Leonard Nimoy took issue with how Gene Roddenberry wanted Spock to be portrayed in Star Trek, and it apparently resulted in the actor almost walking away from the role that cemented his career. The surprising story comes from a director who worked on the iconic episode, "The Corbomite Maneuver."

Director Joseph Sargent spoke about the dispute between the creatives in the book The Fifty-Year Mission — The First 25 Years. The beloved late actor was said to have been frustrated, since playing a character like Spock meant having to deny his every instinct to embody the role more performatively. He went to creator Gene Roddenberry to discuss his frustration (via Woman's World.com), and according to Sargent:

While future Star Trek shows would write in ways that showcased more emotional depth in Vulcans, a large part of what made Spock so inhuman was his ability to overcome emotion with logic. As such, Gene Roddenberry wasn't going to flex on this, and while Nimoy threatened to quit, he ultimately stuck around and helped create one of the best Trek characters of all time.

Joseph Sargent went on to talk about how he saw Leonard Nimoy's career evolve, and felt compelled to ring him up after seeing one of the movies the actor directed. He said:

Nimoy didn't just direct one of the best Star Trek movies; he had a series of features afterward outside of the franchise, like Three Men And A Baby. While it's possible he might've gotten that opportunity down the line eventually, getting the chance to direct Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home certainly made the path to non-Trek directing gigs easier to get.

I'd argue Leonard Nimoy also paved the way for future Spock actors to explore their half-Vulcan and half-human background. Ethan Peck, whose version of Spock will return to the 2026 TV schedule in Strange New Worlds this summer, has had many scenes in which a younger Spock was "emotional," though it was far more muted than the average human.

It's wild to think of what Star Trek might've been like without Nimoy as Spock, and if it would've taken off in the way it did with sci-fi fans. The show thrived on the famous chemistry between Nimoy's Spock and William Shatner's James T. Kirk, and I'm not sure it'd be the same if any other actor played the role.

It's a great story to be reminded of the same year as Star Trek's 60th anniversary of the original series' premiere. With no active shows in development at the moment, fans haven't had much to celebrate as the franchise faces a lot of questions going forward. Right now, my question is if we can get some more remasters of classic Trek content available with a Paramount+ subscription, because I'd love an excuse to revisit some of these shows.

Star Trek's 60th anniversary continues, as fans wait for the premiere of Strange New Worlds Season 4 on July 24th. Tune in for dinosaurs, Kirk, and Spock, and see how Ethan Peck keeps the spirit of Leonard Nimoy's performance alive.

Celebrities are just like us and, while that's a popular saying sometimes used to illustrate how out of touch some can be, it's true. Stars have interests, hobbies and actors they're liable to geek out over if they happen to come across them. The issue is that, as actors, they have more opportunities for those encounters than the average person, which can lead to regrettable encounters. That was the case when James Marsters met and totally freaked out over Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy.

Given that James Marsters played one of best villains of Buffy The Vampire Slayer (who ultimately became a good guy), one might think he's familiar enough with being hassled by fans that he'd avoid making that same mistake. Yet the actor confirmed during his interview with Michael Rosenbaum on the Inside Of You podcast (which is on YouTube) that he couldn't help but be a fanboy. When he discusses the moment years later, you can still hear the pain in his voice in regard to how awkward the encounter was:

As embarrassed as he might've been, I can understand James Marsters having this kind of reaction. The star later confirmed that his encounter happened while he was still on Buffy The Vampire Slayer as well. During that point in Leonard Nimoy's career, he hadn't played Spock in live-action for years, and fans had no idea he'd return as the character in Star Trek 2009. So given that Marsters couldn't pull up old episodes (which are now streamable with a Paramount+ subscription) at the time, his Nimoy encounter was truly a novelty.

Even so, the Smallville alum went on to say he should've known better. At the time, he was at a convention and situated in a green room. Some privacy is available but, because there's a wide variety of actors in that space, some of them would also be big fans of his. The Buffy actor went on to share how a lack of solicitude on his part was what ironically led to him crossing paths with the Trek icon:

In fairness to James Marsters, I'm sure Leonard Nimoy had similar experiences up to that point. Nimoy was loved for many reasons, but his role as the half-Vulcan and half-human Spock is one of the few elements from Star Trek that has dominated pop culture. Hell, he was instrumental in creating the Vulcan hand salute, which has become a universal sign for Gene Roddenberry's franchise and even has its own emoji. Marsters wasn't the first person to ever bother the actor by being a rambunctious fan, and he probably wasn't the last. 

Fortunately, for the ashamed P.S. I Love You alum, his encounter with Mr. Nimoy didn't last very long. The actor finished his story by talking about what occurred immediately after his fanboy explosion and explained why he felt the need to disturb the actor even though he was trying to find a moment's peace:

It's interesting to hear James Marsters' perspective on this, especially as an actor who has been in some of Buffy The Vampire Slayer's best episodes. No doubt he's encountered fans over the years that either loved him or thought Buffy should've stuck with Angel. One would think those experiences have helped shape his views on etiquette between stars and admirers.

Is it a great idea to disturb an actor when they're trying to have a private moment and potentially have a bad encounter you regret for much of your life? I'm sure no one who does that sees it that way initially. However, I'd wager that some will second-guess the decision to interrupt a star after hearing James Marsters' wild Leonard Nimoy story.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available to stream with Hulu subscription and is always worth a watch. That said, there are plenty of exciting shows on the horizon, which can be found on the 2024 TV schedule.

On a list of the best sci-fi shows, Star Trek: The Next Generation remains the gold standard. With 180 episodes, it was inevitable the series would bring in an outside famous face or two, especially with Patrick Stewart leading the ship. 

Before we dive in, I think readers will note the omission of one famous star everyone knows is in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Whoopi Goldberg. Her Guinan was a recurring character for several seasons, so she's been left off the list. With that out of the way, let's run down the list of the famous guest stars we loved in TNG. 

Stephen Hawking

When you have a holodeck, you can do a lot of things. For example, Data used it in "Descent" to see what would happen if Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and Stephen Hawking played poker together. The synth found it "most illuminating," though I still question what he learned from doing it. 

Penny Johnson Jerald

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and The Orville fans know Penny Johnson Jerald well through her roles on those shows, but less may know she was also on The Next Generation. Those who watch "Homeward" will spot her if they look at the wife of Worf's human brother, Nikolai. 

Kirsten Dunst

Before she was a well-known actress starring as Mary Jane in Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst was in Star Trek: The Next Generation when she was still a child. Her Hedril helped Deanna understand the pain her mother felt over the death of her sister Kestra, who died tragically as a kid in "Dark Page." 

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy actually rejected a chance to become a producer on Star Trek: The Next Generation, instead opting to appear as Spock in a handful of episodes. This was possible, partially, because Vulcans have long lifespans, but I can't also help but credit Nimoy's love for the character as a factor for reprising him as well. 

James Worthy

Athletes in Star Trek? It happens from time to time, and three-time NBA Champion James Worthy actually played a Klingon in "Gambit, Part II," and at six foot nine inches, he made for a particularly imposing figure. Those who go back to see his performance will note he's not hard to spot. 

Teri Hatcher

Well-loved actress Teri Hatcher has a role as B.G. Robinson in "The Outrageous Okona," but only barely. So many of her scenes were cut from the episode that she requested her name be removed from the credits. Fortunately, she went on to be so famous people know who she is just by the brief scene alone. 

James Cromwell

Star Trek fans love James Cromwell for his iconic role as Zefram Cochrane in First Contact, but he also played a couple of roles throughout The Next Generation. He was in heavy prosthetics playing Jaglom Shrek in "Birthright Part I and II," and was Nayrock in "The Hunted." Hey, when a great actor wants to work on your series, let him play whoever he wants. 

Ken Jenkins

Actor Ken Jenkins was around Hollywood before he appeared in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Evolution" as Paul Stubbs, though more people might recognize him now rewatching. That's thanks in part to his character Dr. Bob Kelso on the comedy Scrubs, which was in network primetime for nearly a decade in the 2000s. 

Joe Piscopo

One of the most influential Saturday Night Live stars of all time, comedian Joe Piscopo, made an appearance in Season 2 during "The Outrageous Okona." This might not be a surprise to anyone who hasn't seen the episode, but he plays a stand-up comedian. Who would've guessed? 

Ashley Judd

I think out of every famous guest star from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Ashley Judd might be the easiest to spot. As Robin Lefler, she appeared in "Darmok" and "The Game," and even shared a kiss with Wil Wheaton's Wesley Crusher. There was a solid romance angle there, but sadly, she only had two episodes. 

Jonathan Del Arco

Jonathan Del Arco has been around Hollywood a lot in his career, but Star Trek fans may know him a little better than general audiences thanks to his playing Hugh the Borg. Hugh was the first Borg character to humanize the species in the franchise, and the character went on to play a notable role in the Picard spinoff decades later. 

Stephen Root

Iconic actor Stephen Root made for a great Klingon in the two-parter "Unification." As K'Vada, he made sure he made Picard and Data's time on his ship as uncomfortable as possible. He only honored his deal to help them infiltrate Romulus, which is totally on brand for the Klingon species. 

Michelle Phillips

Michelle Phillips initially rose to fame from her singing in The Mamas And The Papas but eventually transitioned into a successful acting career. As such, she ended up being one of the first major stars on Star Trek: The Next Generation, appearing in the Season 1 episode "We'll Always Have Paris" as Jenice Manheim. 

DeForest Kelley

Leonard Nimoy wasn't the only actor from the original Star Trek to appear in TNG, as DeForest Kelley also reprised his role as McCoy, though, he was an admiral at this point. Catch him in "Encounter At Farpoint," giving Data a hard time. 

Pamela Adlon

You may know Pamela Adlon from a lot of things. I, personally, like to note her voice work as Bobby Hill in the animated series King of the Hill, but she was on The Next Generation long before that. Find her in "Who Watches The Watchers" in which she's part of an alien species convinced that Picard is some immortal being with mystical powers. 

Paul Sorvino

Rest in peace to the late Paul Sorvino, known for Goodfellas, Law & Order, and of course, Star Trek: The Next Generation. Sorvino played Nikolai Rozhenko, the foster brother of Worf. Though he and his brother had their disagreements, Worf always made time for his brother, and there was a great respect between the two in their strengths. 

Matt Frewer

Actor Matt Frewer might not be a face readers immediately recognize, and they may not remember his role as Berlinghoff Rasmussen in "A Matter Of Time" immediately either. That said, if I were to talk about the bizarre character and series Max Headroom, would that ring any bells? That's Frewer's claim to fame, playing the eerie character who even was mentioned as an easter egg in the TNG episode "Conspiracy." 

Patti Yasutake

It wouldn't feel right not to highlight Patti Yasutake following her recent passing. Many Star Trek fans loved her recurring character, Nurse Ogawa, and her more recent work on Beef. While she was only in a handful of episodes, most Trekkies can remember her backing up Beverly Crusher, no matter the emergency. 

Thomas Kopache

Thomas Kopache holds the distinct honor of holding a role across all Rick Berman-era Star Trek shows and played not one, but two roles on The Next Generation. Check him out as a train engineer in "Emergence," and a Romulan scientist in "The Next Phase." 

John Tesh

Musician John Tesh, who NBA fans can thank for his famous song "Roundball Rock," was also in Star Trek. He played one of the Klingons created by the holodeck in "The Icarus Factor." Not a huge role by any means, but such a random appearance that I can't help but be tickled by. 

Kevin Peter Hall

Kevin Peter Hall, who had done character acting as the predator in Predator, was actually in contention for two of the starring roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation. While he ultimately lost out on the roles of Data and Geordi, he did end up appearing in the series via the episode "The Price" as the Caledonian Leyor. 

Ray Wise

Twin Peaks actor Ray Wise plays a key role in "Who Watches The Watchers," as Arturis. Arturis accidentally stumbles upon a Starfleet duck blind observing a planet, and when he is injured in the process, the crew does what it can to treat him. Arturis then returns to his people, claiming he was rescued by their gods. 

Famke Janssen

Famke Janssen had a big role as Kamala in the episode "The Perfect Mate," and it ultimately led to a larger one alongside series star Patrick Stewart. The former Star Trek co-stars would reunite on the cast of X-Men, as Janssen would pay Jean Grey alongside his Professor X. Wild to see them work together years later at much different points in their careers!

Majel Barrett

The wife of Gene Roddenberry, and the Nurse Chapel in the original Star Trek, Majel Barrett was also in TNG. While she missed out on being a part of TOS when her character was cut from the pilot, she was given the fairly meaty role of Lwaxana Troi, the mother of Deanna Troi. Anytime she popped up in this series it was a good time, and a lot of that is a credit to Barrett's skills as an actress. 

Mick Fleetwood

You would think if Star Trek landed the founding member of the iconic rock band Fleetwood Mac, it would want to broadcast his face in full view for the world to see. That wasn't the case, and if you didn't know, Mick Fleetwood was playing a fish man in the episode "Manhunt." Hilarious in hindsight, though given how cool the fish mask was, I don't blame him for being ok with wearing it. 

Christopher McDonald

Christopher McDonald is on our short list of requests for Happy Gilmore 2, and he's on this list because he appeared as a Starfleet Officer in the iconic episode "Yesterday's Enterprise." He served under Rachel Garrett, a character who has gained more relevance as of late thanks to her presence in Star Trek: Section 31.

Mark Lenard

Bringing Leonard Nimoy to Star Trek: The Next Generation was an amazing coup for the show, but to bring Mark Lenard to reprise his role as Sarek, Spock's father, was an underrated win. I don't think there's two men who did a better service for laying the framework for playing a Vulcan than those two, and the complicated father/son dynamic made for compelling television all throughout TNG. 

Terry O’Quinn

By the time he played a Rear Admiral in "The Pegasus," Terry O'Quinn was a well-established actor in Hollywood. That said, readers may most know him for the role he played of John Locke in Lost. His character, Erik Pressman in TNG, was far less sympathetic than John, but O'Quinn was fantastic in both roles. 

Kelsey Grammer

Dr. Frasier Crane himself, Kelsey Grammer, was a part of the Star Trek family for a short while. He was Morgan Bateson in "Cause and Effect." I'm always a little sad we didn't see more with the Captain of the USS Bozeman, and hope that if we get another TNG-era series, Grammer might reprise his role for a small adventure with other characters from the show. 

Bebe Neuwirth

If Star Trek manages to find out you're a Trekkie, chances are you'll be invited to be on a show. That exact thing happened to Bebe Neuwirth, who took time out of her schedule ahead of a Cheers rehearsal to be in "First Contact." It's a brief scene but memorable as she propositions Riker for sex, with the logic that it was always a dream to sleep with an alien. 

Diedrich Bader

Diedrich Bader had a background role in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Emissary," but his face is hard to miss. This is especially true if you're a fan of The Drew Carey Show, which admittedly has fewer fans now since the series hasn't found a home on streaming. I'll continue to cross my fingers that will happen, though, and enjoy this episode all the same. 

James Doohan

Star Trek actor James Doohan appeared in the episode "Relics," when Captain Montgomery Scott was found trapped in suspension in a ship's pattern buffer for 75 years. Fortunately, we've learned that being stuck in a transporter buffer is a relatively painless process, if not disorienting, to be gone for a period of time and not know it. This is, perhaps, one of my favorite TNG episodes of all time, and totally worth watching again for those who haven't seen it in a while.

Sometimes, a character and a project come around that impacts the zeitgeist deeply, and when that happens, the role becomes permanently attached to an actor’s legacy. This list includes over 30 actors from some of the greatest movies and TV shows who will forever be remembered for one role. 

Daniel Radcliffe – Harry Potter, Harry Potter 

While Daniel Radcliffe’s list of best movies is long and notable – with entries like Swiss Army Man and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – he will always be known first and foremost as The Boy Who Lived. The actor took on the titular role of Harry Potter when he was 12 years old, and he’s the face of a franchise of movies that have raised countless people. So, while he is beloved for lots of things, nothing will ever be as big and prominent as his role in the Wizarding World.  

Aaron Paul – Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad and its cast truly took the world by storm, and the guys leading the charge, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, became certified legends because of it. It’s hard to separate Paul from Jesse Pinkman, and the impact he made with his fellow ensemble members in this incredible show.  

Sarah Michelle Gellar – Buffy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

When you play one of the greatest TV characters of all time, obviously, it’ll be the thing you’re most remembered for. For Sarah Michelle Gellar, she’ll always be known as the legendary Buffy the Vampire Slayer after playing the empowering and strong titular character for seven seasons in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. 

Robert Downey Jr. – Iron Man/Tony Stark, Iron Man

Yes, Robert Downey Jr. won an Oscar for Oppenheimer, and yes, he’s well known for roles in other films, like Sherlock Holmes. However, when you single-handedly help successfully start a cinematic universe like the one Marvel has and star in nine of those projects, yes, you are going to be known for playing that character forever.

So, when it comes to RDJ’s legacy, his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be the thing he’s remembered forever for.  

Elijah Wood – Frodo, Lord of the Rings

Like Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Potter, so many grew up with Elijah Wood and Lord of the Rings. His portrayal of the hobbit Frodo Baggins was incredibly impactful, and while he has gone on to play a variety of memorable roles, there’s no denying the power of the Rings. 

Carrie Fisher – Princess Leia, Star Wars

You can’t talk about the late great Carrie Fisher and her career without mentioning Princess Leia and the Star Wars movies. She inspired a whole generation as her intelligent, stubborn and empowering princess, and the five films she was a part of helped define sci-fi in film. 

Leonard Nimoy – Spock, Star Trek

Live long and prosper, my friend. Forever and always the legendary Leonard Nimoy will be known for originating the role of the half-Vulcan, half-human Spock in Star Trek. 

Christopher Reeve – Superman, Superman

Christopher Reeve’s legacy is rooted in him playing Superman in four films. Even the documentary that came out about his life in 2024 leans into his time playing Clark Kent, as it’s called Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. 

James Gandolfini – Tony Soprano, The Sopranos

The Sopranos is considered one of the greatest shows on television, and James Gandolfini’s performance as Tony Soprano is a major reason why. The actor won three Emmys for his performance in the series, and his name, face and voice are synonymous with the beloved HBO drama. 

Alicia Silverstone – Cher Horowitz, Clueless

When I think of Alicia Silverstone, I immediately think of Cher, because she is and always will be best known for her iconic performance in one of the best movies of the ‘90s, Clueless. 

Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley, Alien

Sigourney Weaver changed the sci-fi game when she starred in Alien. Ellen Ripley is a magnificent and strong leading woman in this sci-fi horror flick, which in 1979, was not something we saw very often. 

Jim Parsons – Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory

“Bazinga!” Will always follow Jim Parsons, and that’s because of his tenure playing Sheldon Cooper in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The actor has four Emmys for playing the role, he starred in all 280 episodes of the comedy, and his character even inspired a spinoff, Young Sheldon, which came to an end in 2024 after its own seven-season run. 

Kit Harington – Jon Snow, Game of Thrones

The world was introduced to Kit Harington because of Game of Thrones, and he will always be remembered as the heroic Jon Snow. His role in the GOT cast was vital, and over the years, as we watched him battle it out at The Wall and work toward saving Westeros from winter, it was impossible not to fall for him. Now, while Harington has been in numerous other projects since then, it’s impossible not to think of him as this epic fantasy hero first. 

