Zachary Quinto considers Leonard Nimoy to be ''like a father figure''.

The 37-year-old actor - who features as Spock in the 'Star Trek' reboot - has revealed the depths of his admiration for Nimoy, who appeared in the same role and passed away last week.

He explained: ''I first met Leonard Nimoy in 2007 at the Comic-Con conference in San Diego where it was announced I would be taking over the role of Spock.

''I was really excited to meet him and hopeful he would support me stepping into it. I never imagined how our meetings about the character would evolve into a very profound friendship.''

Later, he told the Guardian newspaper: ''Leonard lived his life so beautifully and with such grace. He was a very honourable person, and his life reflected that. His family reflects that.

''I lost my father at a very young age, and Leonard came to occupy a space in my life that was like a father figure. I had this person that I could look to with such respect. He was refined. And he cultivated a sense of dignity and respect for other people.

''I look at the life he lived and aspire to that level of fulfilment.''