Live Long and Prosper: Captain Kirk, Spock related!

Last month, we lost the iconic and beloved actor, Leonard Nimoy, who died at age 83. He is most remembered for his iconic role as Mr. Spock in Star Trek.

In honor of his memory, courtesy of Geni.com, we found out that Leonard and his co-star William Shatner are actually related!

Leonard Nimoy is William Shatner’s second cousin once removed’s wife’s first cousin once removed’s husband’s great niece’s husband’s fourth cousin’s ex-husband.

The connection between Nimoy and Shatner, courtesy of Geni.com. (Click to Enlarge)

Here are some other facts about his life you may have not known:

• Yiddish was Leonard’s first language. While he was born in Boston, Massachusetts, his parents were Yiddish-speaking immigrants from Iziaslav, Soviet Union (now Ukraine).
• He began acting at age 8 in a neighborhood theater, but his big break came  in his 30s, when Star Trek premiered in 1966.
• Leonard created the famous Vulcan greeting “Live long and prosper” which he attributed to Orthodox Jewish blessings he remembered from his childhood. All his tweets were signed with the Vulcan greeting, LLAP.
• Mr. Spock wasn’t his only claim to fame. Nimoy was also photographer, poet, writer, musician and director. He released five music albums, published several books including an autobiography, and directed two Star Trek films and the comedy Three Men and a Baby (1987).

What are some of your favorite Leonard Nimoy memories?