Leonard Simon Nimoy (March 26, 1931 â February 27, 2015) was an American actor who achieved international fame for playing Spock in the Star Trek franchise for almost 50 years; from two pilot episodes in 1964 and 1965 to his final film performance in 2013. Originating the role of Spock on Star Trek: The Original Series, he went on to play him again on Star Trek: The Animated Series, the first six Star Trek films, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Nimoy also directed films, including Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), and appeared in several films, television shows, and voice acted in several video games.
Nimoy landed a couple of minor roles from 1950 to 1952, but when money became tight and there was a lack of opportunity, he joined the Army to earn a steady income. He served 18 months at Fort Ord, California, followed by service in Georgia at Fort Benning and Fort McPherson. Nimoy served in the Special Services Division, a branch of the military solely created for entertainment. It was formed in July 1940 to encourage soldiers with talents in acting, music and writing to provide entertainment to their comrades. The Army further encouraged Nimoy to become an actor by supporting his dream.
He received his final discharge in November 1955 with the rank of Sergeant. According to the National Archives, Nimoy’s Army personnel file was destroyed in 1973 during a major fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri… and as a result, there’s not much public information about his service.
During the time of his enlistment, Nimoy appeared uncredited in, Them, Gordon Douglas’ 1954 thriller about giant mutant ants birthed from radiation resulting from atomic testing. He played the role of a Air Force Sergeant, which was his real-life ranking at the time (albeit in the army)… perhaps as an extra in this film – he got the gig because he owned his own passable wardrobe?
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
ROCHESTERMILITARY.COM
