Leonard Nimoy Memorial Could be Coming to Boston
A Leonard Nimoy Memorial statue that has been in concept-stage for years is inching ever closer to reality. Leonard Nimoy, the actor best known for his role as Mr. Spock…
(Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
A Leonard Nimoy Memorial statue that has been in concept-stage for years is inching ever closer to reality.
Leonard Nimoy, the actor best known for his role as Mr. Spock in the Star Trek franchise, is a Boston native. He was born in 1931 and grew up in Boston's West End. His father owned a barbershop in Mattapan, and a young Nimoy sold newspapers as a teenager before leaving Boston for eventual fame and fortune in Hollywood. The actor passed away in 2015 at the age of 83.
Not long after the actor's passing, Boston-based artist Tom Stocker had the idea of creating a memorial to Nimoy. While not a huge Star Trek fan himself, Stocker saw in Nimoy a kindred spirit: someone with a similar background and similar Boston upbringing. He and sculptor David Phillips have collaborated on the concept of a memorial statue that would honor Leonard Nimoy's local roots.
Leonard Nimoy Memorial Could be Coming to Boston
The memorial will also pay homage to Nimoy's most famous role. As reported on WCVB's Chronicle, the statue will be of the actor's hand making the "live long and prosper" sign make famous by his Star Trek character Mr. Spock. They'd like to see it stand 20 feet high. And since there's little left of the West End neighborhood as Nimoy knew it, another collaborator has stepped in to offer a home.
The Museum of Science has signed on to the project: Live Long and Prosper, a Special Tribute to Leonard Nimoy. The Museum plans to display the memorial at Science Park once it's completed. The project is about 60% to goal. You can learn more about it here, and make a donation if you feel moved to do so. To paraphrase Mr. Spock himself, making a donation would be the logical thing to do, Captain.
Celebrating Boston-born Legend Leonard Nimoy
Acting great Leonard Nimoy was born in Boston's West End on March 26, 1931. Before departing Boston for D.C., Mayor Marty Walsh declared March 26, 2021 Leonard Nimoy Day.
Smouldering Vulcan
US actor, producer and director Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock from the TV series 'Star Trek'. (Photo by Bertil Unger/Getty Images)
The Nimoys
1971: US actor, producer and director Leonard Nimoy and his wife Sandy. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Body Snatchers
circa 1975: US actress Brooke Adams, US actor Leonard Nimoy (left) and Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, stars of the 1970's remake of the 1950's film 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers'. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
For I Am Vulcan
US actor Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock from the film 'Star Trek - The Motion Picture', 1979. (Photo by Bertil Unger/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
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371862 03: Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock in the television series, "Star Trek."
Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock in the television series, "Star Trek."
Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock in the television series, "Star Trek."
11/4/97 Westwood, CA. Leonard Nimoy at Borders Bookstore for the signing of "The Lost World (A Multi
11/4/97 Westwood, CA. Leonard Nimoy at Borders Bookstore for the signing of "The Lost World (A Multi-Voice Dramatization from Alien Voices).
2/19/98 Beverly Hills, CA. Leonard Nimoy and wife at the 1998 American Film Institute Life Achieveme
2/19/98 Beverly Hills, CA. Leonard Nimoy and wife at the 1998 American Film Institute Life Achievement Award Salute to Robert Wise.
William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy
402385 02: (L-R) Actors Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner appear at a public signing of the recently released DVD/VHS of "Mind Meld: Secrets behind the voyage of a Lifetime" March 17, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. The DVD/VHS examines the impact of the Star Trek experience on the actors involved and on popular culture in the United States. (Photo by J. Emilio Flores/Getty Images)
William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy
402385 03: (L-R) Actors Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner appear at a public signing of the recently released DVD/VHS of "Mind Meld: Secrets behind the voyage of a Lifetime" March 17, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. The DVD/VHS examines the impact of the Star Trek experience on the actors involved and on popular culture in the United States. (Photo by J. Emilio Flores/Getty Images)
Leonard Nimoy Photography Exhibition
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Leonard Nimoy presents his photography exhibition and his book "Shekhina" at the Skirball Cultural Center on September 25,2002 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
Leonard Nimoy Shekhina Booksigning
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 8: Actor Leonard Nimoy poses with his new book during a booksigning of his first photography collection, "Shekhina," on October 8, 2002 at Book Soup in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
TV Land Awards 2003
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 2: (L to R) Actors Nichelle Nichols, William Shatner, James Doohan and Leonard Nimoy pose during the TV Land Awards 2003 at the Hollywood Palladium on March 2, 2003 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
TV Land Awards 2003
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 2: (L to R) Actors James Doohan, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy accept their Pop Culture Award for "Star Trek" during the TV Land Awards 2003 at the Hollywood Palladium on March 2, 2003 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
International Photographer Awards
LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 7: Actor Leonard Nimoy speaks on stage as he presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson at The 2003 International Photographer Awards held on December 7, 2003 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ringo H.W. Chiu/Getty Images)
7th Annual Express Yourself chairty event
BEL AIR, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Actor Leonard Nimoy and wife Susan Nimoy pose with Julia Sorkin president of P.S Arts at the 7th Annual Express Yourself chairty event in celebration of the new partnership between P.S Arts and Americans for the Arts on September 27, 2004 in Bel Air, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
7th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards - Portraits
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Actor Leonard Nimoy prepares to go on stage backstage during the 7th Annual Costume Guild Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel February 19, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images for Costume Designer Guild)
2005 TV Land Awards - Show
SANTA MONICA, CA - MARCH 13: Actors William Shatner (L) and Leonard Nimoy present the award for "King of Zing / Queen of Quip" on stage at the 2005 TV Land Awards at Barker Hangar on March 13, 2005 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Star Trek's 40th Anniversary On TV Land
LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 9: Actors Leonard Nimoy (L) and William Shatner (R) promote the "Star Trek" 40th Anniversary on the TV Land network at the Four Seasons hotel August 9, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. Episodes of the show will air September 8. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Star Trek's 40th Anniversary On TV Land
LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 9: Actor Leonard Nimoy promotes the "Star Trek" 40th Anniversary on the TV Land network at the Four Seasons hotel August 9, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. Episodes of the show will air September 8. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Leonard Nimoy Appearance at Licensing International Expo 2008
NEW YORK - JUNE 10: Leonard Nimoy attends the Licensing International Expo at Javits Center June 10, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images for CBS Consumer Products)
Premiere Of Paramount's "Star Trek" - Arrivals
HOLLYWOOD - APRIL 30: Actor Leonard Nimoy arrives on the red carpet of the Los Angeles premiere of "Star Trek" at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre on April 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Walter Koenig Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: (L-R) Actors Leonard Nimoy, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and George Takei attend Koenig being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 10, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
