Adam Nimoy’s Shocking Revelations: Making Peace with His Star Trek Legend Father, Spock!

Leonard Nimoy, known for his role as Spock in “Star Trek,” struggled with expressing emotions, even when he wasn’t in character. Despite being a functioning alcoholic, he found a deep connection with his on-screen character, a connection that was stronger than the bond he shared with his son, Adam Nimoy. Adam sheds light on this in his new memoir, “The Most Human: Reconciling With My Father, Leonard Nimoy.”

Leonard and Adam, who struggled with a 30-year-long marijuana addiction, only started rebuilding their relationship once they participated in 12-step recovery programs. Despite their rocky relationship, Adam continues to honor his father and his work, including in his 2016 documentary “For the Love of Spock.”

This Saturday, Adam will participate in the “Super 70mm Star Trek 60th Anniversary Series” at the Fine Arts Theatre Beverly Hills. He will present his documentary and participate in a discussion about “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn” with the film’s director, Nicholas Meyer. Following this, he will embark on a promotional tour of over 20 cities for “The Most Human,” which includes stops at Jewish community centers and temples, acknowledging the significant Judaic influence in Leonard Nimoy’s life and their family narrative.

This interview has been edited for conciseness and clarity.

Are you excited to present your documentary to a passionate audience again?

As I travel to promote my book, I am consistently astounded by the ongoing love and admiration for Leonard. There’s a vast amount of “Star Trek” material out there, so my film is just one small part of it all. I’m merely paying homage to my father and his journey from a poor Boston kid to a Hollywood icon, a journey that affected millions worldwide.

The book’s title centers on your father, but it mainly discusses your recovery, your relationship with your children, and the love you discovered in your second marriage with Martha. How did this come about?

My initial intention was to write about my recovery journey and my family, as I had previously written about my father and our relationship. It seemed like the right time to shift the focus away from that.

My children often remind me that I am my own person, separate from Leonard and “Star Trek.” However, they never miss an opportunity to celebrate his memory. For instance, my son once recalled a conversation with Jeff Goldblum about his grandfather’s work on “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” My daughter, who works at Paramount, is constantly reminded of Leonard’s legacy.

I was hesitant to include my father in my writing again, but it seemed unavoidable. While discussing my recovery and relationships, the most significant part was figuring out how to deal with my estranged relationship with my father.

Being 20 years sober, I often share my father’s story in 12-step meetings. Many people relate to my struggles with parental relationships and are inspired to reconcile with their own estranged family members. Therefore, I decided to delve deeper into my relationship with my father in this book.

Do you think this book will alter people’s perception of your father and their connection to Spock?

I remain committed to my father and his character, so I tread carefully when writing about him. I provide him with a great deal of understanding, considering the difficult circumstances he faced as a Ukrainian refugee in America. Despite his neglect of his family, I am always proud of what he achieved and aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of this complex man.

He was flawed and human, like all of us. I hope that this in-depth exploration of his life will foster empathy among readers. I certainly gained more empathy for my father after writing the book and understanding the monumental challenges he overcame.

Unlike my father, I prioritized family even while pursuing my career. I was not in a desperate survival mode, which made it easier for me to strike a balance between my professional and personal life.

I had the financial support of my parents. My mother deserves much credit for being a loving and supportive figure, something my father was not. My childhood, spent in the shadow of “Star Trek,” was vastly different from my father’s, who sold newspapers on the streets of Boston when he was ten.

You discuss his complex relationship with William Shatner, which varied from being tense to extremely close, but ended up falling apart. Did you consult Shatner while working on the book?

I have a clear understanding of Shatner’s perspective. He adored Leonard, and so did I. However, loving Leonard came with its complications. And Shatner had his own quirks.

I am well-versed in their history because my father was always candid about it. Despite the numerous frustrations and challenges, the fact that they managed to maintain a loving relationship for a few years is a testament to their bond.

When they were on camera, their chemistry was electric. Their partnership is one of the most iconic in pop culture history.

My father had difficulties working with Jeff Hunter, who played Captain Pike in the 1964 “Star Trek” TV pilot, because Jeff was a very internalized actor. But Shatner’s outgoing personality allowed my father to play the more introspective Spock. Shatner’s portrayal of Kirk was instrumental in the creation of Spock.

Your book vividly details your deep love for your second wife, Martha, who passed away in 2012. You briefly married Terry Farrell, who portrayed Jadzia Dax on “Deep Space Nine,” but you don’t mention that at all. Why?

Our marriage didn’t work out, and I didn’t feel the need to delve into it. I wanted to respect what we had by leaving it out of the book.

You describe in great detail the places you lived, frequented, and went for recovery, as well as your synagogues. How much were you influenced by Los Angeles?

The city undoubtedly shapes you. My father’s tough and determined persona was molded on the streets of Boston. He was relentless in his pursuit of success. I grew up in a completely different environment in Los Angeles, which is much more relaxed and laid-back.

Many parts of the book discuss recovery. Notably, the teachings you learnt seem like lessons everyone should learn, probably from childhood: “I’m responsible for my second thought and first action” to prevent defensive reactions, and the acronym “WAIT,” for “Why Am I Talking?”

You don’t have to be an addict or alcoholic to be in recovery. Everyone is recovering from something, and these tools help deal with life as it comes. A key part of my emotional recovery involves these mantras that essentially teach you to calm down and think before reacting when someone pushes your buttons.

Initially, you were upset with your father for not making amends with you as part of his recovery. Your relationship improved dramatically when you made amends with him during your recovery. Do you still wish he had been able to do that for you?

It’s nearly impossible for men of his generation to reflect on their past and apologize. It’s too overwhelming. They can’t confront the reality hidden beneath the surface. It would be too destructive. The moment I stopped trying to prove my father wrong, everything fell into place.

When Martha fell sick, my father was there for me. What more could I ask for?