Leonard Nimoy

Nimoy in 2010, image via CarlaVanWagoner / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Leonard Simon Nimoy

Date of Birth: March 26, 1931

Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

Date of Death: February 27, 2015

Place of Death: Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Leonard Nimoy was an American actor, film director, photographer, author, singer, and songwriter. He starred as Mr. Spock in the Star Trek television series and films, and appeared in the film Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). He directed the films Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Three Men and a Baby, which was the highest-grossing American film of 1987; The Good Mother, Funny About Love, and Holy Matrimony.

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Dora “Etta” (Spinner) and Max Nimoy, Yiddish-speaking Jewish emigrants from Izyaslav, Volhynia, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire.

Leonard was married to actress and director Susan (Bay) Nimoy, until his death. Susan is the first cousin of director Michael Bay. Leonard had two children with his first wife, actress Sandra Zober, including director Adam Nimoy.

Leonard’s paternal grandfather was Pinchus/Pinchas Nimoy (the son of Abraham Nimoy and Bessie Katz). Pichus was born in Izyaslav.

Leonard’s paternal grandmother was Eta/Etta Drutin/Drootin (the daughter of Louis Drootin/Drutin and Rebecca Nemoy). Etta was born in Izyaslav.

Leonard’s maternal grandfather was named Samuel/Schloime Spinner/Spiner (the son of Lajzor Jakob Shpanger/Szpinger and Pesi). Samuel was born in Izyaslav. Lajzor was born in Warsaw, Poland, the son of Mordka Shpanger/Szpinger and Fajga Dancger/Dancyger.

Leonard’s maternal grandmother was named Shefra/Sarah Belin/Mazur. Shefra was born in Izyaslav.

Sources: Genealogies of Leonard Nimoy – http://www.mlucks.com
http://www.geni.com
http://www.wikitree.com
https://www.findagrave.com

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3 Responses

  1. Freerk says:

    He represented the basic idea of Star Trek: respect between and cooperation of the races. Unfortunately, the character Spock was so strong that he could never find an appropriate role after that. We will remember him through that character.

    R.I.P.

  2. Affellay says:

    hmmm his surname sounds almost like “mute” in Russian. No doubt his parents came from this country haha

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