Emma Watson – Hermione Granger, Harry Potter

These days, Emma Watson doesn’t act anymore, and she’s killing with her gin company Renais. However, she’ll also always be remembered as a wonderful actress who brought life to the beloved witch Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films. 

The Entire Cast of Friends

Yes, the cast of Friends all went on to have successful careers after the NBC sitcom. However, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox are best known as Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Monica, and they always will be, because they’re the ones with a hit TV show. 

Ralph Macchio – Daniel LaRusso, The Karate Kid

After three Karate Kid movies, and six seasons of its highly successful spinoff Cobra Kai, you’d be silly not to think that Ralph Macchio will always be remembered for playing Daniel LaRusso. 

Linda Hamilton – Sarah Connor, The Terminator

Linda Hamilton played Sarah Connor in The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Terminator: Dark Fate. She’s beloved for portraying the protagonist in this sci-fi franchise, and she’s synonymous with this series that she starred in alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Chris Hemsworth – Thor, Thor

While many Marvel actors have become synonymous with their characters, one who really stands out is Chris Hemsworth and Thor. Physically, the Australian actor perfectly embodies the God of Thunder, and throughout his time playing the character he added an unexpected sense of humor to the role – especially post-Thor: Ragnarok – that he’ll be remembered forever for. 

Kristen Stewart – Bella Swan, Twilight

Twilight, the debate about Team Edward vs. Team Jacob and Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan took over the zeitgeist between 2008-2012. To this day, while she’s gone on to star in incredible films like Spencer and Love Lies Bleeding, the role that made her a household name is one of the parts she’ll always be remembered for. 

Heath Ledger – The Joker, The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger is widely regarded as the best Joker, because of his commanding performance as the legendary Batman villain in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. This movie was also one of his last before his untimely death, and he won a posthumous Oscar for his incredible take on the infamous big bad. 

Millie Bobby Brown – Eleven, Stranger Things

Millie Bobby Brown has made quite a few successful films, like the Enola Holmes movies. However, it’s undeniable that the role that will define her career is Eleven in Stranger Things. She was only 12 when she started playing the mysterious super-powered human, and over the course of the show’s five-season run, both she and the ensemble of the Netflix series, have become pop culture icons because of the show. 

William Shatner – Captain Kirk, Star Trek

If you take a look at the four projects listed at the top of William Shatner’s IMDb page, all of them are Star Trek movies where he played Captain Kirk. The man starred in seven films and a long-running TV show as the beloved captain, so of course it’s what he’s best known for. 

Michael J. Fox – Marty McFly, Back to the Future

From Family Ties to Teen Wolf, Michael J. Fox and his shows and movies were ‘80s staples. However, there’s no denying that the project he’ll always be remembered for is Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future. To this day, the project is considered one of the best ‘80s movies, and Fox is still beloved for playing the charismatic, funny and heroic Marty McFly. 

Reese Witherspoon – Elle Woods, Legally Blonde 

In the over two decades since Legally Blonde’s release, so many have been inspired to pursue their dreams and wear lots and lots of pink. That’s because Elle Woods truly left an amazing mark on the zeitgeist, and it’s because of Reese Witherspoon’s heartfelt, funny and preppy performance as the incredible lawyer-in-training. 

As Elle Woods would say, “What like it’s hard” to create one of the best characters and movies of the 2000s? 

Jon Hamm – Don Draper, Mad Men

While Jon Hamm is a wicked comedic actor, and he’s starred in a myriad of fun movies, nothing will ever come close to Mad Men. For 92 episodes, Hamm led the Mad Men cast as Don Draper – which he took an Emmy home for in 2015 – and he’ll always be recognized for playing the charismatic creative director of Sterling Cooper.

Judy Garland – Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a film that has raised generations of kids since 1939, and it’s still a family classic. So, when you lead a beloved musical like that, as Judy Garland did, and it remains relevant and loved for over eight decades, obviously, the role you’ll always be known for is that one. 

David Tennant – The Doctor, Doctor Who

While everyone who has played the titular timelord on Doctor Who is known for that role specifically, David Tennant is a fan-favorite Doctor, and it’s single-handedly the project he’s best known for. While he’s dabbled in many other critically acclaimed projects, like Good Omens and Broadchurch, he is and always will be the beloved actor who graced our screens as the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors first and foremost. 

Anthony Hopkins – Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs is one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and it’s in part thanks to Anthony Hopkins' truly terrifying cannibal Hannibal Lecter. In fact, his character became so popular that it inspired three more movies and a TV show. 

Sarah Jessica Parker – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

I’m sure Carrie Bradshaw inspired many women to become writers, and I know she left many of us fantasizing about living out our lives in New York City. Sarah Jessica Parker truly slayed the role, and her own sense of style and charismatic personality meshed perfectly with Carrie. Along with playing the writer in the OG series Sex and the City, SJP has also portrayed her in two movies and the series And Just Like That. 

Emilia Clarke – Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones 

Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, those are all the names Emilia Clarke’s dragon rider went by in Game of Thrones, and she gave an absolutely commanding performance as her. While her ending wasn’t what most wanted, there’s no denying how amazing it was to see Daenerys rise from a woman trying to survive to a powerful leader, and that’s because of how brilliant Clarke was in the role. 

Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker, Star Wars

He was the face of the original trilogy, and you can’t think about Star Wars without thinking about Mark Hamill and Luke Skywalker. While the actor is well-known for other roles, especially in the world of voice acting, his most prominent part has to be this. 

Gal Gadot – Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman

Sadly, there aren’t many superhero movies led by women. However, luckily, we do have a few wonderful ones, and that includes Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman. She played the beloved hero with so much grace, poise and strength, and she’ll 100% always be remembered for it. 

Obviously, while all these actors have played other prominent roles in well-known movies and shows, there’s no question that when we consider their legacies, these parts will be the first ones we think about. They’re that iconic, and we have these performers to thank for them. 

When Star Trek first brought a new Spock to fans, Zachary Quinto's casting was offset by the revelation that Leonard Nimoy's Spock was still untouched. The game fully changed in Discovery Season 2 when Ethan Peck became the first actor to play the prime version of one of Trek's best characters. The actor continues to win the praise of fans in Strange New Worlds, and Nimoy's son Adam told CinemaBlend he's a big fan despite the differences between the portrayals of Spock.

When talking to Adam Nimoy about the release of his book The Most Human: Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy, which is available for sale right now, I brought up Ethan Peck having written one of the praise-filled blurbs for the new release, and then I asked the son of Spock how he felt about the young actor's performance in the streaming hit. As he put it:

The portrayals do have their differences from Leonard Nimoy's, though it's worth noting Star Trek fully accounted for such distinctions intentionally. While we know Zachary Quinto's Spock is standalone iteration of Spock from an alternate timeline, Ethan Peck's Spock is still on the journey to reconcile his human and Vulcan characteristics and become the idealized version of himself we were first introduced to in TOS.

Peck has spoken to CinemaBlend about a need to understand Leonard Nimoy to embody Spock fully, so I was happy to see he likely got a few insights from reading Adam Nimoy's book. The author talks about the complicated relationship he had with his dad, which came about somewhat from the actor being very much like the character he played on television.

While some have appreciated Ethan Peck's "imitation" of Spock, Nimoy doesn't feel like that's a proper descriptor for what either actor who has played the character is doing. He told me:

While Star Trek fans wait to see Ethan Peck in upcoming Trek shows like Strange New Worlds Season 3, it's a no-brainer suggestion to say everyone should check out The Most Human: Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy. While the book is very much an autobiography of Adam Nimoy and his struggles with addiction, it does a deep dive into his relationship with the sci-fi icon, who also struggled with addiction in his lifetime. It also provides Nimoy's take on things such as his father's falling out with William Shatner and how it was equally as bizarre as their public declaration as best friends.

For those wondering when Strange New Worlds Season 3 will arrive, we know right now that 2025 is the tentative release date. The show was one day away from starting production when the writers and SAG-AFTRA strikes hit, which is why we won't be watching the season with our Paramount+ subscription before then. I'm eager to see the new season, but fortunately we have no shortage of episodes on Paramount+ to enjoy with Ethan Peck's Spock right now.

With summer approaching, I'm hoping we'll get a big update or trailer for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 before too long. I'm very eager to see how they escape the massive Season 2 cliffhanger ending and manage to either outsmart or make peace with the Gorn after this bloodshed between them.

Kirk and Spock are among the most famous duos not just in Star Trek, but across all of pop culture. Notably, co-stars Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner shared a similarly strong bond behind the scenes, though they were also rivals for a time, and were eventually estranged at the time of Nimoy's death. The actor's son, TV director Adam Nimoy, touched on the two legends' complex relationship in his latest book, and shared his insight about their bond with CinemaBlend.

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to Nimoy about his book The Most Human: Reconciling With My Father, in which he details his personal journey to sobriety as well as his shifting relationship with his fan-favorite father. In the book, Adam Nimoy addresses the surprise he felt learning that his dad and William Shatner became best friends, having been aware of their tension while filming Star Trek, and he noted a similar sense of surprise upon their falling out towards the end of Nimoy's life.

I noted during our interview that Adam also had an up-and-down relationship with his father and asked if the situation with Shatner was just part of the mysterious nature behind Leonard Nimoy's feelings about personal relationships in general. The writer responded:

The world was intrigued when William Shatner skipped Leonard Nimoy's funeral, but to hear it straight from Adam Nimoy's mouth, the reasons for their falling out are not even worth repeating. It gives the impression that their bond suffered a blow that could've been repaired, but there seemingly wasn't the time to do so. Adam Nimoy himself attested to going long stretches of time without speaking to his father, but also said they always found a way to reconnect eventually.

While the friendship was finite, Nimoy also told CinemaBlend that he was happy that the TV icons were able to share a bond, however non-permanent. At the root of any tension they had, both shared a lot more in common than some Star Trek fans may even realize, which he talked about below:

While Leonard Nimoy had maintained sobriety throughout his friendship and falling out with William Shatner, Adam Nimoy writes in The Most Human: Reconciling With My Father that his father struggled to complete the 12-Step Program in sobriety. Those who read the book will see from his son's perspective that the Star Trek actor struggled all around to make amends with people, which led to their complicated relationship.

Of course, take a look at any project they're together on, many of which are available with a Paramount+ subscription, and the tension won't be evident. Kirk and Spock appear as though they're the closest of friends or at least as close as Spock's Vulcan personality would allow Kirk to get. As Nimoy noted, nothing between them was ever so inflammatory that it impacted the show, and they made some magic together:

I should note that while Adam Nimoy only briefly touches on William Shatner's relationship with Leonard Nimoy in its pages, The Most Human: Reconciling With My Father still paints a picture of what it was like to be the child of one of Star Trek's greatest characters, which can be theoretically extrapolated to include Shatner. I think many might guess it isn't always easy, but Nimoy talks about some of the specific struggles in a way that readers probably wouldn't understand otherwise.

It's a great read for those waiting for more upcoming Star Trek shows to arrive. Strange New Worlds actor Ethan Peck praised the book, once telling CinemaBlend he needed to understand Leonard Nimoy to embody Spock. As a fan, I felt like I walked away with a better understanding of the actor while also understanding the struggles of picking up the pieces after dealing with addiction.

It's the latest project for Adam Nimoy, who has chronicled his father's legacy in the past with critical acclaim. Fans might've seen his documentary For The Love Of Spock, which dove into the role that Leonard Nimoy was most celebrated for. I would imagine the book will find the same acclaim, thanks to an honest and unflinching portrayal of overcoming addiction and working through difficult relationships with loved ones.

The Most Human: Reconciling With My Father is available in stores now. Those looking to see more of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek roles can always check out Paramount+, and definitely should with the current lull in programming.

Acting and directing are two very different skills, and for someone to be able to do both is a mark of a hard-working and talented person. It doesn't always work out for actors, but it's remarkable how often it does. Here are 32 such examples of great actors who became great directors as well. 

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood's career has lasted an unbelievable eight decades. He started humbling with small roles in the '50s and as the decades have gone on, he's only gotten bigger and bigger. After directing his first movie, 1971's Play Misty for Me, he's gone on to helm a remarkable 39 more and has won 2 Best Director Oscars, for 1993's Unforgiven and 2005's Million Dollar Baby.

Ron Howard

Ron Howard has been in the lives and living rooms of Americans since he was just a kid as an actor on The Andy Griffith Show. He went on to star in Happy Days in the 1970s before directing his first low-budget film, Grand Theft Auto, in 1977. He's since gone on to direct such classics as Splash, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, and many others. 

Bradley Cooper

If the start of Bradley Cooper's directing career is any indication, you can expect huge things. So far, the actor-turned-director has only helmed two movies, A Star Is Born and Maestro and both have been nominated for Best Picture Oscars. Not a shabby record. 

Penny Marshall

Penny Marshall got her first big break on the sitcom The Odd Couple but became a household name as Lavern in Lavern & Shirley. She didn't stay in TV though, instead, she started directing and made two of the most beloved Gen X movies of all time, Big and A League of Their Own. 

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck might not have been the first actor you picked to become a director, but his stellar career as an actor is matched by his work as a director. In fact, though he's never won an acting Oscar (something that should be remedied), he did win Best Director for Argo. 

Robert Redford

By the time Robert Redford directed his first movie, Ordinary People, in 1980, he was already one of the most legendary film stars ever. The second half of his career is as known for his directing as it is for his acting, with movies like Quiz Show and A River Runs Through It.

Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau's acting career started humbling with supporting roles in movies like Rudy and PCU. After he wrote and starred in Swingers, his star shined a little brighter. That was only the beginning though. Favreau has the honor of directing the movie that launched the most successful film franchise of all time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Iron Man and its sequel. He's since moved on to Disney live-action remakes with The Lion King and The Jungle Book. Oh, and he also directed one of the most beloved holiday movies ever with. Elf.

Mel Gibson

The controversial career of Mel Gibson began with a small movie that made huge waves in his native Australia. Mad Max made him famous and by the late late-'80s, he was one of the biggest stars in the world. He then moved into directing and reached his pinnacle early with Braveheart for which he won Best Director. 

Richard Attenborough

As an actor, Richard Attenborough starred in massive hits across generations with movies like The Great Escape and Jurassic Park. As a director, he helmed some of the best biopics of all time, like Gandhi, A Cry Freedom, and Chaplin as well a the legendary war flick, A Bridge Too Far. 

Regina King

Regina King's directorial career is only getting started, but judging by her first movie, One Night In Miami, the future is bright. So far, the Academy Award-winning actress has mostly directed TV shows, but you can be sure more films will be coming her way.

Denzel Washington

What can we say about Denzel Washington that hasn't already been said? He's a living legend at this point, as a multiple Oscar winner and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He's also one heck of a director with movies like Fences and The Great Debaters.

John Krasinski

John Krasinski became part of our collective family as Jim on The Office. Who would have thought from that role, his career in Hollywood would reach the point that he is a major power player? Now that he's moved into directing, the sky is truly the limit. The first movie Krasinski directed, The Hollars, made for a humble beginning, but his second, A Quiet Place established him as a force to reckon with and it's since become a franchise.

Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks might not have been an actor you'd have guessed would go into directing, like others on this list, but she has in a big way. She has shown she can direct blockbusters like Pitch Perfect 2 and indie darlings like that one about the bear who indulges in some, uh, white powder he finds, and goes on a rampage.

Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig is quickly becoming a voice of a generation. Her direction and writing of Barbie has been praised far and wide for its snappy dialog and heartfelt message. Gerwig's acting career started in the mid-'00s when she was mostly in smaller, supporting roles. Since moving into directing, she's become a huge star.

Jordan Peele

Key & Peele was a huge hit for Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key, and made them both stars. No one expected Peele to turn to directing horror movies, but that's exactly what he did and we should all be grateful for it. With massive hits like Get Out, Nope, and Us, the future is bright for Peele and for all of us too, who will get to watch his work.

Rob Reiner

Though he had a leg up coming from a Hollywood family, Rob Reiner has staked out a claim all his own in the entertainment business. First as an actor on the hit show All in the Family, then as the director of some of the most loved movies of all time. Starting with his first movie, This is Spinal Tap, and running through the '80s and early '90s, he had an unbelievable run that included The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, and Misery. Wow!

George Clooney

Not only is George Clooney one of the most bankable movie stars ever, he's also a fantastic director. His acting career is legendary and his directing career, while not quite at the level of his acting, is still fantastic. He's directed TV (Catch-22) and movies (The Boys In The Boat, The Midnight Sky, Good Night, and Good Luck, among others) and you can be sure there will be more from him.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie's directing career hasn't always gotten the best reviews, but I'd say her movies are very underrated. The talented actress has an eye for behind the camera as well, and movies like Unbroken and First They Killed My Father are powerful movies.

Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton's acting career came on as a slow burn to fame, but his directing career started with a band. His first film was a masterpiece called Sling Blade. he followed that up with the underrated All The Pretty Horse and a few others, though his pace has slowed over the last couple of decades. Let's hope he finds that directing bug again. 

Ben Stiller

There was a time in the '90s and '00s when it seemed like Ben Stiller was in every movie released. Not only was he working hard in front of the camera, he was killing it behind the camera as well. Starting really with Reality Bites, and moving on to great movies like the controversial but hilarious Tropic Thunder, and the Zoolander movies. 

Jodie Foster

The great Jodie Foster has been an acclaimed actor and star since her teenage years and of course, that talent has translated to directing. Though lately she's done mostly TV work like directing episodes of Black Mirror and Orange is the New Black, she's done a few movies too, like Little Man Tate and Money Monster.

Kevin Costner

In addition to being one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, Kevin Costner has never shied away from making epic films. Though he's only directed four movies in his career, they have all been big films. Starting with Dances With Wolves in 1990, he's since directed The Postman, Open Range, and 2024's Horizon: An American Saga.

Tim Robbins

The directing bug caught Tim Robbins in the early '90s and he directed a couple of great movies with Bob Roberts and Dead Man Walking. He's directed a smattering of movies and TV shows more recently, but he's mostly stuck to acting over the last few years. 

Sean Penn

Since the early 1980s, Sean Penn has been wowing moviegoers with his impressive acting chops and diversity. In the '90s he dipped his toe into directing with his first film, The Indian Runner and has directed a good handful of movies since, with his best being Into The Wild in 2007. 

Zach Braff

Acting-wise Zach Braff's big break came as a regular cast member of the hit sitcom Scrubs. As a directed, he burst onto the scene with his very first movie, Garden State in 2004. He's continued directing here and there over the last 20 years, including the great movie about getting older, Going In Style, and a few others, in addition to some TV work. 

Warren Beatty

In the 1970s, there was no bigger movie star than Warren Beatty. By the end of the decade, he had moved into directing as well, starting with 1978's Heaven Can Wait and continuing the '80s and '90s with acclaimed movies like Red and maybe his most remembered, Dick Tracy in 1990.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton is a force of nature. For decades she's been one of the best and most popular actresses in Hollywood, and though she's only dipped her toes into directing, mostly in TV, she's on this list for one important reason. Keaton directed the music video for "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" by Belinda Carlisle and that is a stone-cold Gen X classic. 

Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh might be as well known for his directing as he is for his acting, and that's really saying something. Not only has he directed some of the best Shakespeare adaptions for the silver screen, but more recently he's been killing it with his Agatha Christie adaptations. 

Leonard Nimoy

Appropriately, Leonard Nimoy's first foray into feature film direction came in the Star Trek franchise when he directed both Star Trek III: The Search For Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Outside of the iconic franchise he helped make famous he also directed the beloved Three Men and a Baby. 

