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Leonard Nimoy, the Star Trek star who portrayed the iconic Mr. Spock, died at the age of 83 in his home in Bel Air this morning.
His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, told the New York Times that her husband passed away from lung disease. He was hospitalized earlier this week for chest pains, and had announced last January on Twitter that he had been diagnosed with the disease and credited it to years of smoking. He also said he had quit smoking 30 years ago.
In the days leading up to his death, he tweeted out poignant messages, signing off with "LLAP," an acronym of the phrase, "Live Long and Prosper," that he popularized through his beloved Star Trek character:
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
I will be sharing my poetry. Today's is, "You and I have Learned," which is in my book, These Words Are for You. LLAP pic.twitter.com/CsHAtmtDnz
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 22, 2015
His Star Trek co-star, William Shatner, tweeted this about Nimoy today:
"I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love."
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 27, 2015
-William Shatner http://t.co/U8ZN98tVYp
Although co-star George Takei has not commented on Nimoy's death yet on Twitter, earlier this week he shared his thoughts and prayers for his friend:
My friend and Star Trek colleague Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) was hospitalized with chest pains. Join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 24, 2015
Nimoy joined the cast of NBC's Star Trek with his debut episode on Sept. 8, 1966, as a serious and very logical pointy-eared, half-Vulcan, half-human hero. The series would continue on for three more seasons until the show was canceled. Despite that, the following was strong, Trekkie fans grew, and the series went into syndication.
He would eventually land a role in TV show Mission: Impossible, and after the cult following of Star Trek rose after syndication, he would later reprise his role as Mr. Spock in a series of Star Trek feature films.
Nimoy ended up with a cameo in J.J. Abrams' reboots of the series in his 2009 film and 2013 Star Trek Into Darkness. Actor Zachary Quinto played a young Mr. Spock in the films, and upon hearing about Nimoy's death, he tweeted a photo of his close friend with this heartfelt message:
my heart is broken. i love you profoundly my dear friend. and i will miss you everyday. may flights… https://t.co/WPJmt1X4ox
— Zachary Quinto (@ZacharyQuinto) February 27, 2015
Nimoy was born on March 26, 1931 in Boston, MA to Orthodox Jewish immigrant parents from Ukraine. He would discover his passion for acting at young age of 8 when he performed in local productions.
He was a man of many talents, which also included him being a voice actor, a director, photographer, singer, poet, art collector, and writer of two autobiographies. He even directed the successful 1987 comedy Three Men and a Baby.
As we bid adieu to Nimoy, we leave you with this touching scene from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, saying goodbye to Mr. Spock:
Related:
All The Cool Things Leonard Nimoy Did Beyond 'Star Trek'
Video: The Story Behind Leonard Nimoy's Vulcan Salute