Yahoo Movies Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek Legend, Dies Aged 83
Leonard Nimoy, the legendary actor who played Mr. Spock in the ‘Star Trek’ movies and TV series, has died aged 83.
His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed that the cause of his death was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Read Leonard Nimoy’s Heartbreaking Last Tweet
He died at his home in Los Angeles on Friday morning.
The actor had been battling the disease for months – he attributed it to years of smoking - though he gave up the habit thirty years ago.
He was hospitalised last week after complaining of severe chest pains.
Nimoy had millions of fans around the world for his portrayal of the coldly logical half-Vulcan, half-human Star Fleet officer Commander Spock.
He landed the iconic role for the rejected pilot ‘The Cage’ in 1964. Unusually, NBC requested a second pilot, with Spock the only character retained (thankfully).
The show made it to air in 1966 and Nimoy, along with co-star William Shatner (Captain Kirk), became one of the biggest stars on US TV, earning three Emmy nominations.
He went on to play the character in the animated series and the six movies that featured the original cast. He also made cameos in the two JJ Abrams-directed reboots – the only original cast member to do so (see below).
The character became part of pop culture, along with the Vulcan salute (see above) and the Vulcan saying “Live Long And Prosper”.
Nimoy certainly did. Alongside ‘Star Trek’ he dabbled in music, was an accomplished director, helming two of the ‘Trek’ films, and appeared in numerous other successful TV shows.
These included Mission: Impossible’, ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E’, ‘The Outer Limits’ and most recently ‘Fringe’. He also made a memorable animated cameo in the classic ‘Simpsons’ episode ‘Marge vs. the Monorail’ (below).
But his career would be defined by Spock, a fact he seemed perfectly happy with. He once said: “Spock is definitely one of my best friends. When I put on those ears, it’s not like just another day. When I become Spock, that day becomes something special.”
Nimoy was married twice, first to actress Sandra Zober, whom he divorced in 1987, and then Susan Bay. They wed in 1989.
Pay your tributes to Nimoy in the comments below.