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone has always been a self-starter. His work to get the original Rocky made is legendary and after it made him a huge star, he wasted no time getting into directing, starting with Rocky II and adding Rocky III, Rocky IV, and 2006's Rocky Balboa as well. Of course, he's also directed in two other franchises he was at the center of with 2008's Rambo and the first Expendable movie. 

Helen Hunt

This one might surprise you, but Helen Hunt has had an impressive career as a director. Most of her work has been on television on shows varying from her own Mad About You and This Is Us. She also has two feature films under her belt with 2007's Then She Found Me and 2014's Ride. 

Joel Edgerton

Joel Edgerton is seemingly everywhere these days, popping up in all kinds of movies and TV shows from Star Wars stuff to Dark Matter. He's also started directing, but his output is limited, with 2015's underrated The Gift and 2018 Boy Erased. Let's hope he finds more time to direct in his busy schedule. 

When it comes to iconic sci-fi movie characters, few hold a place as revered as Leonard Nimoy's portrayal of one of the best characters of all time, Spock, in Star Trek. Nimoy's stoic, logical Vulcan has inspired generations, and even after his passing in 2015, his legacy endures. Recently, his son, director Adam Nimoy, has taken to social media to share heartwarming stories and memories of his father, bringing fans closer to the man behind the pointy ears. These touching tales have been a delightful journey down memory lane, filled with humor, warmth, and many feels.

Over the past few weeks, The Search for Spock actor’s progeny has posted anecdotes and reflections on X (formerly Twitter). Each post is a gem that showcases Leonard's humanity, kindness, and the special bond they shared. Here are some of the highlights that have particularly resonated with fans.

In one particularly poignant post, Adam shares a memory of a fanzine photographer capturing a day in the life of Leonard Nimoy at their home. The photo, a candid black-and-white shot, encapsulates a typical father-son moment, with Leonard guiding young Adam through the intricacies of fixing a bicycle. The younger Nimoy's words reflect the deep emotional bond they shared:

In an image shared by the Spock performer’s son, Leonard Nimoy stands in full Spock regalia, phaser in hand, embodying the essence of his iconic character. Adam fondly recalls: 

The director of For The Love of Spock also shared a delightful family photo from the '70s. This vintage photo is a lovely throwback to The Brady Bunch era, showcasing the Nimoy family's classic era attire. Leonard stands with his wife and two children. Adam cherishes this snapshot, sharing:

One enjoyable memory shared by the late Star Trek star’s offspring was about his father's surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live. The post includes a screengrab from the memorable moment in 2009 when Leonard made a surprise appearance, standing between 2009 Star Trek Spock and Kirk actors Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine. Adam reminisced: 

Adam's X feed has become a treasure trove of memories, each post providing a deeper insight into the man many knew only as the beloved Vulcan. For longtime fans, these stories are a cherished gift, offering a rare glimpse into the personal life of a beloved icon.

In addition to sharing these anecdotes, Adam and his sister, Julie Nimoy, have been dedicated to preserving their father's legacy. They have championed efforts like the Leonard Nimoy Memorial at the Museum of Science, the 2016 documentary For the Love of Spock, and Adam's forthcoming book, The Most Human: Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy. Their work is a heartfelt tribute to their father, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire and touch lives.

You can revisit Nimoy’s iconic portrayal of Spock in the original Star Trek television series, available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription, or the original run of films with a Max subscription.

As the United States celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month, it's only fitting Star Trek fans think of one of the best characters of all time, Spock. Not just because actor Leonard Nimoy was Jewish but also because he made sure to incorporate some of his own heritage into the character via the Vulcan salute. 

Today, we'll dive into the history of this salute and how its origins have absolutely nothing to do with BTS star Jungkook, which is another story entirely. Considering we'll likely see the Vulcan salute a lot more in the upcoming season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 and beyond to Season 4, Now is as good of a time as any to educate readers on the story behind its creation. 

Leonard Nimoy Improvised The Gesture In Season 2 Of Star Trek

A casual audience may think that the Vulcan salute was baked into Star Trek's DNA from the get-go, but that's not the case. The hand signal actually made its first appearance in the Season 2 opener, "Amok Time," in which Spock ultimately learned his fiancé, T'Pring, had found another lover. The moment in the episode, which is available with a Paramount+ subscription, can be seen toward the end when Spock bids farewell to Vulcan leader T'Pau. 

The gesture, along with the phrase "Live long and prosper," became hallmarks of the Vulcan people. Due to Spock's popularity as a character, it's evolved into the universal icon for all Star Trek fans, to the point that in mainstream pop culture it's all someone has to do to signal they're a fan. It's such an iconic gesture, it's surprising to hear that it was made up by Leonard Nimoy, who used his Jewish heritage to create it. 

Nimoy Based The Vulcan Salute On A Jewish Hand Signal

StarTrek.com says that Nimoy, who was Jewish, came up with the Vulcan salute by referencing the Jewish Priestly Blessing of the descendants of Aaron. The gesture is performed by the priests of Aaron, or Kohanim. A gesture performed by the Kohanim at the beginning of a service to the congregation is similar to the Vulcan salute and can be seen in the video below: 

This ritual is now done symbolically, daily in Israel, and during festivals. Ironically, those of the Jewish faith who might've witnessed the practice might not have seen the hand signal, as they're meant to face the other direction while the blessing is given. The intention is so that those hearing the blessing focus on the words more than the ritual itself, but as Nimoy confessed, curiosity got the better of him and he looked.

Obviously, there are differences between the ritual and the Vulcan salute, but to me it's clear in the video where the inspiration came from. It's funny to think that, had Nimoy been more obedient when observing the ritual as a child, we may have never seen a symbol that will still be used heavily in upcoming Trek shows down the road. 

Quite a fun bit of history, especially as we observe Jewish American Heritage Month. While later Spock actors Zachary Quinto and Ethan Peck are not of the faith, they carry on the tradition of the Vulcan salute. At this point it's so ingrained in the series it would be strange for either not to, but also I think Peck at least understands that to truly play the role, one must understand Leonard Nimoy as much as his character. As such, I'm sure he has some understanding of why Nimoy adapted this part of Jewish culture for Star Trek and the importance of using it throughout the series. 

Catch Leonard Nimoy's most iconic performances as Spock by watching Star Trek over on Paramount+. There's no shortage of great scenes to enjoy, though I think, given the month, that watching "Amok Time" would be the most appropriate. 

As a show that takes place almost entirely in the next millennium, Futurama doesn’t automatically seem like the kind of show that would boast tons of cameos from modern day celebrities, athletes, politicians and scientific geniuses. Yet that’s exactly what the animated sci-fi comedy has delivered with each season that’s aired, even when occasional cancellations kept those seasons airing years apart from each other. And what’s more, quite a few of those guest stars have also popped up in co-creator legend Matt Groening’s other beloved toon series, The Simpsons.

While there are certainly far more celebrities who have only appeared on one show or the other — for instance, relatively frequent Futurama guest star Al Gore was previously tapped to host a “Treehouse of Horror” ep, but it never happened — the number of shared famous faces may be surprising to longtime fans. So let’s pop open a six-pack of Slurm and dive in, while noting right away that the aforementioned Groening isn’t on this list, despite appearing in both shows. Note that we also left out Simpsons regulars Hank Azaria and Dan Castellaneta. (Also note that The Simpsons can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription, while all eps of Futurama are available with a Hulu subscription.)

Dick Clark

• Futurama: Season 1 “Space Pilot 3000”
• The Simpsons: Season 11 "Treehouse of Horror X"

True to his real-world persona, the animated Dick Clark was also known in both animated series for hosting New Year's Eve countdowns, though he only did so as a head for Futurama. He suffered a weirder phenomenon on The Simpsons when Y2K hit and turned him into a Terminator-esque cyborg.

Leonard Nimoy

• Futurama: Season 1 “Space Pilot 3000,” Season 4 "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" 
• The Simpsons: Season 4 "Marge vs. the Monorail," Season 8 "The Springfield Files"

An icon in the world of science fiction and beyond, Leonardy Nimoy was a welcomed figure on both animated comedies. where he played himself for two episodes of each series. Arguably the best would be Futurama's "Where No Fan..." since it brought in other Star Trek vets as well.

John Goodman

• Futurama: Season 2 “XMas Story”
• The Simpsons: Season 11 "Take My Wife, Sleaze"

Longtime Futurama fans might not remember that Roseanne and The Conners lead John Goodman was the first to voice Robot Santa, with John DiMaggio taking over the role in later seasons. The Big Lebowski vet had a slightly different vibe going when portraying biker gang leader Meathook on The Simpsons.

Conan O'Brien

• Futurama: Season 2 “XMas Story”
• The Simpsons: Season 5 "Bart Gets Famous"

Having served as a writer on The Simpsons ahead of landing NBC's Late Night — he's spoken about his favorite character to write for — talk show maestro Conan O'Brien appeared as himself on both shows, interviewing Bart for his former employer, and appearing in jarheaded form for Futurama. Note that he is one of the only celebs whose head pokes out of the top, which is a joke about the comedian's larger than average dome.

Nichelle Nichols

• Futurama: Season 2 “Anthology Of Interest 1,” Season 4 "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" 
• The Simpsons: Season 15 "Simple Simpson"

A beloved member of Star Trek royalty, Nichelle Nichols portrayed herself three times across both shows, always with shows references to fall back on. (Unlike Nichols and other Trek elite, William Shatner turned down the opportunities to appear.)

Stephen Hawking

• Futurama: Season 2 “Anthology Of Interest 1,” “The Beast With A Billion Backs,” Season 6 “Reincarnation”
• The Simpsons: Season 10 "They Saved Lisa's Brain,” Season 16 "Don't Fear the Roofer," Season 18 "Stop or My Dog Will Shoot," Season 22 "Elementary School Musical"

Perhaps it's no surprise that one of TV's brainiest animated shows would repeatedly bring in one of the smartest people who ever lived. Physicist and author Stephen Hawking appeared as himself, perhaps obviously, thrice on Futurama, and is part of the four-timers club on The Simpsons.

Parker Posey

• Futurama: Season 2 “The Deep South”
• The Simpsons: Season 11 "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge"

For Futurama's mermaid-focused Season 2 episode, Parker Posey lent her voice to Umbriel, not to be confused with any other size-specific mermaids out there. Over in Springfield, Posey portrayed Otto's girlfriend Becky in a role that was initially pitched to Drew Barrymore.

Sarah Silverman

• Futurama: Season 2 “The Cryonic Woman,” “Bender’s Big Score,” Season 7 “Game of Tones”
• The Simpsons: Season 21 "Stealing First Base," Season 24 "Moonshine River," Season 26 "Clown in the Dumps," Season 28 "Treehouse of Horror XXVII"

Comedian Sarah Silverman joined the world of Futurama as the recast voice of Fry's not-so-wonderful girlfriend Michelle from the '90s, with three appearances to date. (Kath Soucie voiced her in the pilot.) She was also a romantic interest on The Simpsons for Bart in a pair of eps as Nikki McKenna, while also voicing herself and others in later seasons.

Jan Hooks

• Futurama: Season 3 “Bendless Love”
• The Simpsons: Season 9 "The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons," Season 10 "I'm With Cupid," Season 11 "Eight Misbehavin'," "Take My Wife, Sleaze," Season 12 "Bye Bye Nerdie," Season 14 "Large Marge"

Saturday Night Live vet Jan Hooks brought her comedic skills to Futurama as the criminal-loving fembot Angleyne, and while she may have wooed Bender, Hooks technically has had a larger impact on The Simpsons, where she played Apu's wife Manjula across a half-dozen appearances.

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu was part of a Futurama cameo like few others, in that she voiced various bot-cloned versions of herself, with Fry dating one of them, as well as the "real" Lucy Liu's head in a jar. (Her second episode utilized excess dialogue she'd recorded the previous season.) Over on The Simpsons, she played the adoption agent tasked with deciding whether or not Selma is worthy of parenting a Chinese baby.

Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk tapped into both Saul Goodman and some of his Mr. Show characters to bring the ego-driven Chaz to Futurama as Leela's temporary romantic interest. And in an episode penned by his brother Bill Odenkirk, the Breaking Bad vet portrayed Fat Tony's lawyer (whose character went by that very moniker) for a Simpsons ep.

George Takei

One of the most seasoned guest stars of any Matt Groening series is Star Trek vet George Takei, who portrayed himself mostly in jar-head form for Futurama. While he did play himself for one Simpsons episode, he also voiced Happy Sumo waiter Akira, an unnamed Chinese restaurant waiter, and game show host Wink.

Mark Hamill

Having played one of cinema's most beloved heroes, Star Wars vet Mark Hamill took on voicing a somewhat equally important character for Futurama, at least to a certain segment of the population: holiday mascot Chanukah Zombie. For his single Simpsons ep, Hamill voiced himself at as sci-fi con and the bodyguard-training specialist Leavelle.

Penn & Teller

The most celebrated magical duo in history, Penn Jillette and his largely silent partner Teller appeared on Futurama in their entertainment hub of Las Vegas, or rather New Mars Vegas. (I guess it's up for debate whether Teller actually appeared, considering the state of his head.) On The Simpsons, Homer attempted to create a viral moment by interrupting one of their specials, and returned for a later episode centered on Lisa diving into the world of magic, with fellow illusionists David Copperfield and Ricky Jay also appearing.

Snoop Dogg

Rapper, actor and pop culture mainstay Snoop Dogg achieved his highest ranking yet within Futurama, with his head serving as a Chief Justice alongside the heads of Paula Abdul and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. He also played himself on The Simpsons as part of an all-star rap group Hate Squad alongside Common and Rza.

Patton Oswalt

Comedian Patton Oswalt is no stranger to self-deprecating humor, so perhaps it's fitting that his guest spot on Futurama was as Giant Unattractive Monster, who did not take kindly to Fry's insinuation that his mother's looks were to blame. He was the offspring of Portlandia vets Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein's characters' on The Simpsons, voicing their son T-Rex. He returned in a later episode to voice the slime-covered entitye that served as Bart Simpson's Guilt.

Buzz Aldrin

The second person to ever set foot on the moon, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin can also boast a guest spot as a science fair judge on Futurama, in which he delivered an unexpectedly funny joke for someone of such real-life stature. Aldrin also appeared, perhaps unsurprisingly, in the Simpsons episode in which Homer goes to space, and the family's patriarch is actually dubbed a "hero" by Aldrin.

Wanda Sykes

Comedian extraordinaire Wanda Sykes delivered the robotic goods as the soda-dispensing vending machine Bev, who has a love-hate relationship with Bender while also heping to get Fry hooked on Slurm Loco. Sykes' SImpsons spot had her portraying a nameless Springfield Elementary counselor who loses her job in the middle of dispensing advice, and then calls out Milhouse for being boring. Mic drop.

Patrick Stewart

For all his years portraying Jean Luc Picard across the Star Trek universe, Patrick Stewart opted for something slightly less sci-fi for his Futurama appearance as the master of a fox-hunting club that Bender joins, complete with fancy mustache. For The Simpsons, he also went old school as the Stonecutters leader Number One, and later appeared as a bald-but-virile power plant worker whose confidence inspires Homer. (An amusing story for an actor who was initially advised to wear a wig for his Next Generation audition.)

Robert Wagner

Two and a Half Men and NCIS recurrer Robert Wagner's fame is definitely still intact in the 3000s, at least per his guest spot on Futurama, where Calculon's Walk of Fame star is replaced by a second star for Wagner, who shares a few words as an appreciative head in a jar. His Simpsons appearance seemed tailor-made for Troy McClure, as he introduced himself as an "actor, smooth customer and women's health advocate" during an instructional video teaching aging women about menopause. (Barely.)

Adam West & Burt Ward

'60s Batman stars Adam West and Burt Ward paid tribute to their respective roles during a Futurama scene parodying the comic book show's wall-climing cameo sequences, for which West voiced an actual bat-man-thing. He also appeared on The Simpsons as a car show celeb, and later teamed up with Ward for an installment featuring a faux Batman episode with Krusty as the guest star.

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane and Family Guy are often jokingly portrayed as rivals of Matt Groening and The Simpsons universe, but he's appeared twice on Futurama - once to lay his dulcet tones down for Vegas-esque theme, and once as the dream sequence voice of Fry's dog Seymour, whose martini in hand was a tip of the wet nose to FG's Brian. He also appeared on The Simpsons as a man Marge secretly befriended during a temporary marital rut.

Kathy Griffin

As a celeb who'd previously been "canceled" over controversial photos in 2017, Kathy Griffin was an understandable choice to guest star as one of several ship captains who were sidelined for their behavior, including the titular Zapp Brannigan. She also played something of a problematic character on The Simpsons as the bully Francine, who inspired Lisa to pinpoint the phereomon that causes bullies to antagonize nerds.

With more episodes of The Simpsons and Futurama still to come in the future, the possibility for more shared guest stars is a big one.

Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the most beloved shows of the franchise, so it's wild in hindsight to think that anyone would've missed out on a chance to get in on the ground floor. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and there were many back then who questioned if another incarnation of the original series was a great idea. As such, it's not too surprising to hear Spock actor Leonard Nimoy passed up on a chance at being an executive producer, though his reason why isn't what fans may think. 

An excerpt from The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From The Next Generation to J. J. Abrams: The Complete, Uncensored, and Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek by Mark A. Altman is making rounds on the internet, and features Leonard Nimoy's explanation for not taking a behind-the-scenes position for the Patrick Stewart-led series. Nimoy had his reasons but explained it wasn't for the reason some might assume (via ScreenRant): 

Leonard Nimoy had a chance to be a significant contributor behind the scenes in Star Trek: The Next Generation, now available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription, but turned down the opportunity. As the actor noted above, this wasn't because he had mixed feelings about the show, even if he did question if it would be a success. In the end, it was more about not wanting to dedicate the next years of his life to the show and to pursue other things.

For context, Leonard Nimoy had just wrapped up Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, in which he starred and directed. It was the fourth in a string of films done the years prior, so it's easy to understand why Nimoy might've had his fill of Trek at that point.  Of course, he did do more movies for the franchise after The Next Generation premiered and even had guest roles on the series, so it's likely it was more tied to the time commitment. 

This is fair, considering Leonard Nimoy went on a streak as a director following the fourth Star Trek movie. Had he served on The Next Generation as an EP, we might've never seen Three Men And A Baby or witnessed any of the other amazing things that make us love Leonard Nimoy. Being a guest star on TNG was enough and ultimately important for setting up a key part of the franchise's future with his role as a Romulan ambassador. 

And while the late Leonard Nimoy is no longer with us, Spock's legacy lives on through others in upcoming Trek projects. The franchise continues to tell Spock stories through actors Zachary Quinto and Ethan Peck, though we're still waiting on word if Star Trek 4 is happening or not. Meanwhile, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is heading into Season 3, with Peck asking some big questions about Spock. Of course, Nimoy's legacy as Spock is still well-celebrated, and his work is worth checking out on streaming for anyone who needs a reminder. 

Those with Paramount+ can access a vast library of new and old Star Trek content. Those without can still get their fix by checking out Pluto TV's Star Trek channel, or checking out the newly added series Prodigy on Netflix.  

The original The Twilight Zone has had one of the most enduring legacies in entertainment. Though it only ran for five seasons (156 episodes, some of which are among the best TV shows ever), its influence and reach are remarkable. Three further series have been created over the years, including Jordan Peele’s short-lived reboot, and one ill-fated movie. 

