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Leonard Nimoy Remembered By Zachary Quinto On The First Anniversary Of His Death

By Niki Cruz
Published on: 08:09 PST, Feb 25, 2016

It’s been a year since Leonard Nimoy passed away from his battle with COPD. Now, a year later, and his co-star, Zachary Quinto, has opened up about working with the man who he called his mentor.

As many know, Quinto became Spock for the newest set of Star Trek films, taking the place of Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the character for decades before Quinto starred in the role. Even then, Nimoy’s Spock was included in the new series as the older version to Quinto’s younger version.

Zachary Quinto was asked about working with Leonard Nimoy on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

“I’ve never met somebody actually who so fully embodied a sense of fulfillment in their life.”

Quinto continued: “I really haven’t. He was such a tremendous artist and philanthropist and generous person and so intelligent. I miss him all the time. I really miss him so much at this point, obviously, marking the anniversary of his passing.”

“He was one of the greatest gifts that my career has brought into my personal life, for sure.”

After Leonard Nimoy passed, Quinto paid tribute a week later. To remember his friend and “father figure,” he wrote a piece in Time magazine.

“I lost my own father when I was very young, so to have this man come into my life and resonate so many qualities to which I aspire, and be such an example of dignity and grace and fulfillment — that was the part of it that so far exceeded any expectations I could have had. And that is the part of me that feels the greatest sense of loss at his death.”

In the essay, Quinto also recounted the last time he saw his friend alive. It was about a month and a half before the actor’s unfortunate passing. He described Nimoy’s appearance as frail and less mobile, but even though he was struggling health wise, Quinto noted that his spirit never failed as he was as “vibrant and vital as ever.” When he left, Quinto wondered to himself if it would be the last time he saw his friend, and unfortunately, his kernel of a thought turned out to be true.

That said, Zachary Quinto still keeps in contact with Nimoy’s family. Recently, Nimoy’s wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, came to a performance of Quinto’s in the off-Broadway play, called Smokefall. “She came from L.A. to be there with us. She’s as much a part of my life as he was.”

Nimoy’s last tweet was appropriate.

Although Nimoy has died, the character of Spock will live on in both versions. Coming up, Quinto will play Spock for the third time in the next installment of the Star Trek series. The film is currently titled Star Trek Beyond, which will come out in July.

The cast and crew of the new Star Trek series have kept Nimoy’s spirit alive and well. Last year, some of the cast members filmed a short video Star Trek: To Boldly Go charity fundraising initiative via Omaze. The video supports nine charities, including one that was close to Nimoy’s heart, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which was nominated by Nimoy’s wife. The fan who won was the very first fan to ever have a walk on role in a Star Trek film.

Leonard Nimoy died on February 27, 2015.

[Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images]

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