That Time Star Trek Superfan James Marsters Met Leonard Nimoy And Totally Freaked Out Over Him

That Time Star Trek Superfan James Marsters Met Leonard Nimoy And Totally Freaked Out Over Him

As a gamer with a soft spot for sci-fi and a deep appreciation for the art of acting, I can relate to James Marsters‘ fangirl moment with Leonard Nimoy. The nostalgia of growing up watching iconic shows like Star Trek and Buffy The Vampire Slayer is something that never truly fades, and when you meet your idols, it’s hard not to let the fanboy inside you take over.


Stars may share similarities with everyday people, a notion often expressed as “they’re just like us.” However, this can sometimes be misleading given that their professions grant them unique opportunities to interact with their idols. These encounters can occasionally result in unflattering situations, such as when James Marsters became overly excited upon meeting Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy.

Since James Marsters portrayed one of the best villains in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, who eventually turned into a good character, it’s reasonable to assume he’d be accustomed to fan interactions. However, surprising us all, he admitted during his interview with Michael Rosenbaum on the “Inside Of You” podcast (available on YouTube) that he couldn’t resist being starstruck himself. When recounting the incident later, you can still sense the discomfort in his voice as he describes how awkward the experience was for him.

Leonard Nimoy. It was horrible, horrible. I’m such a Star Trek fan. … I just climbed all over him.

In a similar fashion, it’s not surprising that James Marsters reacted this way, considering the circumstances. Later on, he admitted that the incident took place when he was still working on Buffy The Vampire Slayer. At that time, Leonard Nimoy hadn’t reprised his role as Spock for live-action in many years, and fans were unaware of his return to the character in Star Trek (2009). Since Marsters didn’t have access to old episodes (which can now be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription) back then, his encounter with Nimoy was indeed unique and exciting.

Nevertheless, the former star of Smallville admitted that he should have exercised more caution in such circumstances. At the time, he was attending a convention and relaxing in a green room, which provided some privacy but was shared with numerous other actors, many of whom were also fans of his. It was an oversight on his part that led to his unexpected encounter with the Star Trek legend: the Buffy actor recounted this incident.

Previously, I found myself in a green room setting. At the time, I was sporting blonde hair and playing Buffy. The attention I received in this area was substantial. Consequently, they moved me to a private room, where Leonard was already seated. He seemed to be taking a break, being around seventy-something years old. Understandably, he needed some rest. However, upon seeing him, I couldn’t contain my excitement and exclaimed, “Oh my God, I’m such a huge fan of yours! This is unbelievable!” The look on his face suggested that he felt overwhelmed because everywhere he turned, people were eager to chat with Spock. It’s not that he thought I was a bad person, but rather, ‘I can’t escape the fact that everyone wants to interact with Mr. Spock.’ This situation always left me feeling apologetic, as I struggled to maintain my composure around him.

To be fair to James Marsters, it’s likely that Leonard Nimoy encountered similar situations from enthusiastic fans earlier in his career as well. While Nimoy is admired for numerous reasons, his portrayal of Spock in Star Trek has undeniably left a lasting impact on popular culture. In fact, Nimoy played an essential role in creating the Vulcan salute, which has become synonymous with Gene Roddenberry’s franchise and even has its own emoji. It’s not uncommon for actors to deal with overzealous fans, and it seems that Marsters isn’t the only one who has experienced this phenomenon.

Luckily for me, a fervent admirer of P.S. I Love You, my interaction with Mr. Nimoy didn’t stretch too long. After my rather exuberant fanboy moment, the actor shared what transpired next and elucidated the reasons behind my intrusion despite his quest for tranquility: he needed to sign an autograph, and I was standing right there.

It occurred to me that all I wanted to do was give him a round of applause… They managed to get him off the stage quickly. He indicated to someone, and he was swiftly escorted away. … For years, I had admired Leonard Nimoy without ever having the opportunity to clap for him. And in that moment, I felt an overwhelming urge to express my affection. … He gave a warm smile as if acknowledging me. I was interrupting his brief moment of quiet reflection.

It’s intriguing to learn James Marsters’ viewpoint about this topic, given his acting background in some of the top-tier episodes of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Over the years, it’s likely he’s met fans who either adored him or felt Buffy should have stayed with Angel. It’s reasonable to assume that these interactions may have influenced his thoughts on appropriate behavior between celebrities and enthusiasts.

Is it wise to intrude on an actor during their personal time, which could lead to an unpleasant interaction that you might regret for quite some time? I doubt anyone who does such a thing sees it as a bad idea at first. However, after hearing James Marsters’ extraordinary Leonard Nimoy story, one might reconsider the impulse to bother a celebrity.

You can stream “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” using a Hulu subscription, and it’s definitely worth your time. However, keep an eye out for some thrilling new shows that are coming up; they’re listed in the 2024 TV lineup.

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2024-09-10 02:37