Best known as the actor who played Mr. Spock on the original “Star Trek” (1966-1969), Leonard Nimoy has had a long and varied career. Nimoy began his career by making minor film and TV appearances throughout the 1950s, as well as playing the title role in the 1952 movie, “Kid Monk Baroni.” Nimoy also played the alien Narab in the 1952 TV series “Zombies of the Stratosphere,” foreshadowing his later portrayal of Mr. Spock.

Nimoy continued to play bit parts throughout the 1950s and 1960s, starring in TV shows such as “Gunsmoke,” “Dragnet” and “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” where he played opposite later “Star Trek” costar William Shatner. Nimoy’s first appearance as Mr. Spock came in 1965, during “The Cage,” the rejected pilot for “Star Trek.” He would continue to play Mr. Spock all through “Star Trek’s” original run, for which he earned three Emmys. In addition to his work on the original series, Nimoy reprised the role for “Star Trek: The Animated Series,” as well as two episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” He would also play Mr. Spock on the first six “Star Trek” movies, two of which he directed.

After his work on the original “Star Trek,” Nimoy joined the cast of “Mission Impossible” for seasons four and five as “The Great Paris” a makeup artist and ex-magician. While Nimoy had been strongly considered for one of the initial cast members of “Mission Impossible,” he stayed on as Mr. Spock in “Star Trek” through its duration, instead joining “Mission Impossible” from 1969 to 1971, to replace Martin Landau.

From 1977 to 1982, Nimoy hosted and narrated “In Search Of,” a television series that investigated supposedly paranormal events or subjects. In 1984 he directed his first film, “Star Trek III: The Search For Spock.” Nimoy would go on to direct the fourth “Star Trek” film, “The Voyage Home,” in 1986. In 1987, he directed the film “Three Men and a Baby.” Throughout the 1990s, Nimoy did everything from voice work to leading roles. In 1991, he narrated “Haunted Lives: True Ghost Stories” on CBS. In 1994, he voiced the character Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in “The Pagemaster.” From 1994 to 1997, Nimoy narrated the series “Ancient Mysteries” on A&E. In 1999, he reprised the voice of Mr. Spock for the pilot episode of the animated comedy “Futurama.”

In 2003, Nimoy retired from acting, but nonetheless appeared in several Priceline commercials with “Star Trek” costar William Shatner, as well as a commercial for the arthritis pain medication Aleve, which aired during the 2006 Super Bowl. Nimoy reprised his role as Mr. Spock for the 2009 “Star Trek” reboot, playing an older version of the character alongside Zachary Quinto’s younger version.

April of 2010 saw Nimoy retire from playing Spock, citing a desire to give Quinto full media attention with the Spock character as well as his advanced age. In Feb of 2014, Nimoy revealed that he had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a result of a smoking habit, which he had given up 30 years earlier. On Feb 19, 2015, Nimoy was rushed to UCLA Medical Center for chest pain. Nimoy died in his Bel Air home on February 27, 2015, from complications relating to COPD. He was 83.

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