Poll Actors who has played Spock
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Right now, I prefer Peck. Quinto looks a bit more like Nimoy, but Peck's deep voice is more Spock like to me.
I wish the writers didn't have Spock lose control of his emotions so much, though. You don't want to go to that well too often.
I wish the writers didn't have Spock lose control of his emotions so much, though. You don't want to go to that well too often.
I admitted today that I prefer Peck over Nimoy so he was my obvious choice.
I like both, although Quinto is MY angsty young Spock. Nothing tops his "Live long and prosper" to the Vulcan council.
...although "I disappoint him, he disappoints me, the sun sets, a new day begins" comes closer than I expected.
...although "I disappoint him, he disappoints me, the sun sets, a new day begins" comes closer than I expected.
Peck.
Can't beat the original and the one-and-only Leonard Nimoy for this. Nimoy put a ton into the character, with interviews and articles explaining why Spock did things the way he had. (e.g. neck pinch because he didn't want to zap lasers or be a generic bar brawler throwing punches.) Nimoy was iconic in acting and giving Spock depth, building up quite a lot. When the inevitable and obligatory "Which of these twenty actors played Worf the best", there's only one answer there as well: Michael Dorn. For the same exact reasons: Dorn took what little was on paper and put a ton of effort into making something special out of the character. Indeed, his inclusion into DS9 was the best thing that could happen, but before I digress... Ditto for Tim Russ as Tuvok when compared to the six hundred and seventy-three other actors who'll get to do the role eventually, since VOY expanded on the Vulcan species and lore, with Russ making the presentation iconic. Neither Nimoy nor Russ can be improved upon. Just mimicked at best. Mishandled at worst.
(And that's not to say mimicry is bad, it also means the actor playing the role knows the spirit and intent of the role and how it was made*; Quinto definitely made me think "Spock" in most of his scenes, and what felt out of character was due to the script.
* Being an alternate universe timeline also adds more complexity into the fray.
But either which way, for these successful characters, the actor ultimately defines them and within the confines of the show. It's why TOS should not have fixated on "the big three" later on, as early season 1 is clearly trying to flesh out all the bridge crew/officers.
* Being an alternate universe timeline also adds more complexity into the fray.
But either which way, for these successful characters, the actor ultimately defines them and within the confines of the show. It's why TOS should not have fixated on "the big three" later on, as early season 1 is clearly trying to flesh out all the bridge crew/officers.
I voted for Nimoy and Peck. I love Quinto, but I think the other actors have had more to explore with the character. Nimoy set the template and is who I'll always think of as Spock. But Peck has impressed me with his interpretation of Spock in his early years and how he was struggling to balance his Human and Vulcan sides. His Spock is one of the most interesting characters on TV right now.
All of the Spock actors have their strengths. But Peck is my favorite.
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I count 11 also.
Here is a list from Memory Alpha. They have altogether ten names and one unknown, making a total of eleven, but this is not counting voice actors doing foreign language dubbing (e.g., Herbert Weicker, Jiří Plachý, et al.).
From https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Spock:
Leonard Nimoy
Billy Simpson
Carl Steven
Vadia Potenza
Stephen Manley
Joe W. Davis
Liam Hughes
Ethan Peck
Regarding STV, this article also says "Spock is also portrayed by an unknown infant in that film."
Billy Simpson
Carl Steven
Vadia Potenza
Stephen Manley
Joe W. Davis
Liam Hughes
Ethan Peck
Regarding STV, this article also says "Spock is also portrayed by an unknown infant in that film."
And, from https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Spock_(alternate_reality):
Jacob Kogan
Zachary Quinto
Her scene was deleted, but if we count Jenna Vaughn, that makes 12.
Zachary Quinto
Her scene was deleted, but if we count Jenna Vaughn, that makes 12.
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As for my favorite, it'll always be Nimoy, but Peck is doing an outstanding job. I really love what he's doing, couldn't ask for more.
Nimoy. Not only because he defined the character personality-wise. But also the physical appearance of Spock was optimized to enhance Nimoy’s features. This seems superficial but it makes Nimoy look more “naturally” Vulcan than any other actor who has played Spock — or Vulcans in general (with the exception of Mark Lenard).
Nimoy was better looking in costume whereas Quinto and Peck are better looking out of costume. (The SNW people seem to be realizing this by modifying the standard Vulcan look to be more flattering to the individual actor, e.g. leaving the waves in Peck’s hair instead of forcing it into a stick-straight bowl cut.)
Nimoy was better looking in costume whereas Quinto and Peck are better looking out of costume. (The SNW people seem to be realizing this by modifying the standard Vulcan look to be more flattering to the individual actor, e.g. leaving the waves in Peck’s hair instead of forcing it into a stick-straight bowl cut.)
