Leonard Nimoy, the actor best known for his portrayal of Mr Spock on long-running TV and movie series Star Trek, has died. He was 83.
The news has been confirmed by his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, who, as reported by The New York Times, revealed the cause of death to be end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Originally from Boston, Nimoy landed several film and television roles in 1950s before making his first appearance as the half-human, half-Vulcan Mr Spock in the original Star Trek series in 1966. First Officer of the USS Enterprise, Spock became one the show’s best loved characters, known for the Vulcan hand salute (which Nimoy himself developed) and the expression, “Live long and prosper”.
Though it was cancelled after just three seasons, Star Trek became a pop culture phenomenon, spawning several films and five additional TV series. Nimoy himself directed two of the franchise’s movies, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and his final appearance as Spock came in 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness.
In addition to his work on Star Trek, Nimoy’s other roles included a regular spot on TV show Mission Impossible between 1969 and 1971, and in the sci-fi movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers in 1978. He also enjoyed a foray into music, releasing five albums.
Posting on Twitter for the final time on Monday (February 23), Nimoy wrote: “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP [live long and prosper].”
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015