Leonard Nimoy On Growing Up In The West End, Keeping Spock's Ears And Losing His Boston Accent

Leonard Nimoy joined Margery Eagan and Jared Bowen on Boston Public Radio.

[@scot60]

I was a huge Trekkie back in the 70s and got to speak to Mr Nimoy and Mr Shatner at a convention. I was 13 and Mr Nimoy treated my question as if I was an adult. He called me an intelligent young lady. I’ll never forget it. RIP Mr Nimoy.

[@rhyfeddu]

I so regret not meeting him. 👏 Lucky you.

[@Catmom2004]

@@rhyfeddu I feel the same way but I ALWAYS felt he was a friend to me as I grew up feeling...alienated. Miss him so much!

[@jay-day]

only went to one trek convention - but nimoy and shatner weren't there.

[@6atlantis]

I’m from Boston and It warmed my heart to hear him say “I’m Spock from Star Trek”.

[@rickgureghian9901]

As a born-and-bred Bostonian I was privileged to meet Leonard Nimoy several times. He was a class act, a kind and thoughtful human being. As a people, we are lesser when we lose someone like Leonard Nimoy. As he said "Spahk from Stah-trek!"

[@3.2Carrera]

RIP and LLAP Mr. Nimoy. You've made a huge impact in my life.

[@airdocs3595]

Vince, he had an effect on alot of us. For me that character made my interest in science easier in a very blue collar town.

[@Catmom2004]

Same here! What a GIFT he was to the world.

[@TheAuntieBa]

Excellent interview. You clearly engaged Leonard Nimoy's interest and brought out his intelligence, humor and humanity, as well as some stories I had not heard. Thanks so much for posting this; there is no way we will ever get enough of this wonderful human being.

[@theresaakins2317]

I agree, great questions and loved hearing about his childhood.

[@renatacantore-gross8842]

Leonard Nimoy was a Great Gift to the world.

[@kingskidpicaa3059]

*is and forever will be

[@Apollocreed2076]

It's easy to forget that someone like Leonard Nimoy was a real person, lived a regular life and had real-life struggles before he became famous.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

So sad to hear him struggling to breath here. He had stopped smoking many years earlier but it had already done its damage and COPD would ultimately take his life. A great person we will all miss.

[@alan30189]

Unfortunately, Shattner has the same affliction.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@alan30189 really? I didn't know Shatner ever smoked, though that was the norm back in the sixties.

[@Catmom2004]

@@JustWasted3HoursHere Shatner quit in the '60's when his daughters said they didn't like kissing him because he smelled like smoke.

[@davidgarris2513]

You realize he was 84

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@davidgarris2513 My mom is 85 and she doesn't struggle to breath.

[@rhyfeddu]

It's funny how often Ms. Eagan used the word "fascinating", seemingly unaware of the association - and how poker faced Mr. Nimoy was about it. ☺️ Great interview.

[@katherine1304]

so many actors get tired of their most famous role. it’s so good to know he never stopped caring so deeply for spock. makes you feel better about finding the character important to you as a fan

[@sureshmukhi2316]

He did for a while. That's why he wanted Spock to "die" in The Wrath of Khan. However the test audience didn't accept it so they had to insert the "remember" scene to give a hint that he might be back.

[@captainsensiblejr.]

Absolutely stunning to listen to Leonard Mimoy talk about his child hood, teenage years, his acting career and art. In about 1970, Star Trek came toy country and Spock be ame my idol. My father was an absolute rage-aholic, bitter, resentful,disappointed divorcee farmer whose wife ran off withhis best friend, leaving him to raise four girls and me, the only boy. I decided to try to live intelligently and logically to not be like my father. I was serious and became deep thinker. Thank you Leonard for being my role model. It saved life.

[@stevenmullens511]

Thank you MR. Spock . I was a learning disable kid who did not fit in and watching star trek Mr. Spock helped me be the man I am God bless your family. 👮‍♂️

[@ransom182]

We miss you dearly Leonard. Your legacy will live on.

[@colinfarren8326]

RIP Leonard and Jimmie Doohan and De Forest Kelly

[@Barnabas45]

I love those guys!

[@Number6_]

Not having a Boston accent helped him tremendously. It was the flat nonaccented voice that made him believable in so many roles not just Spock.

[@reybarreto7979]

He was a photographer, director, actor, but I didn't know he was a Bostonian. (Now I want to see the documentary he and his son made about Boston.) But above all, Leonard Nimoy was the heart and soul of a character that resonates with anyone struggling with inner conflicts, which is the dramatic essence of who Spock was and what gave Star Trek its psychological depth and complexity and why I love it so much.

