12 Actors Who Hated Being On Star Trek
5. Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy initially had quite a complicated relationship with Star Trek. He was cast in the original pilot as the alien character with pointed eyebrows and ears, and his appearance brought criticism from conservative viewers as he was deemed to be 'satantic'.
However, it was exactly his appearance that would become the issue. Nimoy discovered after the original series wrapped that his likeness was being used in advertising without his consent and, more importantly at the time, without receiving any royalties. He would grow weary of the constant association with Spock, going so far as to write an autobiography entitled 'I Am Not Spock'.
In 1979, as production was gearing up on the first Motion Picture, Jeffrey Katzenberg had to beg him to return. However, this was successful. While The Motion Picture was a huge financial success, it wasn't a critical darling and Nimoy only agreed to return for The Wrath Of Khan on the provision that he be killed off. Well, he certainly received his wish.
Before production wrapped on The Wrath Of Khan, he approached the studio and asked to be brought back for the sequel. He also asked to direct, which cemented his return to the franchise. Before his death, Nimoy published another autobiography entitled 'I Am Spock' - proving his frustrations with the series were, thankfully, temporary.