Its influence has also been felt in the huge number of stars appearing on the show early in their careers. Some were established actors who found great fame later, and some were just starting. Here is a quick list of actors who found huge fame after appearing on The Twilight Zone.

William Shatner

Star Trek legend William Shatner appeared in two episodes of The Twilight Zone before landing his gig as captain of the Enterprise. His first episode, "Nick of Time," came in Season 2, but his most remembered is "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" in Season 5. Both are considered among the best episodes of the show. 

Charles Bronson

Future action movie legend Charles Bronson took the slow road to fame. Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s he, like so many actors, grabbed gigs wherever he could on film and TV. One included a spot on an episode in Season 3 called "Two." In the episode, Bronson plays one of the last two people on earth who finds love with the only other one. 

Carol Burnett

The Season 3 episode "Cavender Is Coming" is not a well-thought-of episode of the show, but it is notable for starring a true legend. Carol Burnett, in a very early role for her, plays a down-on-her-luck woman who is helped by an angel to get her out of her doldrums. While it does provide Burnett with an opportunity to show off her comedic chops, in the end, comedy doesn't really work in The Twilight Zone. 

Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds appeared on one episode of The Twilight Zone very early in his career, playing a satirized version of Marlon Brando in an episode in Season 4 called "The Bard." The episode focuses on William Shakespeare, who arrives in the present day to help write a TV show but is horrified by the Reynolds' character's acting style.  

Dennis Hopper

Watching the Season 4 episode "He's Alive" is a wild experience in the present day. There is no other episode in the series that is so prescient today. The episode stars Dennis Hopper as a Neo-Nazi in America who has a run-in with Hitler himself. It proves just how edgy the show was, especially for its day. 

Cloris Leachman

Season 3's "It's A Good Life" is one of the most enduring episodes of the whole series. It stars Cloris Leachman as the mother of a boy with the devastating power of conjuring whatever he wants who often uses it for ill. 

Donald Pleasence

Donald Pleasence was most famous in the mid '60s through '70s, most notably for his role in The Great Escape and for his oft-forgotten turn as James Bond's #1 enemy, Blofeld in You Only Live Twice. But, in the '70s and '80s, he was most famous, of course, for his role as Dr. Loomis in the Halloween franchise. Before those roles, he starred in the Season 3 episode "The Changing of the Guard."

Robert Redford

Robert Redford is one of the biggest movie stars of all time, but like many actors, he got his start in television. In addition to a lot of credits in the early '60s on other big shows, Redford starred in one episode of The Twilight Zone in 1962. The episode, "Nothing in the Dark," aired during Season 3. 

Sally Kellerman

In truly a "blink or you'll miss her" moment, Sally Kellerman appeared in the episode "Miniature" in The Twilight Zone's fourth season. In an uncredited role, the Back to School star plays an office worker who is seen just at the very beginning. Interestingly, her M*A*S*H co-star Robert Duvall also appears in the episode.  

Burgess Meredith

For a generation of movie fans, Burgess Meredith will always be Mick from Rocky, but the actor had an accomplished career outside of that series, including starring in four different episodes of The Twilight Zone. His first is in one of the most beloved episodes of the whole series, "Time Enough At Last" in the first season. Later he starred in "Mr. Dingle, the Strong" and "The Obsolete Man" in Season 2, and "Printer's Devil" in Season 4.

Don Rickles

Don Rickles is best known for his no-holds-barred insult comedy. A true legend of Hollywood. He also strung together quite the acting resume when he wasn't making fun of his peers. That career included one episode of The Twilight Zone in Season 2, "Mr. Dingle, the Strong," alongside Burgess Meredith. 

Ron Howard

It's hard to imagine there was ever a time that Ron Howard wasn't famous. He first found fame when he was just six years old on The Andy Griffin Show, but even before that, he appeared on a Season 1 episode of The Twilight Zone called "Walking Distance." 

Robert Duvall

Before making one of the most impressive movie debuts ever as Boo Radley in 1962's To Kill A Mockingbird, Robert Duvall appeared on a handful of TV shows. One, of course, was The Twilight Zone, in an episode called "Minature," in Season 4. 

Ann Jillian had a long career in Hollywood before she retired in 2000 to devote herself to raising her son. Her career started in the early '60s when she was a kid. In Season 4 of The Twilight Zone, she starred as an orphan who refused to speak, or so thought the aunt and uncle raising her. It's a classic, creepy episode called simply "Mute."

George Takei

Star Trek legend George Takei is best known as the senior helmsman of the Enterprise, but years before that, he starred in the Season 5 episode "The Encounter." In it, Takei's character and his neighbor end up in a very unfortunate, but seemingly inevitable, situation that only the show can provide. 

John Astin

It was a different show where John Astin was "creepy and kooky," when he starred as Gomez Addams in the original Addams' Family. A couple of years before that though, he starred in a Season 2 episode called "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim." The show co-starred the great Montgomery Clift, as well. 

Buddy Ebsen

Buddy Ebsen had a very interesting career. He was famously cast as the Tin Man in The Wizard Of Oz but had to leave the production due to a serious medical reaction to the silver paint for the costume that landed him in the hospital (the production also used asbestos for snow). He then left for World War II and when he returned to Hollywood after, didn't find a ton of success. He starred in a Season 2 episode of The Twilight Zone called "The Prime Mover" in 1961, just before landing the role he would become world famous for, Jed Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies. 

Elizabeth Montgomery

The first episode of Season 3, "Two," stars Charles Bronson as one of the two, and Elizabeth Montgomery as the other. Her star had just begun to rise as she was nominated for an Emmy around the same time for a one-episode turn in The Untouchables, but it was in 1964 when she landed the role of the one and only Samantha on Bewitched that made her part of television history.  

Lee Marvin

Tough guy Lee Marvin was already starting to make a name for himself when he appeared in two episodes ("The Grave" in Season 2 and "Steel" in Season 5). Marvin was still a few years away from the superstardom he found in the late '60s with movies like The Dirty Dozen, Cat Ballou, and Point Blank. 

Leonard Nimoy

Before Star Trek, Leonard Nimoy appeared in an episode of The Twilight Zone as a soldier on a Pacific island in World War II. The episode, "A Quality of Mercy," aired in December of 1961, in the show's third season. Nimoy would continue to guest spot on TV shows for another five years before landing his iconic role as Spock. 

Dean Stockwell

When Dean Stockwell died in 2021, he had been in show business for more than 70 years. It's an astonishing feat, and as you'd expect, he had a whole slew of acting roles, including the Season 3 episode of The Twilight Zone titled "A Quality of Mercy," alongside Leonard Nimoy. 

Jack Klugman

Future Odd Couple star Jack Klugman was as close as an actor could be to being a regular on The Twilight Zone. In total, he appeared in four episodes of the show. First, he starred in "A Passage for Trumpet" in Season 1, followed by "A Game of Pool" in Season 2, alongside the great Jonathan Winters. In Season 4, Klugman appeared in "Death Ship," and finally, in the Season 5 episode, "In Praise of Pip."

Julie Newmar

Before finding her greatest fame as Catwoman in the first two seasons of the '60s Batman series, Julie Newmar starred in the Season 4 episode, "Of Late I Think of Cliffordville." In the episode, Newmar doesn't have cat ears, but she does have devil horns, as she plays Satan trying to get the protagonist played by Albert Salmi (who played Danny's father in Caddyshack) to make a deal with the devil. 

James Coburn

By 1963, when James Coburn starred in the Season 5 episode "The Old Man In The Cave," the actor was already well on his way to fame. Earlier that year he had starred in the legendary World War II movie The Great Escape, and by the next year, he was one of Hollywood's most famous stars. 

Ted Knight

Judge Smails in Caddyshack and Ted Baxter in The Mary Tyler Moore Show will forever be the roles that the great Ted Knight will be remembered for. It took him quite a while to find big fame in Hollywood and along the way he had a lot of voice-over work and small TV roles, including an uncredited role in "The Lonely" from Season 1. At first, he's hard to spot, but once he delivers one of his few lines, viewers will immediately know it's Knight from his distinct voice. 

Peter Falk

When you think of Peter Falk you probably think of one of two roles, that of the titular detective in Colombo or as the grandfather in The Princess Bride. Those are only two roles in a storied career, however. Before ever landing his role as TV's most famous bumbling detective (all due respect to Monk), Falk starred in an episode in Season 3 called "The Mirror" where he weirdly played a Fidel Castro-like dictator in an unnamed Central American country. 

Richard Kiel

"To Serve Man" in Season 3 of The Twilight Zone is one of the most famous episodes of the series. Starring as the unspeaking, imposing alien is the one and only Richard Kiel. It's a perfect role for the actor who would become most famous for playing one of the all-time great henchmen in the James Bond movies, Jaws. 

Telly Savalas

"Who loves you, baby?" It's one of the most iconic catchphrases in TV history, made famous by Telly Savalas in Kojak. A decade before he starred as the super cool TV detective, he played a gruff stepfather who gets into a fight with his stepdaughter's baby doll in the Season 5 episode "Living Doll." 

Jonathan Winters

Jonathan Winters was most renowned for his comedy work. In addition to many comedy albums, his appearances in movies like It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and on TV shows like Mork & Mindy made him very famous. On The Twilight Zone, he played a more serious role of a legendary pool shark called down from heaven to prove another player's mettle in "A Game Of Pool" from Season 3. 

Martin Landau

When Martin Landau won an Oscar in 1994 for his role in Ed Wood, he'd been in the business for decades. His big breakout came as part of the cast of the original Mission: Impossible TV show in the late '60s. Before that, he starred in two episodes of The Twilight Zone, "Mr. Denton on Doomsday" from Season 1 and "The Jeopardy Room" from Season 5. 

Roddy McDowall

Roddy McDowall is most famous for playing Cornelius in The Planet of the Apes series, appearing in three of the original movies. He also starred in "People Are Alike All Over" from the first season of The Twilight Zone.

Sydney Pollack

Sydney Pollack is one of the best directors in Hollywood history, known for films like Tootsie, Out of Africa, and Michael Clayton. It makes perfect sense that in an early acting role, he played a director in the Season 2 episode, "The Trouble with Templeton."

This is a list that could go on and on, especially when you add in already established stars like Buster Keaton who also appeared in episodes, but for now, we'll leave it here with these big names who starred in The Twilight Zone early in their career. 

The Big Bang Theory’s roster of guest stars over its 12-season run was a love letter to nerd culture. Of course, one of the show’s most beloved celebrities to pop in was the late Star Trek icon, Leonard Nimoy, and the CBS sitcom marked one of his final onscreen appearances before his death in 2015. He formed something of a special connection with the cast of a show that honored him often, and eight years after his passing, Big Bang alum Mayim Bialik paid tribute to Nimoy for his 92nd birthday by way of a special gift from his daughter Julie.

Nimoy never shied away from his iconic role as Spock even in real life. (His memoirs saw to that.) That legacy has carried on posthumously in many ways, but for our current purposes, it involves Bialik hopping on her Instagram account to show off a commemorative piece to celebrate Nimoy and his classic sci-fi series. The Call Me Kate star took the time to explain the role the beloved Vulcan’s “live, long, and prosper” played in the jewelry’s sentimental nature.

The phrase and symbol have lived on, despite Nimoy no longer being here to spread the message himself. The late actor was never afraid to greet anyone with the hand expression, and it was kind of the always awesome Julie Nimoy and her hubby David Knight to send Bialik the space-faring necklace to celebrate the Spock portrayer. Look at the special gift and a surprising bonus in Mayim Bialik’s sweet tribute to Leonard Nimoy below.

Leonard Nimoy voiced a Spock action figure in one episode of The Big Bang Theory, but his presence loomed large over the series as a whole through Sheldon’s obsession with the Mission: Impossible star and Mr. Spock. He did visit the cast on the set a few times, and as it's been heard through various stories, the Star Trek icon was quite the opposite of his beloved character in real life, while still maintaining a sense of logic. The late actor appeared to form a special bond with Bialik and co. while the comedy series was on the air. Of course, it made sense given how much Sheldon and the guys spoke about and/or dressed up as the original Star Trek cast.

Nimoy’s memory will forever live on as Mr. Spock for generations to come. Star Trek’s phenomenal impact is a testament to its staying power given the original series’ turbulent three-season run on NBC. Now, the legacy continues with multiple series on TV and streaming and the much-talked-about Star Trek 4 currently in development at certain times, while not so much at other times.

If you want to catch Leonard Nimoy (or his action figure) on The Big Bang Theory, just stream the series through an active HBO Max subscription. If that isn’t enough, watch the late TV icon as Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek series through a Paramount+ subscription.

While the cast of the original Star Trek series and films created an iconic crew of characters that worked together, as people, the actors have famously had their share of disagreements and problems. Shatner and George Takei have had something of a feud going for years.  William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy reportedly had their own issues, both working together and in the period preceding Nimoy’s death, though Shatner recently explained that wasn’t why he didn’t attend the actor’s funeral.

Speaking with Variety about his new documentary, Call Me Bill, William Shatner explained that when Leonard Nimoy passed away in 2015, it was sudden and unexpected. For that reason, Shatner had already made plans to attend a Red Cross Fundraiser the night before the funeral on the other side of the country. In the end, Shatner felt that the fundraiser would ultimately do more good in the world. He explained… 

While Shatner says that he chose not to attend the funeral now, a few years ago the former Captain Kirk said that he didn’t attend Nimoy's service because it was “made clear” to him that he would not be welcome. Shatner says that Nimoy wasn’t speaking to him in the period immediately prior to his death, though he has always said he doesn’t understand why. Following the funeral, Nimoy's children have only had good things to say about Shatner.

Whatever the ultimate reason, or combination of reasons for Shatner not attending the funeral, the fact that he was not there to remember the man he had been professionally connected to for decades did not go unnoticed. The interviewer asks about the backlash that came with not being there, but Shatner says it doesn’t bother him. He still feels he made the right choice, saying…

At the end of the day it’s probably the right decision to try and ignore the detractors. If WIlliam Shatner made what he believed was the right decision at the time, especially if he truly felt he wouldn’t be welcome anyway, then he really didn’t have a choice. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ latest trailer showed off exciting elements from the Paramount+ show, which has the potential to change the fandom’s thoughts and perceptions of certain classic characters. This even include elements that aren’t technically canon. For instance, quick scenes of Spock getting intimate with a Vulcan woman caused a stir among many fans who had their own thoughts about the Prime Universe character’s sexuality. Now, Ethan Peck is commenting on that subject while also explaining how his work continues to be influenced by Leonard Nimoy's.

While it’s not canon, there’s a belief among some Star Trek fans that Spock is a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Theories about the character being bisexual or asexual, along with the litany of Kirk/Spock fan-fiction over the years, were brought up during the Strange New Worlds panel at Star Trek: Mission Chicago. A curious fan asked Ethan Peck if he takes that into consideration when he plays the role. Peck was honest with his response, saying that he thinks fans can feel however they want about the subject:

Ultimately, the star is playing Spock (who may have a canonical first name now) as written by the writers of Strange New Worlds. He thinks it’s wonderful that fans continue to have their theories about the character's sexuality but, when it comes to his performance, he’s only concerned with making sure he’s portraying what’s in the script. 

Ethan Peck also talked about playing the character in general as well as his process of channeling the Vulcan. Peck (who spoke to Leonard Nimoy’s daughter about the role when he took it) explained that he mainly looks to Nimoy’s portrayal because that’s the character he’ll eventually become during the new show:

Leonard Nimoy’s take on the Enterprise officer is more or less the idealized Spock, but it took some time to get there. Ethan Peck’s debut in the role during Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery (available now with a Paramount+ subscription) showed that the character has a long way to go before becoming the sage-like figure who first appeared in the original series all those years ago.

Ethan Peck seemingly revealed that Spock is still a work in progress, so to speak, and that leaves room for some interesting storytelling. Peck talked a bit more about portraying the character in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and the stress involved in doing it:

The pressure is on for the latest Trek spinoff to do right by Spock, but the same goes for many of the original characters appearing in the upcoming Paramount+ series. It certainly sounds like a difficult task, especially considering that there are decades of fan debate and theories devoted to a single topic like Spock's sexuality. We’ll see how fans respond to the series and its take on the iconic Vulcan.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds premieres on Paramount+ on Thursday, May 5th. It’s one of many Star Trek shows arriving in 2022 and, based on the footage shown so far, it may be one of the best ones yet.

The future of Star Trek on the big screen is a big question and at this point, nobody is quite sure what will happen with it. The reboot franchise produced by J.J. Abrams has been successful overall, and many fans and critics have been impressed with the way the films found a way to tell new stories with these classic characters. However, the original Captain Kirk does take issue with one element of those movies, the use of Leonard Nimoy and Spock. Shatner calls the decision to include the original Spock in the new movies "gratuitous."

The concept of the 2009 Star Trek movie is that, due to time travel interfering with an established timeline, a new timeline is created, causing the classic Star Trek crew of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and the rest to go in a different direction. Leonard Nimoy appears in the first two movies as "Old Spock" who's there to explain what's going on to the characters, and also the audience. William Shatner recently told Express that he didn't care for the way Spock was included in the new films, saying...

While it's been widely reported that there was some tension between William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy at various points in their careers, it should be made clear that it appears from the statement that Shatner's issue here is the inclusion of the character, not the appearance of Nimoy specifically. Although, the quote is largely without context, so exactly what led to Shatner making the statement we don't know.

Leonard Nimoy's character was a significant presence in Star Trek, and he had a brief cameo in Star Trek Into Darkness, a film that would be the actor's final on-screen role. The death of "Old Spock" would be referenced in the third film, Star Trek Beyond.

For what it's worth, William Shatner says that he would consider returning to Star Trek if it "functioned as a point of the movie," which seems to indicate his issue. He simply felt that Spock's appearance wasn't important enough. And that's certainly true, the plot of the film was not about Nimoy's character. It was about the new cast of characters.

Technically speaking, I suppose Leonard Nimoy's appearance in the 2009 film was not strictly necessary. The project could have been handled without him. But for a lot of fans the inclusion of Spock was what made the whole thing work.

Fans of the larger franchise appreciated the idea that the reboot franchise made a point to say that it wasn't replacing the original series or movies, just taking things in a new direction. And the fact that an original series star was the one making that clear gave a sort of stamp of approval.

In the world of Star Trek, Spock was never a father, but the actor who played him, Leonard Nimoy, certainly was. The actor juggled a busy career along with being a good father to his two children, Adam and Julie and, on Father's Day, Julie Nimoy shared a special letter with CinemaBlend to her father on this special holiday.

Along with her husband David Knight, Julie Nimoy has made it a mission in life to carry on Leonard Nimoy's later efforts to inform the world about the dangers of lung disease and prevention. Read the sweet message Nimoy penned for her father on this holiday for CinemaBlend to share, which included special thanks to some notable celebrities who've helped spread their message along the way.

Leonard Nimoy's daughter was kind enough to give fans a glimpse into the actor's private life, something which is also done in the documentary mentioned, Remembering Leonard Nimoy. The film, which is currently free to watch on Amazon Prime Video, details the life of the man behind Spock, as well as his struggles with COPD later in life.

Julie Nimoy has also championed other efforts to preserve her father's legacy, such as the Leonard Nimoy Memorial planned for the Museum of Sciene, located in the actor's hometown of Boston. It's a lot of work, surely, but all done out of love for her father and in the hopes of carrying on his legacy to help better inform others about the dangers of lung disease.

