--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Gene first contacted me for 'Star…" description: "\"When Gene first contacted me for 'Star Trek,' he gave me the part of Spock to read! I'm glad I didn't take it because I don't think anyone could have p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/deforest-kelley-24143_astronomy_when-gene-first-contacted-me-for-star-tr_2659599.jpg" --- # When Gene first contacted me for 'Star Trek,' he gave me… ![“When Gene first contacted me for 'Star Trek,' he gave me the part of Spock to read! I'm glad I didn't take it because I don't think anyone could have played Spock better than Leonard Nimoy.” quote by DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/deforest-kelley-24143_astronomy_when-gene-first-contacted-me-for-star-tr_2659599.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/deforest-kelley-24143_astronomy_when-gene-first-contacted-me-for-star-tr_2659599.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/deforest-kelley-24143_astronomy_when-gene-first-contacted-me-for-star-tr_2659599.jpg) > “When Gene first contacted me for 'Star Trek,' he gave me the part of Spock to read! I'm glad I didn't take it because I don't think anyone could have played Spock better than Leonard Nimoy.” [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on being offered the role of Spock and his confidence in Leonard Nimoy’s eventual performance. **In simple terms:** He was offered Spock but believed Nimoy was best. Key Takeaway Recognize when someone else may be a better fit. Themes humility casting confidence legacy Mood reflective appreciative nostalgic Type historical anecdotal.inspirational When to use this quote - audition decisions - casting directors - career mentorship - role acceptance Key Concepts typecasting character interpretation career decisions Questions to Reflect On - Did you ever decline a role that later proved perfect for someone else? - How do you assess your own fit for a role? A Different Perspective May overlook personal growth by deferring to others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astronomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomy/) [Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spock/) [Star trek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/star-trek/) ## Related quotes > [There are some good space battles in some of the later series, but that wasn't why you were tuning in every week. You were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-d-moore/there-are-some-good-space-battles-in-some-of-the-later-series-but/) [Ronald D. Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-d-moore/) > [I was always casting about for role models as a kid and the Star Trek was always available via reruns and also full of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-matejka/i-was-always-casting-about-for-role-models-as-a-kid-and-the-star-trek/) [Adrian Matejka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-matejka/) > [I am not Spock. But given the choice, if I had to be someone else, I would be Spock. If someone said, "You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-nimoy/i-am-not-spock-but-given-the-choice-if-i-had-to-be-someone-else-i/) [Leonard Nimoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-nimoy/) > [The thing I was attracted to as a little girl was Kirk, Bones and Spock, and their utter loyalty. There's nothing more powerful than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolene-blalock/the-thing-i-was-attracted-to-as-a-little-girl-was-kirk-bones-and/) [Jolene Blalock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolene-blalock/) > [Spock is definitely one of my best friends. When I put on those ears, it's not like just another day. 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I mean, we originally accepted 'Star Trek' without knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-faison/i-think-origin-stories-are-a-great-way-to-get-people-reinvested-in-a/) [Donald Faison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-faison/) > [“Spock split his attention between Burnham and the path ahead. “I doubt either of us would be welcomed among Vulcan crews. As quick as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mack/spock-split-his-attention-between-burnham-and-the-path-ahead-i-doubt/) [David Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mack/) > [Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy. Leonard was a lifelong lover of the arts and humanities, a supporter of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/long-before-being-nerdy-was-cool-there-was-leonard-nimoy-leonard-was/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I didn't want to be trapped in an idea of replicating other 'Star Trek' characters; especially Vulcans. But my love and I have Spock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamlyn-tomita/i-didn-t-want-to-be-trapped-in-an-idea-of-replicating-other-star-trek/) [Tamlyn Tomita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamlyn-tomita/) > [“Couldn’t you build some form of computer aid here?” I said. “In this zinc-plated, vacuum-tubed culture?” Sometimes Spock spoke to me as though I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-goodman/couldn-t-you-build-some-form-of-computer-aid-here-i-said-in-this-zinc/) [David A. Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-goodman/) ## More by DeForest Kelley > [Star Trek is perhaps the best thing that ever happened to me, in a career sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/star-trek-is-perhaps-the-best-thing-that-ever-happened-to-me-in-a/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [I m up at 5 in the morning and in bed by 10 in the evening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/i-m-up-at-5-in-the-morning-and-in-bed-by-10-in-the-evening/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [My ambition is peace and perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/my-ambition-is-peace-and-perfection/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [I have no aspiration whatsoever to be the next great leading man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/i-have-no-aspiration-whatsoever-to-be-the-next-great-leading-man/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [The most important influence in my childhood was my father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/the-most-important-influence-in-my-childhood-was-my-father/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [I ran around with the other youngsters, hunting, fishing and raising tadpoles and all the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/i-ran-around-with-the-other-youngsters-hunting-fishing-and-raising/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [I liked Westerns for two reasons: First, it took the actor outside. They were all very physical at that time and not limited to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/i-liked-westerns-for-two-reasons-first-it-took-the-actor-outside-they/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [I think every actor injects some of his own personality into his parts. There's a great deal of myself in McCoy, a great deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/i-think-every-actor-injects-some-of-his-own-personality-into-his/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [I refuse to be crude and selfish in any way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/i-refuse-to-be-crude-and-selfish-in-any-way/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [Star Trek has brought so much of what I want within my grasp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/star-trek-has-brought-so-much-of-what-i-want-within-my-grasp/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [I have deep feelings for the welfare and comfort of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/i-have-deep-feelings-for-the-welfare-and-comfort-of-others/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [When I look back and think how fortunate I've been to work with some wonderful people and had some marvelous experiences, then I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/when-i-look-back-and-think-how-fortunate-i-ve-been-to-work-with-some/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [My father started me singing in church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/my-father-started-me-singing-in-church/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [The expense of a screen test is one reason why it's difficult to crash Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/the-expense-of-a-screen-test-is-one-reason-why-it-s-difficult-to/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) > [It was a perfectly average well- adjusted childhood, not a bit unlike that of millions of other individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deforest-kelley/it-was-a-perfectly-average-well-adjusted-childhood-not-a-bit-unlike/) [DeForest Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) [Explore all 25 DeForest Kelley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deforest-kelley/) ## More Astronomy quotes > [I have inside me the winds, the deserts, the oceans, the stars, and everything created in the universe. We were all made by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-have-inside-me-the-winds-the-deserts-the-oceans-the-stars-and/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Wen daylight turns to a darkened hue, D lovely stars hinting at u, ur heart beat tells u something true, That some 1 badly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/butterfly-kisses/wen-daylight-turns-to-a-darkened-hue-d-lovely-stars-hinting-at-u-ur/) Butterfly\_Kisses > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. 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