Writer and director Adam Nimoy, son of the late Leonard Nimoy — famously known as the beloved Mr. Spock from “Star Trek” — reflects on his challenging upbringing in his book “The Most Human.”
What You Need To Know
- Adam Nimoy opens up about his life and family in a new episode of "LA Stories"
- While he has many fond memories of visiting his father on set and enjoying his father’s company, Adam says his childhood was often overshadowed by his father’s fame
- Despite the difficulties in their relationship, Adam makes one thing clear: He was always proud of his father and a fan of his work
- Adam said his father showed up for him when he most needed it, helping out when Adam’s wife was battling cancer
While he has many fond memories of visiting his father on set and enjoying his father’s company, Adam says his childhood was often overshadowed by his father’s fame.
“We were so far apart generationally and just had trouble relating to each other,” Adam said. “The little time that we did spend together was completely interrupted because we could not be out in public… The fans would line up, and it was very difficult to compete with that.”
In the latest episode of “LA Stories with Giselle Fernandez,” Adam goes on to explain that their relationship was strained further by his father’s drinking, exacerbating Adam’s feelings of neglect. He also shares his own battles with addiction, one that both he and his father overcame through Alcoholics Anonymous. Despite the difficulties in their relationship, Adam makes one thing clear: He was always proud of his father and a fan of his work.
“[The] first pilot of ‘Star Trek,’ it was a very exciting moment… one of those moments that I knew I would never forget,” Adam said. “His character really seemed to resonate with people. People could relate to him on a number of different levels.”
Over time, and with the help of AA, the two found peace. Adam said his father showed up for him when he most needed it, helping out when Adam’s wife was battling cancer — a battle she eventually lost. Adam went on to work with his father during the making of his documentary, “Leonard Nimoy’s Boston,” and he later released a second documentary called “For the Love of Spock,” celebrating the beloved character his father brought to life.
Leonard died in 2015 before the release of the second film, but Adam says he was happy with where his relationship with his father ended up.
“I still felt his spirit. I still felt a lot of gratitude that we had resolved our relationship,” he said. “There were no regrets. And I just felt this kind of feeling of unity and love with him.”