Leonard Nimoy, who spent nearly 50 years synonymous with his role as the hyperlogical half-Vulcan, half-human Spock, has passed away at age 83. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed to The New York Times the Star Trek star died Friday morning in his Bel Air home from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Star Trek star was rushed to the hospital last week after suffering severe chest pain. He first announced he had lung disease last January on Twitter.
I quit smoking 30 yrs ago. Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) January 30, 2014His last tweet, sent out after going to the hospital, contained his signature line "Live long and prosper" like all of his updates.
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015Nimoy began living long and prosperous as Spock when the original Star Trek series premiered on Sept. 8, 1966. The show only lasted three seasons because of low ratings, but a cult following allowed him to reprise his role in several spin-off series and movies. He played the elder Spock to Zachary Quinto's younger version in the most recent films by J.J. Abrams.
While best known for the sci-fi franchise, Nimoy was also a director, poet, singer, and photographer. His two biographies, I Am Not Spock (1975) and I Am Spock (1995), outline his desires to distance himself from the iconic role while simultaneously taking great pride in it.
In addition to his wife, Nimoy is survived by his children, Adam and Julie Nimoy; a stepson, Aaron Bay Schuck; and six grandchildren; one great-grandchild, and an older brother, Melvin.
Update 2/27/15 (1:12 p.m.) : Some of Nimoy's co-stars have taken to social media to react to the sad news.
#LLAP RIP to the best First Officer. @TheRealNimoy
— Jonathan Frakes (@jonathansfrakes) February 27, 2015
"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
LLAP pic.twitter.com/9ZbT67JKUZ
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) February 27, 2015Update: 2/27/15 (2:54 p.m.): Nimoy's granddaughter posted a tweet to his official Twitter account. The full message read:
Hi all, as you all know, my Grandpa passed away this morning at 8:40 from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was an extraordinary man, husband, grandfather, brother, actor, author-the list goes on- and friend. Thank you for the warm condolences. May you all LLAP. - Dani
P.s. I will be putting special shirts up on our site, SHOPLLAP.com , where all of the proceeds will go to the COPD Foundation. I hope to hear from you all.
