Sarek ( alternate reality ) Sarek was a Vulcan elder who served as the ambassador to Earth during the 2240s and 2250s . He was married to a Human woman , , and was the father of and Sybok . Biography . Early life . Sarek was born in 2165 , the son of Skon . ( ; ; ) Sarek was willingly tutored by his own father . ( ) Sarek ' s first child , Sybok , was born to a Vulcan princess to whom he was apparently bonded , but not married . ( ) During his childhood , he had a pet " sehlat " named I - Chaya . ( ) Some time later , while serving as Ambassador to Earth , Sarek wed his first wife , Amanda Grayson , who gave birth to his second son , Spock , three years later . ( ; ) Vulcan ambassador to Earth . Officially , Sarek stated that as ambassador , his " duty was to study and observe Human behavior " and that it was " logical " for him to marry Amanda to achieve this goal . This was his response when Spock , having been bullied about his own mixed heritage , asked Sarek why he had married Amanda . In actuality , Sarek had fallen in love with her . Years later , Sarek served on the panel that accepted Spock to the Vulcan Science Academy . When another Vulcan on the panel insulted Spock about his mother , Spock declined the offer of admission . Sarek was shocked , sternly telling his son he had made a commitment to honor the Vulcan way . Sarek was still on when Nero dropped red matter into the planet ' s core , creating a black hole in the center of the planet . Spock beamed to the surface to rescue Sarek , Amanda , and the rest of the Vulcan Council . Sarek and two other members of the Vulcan Council made it to safety , but Sarek ' s wife , Amanda , was killed just before they were beamed off the planet . Sarek helped comfort Spock after the death of his mother , saying that he should not try to contain his anger , which he knew was exactly what she would ' ve said in that situation . Recalling his response to the question raised by a bloody - lipped adolescent years earlier – that he thought it logical to marry her – he now told Spock that he did indeed love her . ( ) Memorable quotes . " " As ambassador to Earth , it is my duty to observe and understand Human behavior . " " " " Spock , you are fully capable of deciding your own destiny . The question you face is : which path will you choose ? This is something only you can decide . " " Appendices . Appearances . < div class = " appear " > Background information . Sarek was played by Ben Cross . He was cast by director J . J . Abrams on the basis of his role in . " " My agent put me forward for " Star Trek " , " " remembered Cross , " " and he sent a couple of movies to J . J . [ . . . ] There was one particular shot in it where I turned to the camera , and in that moment , it came to him how perfect it would be for me to play Sarek . " " ( ) Despite not being a Trekkie , Cross felt thrilled to play the Sarek character , later reminiscing , " " When I realized I was going to be in the movie playing Spock ' s father , I did feel a certain thrill that I was going to be able to wear those pointy ears . " " Indeed , his appearance as Sarek involved some extensive hair and makeup , particularly because his scenes in the film begin when the character is relatively young and continue as Sarek ages . " " My hair and ears could take about two and a half hours to apply , " " Cross explained . " " It was completely painless though – once the ears were on , that was that . " " ( ) To prepare for the role , Cross was sent , from Paramount , samplings of Sarek ' s previous appearances . ( ) He also chose to portray Sarek with his own English accent , unlike Mark Lenard ' s American one . Ben Cross found that portraying Sarek as initially " cold " and unemotional was not the easiest task . " " As Sarek , I had to be true to the Vulcan cultural ethic , which in the beginning , I found very difficult , " " Cross admitted . " " I got a lot of help with that from J . J . " " ( , pp . 67 - 68 ) The father / son dynamic was generally very easy and enjoyable for Cross to participate in performing . He drew on personal experience as a father himself and J . J . Abrams had some additional input into how the actor ' s performance figured into this aspect of the film . " " Of course I got notes from J . J . , but if I hadn ' t played the father / son thing correctly , he would have told me so , " " stated the performer . " " I have a wide emotional range , and one of the things I agreed with J . J . was that if ever I was over the top and strayed into an emotional area – did what would have been quite appropriate as a Human character but as a Vulcan was not – then he would pull me up . " " ( ) Spock actor Zachary Quinto found it was fairly painless to accept Cross as Sarek . " " Ben was such a great energy to be around , " " Quinto remarked . " " He has such certitude and a groundedness as Sarek that I was able to connect with him right away . " " In deleted scene s , Sarek and Amanda are seen together , with the newborn Spock . After Spock gets into a fight with bullies , they get into an argument . Following Nero ' s defeat , Sarek senses Spock Prime ' s presence . The birth of Spock is also seen in a flashback in , in which Sarek is portrayed by Jonathan Simpson . Since these events ( as well as elements of Sarek ' s backstory , such as his wedding to Amanda ) take place prior to Nero ' s incursion , they logically must take place in both timelines . The virtual collectible card battle game " " used a picture of Sarek for card # 86 titled " Ambassador Sarek " .