As mentioned, Julie Nimoy has had some help in those efforts. One of her biggest helpers has been Star Trek actor and friend of Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner. Fans heard rumors of a falling-out between the two later in life but, as Julie told CinemaBlend, she never heard her father speak negatively of Shatner.

As mentioned, Remembering Leonard Nimoy is available on Amazon Prime Video and is available for purchase on the official website. For more on Star Trek and Leonard Nimoy, be sure to read up on our other conversation with Julie Nimoy regarding her thoughts on Ethan Peck's portrayal of Spock.

When Star Trek: Discovery first revealed Michael Burnham as the adopted daughter of Sarek, the new Trek series originally stated it wouldn't recast someone to play the same Spock Leonard Nimoy played in the original Star Trek. Thoughts changed along the way, though and, months later, Ethan Peck was announced as the first person to play Prime Spock since Nimoy.

It didn't take long for the actor to win over fans with his portrayal and, ahead of his return in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Leonard Nimoy's daughter, Julie, said he won her over much sooner. I spoke to Nimoy and her husband, David, about their documentary Remembering Leonard Nimoy and the crowdfunding effort for The Leonard Nimoy Memorial, and she was kind enough to share a story of her first experience with Ethan Peck before he was officially announced as the new Spock.

It's really cool to hear that Ethan Peck met with Julie and Adam Nimoy to learn about Leonard Nimoy, and in a way to get their blessing to play the role. It certainly shows the level of commitment he had to get the character right, which was evident to fans during his appearances in Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery and his special Star Trek: Short Treks episode.

Obviously, Ethan Peck's conversations with Leonard Nimoy's children helped lead to that performance, as David Knight shared a bit of what the group talked about when they all came together. It seems the conversation wasn't just valuable for Knight and the Nimoy's but for Peck as well:

Whatever the inspiration, Ethan Peck has done just as good a job as Zachary Quinto at preserving the character of Spock and matching the integrity and gravitas that Leonard Nimoy originally brought to the character. His awe-inspiring performances are a large part of why the character is so celebrated today, to the point that there's an effort to erect a 20-foot Vulcan Hand Salute statue in his honor. Donations for The Leonard Nimoy Memorial are now open, and fans wishing to donate can do so now.

Amazon Prime members can currently stream the documentary Remembering Leonard Nimoy, and others can currently purchase a physical Blu-ray on the LLAP website. For more on the Star Trek franchise, be sure to catch up on the news of the upcoming movie headed to theaters that, to this point, remains a complete mystery.

It's hard to quantify just how much Leonard Nimoy and the character of Spock have meant to Star Trek. The actor, who passed in 2015, would've been 90 on March 26th, and his son took the opportunity to memorialize the life of his father and highlight a part of it that fans may not be familiar with.

We all know the life of the half-human and Vulcan, who became an ambassador of peace throughout the galaxy, and so does director Adam Nimoy. Rather than talk all about Spock, though, Nimoy spoke about his father's humble beginnings before acting:

Adam Nimoy's tribute to his father, Leonard, didn't just come on what would've been his 90th birthday, but also a day of great honor for the actor. The City of Boston declared that March 26th would be known as Leonard Nimoy Day in the city as an act of remembrance for all he accomplished in the city, in what ultimately led to his successful career in acting.

Leonard Nimoy attended Boston College before he moved out to Los Angeles, where he worked hard to conceal his distinct Boston accent. Had he not, who knows if he would've landed the role of Star Trek and helped Spock become one of the greatest science-fiction figures in pop culture. Nimoy portrayed his character for decades in both film and television, with one of his final performances as the character happening in J.J. Abrams Star Trek franchise.

Though it has been some time since Leonard Nimoy's passing, there are still many people who honor the character and show concern for the legacy of Spock. In fact, there was quite a stir when Star Trek: Discovery announced it would introduce a new actor to play Spock, even though Zachary Quinto played the role in the Abrams films. There was a small amount of controversy attached to Ethan Peck's casting as the Vulcan but, ultimately, audiences have warmed up to the portrayal and feel it does justice to the character Nimoy first introduced.

Adam Nimoy's latest tribute to his father is not his only one, as he crowdfunded a documentary about Leonard Nimoy called For The Love Of Spock. The documentary chronicled Leonard Nimoy's career and the burden that his public life had on his personal life, from Adam's perspective. The documentary was released in 2016, the same year Star Trek celebrated its 50th anniversary. Unfortunately, Leonard Nimoy didn't live to see his son's work, though the two began their process as collaborators on the project.

Fans that would love to belatedly celebrate Leonard Nimoy's 90th birthday can find just about every Star Trek appearance by the actor on Paramount+. There's no shortage of news as of late related to the classic Star Trek actors, such as William Shatner's recent admission about not ever actually watching the franchise. Read up on that and continue to check in for more updates on the franchise from television and movies.

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While Star Trek helped launch one of the biggest fandoms (and television / movie franchises) in the world when it premiered in 1966, it also put diversity front and center and helped viewers dream of a world where our differences made us stronger and that fact was universally recognized (OK, at least on Earth) and everyone truly got along. Unfortunately, there have been rumors of a major feud between series stars William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy for decades, and Shatner has just called out co-star George Takei over his claims about that supposed discord.

If you're thinking that word of any such rivalry would have settled with Leonard Nimoy's passing in 2015 at the age of 83, think again. George Takei was recently interviewed on the podcast David Tennant Does a Podcast With..., and was, of course, asked about his time working on the Star Trek series and the movies the cast filmed. When the topic of the rumored rift between Nimoy and William Shatner came up, Takei said:

This has been the main through line whenever people (including, previously, George Takei) talk about how William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy didn't like each other when filming Star Trek. The story pretty much always goes that Shatner was playing the captain, and was, basically, the lead of the show, and was less than pleased when it became clear that a lot of people really dug what Nimoy was doing as Spock. Spock's popularity annoyed him, Shatner took it out on Nimoy, and a grand science fiction fight was born...allegedly.

Here's the problem, though. There have also been public tensions between Shatner and Takei for decades, and Shatner is not in the mood to hear the former Enterprise helmsman diss him or his friendship with Nimoy. So, Shatner took to Twitter after news got out about what Takei said on the podcast, with this rebuttal:

Ohhhhh, myyyyyy. Alright, as you can see, Shatner made a specific effort to poke holes in Takei's main argument. According to him, Takei doesn't even have anything to back up his claim that Shatner was jealous of Nimoy's popularity, because the cast never saw fan letters, so it wasn't readily apparent how many people wanted to reach out to each actor. On top of that, Shatner noted that Takei wasn't even on set that much, so even if the cast had seen fan correspondence every now and then, he likely wouldn't have been privy to it, at least, certainly, not any but his own.

For his part, William Shatner has admitted that there were tensions between himself and Nimoy during the early days of the show. In 2016 he told The Hollywood Reporter that those disagreements were both of their faults and that he doesn't remember there being any "fireworks" because of it. He also came clean about Nimoy not talking to him right before the time of his death, but says he doesn't know for sure why that happened, seeing as how they had a long friendship.

This is one of those situations where we're never going to really know what happened back in the days of Star Trek, because we weren't there and everyone has their own view of a situation, anyway. Let's just be thankful that Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, and William Shatner were able to do such good work on the legendary show that they helped to kick the franchise off right.

You can revisit all of Star Trek: The Original Series on Netflix, Hulu, or CBS All Access. For more on what to watch in the coming weeks, check out our guide to fall TV!

Over the course of several decades, the Star Trek franchise has given television audiences some of TV's most compelling characters. From Star Trek: The Original Series to the current shows featured on our upcoming Trek projects, there’s no shortage of beloved captains, lieutenants, and even ensigns who we’d consider among the greatest to ever be seen. 

It's hard to pick just one character as the undisputed best of Star Trek, so here are seven of the best. As a note, this list is limited to Star Trek characters affiliated with Starfleet, so don't expect to see folks like Harry Mudd or Q popping up here.

7. La'an Noonian-Singh

La’an is one of the newer characters on this list, but already in just two seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, we’ve seen some tremendous growth and potential from the Enterprise’s Chief of Security. After being a child who survived the brutal breeding grounds of the Gorn, she’s carried a lifelong fear and grudge against the species. We’ve seen La’an confront those fears head-on, and given the ending of SNW Season 2, we’ll see her do it yet again in Season 3. 

If that all wasn’t enough, La’an’s storyline is further complicated by the fact she’s a living descendant of the infamous Star Trek villain, Khan Noonian-Singh. We’ve even seen her come face-to-face with a younger version of Khan via a temporal distortion, which seemingly sets the stage for more massive changes in the universe at large down the road. As I said, there’s some big potential for La’an’s character in the series, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out. 

6. William T. Riker

When it comes to “Number One” in Star Trek, I think a lot of readers have their personal favorites on who did it best. For me, I don’t think any walked the line of being a true friend to their captain as a confidant not afraid to speak his mind like Will Riker. Despite some struggles they faced at the beginning of the relationship, Jonathan Frakes’ performance being worthy of award recognition in Star Trek: Picard Season 3 shows just how much he and Picard have been through in the best way. 

Outside of his official Starfleet duties, few characters in the franchise are as immediately beloved or as cool as Riker. Whether he’s risking his life, romancing Troi, or even playing the trombone, he can look effortlessly suave and awesome while doing so. He even has his own patented maneuver for sitting in chairs, for crying out loud, so it shouldn’t be surprising that he’s on this list. 

5. Michael Burnham

Star Trek has featured a lot of captains in its run, but few have ever been given a redemptive arc like Michael Burnham. Her journey from prosecuted mutineer to eventual Starfleet Captain, and one of the more celebrated ones in the 32nd century, is awesome. Season 5’s episode “Face The Strange” highlighted just how far she’s come perfectly, and why I believe she’s one of the most inspiring characters of Trek. 

Burnham is, in key ways, a character who represents a new era of Trek. One could argue that her stories inspired writers to take more risks in the shows that followed, which resulted in deeper character development for both legacy and new characters in the franchise. Burnham isn’t directly responsible for that, but if her story wasn’t so interesting and fun to follow, who knows what the current status of the franchise would look like? 

4. The EMH "The Doctor"

Star Trek: Voyager has good and bad moments for all of its characters and some wtf moments that keep me up at night. If there was one character who had way more great moments than bad, however, it’s the EMH more commonly known as “The Doctor” in most episodes. From becoming the greatest opera singer for an entire planet, to a hero in a Beowulf holodeck simulation gone awry, there are no shortage of quality episodes starring The Doctor. 

He taps into the classic sci-fi trope of an inorganic life form who wants to appear and be more human. His occasional misguided understanding of what it means to be a person leads to hilarious moments and occasionally a real thinking moment for the viewer on the human condition. With the exception of one other character that’s on this list, he’s the best example of a character “learning to be human” in Trek. 

3. Seven Of Nine

Seven of Nine, in truth, could be someone who easily ends up as the best character of all time on another writer’s Star Trek list. A woman pulled from the collective of The Borg is suddenly forced out of her comfort zone and, despite being an adult, learned what it is to be human again. There are some uncomfortable moments in that process in Voyager, but it’s still captivating to watch. 

What really made her story evolve to the next level, however, was when Jeri Ryan reprised her role for Picard. Here, we saw a Seven who was more aware of what it meant to be human but still faced prejudice and issues due to her remaining Borg features. What we saw was a Seven who knew who she was, both part-human and part-Borg, and the way she married them to become one of the most capable members of Starfleet in the end. It was awesome, and Jeri Ryan deserved her Astra award for her portrayal. 

2. Jean-Luc Picard

Trek fans will always have their favorites when it comes to captains, but I don’t think there is one who is more meaningful to the overall lore. Not only has Jean Luc Picard been one of the best captains Starfleet has ever seen, he’s also one of the greatest enemies they ever faced as Locutus of Borg. If you’re wanting assured success to a mission with the best possible outcome for humanity, Picard is usually the best option every time. 

The incredible acting ability of Patrick Stewart is not to be undersold here, because he is also a large part of what makes Picard so great. If ever there were an actor who could convince the world he’s a capable leader worthy of marching them into hell and back with assured success, he would be the one. 

1. Spock

Since his introduction to the present day, Spock has remained not just the best character in Star Trek but one of the best characters in pop culture. The half-Vulcan, half-human’s story has been explored across several shows and movies, and the fact that viewers are still excited to see Ethan Peck portray the character in fresh stories in Strange New Worlds is evidence that the fandom has not tired of it.

Why do we love Spock so much? Perhaps it’s the fact that as humans, we know how difficult it can be to suppress emotions and think logically about problems in our lives. The franchise has not shied away from showing the times that he has fallen short, reminding us that even the most idealized characters can make mistakes. He also, quite famously, has shown that there are times where logic can be defied, which is something the illogical crowd can always get behind. 

See all of these characters and more by streaming Star Trek with a Paramount+ subscription. With more upcoming Trek shows on the way, who knows how this list will change in a few years, and what other great characters we will see as the franchise continues to shift and evolve with the times. 

When the original Star Trek was given a movie franchise reboot, it featured a crew of fresh faces as familiar characters. Except when Leonard Nimoy surprised audiences and pleased longtime fans with an appearance as Spock Prime in 2009. When Nimoy returned to his role almost 20 years later in the directed J.J. Abrams' iteration, it seems the filmmaker had a "pinch me" moment whilst directing Spock himself.

Star Trek's Karl Urban recently shared a funny exchange between the two when they were filming Nimoy's first take on the 2009 film in his words:

Not very many directors get get to be a part of the return of such an iconic role such as Spock, who committed many years to his character. Per Karl Urban's story, it looks like J.J. Abrams was in his zone on the set of Star Trek, when he realized just who he was giving direction to. Leonard Nimoy played the Vulcan science officer for three seasons on Star Trek, before returning for six studio films as the character as well. He had more chances to add depth and explore his character over 25 years than one could ever imagine.

Karl Urban's anecdote about the late Leonard Nimoy's first day back as Spock after an almost 20-year gap without the character is one fans will certainly treasure. Urban, who has played Doctor McCoy in three Star Trek films talked about some of the amazing memories as part of the franchise at a Dallas Fan Days panel (via ComicBook.com). He remembers prior to the moment watching behind the scenes with J.J. Abrams as Nimoy took on the role again in amazement of his performance.

Leonard Nimoy played Spock one last time in Star Trek: Into Darkness before passing away in 2016 at 83 years old. He was remembered in 2016's Star Trek: Beyond with a scene tributing him and the original space crew.

Star Trek would not be the last time J.J. Abrams directed actors returning to their most iconic roles years later. The filmmaker has also worked closely with the likes of Star Wars actors Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford to continue the Skywalker saga with Star Wars: The Force Awakens and has returned to direct Episode IX coming to theaters on December 20, 2019.

CBS' The Big Bang Theory will be heading into its final season when it hits the air this fall, and, as could be expected of a very popular show that's been on the air for eleven seasons, there have been many, many guest stars during the show's run. Since Season 12 will be our last go-round with Leonard, Penny, Sheldon, Amy and the rest of the gang, we figured now would be a grand time to pay tribute to the best of the best when it comes to guest starring appearances on The Big Bang Theory, knowing, of course, that this final season is sure to have some surprises up its sleeve with regards to guest performances. Here for you now, we'll go through our favorite guest stars who have popped up on the show, and rank them by sheer awesomeness and utilization in the plot.

So, without further ado, and with zero apologies to Charlie Sheen, here are the top 12 celebrity guest appearances that have occurred on The Big Bang Theory since the show hit the schedule in 2007.

12. Leonard Nimoy

While Leonard Nimoy is a recurring figure in Sheldon's life, once even getting a restraining order against the "Big Bang Theory" character, the only time he has technically appeared on the series is in the Season 5 episode "The Transporter Malfunction," when he popped up as the voice of a Spock action figure that Sheldon encountered while he was dreaming. It was weird, it was wacky and it just makes our list.

11. Wil Wheaton

Wil Wheaton has an ongoing presence on The Big Bang Theory and he is clearly an important celebrity on the show. The Star Trek actor and blogger has been appearing as a minor character on the hit series since Season 3, popping up as a guest star (usually) once or twice a season. His initial issues with Sheldon were amusing, but now that the two men have become less antagonistic toward one another, his appearances have been a wee bit less exciting, although catching the actor in a gorilla suit was good for some laughs.

10. LeVar Burton

Star Trek: The Next Generation actor and Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton has popped up on The Big Bang Theory on three occasions, first in the Season 4 episode "The Toast Derivation," then again during Season 6's "The Habitation Configuration," and Season 8's "The Champagne Reflection." We've loved the "Fun with Flags" segment but our favorite joke probably has to be Burton admitting he should've listened to Wil Wheaton and "gotten a gate" when Sheldon keeps bothering him.

9. Steve Wozniak

The Apple co-founder first appeared on The Big Bang Theory during the Season 4 episode 'The Cruciferous Vegetable Amplification." The gang runs into The Woz randomly at a Cheesecake Factory and the technology guru does a great job when he is confronted by Sheldon. So, technically, the Woz's role is a small one, but we do get to see him poke fun at Steve Jobs and his turtlenecks, and even makes a jab at nerds. (This happened before Jobs tragically passed away after battling cancer, so it was a lot funnier at the time.)

8. Katee Sackhoff

The Battlestar Galactica actress may have moved on to "greener pastures" with, first, the Netflix series Longmire and her upcoming show Another Life, but she doesn't mind revisiting the character that made her famous. Sackhoff has actually appeared more than once on the CBS comedy as a figment of Howard's romantic imagination, once even popping up as herself in the bathtub with him! The second time she shows up in a flight suit... along with George Takei.

7. Stan Lee

It's no secret that Stan Lee loves the opportunity to show up on sets for cameos. The Marvel spokesman has popped up in every Marvel-produced superhero movie, and he also appeared in the Season 3 episode "The Excelsior Acquisition." Sheldon and Penny showed up, unwelcome and uninvited at Stan Lee's house, and the legendary comic creator was forced to get a restraining order. Between the outraged Stan Lee, the excellent Fantastic 4 robe he was wearing and the general ridiculousness of the setup, the guest performance was top-notch.

6. George Takei

Takei's cameo amusingly appeared in "The Hot Troll Deviation," which happened to be one of the episodes Katee Sackhoff is also in. Most fans would be excited about Sulu popping up on the comedy, but Takei also nailed his performance, appearing with Sackhoff in one of Howard's fantasies and also appearing to give advice to Bernadette. In real life he comes off as a lovable eccentric, and that's exactly how he played his Big Bang Theory appearance.

5. Carrie Fisher

The late, great, Carrie Fisher had a really short role in The Big Bang Theory, but it's still a gem. The Star Wars franchise actress appeared in an episode of the comedy that also featured James Earl Jones. He, along with Sheldon, doorbell ditches her and, well, she reacts like a crazy person with a baseball bat, out for blood. The episode actually marked the first time Fisher met Jones face to face, which ads an adorable aww moment to the crazy performance.

4. Adam West

Most guest stars on The Big Bang Theory step in for a quick scene or two, the late Adam West, though, was present throughout almost the whole episode when he appeared in "The Celebration Experimentation" in Season 9. After nine years, Sheldon has finally allowed his friends to help him celebrate his birthday, and Leonard decides to gift his friend with having Adam West at his party. Some of the highlights of this episode include West joining in on a debate about who the best Batman is, with the elder Batman throwing serious shade on Ben Affleck, and West calling Sheldon "Sherman" when he meets him. It was a pitch perfect guest spot, to be sure.

3. Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart has popped up on five episodes of The Big Bang Theory. The comedic legend is less geektastic than some of the other big names on the list, and he is also one of the few big names that hasn't shown up to play himself. However, as Professor Proton, Newhart actually nabbed an Emmy for his performance as a retired TV scientist whom Sheldon and Leonard adore. Unfortunately, the character passed away in "The Proton Transmogrification," although he's reappeared twice (the first time as Obi-Wan Arthur) as either a dream or figment of Sheldon's imagination to give advice to his life-long fan. And, luckily, he's set to reprise his role at least once more in the final season.

2. Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking was a "dream guest" for executive producer Bill Prady and co. for years before he actually appeared on the series. He did end up appearing in 2012, in the aptly titled "The Hawking Excitation." In the episode, Howard was tasked with taking care of Hawking's wheelchair during a guest lecture and Sheldon slipped Howard one of his papers to show the man. Hawking ended up correcting an error in Sheldon's paper, which was hilarious, but the man was also able to poke fun at himself in the episode, which made it even more endearing. While the world lost Hawking in early 2018, he was able to complete a whopping six additional guest appearances, more than anyone else on this list.

1. James Earl Jones

You would hope any cameos by individuals related to the Star Wars franchise would come up near(ish) the top, and the over-the-top James Earl Jones appearance has to be tops. In the episode, Sheldon spent time with James Earl Jones after not being able to get into Comic-Con, with the goal of asking Jones to be a panelist at the con he wanted to create with his friends. What followed was a slew of wild shenanigans. Seriously, getting to see Sheldon hang out with James Earl Jones on a ferris wheel, at karaoke, in a sauna and doorbell ditching Carrie Fisher had to be one of the most amusing comedy sequences in recent TV memory. Anytime Sheldon is able to holler, "Hey Los Angeles, I'm on a ferris wheel with Darth Vader. And he's nicer than you think," you should know you have a win.

The events and actions that we see on the big screen do not always reflect the real world. Even in a franchise as driven by technology and social ideas as Star Trek, the personal lives of those who lived those stories were often quite different. Such was the case of real-life Kirk and Spock, William Shatner and the late Leonard Nimoy, as Shatner recently piped up in his new book, Live Long and..., and talked about how he was barred from attending Nimoy's funeral. In his memoir, Shatner wrote:

It sounds like there were undoubtedly good times between William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy over the years. The two were close in the earlier years of their respective careers, and they bonded over much of their shared childhood and cultural experiences. However, for reasons that remain unclear to William Shatner, they grew apart in the later years of Leonard Nimoy's life-- and Shatner was told that he was not allowed to attend the funeral of his longtime co-star and former friend.

Of course, for longtime fans of the Star Trek franchise, William Shatner's recent excerpt from his book (via Trek Movie) arguably lends an even deeper resonance to his scenes with Leonard Nimoy in the classic Star Trek series and movies. In particular, it adds another profound layer to the death of Spock in The Wrath of Khan. You can check out that scene, below.

It's undoubtedly a sad story, but we will have to wait and see what else comes up in the Star Trek world. Until we learn more about the future of the Star Trek franchise on the big and small screens, you can head over to our movie premiere guide to read up on all of the films that are on the docket for 2018.

Leonard Nimoy continues to live long and prosper in the hearts of millions of fans everywhere. That's especially true inside the heart of his son, Adam Nimoy. The 61-year-old television director paid tribute to his late father in a very lovely fashion. Yesterday, he married Star Trek actress Terry Farrell, on March 26th, i.e. Leonard Nimoy's birthday, in San Francisco. The day lives on as not only his father's birthday, but Adam's own wedding anniversary as well. Take a look at the ceremony below.

In addition to the nuptial ceremony seen above, Adam Nimoy also sent his love to his father on Twitter with a heartfelt message and throwback photo.

These tributes from Adam Nimoy to Leonard Nimoy are far from the first. In 2016, he directed For the Love of Spock, a documentary examining and paying rememberance to Leonard Nimoy's cultural impact in Star Trek. The documentary was already in the works before Leonard Nimoy left us. Adam Nimoy also directed his dad in The Outer Limits in 1995 for an episode titled "I, Robot," released nearly ten years before the film of the same name.

Leonard Nimoy is also remembered by his daughter, Julie Nimoy. She directed her own documentary tribute to her father, Remembering Leonard: His Life, Legacy and Battle with COPD, which was released last year. Julie Nimoy also went on Twitter to remember her late actor father on his birthday.

This year marks the three year anniversary of Leonard Nimoy's death. The prolific actor/director passed away in Los Angeles on February 27th, 2015. He was 83. Nimoy is, of course, best known for playing Spock in Star Trek. He first played the role in the pilot for Star Trek, which was filmed in 1964 and released on television in 1966, and Nimoy gave his final performance as Spock during his brief cameo in Star Trek Into Darkness, released in 2013.

Leonard Nimoy is also remembered for his role in Mission: Impossible, the television series, and as the host of the documentary series In Search Of..., along with his reoccurring role in Fringe. As a director, meanwhile, Nimoy helmed two Star Trek films, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and Three Men and a Baby, along with a handful of other titles. He is undoubtedly missed by millions of fans, Trekkies and otherwise.

Adam Nimoy is also the director of the upcoming documentary Microwarriors: The Origin and the Destiny, which is expected to arrive later this year. Leonard Nimoy was also the subject of Adam Nimoy's 2014 documentary Leonard Nimoy's Boston, which explored the actor's return to his hometown.

Ever since the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story there has been a growing suspicion that, rather than being an anomaly, we would see plenty future examples of the stunning use of special effects that resulted in Peter Cushing being resurrected and Carrie Fisher looking 21 again. Now whenever there's a chance to include a legendary character in a film, the speculation and debate over whether special effects will be used to do so will immediately begin. The son of one fallen sci-fi icon has already given his blessing, though, because Adam Nimoy believes it would be a great idea to resurrect his father Leonard Nimoy as Spock in future Star Trek endeavors.

Adam Nimoy, who directed the 2016 documentary For The Love Of Spock that focused on his father, made this admission to Trek Movie.com, insisting that he wouldn't have a problem with seeing his dad up on screen again as Spock. He also admitted that he was blown away by what Rogue One had achieved with Peter Cushing and Carrie Fisher. Adam Nimoy remarked,

There's every chance that an opportunity to resurrect Leonard Nimoy, who died back in 2015, as Spock could present itself in the near future. As the question was being posed to Adam Nimoy, the interviewer explained that Star Trek: Discovery will take place a decade before the events of the original Star Trek series, during which time Spock served under Captain Pike on the Enterprise.

Plus, plans are still afoot for a fourth Star Trek film, and it has already been confirmed by producer J.J. Abrams that it will see Chris Hemsworth reprise the character of George Kirk, who is the father of Chris Pine's James T Kirk that died in the epilogue for Star Trek. This clearly suggests that Star Trek 4 will include a time-traveling element, which could leave the door open for a CGI version of Leonard Nimoy's Spock to return, too.

Of course, we've already seen Leonard Nimoy reprise his role as the iconic Vulcan in both Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness. And while his return in the sequel was obviously a delight, it was his face to face with Zachary Quinto's Spock in the 2009 film that was particularly powerful. You can relive it below.

Stay tuned to Cinema Blend for details regarding Star Trek: Discovery, which will premiere this autumn, while we're still waiting for confirmation on when Star Trek 4 will be released.

Star Trek: The Original Series was monumental for numerous reasons. It showed what science fiction television could accomplish. It launched the careers of William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and more. It broke racial barriers with a famous interracial kiss. It spawned a beloved franchise that is still going strong today. It also set up the legendarily frosty relationship between William Shatner and George Takei, a relationship that Shatner recently addressed in some letters that are going up for auction. According to William Shatner, he may be at fault for some of the problems in his relationship with Takei, but that isn't the whole story. Here's what William Shatner has to say:

While there was never an outright feud between William Shatner and George Takei, it's been clear for years that the two Star Trek co-workers did not have the best relationship while filming Star Trek. Although Shatner has appeared at conventions with members of the Star Trek team he was notably left off of the guest list when George Takei was married in 2008. Takei isn't the only person Shatner reportedly had problems with. Shatner has also revealed Leonard Nimoy had stopped speaking to him in the final years of his life thanks to a reported miscommunication over a documentary Shatner was filming. That didn't stop William Shatner from saying nice things about Leonard Nimoy when he found out the Star Trek actor had died, but it does make their relationship a bit murkier, as well.

Per Newsweek, a slew of handwritten notes composed by William Shatner are being auctioned off this week on Thursday. Some of these notes are Shatner's recollections of his time on the series, but at least one addresses his relationship with George Takei. It's clear that William Shatner takes some responsibility for what happened between himself and his co-star, but it's also clear that he really has no idea what actually happened to muck things up. He also penned this:

At this point, it's hard to tell exactly what happened between the two actors, and George Takei isn't exactly penning the same sorts of letters. Still, I think the clash between two Star Trek greats will always be a topic of interest to fans, and if if William Shatner really is stubborn or maybe just clueless enough to not understand where things went wrong, at least he's still willing to look back and think about what actually happened.

For more information on the Star Trek franchise, you can learn more about the movies here or the upcoming TV series Discovery, here.

The Star Trek franchise is celebrating its incredible 50th anniversary this year, and so the time has come to look back to the original 1960s series that started it all. Leonard Nimoy was a key member of the first Enterprise crew as Mr. Spock, and it was arguably Spock's dynamic with his foil Captain Kirk that powered the original through three seasons and a handful of movies. Nimoy sadly passed away in early 2015, but not before revealing his favorite episode of the original series. Here's what the late, great actor said about it.

Leonard Nimoy shared his favorite episode of Star Trek for the 50 Years of Star Trek documentary that will air on History later this year (via IGN). It marks his final filmed interview before his death, and I can't help but feel that it was a fitting last appearance on camera. Nimoy influenced the lives of millions in his role as Spock, and Star Trek fans will certainly appreciate one last look into the mind of the man who helped make the franchise a success.

"The Devil in the Dark" was an episode of the first season of Star Trek that aired back in March of 1967. Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the Enterprise crew visited a mining colony to help the miners deal with a mysterious creature responsible for the deaths of 50 people and the destruction of a great deal of valuable equipment. Most of the folks in the colony - including Kirk after the death of one of his ill-fated red-shirted crew members - wanted the creature killed, but Spock wanted the seemingly one-of-a-kind critter spared. When they discovered that the creature was a silicon-based sentient life form known as the Horta, they realize that they misunderstood an entity that was not a true enemy at all. The Horta only wanted to protect its eggs.

The episode included everything that was so great about original Star Trek. Kirk and Spock started out with different viewpoints, then came to meet in the middle in their efforts to save as many lives as possible. Dr. McCoy dropped a classic one-liner, a redshirt died, and everybody learned a good lesson by the end. There was a lot to love, and this first season episode is a fantastic example of what helped make the Star Trek series unlike anything else on television. "The Devil in the Dark" was actually one of the first Trek episodes I ever saw, and I was tickled to see that Leonard Nimoy had such a long-standing appreciation for it.

To see the rest of the 50 Years of Star Trek documentary, tune in to History at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 14. Take a look at our fall TV premiere schedule to find what else you'll be catch on the small screen in the near future. And, of course, live long and prosper.

If there's one thing that we can count on in this crazy world, it's that actor Sean Bean will die in just about any role he's given. Unfortunately, the folks over at Firaxis Games have decided to throw us a curveball, giving Mr. Bean a role that likely won't cost him his life.

If you've got a sharp ear, then you may have noticed the voice of Sean Bean narrating recent Civilization 6 trailers. That, of course, got folks wondering if he would have anything to do with the actual game. It turns out the answer is yes, and the role will almost certainly be a rare one for the legendary actor where he does not bite the big one at the end. Why not? Because it turns out he's now the voice of the Civilization 6 tech tree. Yes, when you finish research throughout any given campaign, it will be the sound of Sean Bean telling you what a fantastic job you're doing.

There is, of course, the possibility that the final task on your tech tree will be something like "destroy the world," at which point Sean Bean would likely have to offer some sort of auditory death scene. Barring that, though, the guy is just about as secure as can be taking on the role of a menu voiceover.

The original report on Bean's casting comes to us via PC Gamer, who offer a sad reminder that the role of the tech tree voice in Civilization 4 actually belong to none other than the legendary man of science, Leonard Nimoy. Following his passing, Firaxis brought actor Morgan Sheppard into the fold to tackle the job in Civilization 5. With Civilization 6, they're giving Bean's pipes a try.

In case you're curious what all of this Sean Bean dying talk is about, the guy dies in literally 30 percent of the films he's been in. We're not sure what it is about the guy, but he tends to get cast as characters that don't get to see a happy ending. While folks usually talk about best roles when discussing most actors, Bean conversations tend to revolve around best deaths. And he's died in a lot of good movies, too. From Lord of the Rings to Alien and beyond, he's kicked the bucket in about 25 films.

So I guess that means the guy can breathe easy for at least this one role. For those of you excited to dive into Civilization 6, look for it to arrive on PC and Mac come Oct. 21. In the meantime, let us know in the comments your thoughts on what little we've heard of Bean for the game so far.

Earlier this year, when Star Trek vet Leonard Nimoy died, The Big Bang Theory aired a lovely post-episode tribute to Nimoy. But now that we’re in Season 9, enough time has passed to afford the creative team a chance to honor the actor with half a story arc devoted to Sheldon’s idolatry of Spock. It was a lovely approach to the subject, and it played a psychologically complicated part in the big reveal (to other characters) of Sheldon’s engagement ring. Well done, Big Bang. Spoilers, below.

In a case of art imitating life, Big Bang brought in son Adam Nimoy as someone making a documentary about his father, and hey, that’s really happening. Sheldon gets a chance to talk on camera about how Spock has affected his life, and it’s all set up by Wil Wheaton, who is too delighted to watch all the corridors of Sheldon’s psyche on full display.

And in a way, Sheldon is the perfect talking head to have on a documentary like that, because he definitely stands out, and his love for Nimoy and Spock’s Vulcan philosophy are true to the character and has been established in full over the previous eight seasons. He tells anecdotes about how “What Would Spock Do?” got him through certain situations, and not always peacefully. He brings out the autographed napkin for what probably isn’t, but could be the last time ever, and he generally just gushes Sheldon-like.

Which brings us to him pulling out the engagement ring and just breezily telling Penny and Leonard that Amy broke things off before he could propose to her. Awkward as that was, we then get to see Sheldon’s true feelings on the matter are nowhere near as fine as he says, and it’s great when Penny uses Spock’s half-humanness to remind Sheldon that even his idol reacted emotionally to things. Nimoy’s character was really woven into the storyline in a fantastic way that didn’t just rely on people merely quoting or visually referencing things.

Of course, what Sheldon really could have used was Future Spock coming back in time to tell Present Sheldon not to go out on his One Last Shot at getting Amy to marry him, as that situation only ended up revealing Amy kissing another guy, played by Stephen Merchant. That’s the second time Sheldon’s attempt at engagement gets squashed. Does that mean the third time is the charm here, or are they totally split for good? What would Spock say?

The episode ended in a nice way, as well, with the re-jilted Sheldon not being very pleased with Spock’s human side at all. All in all, this episode got me more stoked than ever to watch Adam Nimoy’s actual documentary, and was one of the most interesting interpretations of an actor’s career affecting fictional characters.

Leonard Nimoy may have gone into the Beyond, but his presence is still felt today. As part of Star Trek 3’s To Boldly Go campaign to support nine global organizations, Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine and the rest of the film’s cast have offered a dedication to the actor who originated Spock. Watch the tribute video below.

The Stark Trek: To Boldly Go Omaze campaign seeks to raise money for the organizations Brave Beginnings, Camp Sunshine, Direct Relief, Heaven Homes, KidsCan, Koreatown Youth & Community Center, Make-A-Wish, Time Is Precious, and St. Jude’s Research Hospital. The latter was close to Nimoy’s heart, which is why this week is dedicated to the organization leading the way in child cancer research.

Zachary Quinto, who portrays a younger version of Spock in the Star Trek films since 2009, narrates the video, which features behind-the-scenes footage Nimoy on the set of the recent Star Trek films. Capping off the brief look at his time reprising the character is a shot of the Star Trek Beyond cast. Pine, Quinto, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, and franchise newcomer Idris Elba all held up their hands in the iconic "Live Long and Prosper" gesture.

Leonard Nimoy passed away on February 27, 2015 at his home in Los Angeles’ Bel-Air. He was 83 years old and his surviving wife, Susan, said his death was a result of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was 82 when he revealed his diagnosis.

A month before Nimoy’s death, he sent a check for $10,000 to St. Jude’s. Marlo Thomas, St. Jude’s national outreach director, wrote on Facebook, "Even in his very hard, least days he was thinking of how to help others." Anyone who chooses to donate to the organization through the Star Trek Omaze campaign will be entered to win a walk-on role for the third film in the current film run. The campaign ends in just over a week’s time.

Justin Lin of Fast and Furious 6 directs Star Trek Beyond, since J.J. Abrams is busy with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Plot details are still under wraps for the most part, but we know that Beyond will be see the crew of the Enterprise on their classic voyage into deep space. Photos from the set leaked out recently have revealed new uniforms for the crew, as well as a new white-skinned alien in their company (played by Kingsman: The Secret Service’s Sofia Boutella). Meanwhile, Elba’s character is said to play a large part in the film, and the actor said he shares scenes with Quinto’s Spock.

Production is currently under way on Star Trek Beyond, which is set to hit theaters on July 8, 2016.

Ok Star Trek fans, listen up, because this needs to happen. 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of The Original Series. In commemoration of that event, Adam Nimoy had been working with his father, the late Leonard Nimoy, to create a documentary film about the life of the character Mr. Spock. Now, with the actor’s passing last February, Adam is moving forward on the film and he’s turned to crowdfunding to help make For the Love of Spock a reality.

According to information on the film’s official Kickstarter page, the idea was born of a conversation between father and son last Thanksgiving. The two were going to produce the film together before Leonard died in February of chronic pulmonary disease. Now, the film will not only trace the history of the iconic character, but also of the man who first brought Spock to life in the 1960’s.

The Kickstarter is seeking a total of $600,000 to cover costs associated with the film, primarily the licensing of photos and videos of Spock’s various appearances in film and television. Otherwise your documentary about Spock will be missing Spock. The documentary is set to be produced by 455 Films, known in Star Trek circles as the production company behind William Shatner’s The Captains documentary.

A number of Star Trek allumni have already agreed to become part of the film. William Shatner, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, and J.J. Abrams have all agreed to be interviewed for the film. In addition, Zachary Quinto, who has taken over the mantle of Spock, will narrate the documentary. Check out the full pitch video below.

The rewards for backers include access to a digital stream of the film prior to its general release, tickets to screenings in New York or Los Angeles, or the ability to get a photo of yourself (cosplaying as Spock, or giving the "Live Long and Prosper" salute) into the film itself. There were also a number of special items from the Leonard Nimoy’s personal collection, but most of those are already gone as they were one-of-a-kind. However, if you’d like the original mock up of the Star Trek III: The Search for Spock poster, it’s still available if you have $6,000 burning a hole in your pocket.

