Leonard Nimoy“Star Trek” icon Leonard Nimoy will be honored with a lifetime achievement award at this year’s Saturn Awards.

The 78-year-old, who played Spock in the popular sci-fi series, is being recognized for his work as an actor and director.

According to the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, which presents the annual awards, Nimoy has “established himself as one of the great film and television stars with his performances in such television series as Mission Impossible and the original science fiction series, STAR TREK, in the 60s.”

Nimoy also starred in six “Star Trek” movies with the original cast, directed two installments of the film franchise and will appear as the older Spock in the newest “Star Trek” feature.  The J.J. Abrams-directed reboot will hit theatres on May 8.

DreamWorks Animation chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg will also receive a special honour at the Saturn Awards.

The filmmaker, who oversaw the release of such hit films as “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “Monsters Vs. Aliens,” will be presented with the Visionary Award for “his efforts in bringing about the 3D evolution currently sweeping the country as well as raising the quality of film animation.”

The 35th annual Saturn Awards will be held in Burbank, Calif., on June 24. “The Dark Knight” dominates this year’s field of nominees with 11 nods, followed by “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Iron Man” with nine and eight nominations, respectively.






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