[@lionheartroar3104]

God bless Leonard Nimoy for inspiring so many people through his role in Star Trek and all the programs he narrated for PBS.

[@wills2140]

People seem to have forgotten his work narrating so many different things.

[@neilfoster814]

People tend to forget that Leonard played a lot of cowboy parts before Star Trek. He was nothing short of a legend. RIP Mr Nimoy, LLAP. 🖖

[@mirfir]

My fave! I love Leonard Nimoy! May his memory be a blessing.

[@carolwilson1681]

God Bless you Leonard Nimoy, we all loved you and enjoyed all of the movies especially Star Trek. Without you Star Trek would have been not as interesting. May God lead you to the Best of the Best mansion of his to enjoy your eternity. Rip, Spock.

[@Jeremiah7-ox2nj]

As a teen growing up in the 70s, I was a devoted fan of the television series, In Search Of. Leonard Nimoy was the host and narrator of the show and helped make it always fascinating.

[@jcortese3300]

A charming, pleasant, insightful, disarming guy. One of kind, definitely. :-)

[@danielbrooks5585]

Leornard Nimoy is such a national treasure. outstanding human being!!!! Thank you for being you. the world is a lesser place without you.

[@jordansullivan5764]

What a fantastic interview. I wish I could have known him in person. Spock was such an inspiration for me growing up and actually a large part of my decision to become a physicist. I love that Leonard Nimoy took the character so much to heart and to the end was proud of his involvement with Star Trek. You are in so many hearts.

[@totesme14]

I like that they mostly asked him questions that weren’t about Star Trek. I feel like when you get known for a role, all you do for the rest of your life is get asked about it.

[@AvengerII]

Leonard Nimoy played an alien science officer on screen, his older brother, Melvin, was a science teacher and never lost his Boston accent!

[@donnacastel3568]

Love the way he was so open. Admire his talent & admire the way he is as a man.

[@sdunn9007]

What a great interview. More about Leonard Nimoy and less about Spock than I have seen before. Well done.

[@Souplesse000]

What a great interview the hosts are wonderful.

[@subcommandertal7450]

I’ve watched this interview so many times, I always find it interesting and even moving.

[@powerboatguy2308]

It amazing some journeys people take to end up where they do. Leonard grew up in Boston in an immigrant working class family, while Deforest Kelly grew up as the son of a traveling Baptist preacher in Georgia and Shatner grew up the child of a textile family I Canada, 3 completely different childhood, but they struck fame together.

[@bumblebeemoi]

It seems that most like him for being Spock. I LOVE his stories of growing up in the West End as I lived in Boston later on. I also enjoy his various roles in TV shows. as well as movies.

[@kathrynbellerose3925]

From a West End of Boston Girl May you’re soul Rest in eternal peace.

[@meddem1744]

Hows life in West End of Boston?

[@ubiratancardoso5923]

You brought great moments into my chilhood that stand with me today. Thank you so much. Live long and prosper in a beautiful place.

[@Muxxyy]

He turned up with half an eyebrow and Spock's haircut...sheer class!

[@suckmysilencer747]

really well done interview, It's a nice change for interviews to show interest in Leonard's life outside of Star Trek

[@yikesyikes4591]

I agree with you, finally . . . . learning something about Mr. Nimoy, outside of science fiction.

[@ronstarkronstark500]

Leonard was a kind person. He loved people and he was a great giver. Yes, I worked with him on a project.

[@ecotrekker8184]

One of the things that impressed me from his interviews was the interest in people, both in general and as individuals, he showed.

[@kevinhealey6540]

When he was on Star Trek, him and his character took over the show. When the TV show started up, Nimoy stated receiving mail, not only more than any of the other actors, but more mail than all of them all put together. Nimoy was highly astonished about it and he did his best to personally write back to everyone who wrote to him, but eventually that became impossible. I remember in 1968 he made a personal appearance on Staten Island at a major Maul. And people lined up to get his autograph. One of the reasons he did that was because, when he was a small child he tried to get Danny Kaye's autograph after Kaye made an appearance at a theater. One of Kaye's body guards told him "Get lost kid." He swore at that moment that if he ever became famous, he'd would give anyone and everyone who asked him for his autograph. But even that eventually got to be impossible. His father was a barber and when the show started up boys would come to his father and tell him, "Give me a hair cut like Mr. Spock.", not realizing he was Leonard Nimoy's father.