The Kickstarter deadline is July 1. As of this writing the film is sitting at  $135,854. With most of a month left to go there’s still plenty of time for Nimoy to get the required funding. Now go throw a few bucks at this and help make it happen. 

It’s been a little over a month since the loss of Leonard Nimoy, and the wound still feels quite exposed. The beloved actor and artist touched fans with not only his acting and portrayal of Spock in the Star Trek franchise, but also with his beautiful words of acceptance beyond the screen. It is because of his expansive fan base and inspiration that a documentary about Nimoy’s life and the character whom he brought to life took fruition. And no better person to produce and direct the film than Nimoy’s own son, Adam Nimoy.

The project hopes to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the cult-classic sci-fi franchise which aired for the first time on September 8, 1966. According to Variety, Adam Nimoy announced his plan for the documentary last week to pay tribute to the Vulcan hero. Nimoy told Variety:

Young Nimoy’s project is also something that him and his father had previously discussed several months before the actor’s passing. They agreed that it would focus on the enduring nature of Spock and Nimoy’s personal portrayal of the logical Vulcan-human first officer. Adam Nimoy discussed the extensive material they have to take from for the doc including the two books Leonard Nimoy wrote, I Am Not Spock and I Am Spock as well as a number of recordings. The late Nimoy was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but had continued working on this project with his son up until about two days before his death.

Zachary Quinto who has played a newer version of Spock in the last two Star Trek films is signed on to narrate the documentary. And William Shatner, who played captain of the Enterprise, James T. Kirk, and is also a dear friend of Nimoy has agreed to appear in the doc.

As far as those behind the project. David Zappone, the president and owner of 455 films will produce. He has produced a number of Star Trek-related content including The Captains, William Shatner’s Get a Life and Still Kicking. The younger Nimoy has extensive history in the entertainment industry as well, starting as an attorney in entertainment law only to soon become a TV director directing episodes in shows such as NYPD Blue, The Practice, Ally McBeal and Gilmore Girls. He also wrote an autobiography entitled, My Incredibly Wonderful, Miserable Life.

The documentary still seeks financing, and Nimoy said he wouldn’t be opposed to starting a crowdfunding option. If this plans to release around the 50th anniversary though, we can expect it in 2016.

Leonard Nimoy was known for playing Spock within the Star Trek universe for a number of years. The character was known for his moral compass, and his struggles between being a logical individual and one with the capacity for emotion, as well. In real life, his Star Trek co-star Walter Koenig called Nimoy a “very good man,” and he emphasized the actor's character through a story about an encounter with the actor during his time on the set of Star Trek.

Koenig played Pavel Chekov in the original TV series version of Star Trek, and he starred alongside William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, who played the famous James T. Kirk and Commander Spock, respectively. His other co-stars included George Takei, who played Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu and Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, respectively. One day, Koenig and Nimoy realized that the female in the crew—Nichols—was not getting paid as much as the men on the show. Koenig explained to the Las Vegas Sun how Leonard Nimoy managed to rectify the situation.

Star Trek originally aired in the late sixties—a time when many women still worked within the home and women who did work often had salaries that did not match up with the menfolk in similar positions. It’s nice that both Koenig and Nimoy took note of Nichelle Nicols’ paycheck predicament and that the latter went out of his way to do something about it. Equal pay for equal work wasn’t really as much of a talked-about issue at the time as it is today and for Nimoy to go to bat for his co-star like that is pretty incredible. It’s no surprise that Koenig also notes in the interview that Nimoy had “sound ethics,” as well as “a good sense of morality.”

Stories about Leonard Nimoy have run around the web recently, following Nimoy’s passing on February 27 at the age of 83. In the time following, fellow Star Trek cast member William Shatner took to Twitter to share fond memories of the times he spend with Nimoy. And other programs that have been influenced by the original Star Trek series, like The Big Bang Theory, also offered on-air tributes.

Nowadays, it’s doubtful that Zoe Saldana, who plays Uhura in the J.J. Abrams film franchise would have to worry about competing for salary with the men in the movie, including John Cho’s Sulu and Anton Yelchin’s Chekov. Regardless, that just helps to show us how far females in the entertainment business have come over the years.

This weekend, Chris Hemsworth took the stage to host an episode of Saturday Night Live for the first time. During the episode, the team put together some sketches referencing the acting projects he has accomplished in the past, including Star Trek. You can check out SNL’s parody of Star Trek, below.

The parody is a pretty silly one, featuring a crew in space that is unhappy with the captain leading them on a dangerous mission. The crew is in peril, which sounds like more of a drama premise than that of a comedy sketch, but then a live animal shows up and the laughs come more quickly. As it turns out, the captain is actually a chicken named Emily, who is dating Chris Hemsworth’s Lieutenant Jericho. The sketch is pretty gimmicky and even uses a live chicken for laughs, but Hemsworth is a good actor and sells the goofy bit, making a romance with a chicken more of an amusing sketch than an uncomfortable one.

A Star Trek sketch is all the more timely, considering that Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy passed away just last week. In the time following Spock’s death, plenty of people and groups found adequate ways to pay tribute to the late actor. William Shatner shared memories, Canadians tricked out bills with Spock faces, and The Big Bang Theory included a memoriam in this week’s episode. It makes sense that SNL would nod at Star Trek, too.

Of course, it’s convenient that Hemsworth has actually appeared in JJ Abrams’ Star Trek reboots. His tenure as host on the late night sketch series also featured a Marvel-oriented sketch, which was obviously a given, considering Hemsworth is most famous for playing Thor, and will be reprising the character in Avengers: Age Of Ultron. There were also some great Thor jokes in the promo trailer.

Other memorable moments included a brand new “Porn Stars” sketch and a hilarious Empire parody.

NBC’s Saturday Night Live is currently celebrating 40 years on the air. You can catch new episodes on weeknights at 11:30 p.m. ET.

Star Trek Online's developers promised last week that they would build an in-game memorial to Leonard Nimoy. As it turns out, they built two.

When the news broke last Friday of Nimoy's passing, Star Trek Online players gathered around a fountain in Vulcan to mourn. Cryptic Studios agrees that's a fitting place for a memorial. They've replaced the central structure in that fountain with a stone statue of Nimoy's Star Trek character Spock. The inscription beneath him reads, "Live Long and Prosper":

New Romulus will also be receiving a similar statue, but with a different inscription: "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." As Cryptic notes, Spock was passionate about reuniting the Vulcan and Romulan peoples. His teachings inspired the creation of the democratic Romulan Republic centered in New Romulus.

Both statues will be accompanied by a memorial plaque that pays tribute not only to Nimoy but other key personalities from Star Trek who have passed away, such as creator Gene Roddenberry and actor James Doohan.

"People will be able to interact with this memorial and read the names, the dates of their birth and passing, and a personal quote where possible," said executive producer Stephen Ricossa. "In this small way, we hope to honor the memory and contribution of those who helped shape Star Trek into the cultural touchstone it is today."

The tribute won't be limited to these two memorial, though. Cryptic says that black flags of mourning will be hung in Earth Spacedock, Qo'noS and New Romulus for the next week.

Other space exploration games will soon be joining Star Trek Online in honoring Leonard Nimoy. Elite Dangerous, which already has a planet called Vulcan, will add a space station named Nimoy Memorial Station. Star Citizen has plans for a tribute as well.

The days following Leonard Nimoy’s death last week have seen all forms of celebrities offering heartfelt messages and tributes for the Star Trek actor. And there’s no surprise that Chuck Lorre, creator of the Nimoy-loving hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, paid his respects on national television through the personalized vanity cards he puts up at the end of each episode. Instead of a wordy affair, Lorre kept it simple and meaningful for tonight's episode.

Is there a way to say “Bazinga” in a morose tone? Nimoy starred in a plethora of TV series over the years, and one might think he was a regular on The Big Bang Theory, given Sheldon’s abject love for him. Here’s how the series paid respects to Nimoy after his death, via Twitter.

The actor never actually made a proper physical appearance on the show, but that isn’t to say that his presence wasn’t felt, or that his voice wasn’t heard. For the Season 5 episode “The Transporter Malfunction,” Nimoy lent his voice to an action figure of Mr. Spock that serves as Sheldon’s conscience. I pity the fool that breaks a transporter and tries to switch it with another one. Wait, that’s Mr. T. In any case, check out the memorable scene below.

Nimoy references popped up in earlier episodes as well, with one focusing on Sheldon being gifted a Cheesecake Factory napkin signed by the actor. (He didn’t get to clone Nimoy’s DNA like he wanted to, though.) Another episode saw Sheldon showing off a restraining order that Nimoy had placed against him. We’re assuming that order is no longer legally valid.

Nimoy died on February 27, 2015, due to complications with COPD, and his passing will be felt in pop culture for many years to come. Maybe Fox will bring Fringe back for Season 6 just to pay their respects. Out of the question?

One of the more interesting things to arise from the moment that J.J. Abrams took over the Star Trek franchise in 2009 was the apparent real life friendship developed between the two Spocks. In the film, extraordinary circumstances created the introspective situation where the younger Spock played by Zachary Quinto and the older Spock, generally referred to as "Spock Prime," reprised by the late Leonard Nimoy would meet in an ultimate payoff of a scene. However, it seems that the paternal friendship dynamic we saw between the two Spocks was mirrored in reality. It’s a concept that is certainly reflected in Quinto’s touching, bittersweet tribute to the late Nimoy.

In his poignant essay to the late Nimoy, Zachary Quinto explains how the guidance of Nimoy, the original Spock, came to define not only his own experiences as Spock, but a calm, dignified outlook on life that he will carry with him throughout his own days. As Quinto notes in his tribute,

Apropos to the scene from Star Trek (2009) when Quinto’s young Spock first sees the back of the head of Nimoy’s Spock Prime and shouts "father," their friendship also paralleled a paternal dynamic; something driven home by the fact that Quinto was only a child when he lost his own father. While it was a relationship that began with Nimoy simply providing guidance in regards to handling the Spock character, it apparently grew into a mentorship that ran much deeper. According to Quinto, their discussions were diverse, but "very organic," yet managed to achieve "a depth," despite not trying for such poignance.

Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy’s non-Spock chemistry was probably best immortalized in a 2013 Audi commercial in which the two, while clearly friends, compete against each other in a race to further compete in golf. It was a lighthearted bit that managed to convey the idea that the two Spocks were playfully competitive with each other, culminating in a hilarious, Trekkie-pleasing, "who’s your daddy?" moment where Nimoy manages to sneak in a Vulcan nerve pinch, sending Quinto to the pavement.

According to reports, Zachary Quinto quickly flew back to LA to speak at his funeral and concludes his profound tribute with the line, "The world is a better place for having had Leonard Nimoy in it, and I am a better man to be sure." We couldn't agree more.

This week the world came together with a Vulcan salute as we said goodbye to beloved actor and lover of the arts, Leonard Nimoy. And among the tears shed for the actor were those of William Shatner, Nimoy’s longtime co-star and friend. Today marked Nimoy’s funeral, and because of a commitment to a fundraiser event, Shatner was unable to attend the funeral, so he decided to have his own memorial via Twitter.

Shatner had taken some harsh criticisms from news outlets for missing his fellow Star Trek stars funeral service, so in response Shatner shared memories and fielded questions from fans to commemorate his friend in a way he saw fit. Kind words, and caring messages were said about the late actor, and Shatner displayed his affection and regret for being unable to attend the service. Here we’ve compiled some of his most touching tweets from the “Twitter Funeral” exchange that play special tribute to the man who inspired so many.

Shatner shared his finest memories of Nimoy.

And the life lessons they learned from each other.

The best thing that Nimoy ever gave him.

And the best thing that he ever said.

Shatner shared what he thought were Nimoy’s most admirable qualities.

And the only regret he has of their relationship.

He even touched upon the actor’s similar characteristics to his most beloved character.

But best of all, Shatner paid respect to his dear friend. And the favorite role that he ever played.

Star Trek Online won't be the only game that honors Leonard Nimoy. Fellow space exploration games Elite: Dangerous and Star Citizen have posthumous tributes planned for the actor as well.

"No petition necessary," said Cloud Imperium community director Ben Lesnick on the Star Citizen forums (via MassivelyOP). "I think it's safe to say that Mr. Nimoy was an inspiration to all of us on the team, both acting as Spock and because of his core, kind humanity. We will find an appropriate way to honor him."

Lesnick shared some touching words on Nimoy as well:

Elite: Dangerous studio Frontier Developments has already decided on how they'll honor Nimoy. They plan to add a Nimoy Memorial station into their game's galaxy. The space station will orbiting the planet Vulcan, found in the LHS 3006 star system. This space station will be part of the upcoming 1.2 update, which also includes the long-teased Wings feature.

There's already a space station orbiting Vulcan called "WCM Transfer Orbital." Presumably Frontier will just rename that station rather than adding a second one to the planet's orbit. Here's a screenshot of the planet and space station together (via FirstGreatExpedition:

Star Trek Online players gathered on Friday for an impromptu memorial service. The MMO's developers, Cryptic Studios, are also planning to add some permanent tribute to the actor.

"Everyone at Cryptic Studios was saddened to hear of his passing and we want to make sure we never forget the cultural impact of the man or the character he played," STO executive producer Steve Ricossa said this weekend. "To that end, the Star Trek Online team will implement a standing in-game memorial to Spock and Leonard Nimoy this Thursday March 5th with our regular weekly maintenance."

Nimoy passed away from pulmonary disease on Friday. You can read the TV section's tribute to him here.

Star Trek Online developer Cryptic Studio is planning a tribute to Leonard Nimoy. They'll be adding an memorial within their free-to-play MMORPG to the deceased Star Trek actor in a few days.

"Everyone at Cryptic Studios was saddened to hear of his passing and we want to make sure we never forget the cultural impact of the man or the character he played," said executive producer Steve Ricossa on the Star Trek Online forums. "To that end, the Star Trek Online team will implement a standing in-game memorial to Spock and Leonard Nimoy this Thursday March 5th with our regular weekly maintenance."

"In this way, we hope to keep his memory as alive in our game as he is in all of our hearts."

Many players didn't want for an official memorial to pay their respects to Nimoy, though. Many of them gathered at a fountain on Vulcan, the home planet of his character Spock. Here's a picture of their solemn tribute:

The picture doesn't accurately depict just how many people assembled for the tribute. When Star Trek Online areas are crowded, the game creates several duplicates (or "instances") of that area so that there are only 15 or 20 people visible to each player. One Reddit user estimated there were about 1,000 players there across all instances.

It's fitting that Nimoy would be honored in Star Trek Online. He revealed the first gameplay trailer for STO along with Cryptic Studios Chief Creative Officer Jack Emmert in a presentation back in 2008. Nimoy also provided extensive voiceover throughout the game.

Spock doesn't actually appear in the game, though. STO is consistent with the timeline of the earlier films and takes place thirty years after Star Trek Nemesis. At that point in time, Spock was pulled through a blackhole into the parallel timeline seen in the 2009 film reboot by J.J. Abrams. Nimoy explained this situation himself in the game's intro:

Star Trek Online isn't the first MMO to pay tribute to a deceased star. For example, World of Warcraft now has an memorial to Robin Williams in honor of his self-professed love for the game.

Today, the world of pop culture lost a great and multi-talented entertainer when Leonard Nimoy passed away at the age of 83 from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The man who came to be equated with the phrase “Live long and prosper” did just that, and his 60+ year career was celebratory for fans of nearly every artform and genre. Nimoy was a true renaissance man. Or renaissance Vulcan, if you will.

One would be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn’t appreciate the Boston-born thespian’s work and achievements, and so we’ve put together five reasons why everyone loves Leonard Nimoy. Is five too limited a number? Perhaps, but each reason is the culmination of many years’ worth of effort, so we hope he would approve.

Star Trek

Rarely has an actor been so tied to a role as Nimoy has with the Vulcan Enterprise officer Mr. Spock, and he exuded little of the jadedness that actors often develop when they’re largely known for one thing. His love for the character shone through in just how many times he reprised the role. His initial performance on the original 1960s Star Trek series was followed by Star Trek: The Animated Series, the first six Star Trek films, a guest spot in Star Trek: The Next Generation, both of J.J. Abrams’ rebooted Star Trek movies, and a whole host of Star Trek video games. If he didn’t truly enjoy playing Spock, he would have been the most miserable person in the world after all that. But the actor never stopped smiling in real life.

In Search Of…

While it seems like the only way television currently knows how to deal with life’s mysteries is with baloney like Ancient Aliens, Leonard Nimoy gave the world the epitome of curiosity-inspiring programming with the 1977-1982 docu-series In Search of…. Nimoy took on hosting duties when original host choice Rod Serling passed away, and expanded the latter’s goals of bringing strange phenomena and controversies to wide audiences. This was back in a time before science and the Internet debunked and/or explained many of the things that the show covered, but its format and approach to left-field education remains second to none, and Nimoy’s gravitas was a huge part of that. He also narrated Ancient Mysteries and a couple of History’s Mysteries episodes, but those shows weren’t quite the same.

Always Willing to Guest Star and Poke Fun at Himself

Leonard Nimoy’s post-Spock years have been full of guest appearances on shows, some self-mocking and some high on Star Trek references. For instance, he recalled his In Search Of… days for a sci-fi-tinged episode of The Simpsons (in his second cameo on that series), he voiced his own head in a jar for Futurama, made a surprise Weekend Update appearance on Saturday Night Live, and provided some voice work on the Spock-loving series The Big Bang Theory. (He also lent his dulcet tones to a Star Trek-themed episode of Duckman.) When you take into account all of his joyous talk show appearances – with his Daily Show spots as memorable as any – it’s obvious that the actor’s personality went a long way in drawing such fan fervor.

His Charity Work

While some celebrities are content with raking in the dough and living lives of luxury, Nimoy has spent a large chunk of his later life fundraising for various causes and organizations. He and his second wife Susan Bay Nimoy founded the Nimoy Foundation in 2003, a nonprofit with a focus on raising awareness and generating grants for visual arts and artists. He also frequently worked with the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and Belt T’Shuvah, which has the Susan & Leonard Nimoy Career Center that helps recovering addicts and alcoholics find jobs that fit their skills. Upon his death, his granddaughter Dani Schwartz announced that she would be selling “Live long and proper” shirts through this website, with all proceeds going to COPD medical research. You know you’ve done something right if your generosity outlives you.

Everything Else

If the earlier list items somehow didn’t convince you, what about everything else that Leonard Nimoy did in his illustrious career? Beyond being an accomplished poet, he brilliantly depicted his mental ties with his Star Trek role in the two autobiographies I Am Not Spock and I Am Spock. He released a handful of albums showing off (or whatever you want to call it) his musical skills. We actually can’t go forward without listening to Nimoy tackling Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line,” because duh.

Nimoy’s non-Star Trek acting career included roles on Mission: Impossible, Marco Polo, Gunsmoke, Becker, The Outer Limits, and, of course, his Emmy-winning role as Dr. William Bell on Fringe. (And who can forget his suitcase-gun wielding KAOS villain on Get Smart?) Remember Three Men and a Baby? He directed that, as well as the third and fourth Star Trek films. And he also lent his voice to video games such as Seaman, Civilization IV and a couple of the Kingdom Hearts games.

The world is an emptier place without you, Mr. Nimoy, and entertainment will never quite be the same.

