'Star Trek' producer remembers Leonard Nimoy as 'a real artist'

In this Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 photo, James Comisar holds an original TV Guide issue featuring William Shatner, and Leonard Nimoy of "Star Trek." The item is part of his television memorabilia collection in a temperature- and humidity-controlled warehouse in Los Angeles.

Brannon Braga, who served as executive producer on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' looks back on the life and work of Leonard Nimoy.

"Star Trek" actor Leonard Nimoy died Friday of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at his L.A. home. He was 83.

But he was much more than an actor. He was a director, a singer, a photographer and an icon of American culture.

Brannon Braga, who served as executive producer on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," remembered Nimoy.

"He was iconic in real life. He was smart, very heartfelt -- he was a real artist," Braga said. "I really admired him as a director."

"Star Trek: The Voyage Home" is one of Braga's favorite films, and was directed by Nimoy.

"His exploration of the characters in that film in particular I think was really much more fun and deeper than a lot of the other films," he said.

But Braga, like countless others, believes Nimoy's legacy lives on in his portrayal of Spock.

"I think Leonard's greatest gift to us was his depiction, though, of Spock, which was the first great 'Star Trek' character. The first of its kind, really, about a guy who was half human, half alien, and was striving to understand his own humanity, which people really related to," he said.