Leonard Nimoy, known for his role as the half-alien half-human hero on the multi-generational smash hit Star Trek, has announced that he will be retiring from his long lasting career in the entertainment industry.

“I’ve been doing this professionally for 60 years,” said Nimoy to the Toronto Sun, “I love the idea of going out on a positive note. I’ve had a great, great time.”

Nimoy, 79, started his career when he was only 20, in Hollywood California. In the mid 1960's he landed his iconic role as Spock in the original Star Trek series and ran till 1969 and that sparked multiple feature films and most recently a presence in Star Trek (2009).

Nimoy, who has done a number of acting roles, including most recently in the television drama "The Fringe" as Dr. William Bell, won't be making an appearance to the sequel of J.J. Abrams‘ Star Trek.

"I want to get off the stage”, said Nimoy, “Also, I don't think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto," Zachary plays the young Spock in the new Star Trek film.

“He’s a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it’s time to give him some space, and I’m very flattered the character will continue.”

Nimoy was born in 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts from Jewish immigrants from Iziaslav, Ukraine. He began acting at the age of eight. At 17, his first major role was in Clifford Odets' "Awake and Sing" as Ralphie. He has a MA in Education from the Boston College and an honorary doctorate from Antioch University in Ohio.

Nimoy, who was haunted early in his career by being typecast as Spock, wrote a book called “I am not Spock,” in which he explains to fans the difference between himself in real life and the character he portrayed on screen. Years later he wrote another book called “I am Spock,” in which he explained his whole experience working on Star Trek and accepting that he will always be associated with his alter-ego, Spock.

In addition to acting, Nimoy also directed the third and fourth "Star Trek" movies. “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” has been hailed by critics and fans alike as being the best Star Trek film among them all.

Nimoy created many elements of the character Spock, among them being the Vulcan nerve pinch. Originally written for the character as a violent action which Nimoy thought would go against Spock's moral code of conduct, the nerve pinch was created by Nimoy right on the set. He also created the famous "Live long and prosper" hand gesture that is now just as famous as the character he portrayed.

Read the original story at The Epoch Times