Leonard Nimoy retires from acting...

[sheldor]

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/leonard-nimoy-to-retire-from-acting_1139779

Leonard Nimoy is to retire from acting.

The 79-year-old star - who is most famous for the role of Spock in the 'Star Trek' TV show and movies - says he will not appear in the next 'Star Trek' movie and will take a back seat so Zachary Quinto, who took over the character in 2009, can continue in the role. He said: "I've been doing this professionally for 60 years. I love the idea of going out on a positive note. I've had a great, great time.  "I want to get off the stage. Also, I don't think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto. He's a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it's time to give him some space. And I'm very flattered the character will continue."  Despite his retirement from acting, Nimoy admits he is grateful he got to revive the role of the Vulcan first officer in 'Star Trek'.  He told the Toronto Sun newspaper: "Since JJ Abrams revived the 'Star Trek' franchise, I felt I owed him something. And I'm glad I did it because he promised me a good story, and it was."  Recently Zachary promised he would attempt to get Nimoy to come back to the sequel to the movie. 

He said: "I think I might have to ask him this time. Every time JJ calls I pick up in a heartbeat. I assure you that. And when it's to tell me to come to work I'll be there."

[Meds]

Go out on a high that's what I say :) hoorah for Mr Nimoy.

[Rico]

Yeah - he retired officially several years ago too.  I wonder if this means no more guest spots on "Fringe?"  I still think we might see him pop up in the next Trek film.

[jedijeff]

I think this might have been the original Article that was referenced in the other.

http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/2010/04/19/13639376.html

Just when he thinks he's out, they beam him back in.

How else to describe Leonard Nimoy's enduring, at times conflicted relationship with Star Trek, the franchise that's defined his career for more than four decades — regardless of how many times he swore it off or believed it was finished?

"Countless times, I thought it was done," he admits on the phone from Los Angeles.

But this time, says the 79-year-old actor-director-photographer, there are no more possibilities. Spock, his pointy-eared alter-ego, will live long and prosper. But it will be without Nimoy.

"I want to get off the stage. Also, I don't think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto," he says, referring to the actor who portrayed a youthful Spock in last summer's smash Star Trek relaunch. "He's a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it's time to give him some space. And I'm very flattered the character will continue."

In other words, don't expect to see Nimoy in the next Trek sequel, scheduled for 2012. And don't expect to see him anywhere else, either. Having just shot what will be his final appearance as enigmatic genius Dr. William Bell in TV's Fringe, he says he's retiring from acting altogether.
   

"I've been doing this professionally for 60 years," he says with a laugh. "I love the idea of going out on a positive note. I've had a great, great time."

After all, his involvement with Fringe was never intended to be permanent. Rather, he'd only agreed to appear in a few episodes as a favour to J.J. Abrams, who produces Fringe and, of course, directed Star Trek.

"I was away from acting for 12 years, so I guess I was seducable," Nimoy says. "But since J.J. Abrams revived the Star Trek franchise, I felt I owed him something. And I'm glad I did it because he promised me a good story, and it was."

Also in question? How many more science-fiction conventions he has in his future. He'll be at this weekend's Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo which "could be the last go-round for that too," he says, noting he only has a few more public appearances planned.

Not that he doesn't enjoy them. He describes each one as "a love fest. I'm so grateful to the fans. I call these kind of experiences a victory lap ... It's like having a family meeting — a family reunion."

That goodwill mirrors how his own emotions about Trek have mellowed. Famously, his 1975 autobiography was entitled I Am Not Spock. By 1995, when he published his second autobiography, the title had been modified to I Am Spock.

He explains he made peace with the iconic series during the 1980s and particularly with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, which he directed. "I felt like Star Trek IV was my personal statement on Star Trek."

Now, typecasting be damned, he feels no regrets about donning the ears that made him famous. "Since Star Trek began in 1966, I've never had to worry about where the next job was."

Rather, with his acting and filmmaking career behind him, he wants to concentrate on photography, citing an exhibition he has coming up in Massachusetts. He acknowledges he was met with skepticism initially about this latest creative venture, "but I've built credibility now in the art world."

And among the general population, too. He recalls an incident in which he and Tom Hanks were approached by a young man who wanted his picture taken with Hanks. When Hanks asked who would take the photo, the man turned to the now former Mr. Spock.

"He said, 'Mr. Nimoy, you're a wonderful photographer. Would you take our picture?' "

[Ktrek]

In the JJverse Star Trek movie he was looking a little long in the tooth. He can't go on indefinitely.

Kevin