Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Simon Nimoy (born March 26 1931) is an American actor, film director, poet and photographer best known for playing the character Spock in the Star Trek television and movie series.

Trivia

• Nimoy came up with the Vulcan nerve pinch during the discussion of an early Star Trek episode where Spock was supposed to pistol-whip another character. He suggested the "pinch" as a non violent illustration of Vulcans' mysterious powers.
• Nimoy also devised the Vulcan Salute consisting of a raised hand, palm forward with the fingers parted between the middle and ring finger. It is said to be based on the traditional kohanic blessing, which is performed with both hands, thumb to thumb in this position; a position thought to represent the Hebrew letter shin (ש). (This letter is often used as a symbol of God in Judaism, as it is an abbreviation for God's name Shaddai. This usage is seen, for example, on every mezuzah.) Nimoy may also have derived the accompanying spoken blessing, "Live long and prosper" from this source, as the last phrase of the blessing is "May the Lord be forbearing unto you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26).
• The surname "Nimoy" is probably a misspelling of the Russian word ????? (nemoi, pronounced "nih-MOY"), meaning "mute".
• His army service number was ER 11 229 770.
• Nimoy provided narration for the English-language version of an unusual Sega Dreamcast video game Seaman.