The character of Spock has now been portrayed by three different actors on television and in the movies.
The Vulcan Spock, a character created by Gene Roddenberry but embodied by Leonard Nimoy, first came onto our screens in 1966. While execs worried that viewers might not be accepting of an alien with pointed ears and tinted skin, fans fell in love with both the character and Nimoy. Over the following forty-nine years, Nimoy would be known as Mr. Spock, and there was never any possibility that another actor would be able to take his place.
A recent post on Bamsmackpow ranked the three actors who’ve taken on the role. Besides Leonard Nimoy, Zachary Quinto assumed the position in J.J. Abrams’ Kelvin timeline movies while Ethan Peck currently stars as the character on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Unsurprisingly, Nimoy garnered the top position with Peck coming in second and Quinto third.
Ranking Spock is really just a showdown between Zachary Quinto and Ethan Peck.
Nimoy took on this role first, and he made such a powerful impression that no one will ever be able to replace him. His legendary status as the green-blooded Vulcan was established long before Quinto or Peck became the character, and there’s quite simply no way anyone will ever take the top spot away from Nimoy.
And it’s not just because Nimoy played Spock first. He introduced us to the character, developed this alien that Roddenberry envisioned, and made him unforgettable. With dry humor, sarcasm, and charm, Nimoy took what could have been a cold, unfeeling character and made him one of the best characters in Star Trek. We can debate all day about whether Quinto or Peck plays the better Spock now, but there will never ever be any question as to who will always remain in the number one spot.