Leonard Nimoy has recently retired from acting and public appearances, but when asked if he would give the Fine Arts Convocation address at Boston University last week, he didn’t hesitate to agree.

He gets the Star Trek gags out of the way fast and then rises above them to give a very heartfelt speech to the graduating class of Boston University’s Fine Arts program. Much of Mr Nimoy’s life he spent honing his craft before taking his iconic role of Mr Spock. He had this to say about his life path growing up in Boston:

“My folks came to the United States as Immigrants – aliens. They became citizens. I was born in Boston a citizen. Then I went to Hollywood and I became an Alien.”

He shares exactly what Spock meant to him and how he found his passion. He discovered acting very young and aspired to share a message with his art. He makes a beautiful tale about how Spock means a lot to him and relates to his own personal story.

He also ties in with how students should follow their passions in order to achieve their true potential, just like he did when he was younger, which led him to a career in Hollywood.

“You are the creators, and curators of your own lives. You create your own life and your own work. Give us your best. Give us the best of your art. We crave it. We hunger for it. Help us to see ourselves, to know ourselves. Illuminate our lives. Keep in mind what Victor Hugo said, “Popularity is the crumbs of greatness” And please, please, for the sake of our culture, for the sake of mankind, don’t create any more reality TV shows!”

Nimoy is a charming man, a serious class act and very funny guy, heartfelt honesty with a smile. After listening to his address, there was no irony or gag when he came full circle and wished these grads, “Live Long and Prosper.”