In his 1975 autobiography, "I Am Not Spock," Nimoy
wrote of his conflicted relationship with his most famous role:
"I like being Spock. But I like myself too. I'd like to
be me independent of him. I try - very hard, but it's tough. Sometimes I think
I've done it. Sometimes I work very hard at doing my things, thinking my thoughts.
To be me, Leonard Nimoy. Sometimes I think I've got it made! Then I'll get on
an airplane and somebody'll flash me a Vulcan salute. Or some nice lady will
ask for my autograph and I'll proudly sign, "Leonard Nimoy," and then
she'll say, "Please sign Mr. Spock. That's the way my son knows you."
"So sometimes I get tired of the struggle and I simply
sign, Spock. I tell myself it's
faster. It's only five letters instead of twelve. But who am I kidding? No one.
I do it because the look in this particular child's eyes says, "I love
you, Mr. Spock" and I know that if I signed any other name, two people
would be cheated: The child and Spock, and I can't do that. I don't want to
hurt that child, and I must be fair to the Vulcan. I think he would do the same
for me."
Nimoy's second autobiography, published 20 years later, was
perhaps more forgiving of the Vulcan's part in his life. It was titled, "I
Am Spock."