[@CaptainGrimsdale]

This is a great interview from a great American actor, director, poet and legend.

[@Miserybahamut]

I very much appreciate you all for sharing this.

[@lisekartakmcdonald]

Mr Leonard Nimoy, Hero to a Generation

[@mb8kr]

I bought a magazine that told his life story which I treasured.

[@mousearebec]

Great interviewers........ certainly show us the brilliance......BRILLIANCE,,,,,,of Mr Nimoy that most of us were unaware of. His stories and windows in to his experiences are just fascinating......... and appreciated.

[@christopherwood2290]

He was Spock for 44 years amazing.

[@vanmoody]

Or as Spock would say, "Fascinating".

[@christopherwood2290]

@@vanmoody Yup, I remember my dad watching Star Trek around 67/68 and I watched it in the mid 70's as a teenager.

[@vanmoody]

@@christopherwood2290 I was like you in that I was too young to really enjoy the show, but when the reruns came out in syndication, then I remember watching Star Trek every day.

[@Catmom2004]

@@vanmoody Same here! I memorized the scripts, I watched the episodes so much.

[@knightwatchman]

From one West Ender to another ... we miss you Leonard. You were our favorite son of the W E.

[@Astro_War]

Stop smoking people. Stop now. Life is enough. Leonard stopped 30 years earlier and smoking still affected him very seriously in later life.

[@lohphat]

Steve Powell Preach. My sister and I had to take our mom off the ventilator and listen to her drown as her congestive heart failure took her 20 years too early. 40+ years of smoking will do that.

[@yannschonfeld5847]

Vous me manquerez jusqu'à la fin de ma vie, Léonard. Merci pour le téléchargement.

[@mb8kr]

Heureusement nous avions la télé à cette époque en Afrique, si j'avais rate toutes ces épisodes de star trek? Spock m'a hanté.

[@Deadbuck73]

Great interview for sure! You folks do great work. Love how Margery keeps saying fascinating to Mr Nimoy. I’ve never gotten to know him personally but he seems like a great guy. Such a legend!

[@colinfarren8326]

He starred in practically everything! The man is a legend. Mission Impossible etc

[@angryalanrants9574]

Columbo.

[@EmilBlueMan]

One of the best actors and human beings we ever seen. 😃

[@davidkirinic9463]

Hrvati svuda haha

[@jewelspartaland7144]

Thanks for making and sharing this!!!

[@talltanbarbie5136]

I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Nimoy around this time when he was in the Chicago area to narrate "The Planets" by Gustav Holst.

[@richardbennett6237]

Love this. Thanks for posting. Best interview with Leonard Nimoy I've ever seen ...

[@raphaelrau1728]

Leonard Nimoy was a fantastic actor and icon of the 20th century! RIP great man.

[@lohphat]

Thank you YT algorithm for popping this into my recommended. It’s a gem.

[@mikes6970]

Isnt it .. its great .. shit its makes me feel old too ... gunsmoke ... my favourite ..

[@lukepate8749]

Amazing interview,thank you,ive subscribed.RIP Mr Spock. :)

[@RoadWarrior-lo9vt]

Why!?.. why when interviewers brought up this man's awesome body of work, did they never mention "In Search Of"? I grew up watching that show. I was already a Star Trek fan at that point. I knew who Leonard Nimoy was. He made that show so riveting! P.s And Spooky!

[@mb8kr]

I loved star trek because of him, with due respect to Chetner and other crewmembers.

[@larrymacdonald4241]

I dont think I'd be alive today if not for this man and the character he created....how he helped me deal with a childhood trauma... remove the emotions and look at things logically, drives my wife nuts to this day, look at the root cause, the effect of that cause and then find a solution but I think what he taught me the most, was to find value in one's self. Very much like him, I grew up on the outside looking in, I was born Native in Canada and while many do not know what happened to the Natives in Canada, the " Residential Schools ", the abuse's of both Church and Government are horrific, over 50,000 dead children, rape, murder, torture, abuse, cultural extermination... As we all know, shit runs downhill, needless to say, after those " Schools " my Grandmother did not have the best " parenting skills ", neither did my mother.... beaten, abused, taken away at 3, adopted at 5, foster home at 7, adopted again at 8 ( illegally ), Juvy Detention at 10 years old, even had my 11th birthday in DT...... Needless to say for me but most of the guys I grew up with in group homes and foster homes ended up in Jail, addicted to drugs, alcohol etc.... But this man, the character he created, gave me the skills to deal with the emotional trauma, to see the cause and effect, to stop blaming myself and to stop asking what was wrong with me, why did nobody wanted me.... to see that I had value despite what I had been told most of my life, that I had to learn to find that value within myself and not seek it from others. Because in the end, the only opinion of me that really matters, is my own.... No one ever has to face tomorrow, but I am the one who has to face me....

