Quinto says 'hometown journalist' responsible for Spock role

I've been watching Green Tree's Zachary Quinto as he make the rounds of talk shows, promoting "Star Trek" and charming talk show hosts David Letterman and Regis and Kelly. And each time, he's told the same story:

He got the role of Spock because, he says, because "a hometown journalist" asked him if there's a role he'd like to play, and he said he'd heard that "Star Trek" was being remade as a movie, and he'd like to play Spock. The story came out as he was beginning his role as the psycho mutant Sylar on "Heroes" and was syndicated, appearing in other papers around the country. It picked up steam, he said, until "people were writing that Spock was my dream role since birth," Quinto has been saying. That's how he was noticed by the folks casting "Star Trek," and J.J. Abrams has said that Quinto was the first role cast in the film.

Kelly Ripa suggested that the "hometown journalist" should maybe get an agent's fee for the role. "Do you know who it is?" she asked, and Quinto nodded.

I did a quick search of the Post-Gazette Web site, and sure enough, that "hometown journalist" is PG TV editor Rob Owen. His story appeared Dec. 3, 2006.

Rob wrote:

. . . He's wary of getting too caught up in the "Heroes" hype, recognizing it could set up expectations that would only lead to disappointment. But he does have one dream role in mind: To play a young Spock in the new "Star Trek" movie. Quinto certainly has the complexion and bearing to pull it off.

"I missed the 'Superman Returns' boat," Quinto said, although many have commented about his resemblance to Clark Kent when he wore glasses in last week's episode. "So I'm angling for 'Star Trek.' People are constantly telling me I bear some resemblance to Leonard Nimoy."

Quinto said he didn't start the discussion thread about the Spock likeness on his IMDB page, but he doesn't mind the attention. He even joked about talking to "Heroes" regular Greg Grunberg, a former star of "Alias," whose creator, J.J. Abrams, is expected to direct the new "Trek."

"Maybe Sylar should tell Greg, 'I promise I won't kill you if you get me an audition,' " Quinto said, laughing. "We'll see what happens."

And now Zachary Quinto is on the big screen as Spock -- the power of the press at work.