The passing of science fiction icon, Leonard Nimoy at the age of 83 is probably the biggest blow dealt to the massive legion of Star Trek devotees who have long-followed the venerable, nearly 50-year-old epoch-shaping franchise. Perhaps, no other single individual in the history of television and film left quite as a profound imprint on popular culture as the Nimoy’s portrayal of Spock would accomplish. With Spock’s signature pointed half-Human, half-Vulcan ears and obstinate adherence to cold, hard logic, it made him arguably one of the most influential characters of all time.

While Mr. Nimoy’s contributions to the medium of television is vast as it was poignant, we decided to take the time to celebrate some of the man’s greatest cinematic moments as Spock with the Star Trek franchise. Take a trip down memory lane with us.

6. Star Trek: The Motion Picture - This Simple Feeling

This 1979 post-Star-Wars cinematic relaunch was the culmination of a decade-long effort to bring back the Star Trek franchise, after it had been cancelled by NBC in 1969 and various efforts to revive the show throughout the 70’s would fail. Unfortunately, despite the happy nostalgic glow, the film was very much an aesthetic product of its time. This resulted in it becoming a lengthy outer space odyssey of people in disco uniforms, with way-too-lengthy space shots seemingly meant to give a prospective audience time to reload their bongs and flip the copy of The Dark Side of the Moon they had playing on a nearby turntable.

However, this Star Trek: The Motion Picture scene in particular, proves to be a dramatic diamond in the rough. After Spock takes the initiative to attempt a Vulcan mind meld with the powerfully sublime super-computer, V’Ger, we get what is essentially the most profound bit of exposition about the film’s foe. Its cold, calculating inability to understand anything other than its vast gathered data is now apparent. Grabbing Kirk's hand, an exhausted Spock reveals that "this simple feeling" was something beyond the V'Ger's comprehension. Besides cementing the friendship between Spock and Kirk, it was the ultimate irony for the logic-adhering Spock to be freaked out by a concept that, on paper, is the Vulcan equivalent of Nirvana.

5. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country - The Interrogation of Valeris

1991 would give us the sixth and final Star Trek film to focus on the original crew, which was a well-received thriller filled with action, mystery and intrigue. Things get real interesting after a cleverly-executed ruse would reveal that Spock’s young Vulcan understudy, Lt. Valeris (played by a post-Porky’s, pre-Sex and the City Kim Cattrall) was, in fact, the saboteur who engineered the assassination of a Klingon Chancellor, framing Kirk and McCoy in a conspiracy to stop what some felt was a dangerous peace between the Federation and the Klingons.

In this scene, we learn that Spock doesn’t do "disappointed" very well. Seemingly throwing decorum in the trash can, not even giving a crap that the entire bridge crew was watching, he violently grabs his formerly promising apprentice and performs the famous Vulcan mind meld on her to obtain information on an impending assassination attempt on the Federation President. It was as close to "pissed" as we have ever seen Spock. (At least, when not compromised by Vulcan puberty or alien spores.)

4. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home - Spock Punks A Punk Rocker

Clearly, the most levity-inflated film in the Star Trek series, the 1986 fourth film, had Kirk and the Enterprise crew travel in a stolen Klingon ship to go back in time to a then-contemporaneous San Francisco to look for humpback whales to repopulate the species, which are extinct, to mollify a dangerous alien whale-language-speaking probe with the power to destroy the Earth. All the follies and foibles one could possibly expect from the space-exploring Enterprise crew interacting with modern people were on full display. While it may not have been a purist’s Star Trek movie, it packs an entertaining punch that’s also extremely accessible for non-Trekkies to watch.

This scene in particular, in which Kirk and Spock, humbled by circumstances, are forced to trade warp speed vessels and transporters for a public transportation bus, encounter a punk rocker who likes to crank his ghetto blaster to 11. Playing a hard, fast, cacophonous song called "I Hate You" by an obscure punk band called Edge of Etiquette, the normally disciplined Spock seemed to have enough and proactively shuts down both ghetto blaster and punk with a smooth Vulcan nerve pinch, resulting in an astounding applause by his fellow commuters.

3. Star Trek (2009) - Spock Prime Tells Young Spock How It Is

In J.J. Abrams’ reimagined, energized, youth-infused 2009 reboot of the franchise, we saw an angry, villainous Romulan miner from the 24th century, Nero take his fearsome-looking vessel back in time by 129 years to wreak vengeance on those he perceived responsible for the supernova destruction of his home planet…by destroying the entire planet of Vulcan and indelibly altering the timeline of the entire post-Star Trek: Enterprise Star Trek continuity.

In this scene near the end of the film after the crisis had been averted, young Spock, played by Zachary Quinto, learns the hard way that a lot of us tend to grow up looking like our fathers. At first thinking the aged Vulcan was his father, Sarek, he quickly realized that he was taking a hard look at his own future with his older doppelganger, generally called "Spock Prime," heartfully reprised by Leonard Nimoy. With the presence of a learned, more emotionally balanced version of the character, Spock Prime explains to his befuddled younger self just how much his friendship with James Kirk, someone who had only been an annoyance to him, would eventually shape who he would become.

2. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock - Spock's Resurrection & Leonard Nimoy’s Big-Screen Directorial Debut

After the second Star Trek film, The Wrath of Khan put all its dramatic eggs into one risky stunt basket by killing off Spock, fans were left wondering where the franchise was heading. However, throughout that film, Khan chased after a terraforming technology called Genesis, which yielded the ability to turn dead rocks into lively, flourishing, livable planets, but also had the ability to destroy just about anything. Genesis would also become the Star Trek franchise’s "out" in regards to Spock’s death and they ran with it… hard.

In the 1984 film directed by Leonard Nimoy himself, making his in his big-screen debut as a helmer, we saw a more nuanced film set in the aftermath of Spock’s death, which mixed solid action against a group of Klingons looking for the secrets behind Genesis and the somewhat bizarre resurrection of Spock by way said technology, which involved a complete bodily rebirth in a short period of time from infant to middle-aged adult. While the film received a mixed reception, Nimoy used the film as a pathological exploration of Spock as we, in some way, experience the trials and tribulations which formed him, all packed into a short period of time, culminating towards an achievement of some level of status quo.

It would not be Nimoy’s last time behind the camera, as he would direct the aforementioned sequel, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and the 1987 box-office comedy smash, Three Men and a Baby.

1. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - Spock’s Sacrifice

The fact that this powerful scene from the celebrated second entry in the Star Trek film franchise tops this list should come to no surprise to anyone even remotely familiar with the lore. The Enterprise finds itself adrift in space, dangerously close to the defeated remnants of the hijacked U.S.S. Reliant in which Khan, in his last villainous act, set the life-creating Genesis device on an auto-destruct sequence that will destroy everything in the vicinity, notably the Enterprise. However, getting the Enterprise to run again, would require a trip to a heavily radiation-compromised section of the engine room to manually restore the warp drive. It’s a job that Spock, despite the protestation of McCoy and Scotty, volunteers to tackle, as he is dosed with a fatal amount of radiation.

In this famous scene, Kirk, still reeling in the afterglow of escaping from the explosion and defeating Khan, is called down to the engine room, where he discovers that his best friend has made the ultimate sacrifice, as he lays in the room, waiting to pass. It’s an iconic, saddening scene that has reduced many-a-geek to tears, even knowing the death doesn’t end up sticking. Kirk, a habitual cheater of death must come to terms with what he avoided in the Kobayashi Maru test: That sometimes life does, indeed hand you unwinnable scenarios, and this was one of them.

Spock’s haunting, bittersweet final words through the speaker, "I have been and always shall be… your friend" are justly cemented in the annals of cinematic history.

Tragic news broke today when beloved actor Leonard Nimoy died at age 83, and the world came together to collectively mourn the icon’s passing. Nimoy, most known for his role as Spock in the Star Trek franchise, was a figure who touched and inspired many, and his legacy will forever ‘live long and prosper’.

The actor’s character extended from himself, and fans saw him as a profound and inspirational figure who knew what it meant to feel alien in your surroundings. Though Nimoy was much more than just Spock, it was his constant reprisal of the character and incredible portrayal throughout the franchise that will be most remembered. His character, and his career would impact many, and today, his biggest celebrity fans pay tribute to the man via Twitter who has been, and always shall be… our friend.

William Shatner, Nimoy’s longtime co-star and dear friend opened up on the death of his colleague.

Patrick Stewart remembers his time with the inspirational man.

A friendship bloomed on Star Trek Into Darkness between the original Spock and his successor, Zachary Quinto.

George Takei remembers his dear friend from the USS Enterprise.

Another Star Trek star, Marina Sirtis recalls what a true gentleman Nimoy was.

Kim Cattrall remembers the man who was her mentor.

Wil Wheaton shares his gratitude for the galaxy that Nimoy passed down.

Jonathan Frakes salutes Mr. Nimoy.

Seth MacFarlane thanks Nimoy for his work in bringing alive one of the greatest characters in American storytelling.

Kevin Smith says farewell with a memorable quote.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling pays tribute in her own way.

Even President Obama made an official statement recalling his own admiration for Spock and the man behind the character.

And NASA recognizes Nimoy and his time with the cult-classic franchise as the inspiration behind many’s desire to explore space.

Specifically, Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space, shares his gratitude.

And plenty more actors remember the lasting effects that Leonard Nimoy and Mr. Spock have had on the entertainment industry and beyond.

And in Leonard Nimoy’s last tweet before his passing, he reminds us that memories are what live on. So with that, our memories of him, will live long and prosper.

We have tragic news to report today, as Leonard Nimoy, the iconic mainstay of the Star Trek franchise, has passed away. The 83-year-old was recently hospitalized due to chest pains, and his son, Adam, announced the news of his passing on Friday. Nimoy had an immense presence as Spock in the Star Trek TV programs and films, and his death will have a monumental impact on all those he touched through his work.

In a statement from Adam, Nimoy passed away in the comfort of his home in Bel Air. He had been battling chronic pulmonary disease (CPD), and TMZ reported last week that the actor had checked into UCLA Medical Center, though he was eventually released. Nimoy blamed his CPD diagnosis on his smoking habit, and he had been urging smokers to quite on Twitter for the past few months. The Hollywood icon had an active presence on social media with a diehard following, though his last tweet has a greater impact in light of this tragedy.

Much like his character’s catchphrase, the actor did “live long and prosper.” Way back in the '60s, Nimoy was teaching Method acting when he was cast in the original Star Trek series as Spock. He also appeared in Star Trek: The Animated Series and a couple of episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. In fact, his presence was felt throughout the entire franchise, including the original movies, the spin-offs and the current reboot. Nimoy last appeared as Spock in J.J. Abrams Star Trek Into Darkness, as the future version of Zachary Quinto’s version.

Nimoy released two autobiographies over the course of his career, one in 1977 called I Am Not Spock and the other in 1995 called I Am Spock. He wrote of his character in the latter,

However, Nimoy was more than just Spock. His passions extended far beyond the realm of the screen and into various creative genres, including photography, music and poetry. Nimoy studied photography at UCLA in ‘70s, and his work has been shown in various museums, art galleries and published works. For music, he released five albums released through Dot Productions: Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock’s Music From Outer Space, Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy, The Way I Fell, The Touch of Leonard Nimoy and The New World of Leonard Nimoy. And for poetry, he published several collections, such as You and I and Warmed By Love.He also narrated more than one hundred episodes of In Search Of, which was a fascinating and mentally stimulating series.

Nimoy is survived by his second wife Susan Bay, his son Adam, his daughter Julie, a stepson and grandchildren.

It would seem that William Shatner is finally in line to appear in Star Trek 3, as it has been reported that Roberto Orci has written a cameo for the original James Tiberius Kirk. The only question is whether or not Shatner will actually take it.

According to Badass Digest, the scene in question is the kind that Trekkies across the world will salivate and faint over, as it will reteam Shatner with Leonard Nimoy and the duo will get to portray Kirk and Spock for the first time since 1991’s Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Reporter David Faraci even declared that his potential "appearance is plot-driven and integral enough that it might just survive any future revisions."

Ever since JJ Abrams’ 2009 reboot of the sci-fi series, Shatner has made it his mission to inform everyone he comes into contact with that he pines to be a part of the franchise once again. Of course, Zachary Quinto’s Spock has come into contact with Leonard Nimoy’s original incarnation of the character in both Star Trek and its 2013 follow-up, Star Trek Into Darkness. This was made possible because the reboot’s story takes place in an alternate reality to the franchise’s previous film and television efforts, which allowed it to give reference to the original stories while also not abusing them.

However, despite Nimoy’s presence in both of Abrams’ films, Shatner has so far failed to materialize on-screen. One of the first drafts for 2009's Star Trek did actually feature Shatner in a cameo, however, it was ultimately cut from the film. Around the time of the first film’s release, screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman discussed the sequence, which would have come after Nimoy had failed to convince Quinto that Spock and Kirk actually become close friends. Kurtzman told MTV that Elder Spock then declared, "Well, don’t take my word for it,’ and handed him a little disc – a DVD, really – that projected a hologram, and then he walked away. And the hologram was of Kirk. It would’ve been Shatner."

This would have once again been an attempt by the writers to adhere to the Star Trek time-line that saw Kirk die in 1994’s Star Trek: Generations. Orci and Kurtzman noted that Spock would have been in Romulus working as an ambassador when Kirk died, and that the DVD "was essentially Kirk sending Spock a goodbye." Kurtzman also explained that it was basically a "happy birthday message" that saw Kirk declaring how much Spock meant to him and "how amazing it was that [they] had all these adventures together," all of which would have played out over the film’s final scenes.

After much toing and froing it was ultimately decided that the scene should be cut, a conclusion that left Shatner so incensed he later bad-mouthed director J.J. Abrams during interviews and avoided seeing the film at all. This bad-blood has since cooled significantly, as Shatner apologized for his remarks and once again began to insist he’d love to star in one of the films, while Roberto Orci, who will both write and direct Star Trek 3 had previously declared that he was "hoping to find a way" for Shatner to appear. And it would appear as though he’s done just that.

The Star Trek spirit is starting to rev up again. Fans have patiently waited four full years for a sequel to J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot, but now the time has almost come. Star Trek Into Darkness arrives in theaters on May 17, and we can probably expect a full on-slaught of marketing tie-ins and promotions - such as this new Audi commercial that pits old Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and against new Spock (Zachary Quinto) in a race against time... to get to the country club.

It's a funny, silly advertisement overall, but easily the best part is Nimoy performing a car stereo sing-a-long of "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins," the song he recorded back in the 1960s that tells the entire story of The Hobbit. If you haven't heard it before - whether you're a Star Trek or a Middle-Earth fan, or both or neither - it's a must listen. Check it out below.

Star Trek Into Darkness, meanwhile, still sits on the horizon. Scripted by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof, the film finds the world shocked after a devastating terrorist attack on Star Fleet. Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and the crew of the Enterprise go on the hunt for the man they believe to be responsible (Benedict Cumberbatch), but in the process the captain must decide how far he would go to protect the people he loves. Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Zoe Saldana and Bruce Greenwood reprise their roles from the last film, while new additions include Alice Eve and Peter Weller.

J.J. Abrams LOVES to keep his secrets and so far he's been pretty successful with his Star Trek sequel. Though a couple of set photos have been released, for the most part we actually know very little about the movie, its story, or its character development. Hell, we don't even know who Bennedict Cumberbatch is playing...right?

Spoiler Warning: Don't read any further if you don't wish to know detailed information about Star Trek 2.

Are we still all here? Well, according to Trek Movie the villain will, in fact, be Khan Noonien Singh. This isn't the first time that this rumor has been spread around, as late last year there was word that Abrams was looking at Benicio del Toro to play the character. Those talks died down when Cumberbatch was cast, however, the new report not only confirms that Khan will be the central antagonist, but says that the movie will not be copying "Space Seed," the episode from the original series that introduced Khan into the Star Trek universe.

But that's not the only big Star Trek news that Trek Movie has gotten their hands on. The fansite reports that Leonard Nimoy will be back to play Spock Prime in the sequel. Fans will remember that the Abrams' Star Trek film rebooted the franchise by starting in a different timeline that Spock Prime had also been thrown into. As for his return, the source has a Tweet from Nimoy reading, "I enjoy conversations with JJ Abrams and Zachary Quinto. Keeping up on their work. They are my friends, LLAP."

Lastly, unnamed sources close to the production have confirmed that Klingons will be playing a role in the film as well. The creatures were originally featured in Abrams' first Star Trek movie, but were eventually cut (you can find them in the deleted scenes on the Blu-ray). In the sequel they will have a larger role that will not be possible to cut out.

So what do you think? Do these new spoilers/rumors make you more or less excited to see the next J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie?

The cast of the original Star Trek series is the very definition of iconic. The cast may have suffered from type-casting, and few had particularly stellar post-Trek careers, but even most people who don't know the show can recognize the actors on sight, even if they can't name them. They're an indelible part of pop culture, just like Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher over in that other space franchise (sadly, none of them achieved the same stardom as Ford). However, according to a new tidbit of info from Trek actress Nichelle Nichols, the crew of the Enterprise might have looked a little different if she'd won the role she initially read for...Spock.

The revelation comes from an interview Nichols gave the Huffington Post about the new documentary Trek Nation (which was made by Gene Roddenberry son, Rod Roddenberry). Here's what Nichols had to say about her first interview and audition for Star Trek:

As The Mary Sue points out, this audition was likely before the character of Spock -- at least the version we know now -- really existed. Trek fans will recall that the show originally portrayed Spock as anything but emotionless, even grinning at one point. The template that became Spock was instead occupied by Number One, the Enterprise's first officer, played by Majel Barrett, who was at the time dating Gene Roddenberry. Number One was portrayed as emotionally chilly and intensely logical, attributes that were later shifted onto Spock when Number One got the axe, Majel became Nurse Chapel, and Leonard Nimoy as Spock got a promotion to First Officer.

So, perhaps Nichols was actually reading for the Number One role? Maybe Number One was officially named Spock at the time? We're diving deeper than my knowledge of Trek trivia reaches at this point. Either way, it's a fascinating little historical footnote. Just imagine how different Trek might have been if Spock was played not by Leonard Nimoy, but by Nichelle Nichols. Does that mean Nimoy would have played Uhura? Did he have the legs to rock a miniskirt back then?

Every member of the original Star Trek cast will probably be forever associated with those roles above any other, but few have been as closely associated with it as Leonard Nimoy, who became an American icon with his portrayal of the Vulcan Mr. Spock. Not only was Nimoy game for a major role in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek film that helped link the two film universes, but he's had a lot to say about his iconic pointy-eared status, even writing two differently titled memoirs, one called I Am Not Spock, the other I Am Spock.

But while Nimoy's enthusiasm for all things Trek may never fade, he is 80 years old, and there's only so much you can do at a certain point. He's already announced his retirement, claiming he won't return as Spock in the upcoming Star Trek sequel, and now he's stepped away from something maybe even more important-- Star Trek conventions. According to CBS News Nimoy attending his last Trek convention over the weekend in suburban Chicago, speaking to the crowd for about an hour and signing off with the Vulcan salute and, of course, "Live long and prosper."

Even though he won't be part of the conventions going forward, there are still thousands if not millions of Trek fans who can fondly remember Nimoy attending their conventions, and that counts for a whole lot. To remember the good old days, cheek out this video of Nimoy addressing the crowd at the Las Vegas Trek convention last year. You can tell he's not just a great storyteller and entertainer, but that he really is among his people. I've never even attended a Trek convention, but I think I'll probably miss him there too.