[@mb8kr]

😯I'm jaw dropped by your story sir. Respect.

[@Catmom2004]

He helped me deal with my childhood issues of alienation as well. I consider him a dear friend although I was never lucky enough to meet him. RIP His memory IS truly a blessing.

[@MrAndroidData]

loved it when he smiled and laughed

[@hotjapanrockbandsyes2961]

Miss this great actor! Live long and prosper, an influence in my life

[@youngimages2000]

Mr Nimoy spoke at the gym at my college sort of out of nowhere. He wasn’t promoting anything that I can remember or cause or about the school, it was just sort of there he was, no big announcement, just there, was really unassuming, liked him ever since then

[@Allegra11]

Wonderful interview with a wonderful man. RIP Sir X

[@paulpolpiboon9535]

@8:01 "I played Indians" That was one of his best roles, the performance had a wise and noble trait of a mentally formidable Indian. Almost a precursor to Spock really, I really enjoyed it

[@mikeclifford8360]

I love public radio. They have the best interviews because they don't ask the same questions over and over and they do seem interested with who they are interviewing. Late night TV talk show hosts could take a few pointers.

[@bumblebeemoi]

Note at 4:16 he pronounces Peabody House as "Pea Body" (accent on "body). and then a few seconds later slips back into the proper Boston "peabuddy", with the accent on "pea".

[@Mikevdog]

Neva betta!

[@tayzer22]

Love this man. Great interview.

[@user-yq3hk3hs3z]

Leonard Nimoy...smart,simple...My favorite character and actor in Star Trek

[@fredferd965]

Leonard Nimoy gave a wonderful performance on Star Trek, but this is the Leonard Nimoy I wish we all knew. He had so much to say.

[@davidlape8900]

You taught us to be more human. Rest in peace dear soul.

[@kenanacampora6648]

Sensors indicate a highly logical man. RIP Spock. 🖖🚀

[@wills2140]

( 2:15 ) Mr Nimoy points out something I take for granted, being able "to go home again". I am from the North side of Chicago and my apartment building was put up across the street from the lakefront park, so that part of my neighborhood has been anchored to something. The main buildings having been the result of a small building boom through the 1930's, and again a smaller boom starting in the mid 1960's till the early recession era 1970's. Though "gentrification" has steadily come all around where I grew up, the major apartment buildings and neighborhood landmarks had earlier been built big and strong enough to be worth remodeling, instead of replacing. I have been back several times over the years, and even the small changes seem big to me now. ( 4:16 ) Wow! Did not know Mr Nimoy got his start at a "community center" type charity organisation, The Elizabeth Peabody House in Boston. When I was in elementary school we had something similar in Chicago : Hull House. Wish there were more places like these where children could learn and explore outside of "school", these days. Great interview, Thank you WGBH ! r. i. p. Mr Leonard Nimoy - may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him. ☺

[@andrewdavis7399]

Met him in a shoe factory in Marlboro Mass, he was there to visit his uncle.

[@lsb2623]

I lived in Marlborough for 20 years.

[@andrewdavis7399]

Marlboro Footwear

[@andrewwilliams9599]

Really excellent and thoughtful interview with Mr. Nimoy. But I couldn't help but notice how many times one of the interviewers used the word 'fascinating.'

[@euphorik6]

often imitated, never replaced. RIP. sir.

[@scottlangdon9403]

Thank you.

[@MrAndroidData]

wonderful brilliant voice, i hope mine will be as rich, deep and meaningful as his was

[@zebunker]

If you smoke alot you get same voice

[@Dejawhom]

What a remarkable gentleman ❤

[@busterbiloxi3833]

Great guy. Live long and prosper!

[@DepressoSquad]

Rest well Leonard Nimoy :´)

[@ThePsycotrip]

what sony headphones are those?

[@MEMORIA1316]

Love. Such an interesting man. Beautiful smile. Rest In Peace.

[@DonaldGerbino]

Smoking does too much damage

[@jaykay6387]

Yes, it does. My dad passed away at the same age from COPD mostly as a result of 30 years of heavy smoking. I suppose one can argue that alcohol or drugs are worse, but I believe smoking can eventually kill you in more ways, just does so much damage to almost every part of your body.

