Leonard Nimoy's widow, Susan, cast in an episode of Zachary Quinto's "Brilliant Minds"

Susan Bay Nimoy, the widow of Leonard Nimoy, began her acting career in the 1960s. For the most part, though, she stopped acting after 1998, returning only for two guest spots in 2009 and 2018. But Zachary Quinto, who played Spock on J.J. Abrams' line of Star Trek films, got close to the Nimoy family, especially Susan, while he was playing Leonard Nimoy's iconic character, and he saw an opportunity to bring her aboard his new show, "Brilliant Minds."

In "Brilliant Minds," Quinto plays a hospital neurologist who treats patients with rare mental health conditions, and he wanted Susan Nimoy to have a guest spot on the show. Susan plays an 80-year-old woman with hypersexuality, and Quinto says she "did such a great job."

"She was an actress like 40 years ago. … I just know her so well, and I know where she is in her life. She’s 81 years old. She’s one of the most vibrant open, curious people I’ve ever met."

- Zachary Quinto

Susan Nimoy's latest project was helping to restore an Art Deco theatre in Los Angeles. It was converted to a live performance space and renamed "the Nimoy," in honor of her husband. In the lobby of the newly-restored theater, large letters spelled out "Live Long and Prosper," which Star Trek fans will recognize as Spock's iconic phrase from Star Trek: The Original Series.

In addition to her return to acting, Nimoy is currently writing a one-woman show about the experience of being a woman in her eighties. [Via The New Yorker]

"“It’s bawdy, it’s moving, it’s very truthful.""

- Susan Bay Nimoy

"Brilliant Minds," which is also produced by Quinto, airs on NBC on Mondays at 10 p.m. EST, or you can catch up with the latest episodes at NBC.com or on Peacock's streaming channel.