment.

Was an accomplished photographer specializing in black and white images and had given exhibitions of his works.

His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, is a cousin of Michael Bay. Nimoy voiced the reemerged Megatron, known as Galvatron, in The Transformers: The Movie 1986. Bay altogether reinvented Megatron for Transformers 2007.

At 6′ 1, he was the tallest cast member of Star Trek 1966.

Often nicknamed the other Dr. Spock for his degrees in Biology and Photography.

Has come out of retirement to reprise his iconic role of Mr. Spock for the Star Trek 2009 remake.

Lent his famous voice to the introduction at the Mugar Omni Theater The Museum of Science, Boston.

Announced that he is suffering from chronic obstruction pulmonary disease, one month after he was seen in a wheelchair in New York.

Managed an online shop with his granddaughter called shopllap.com.

Following his death, he was interred at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California. An asteroid discovered on September 2, 1988 has been renamed 4864 Nimoy in his honor.

Was an avid writer of poetry and had written many books.

Attended and graduated from Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts 1953. He later received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the university in May 2012.

Received his Master’s degree in Education from Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio 1977. He later received an honorary doctorate from the university in fall 2000.

Opened an exotic pet shop in 1970 after the cancellation of Star Trek 1966.

Because of his schedule, part two of the Star Trek: The Next Generation 1987 two-part episode Unification was filmed before part one.

Was approached to direct Star Trek: Generations 1994, as well as appear as Spock in the film. He declined because Spock’s role in the movie would have been a cameo additionally, having very bland lines. Nimoy stated that due to his concerns with the screenplay and not having enough time to fix them –he did not want to play Spock, nor direct any Star Trek movie in which Spock was not an integral part of the plot. Spock’s character was consequently replaced with James Doohan’s Scotty.

Stated at a 1993 convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that he has contracted out his signature, and can only sign items the company he has a contract with authorizes, and therefore does not sign for fans, otherwise he could be sued for breach of contract.

Along with David McCallum, Cliff Robertson, Barbara Rush and Peter Breck, he is one of only five actors to appear in both The Outer Limits 1963 and The Outer Limits 1995. He played Konig in Production and Decay of Strange Particles 1964, Judson Ellis in I, Robot 1964, and Thurman Cutler in I, Robot 1995.

Leonard Nimoy passed away on February 27, 2015, one month away from what would have been his 84th birthday on March 26.

Had appeared in episodes of three different series with George Takei and Nichelle Nichols: Star Trek 1966, Star Trek: The Animated Series 1973 and Futurama 1999.

Had one brother: Melvin Nimoy, five years older.

Father of Adam Nimoy and Julie Nimoy. Had one stepson: Aaron Bay Schuck.

Whilst working as a taxi driver in leaner times, one of a pre-fame Nimoy’s fares was a pre-fame John F. Kennedy, with whom he chatted during the journey.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants.

Had a pet store in Canoga Park, California during the 1960s.

On February 19, 2015, he was rushed to UCLA Medical Center for severe chest pains after a 911 call and had previously been in and out of hospitals for the past several months.

After the success of former Star Trek castmate Walter Koenig’s Raver comic series, he sold issues of his Primortals comic series 1996.

Had played the same character Spock on three different series: Star Trek 1966, Star Trek: The Animated Series 1973 and Star Trek: The Next Generation 1987.