[@PutItAway101]

Always an interesting interview

[@garyproffitt5941]

2:40 > fast forward > The Star Trekkie fans with expert knowledge and very intelligent Leonard Nimoy because long time ago with growing up the Boston Massachusetts West End stories. Here you are my Daughter( Leonard Nimroy ) Julie Ellen Nimoy (born March 21, 1955) is an American film producer and director. Nimoy is the daughter of actors Leonard Nimoy and Sandra Zober. Early life Julie Nimoy was born in Atlanta while her father was stationed at Fort McPherson and grew up near Century City and in Westwood. She attended University High School. Nimoy shared in her father's interests, including flying and photography. She took flying lessons in order to back him up in his single-engine Piper and learned to work in his home darkroom. She would also travel with her father while he was working and would eventually work behind the scenes on some of his productions, including his one-man show, Vincent and In Search of.... Nimoy attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and graduated with a degree in fine arts. Here you are my 2nd Son ( Leonard Nimroy ) Adam B. Nimoy (born August 9, 1956) is an American television director. Nimoy is the son of actors Leonard Nimoy and Sandra Zober. Early life Adam Nimoy was born in Los Angeles, California, to actor Leonard Nimoy and actress Sandra Zober. He has an older sister, Julie. Aaron Bay-Schuck is Nimoy's stepbrother. Nimoy obtained his Bachelor of Science at University of California, Berkeley, and his juris doctor at Loyola Law School. Career Adam Nimoy began his work in the entertainment industry as an attorney in entertainment law, specializing in music and music publishing. According to lead singer Kurt Harland, Adam was instrumental in clearing the many Star Trek samples used on Information Society's self-titled debut record, such as the "Pure energy!" snippet used in the number-three US hit "What's On Your Mind? (Pure Energy)". He was a business-affairs executive for EMI America Records and Enigma Records before becoming a TV director. His credits include episodes of NYPD Blue, Nash Bridges, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Gilmore Girls, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Babylon 5, The Outer Limits, for which he directed his father in the episode "I, Robot", and Sliders. Rest in Peace fantastic Leonard Nimoy ✔

[@manueldeabreu1980]

When the Museum of Science in Boston opened the Mugar Omni Theater they had Leonard Nimoy do the opening video narration.

[@6atlantis]

Does anyone have the link for the show he did with his son in Boston on wgbh?

[@alandoane9168]

I saw it once and it was beautiful and moving. Wish it was streaming now.

[@No8549]

A real artist!

[@jamesgrimm611]

Inspiring man with a real human history.

[@whiteribbonman1]

On such a wonderful interview it is shocking, absolutely shocking, disappointing even, that anyone would give it a thumbs down.

[@alandoane9168]

Klingons.

[@Catmom2004]

@@alandoane9168 Thanks for the laugh!

[@robertgolden1080]

Man the world lost a great and iconic actor. I am a Star Trek fan, the original series, next gen and all the others. Best series ever Lenonard Nimoy will always be Spock to me. However the man as an actor, he could always pull of his characters that he was playing. My jaw dropped when I heard of his passing. Like most of his fans there is a part of us that is missing part of us now.

[@paulsontag9233]

He was tremendous in the very trippy “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” remake 1978.

[@lookoutforchris]

I left a comment about my admiration for Mr. Nimoy but KZbin constantly censors it. I've tried 3 times to post it.

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

Loved watching Spock on Mission Impossible.

[@hangerbird]

What documentary are they referring to?

[@alandoane9168]

Leonard Nimoy's Boston, directed by Adam Nimoy. They mention it right at the beginning.

[@ricestrada5556]

Great Man. Great legacy.

[@phillipleconte3715]

beautiful voice

[@kelli217]

I confess that I was jarred by every time that Margery Eagan used his first _and_ last name. But after a bit of consideration I realized that it was probably one of the better solutions to not being so excessively formal as to say "Mr. Nimoy" while not being so excessively familiar as to say "Leonard."

[@whiteribbonman1]

+Kelli Halliburton That is a radio studio. I suspect that his first / last name was used to let any new listeners know which Nimoy was being interviewed.

[@kelli217]

@@whiteribbonman1 The repeated references to WGBH Boston were a dead giveaway on it being a radio studio, but thanks for explaining it to me.

[@larrywong3229]

Good interview! Too bad the camera focused on the microphone.

[@jamesburns2145]

My dad took me to San Francisco to see his old house and it was a bridge pier.

[@stevend.harrington5017]

Fascinating....!

[@issacmatthews934]

🖖Live Long and Prosper😢