While William Shatner is out the doing a ton of new projects, Leonard Nimoy has decided he wants to call it quits.

In an interview with the Toronto Sun, Nimoy was asked if he would be reprising his role of Spock in the newest Star Trek movie. His answer was a bit surprising.  “I want to get off the stage. Also, I don’t think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto,” he said. “He’s a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it’s time to give him some space. And I’m very flattered the character will continue.”

He then announced his retirement from the craft.  “I’ve been doing this professionally for 60 years.  I love the idea of going out on a positive note. I’ve had a great, great time.”

The last we will see of Nimoy acting will be when he reprises the character Dr.

William Bell on Fringe.  His involvement on Fringe was never to be a permanent gig anyway as he joined the cast only as a favor to producer J.J. Abrams, who also directed Star Trek. “I was away from acting for 12 years, so I guess I was seducable,” Nimoy says. “But since J.J. Abrams revived the Star Trek franchise, I felt I owed him something. And I’m glad I did it because he promised me a good story, and it was.”

While many of us fans are assuredly disappointed, it’s good to know that Leonard Nimoy will go out with a pleasant image embedded in our brains.  Have a wonderful retirement, sir.