Actor Leonard Nimoy, most famous for his role as the half-human/half-Vulcan Mr. Spock in the Star Trek franchise, passed away in his Los Angeles home on Friday morning at the age of 83. Nimoy had been hospitalized last week due to chest pains that were connected to his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The actor attributed the disease to his smoking habit from his youth, though he quit 30 years ago. Complications of the disease ultimately took his life.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1931, Nimoy began acting at an early age. After playing a number of bit roles in television and film, his big break came in 1966 when he was cast as Spock on Star Trek. Over the years, he reprised the role a number of times in the Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek movies, video games, video shorts, and more. His last film credit was Star Trek: Into Darkness.
Leonard Nimoy gave life to a character who has become absolutely iconic in American entertainment and became a beacon of logic and reason. Many of his friends and co-stars took to social media to express their sadness of the news of his passing:
"I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love."
-William Shatner http://t.co/U8ZN98tVYp
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 27, 2015
Leonard Nimoy brought us one of the greatest, noblest characters in the history of American storytelling. Someone find the Genesis planet.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) February 27, 2015
Leonard Nimoy brought us one of the greatest, noblest characters in the history of American storytelling. Someone find the Genesis planet.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) February 27, 2015
Befitting of the way Nimoy lived his life and the character he portrayed, his final tweet embodies his way of balancing emotion and logic:
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
Rest in peace, Leonard Nimoy. Thank you for teaching us to live long and prosper. \\//
