Leonard Nimoy (March 26, 1931–February 27, 2015) passed away Friday in his Los Angeles home. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death to the New York Times, saying he died of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
On Wednesday, Nimoy was hospitalized for chest pains. He immediately received a flurry of well-wishers on Twitter, especially from Star Trek castmates William Shatner and George Takei.
Nimoy told the public last year that he had lung disease, which he attributed to many years of smoking, even though he gave up smoking 30 years earlier.
Though Nimoy has had a number of roles throughout his life — poet, director, singer, photographer — he is best known for playing the emotionless Spock on the original Star Trek series that ran from 1966-1969. He reportedly changed his mind several times on his feelings on being known for just one character — he wrote a 1977 autobiography called I Am Not Spock but in 1995 wrote another one called I Am Spock.
Star Trek has thrived into the present-day thanks to passionate fans, and more recently J.J. Abrams’ reboot film series beginning in 2009. Nimoy played a future version of Spock in Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013). A third movie in the series is on the way.
When the news of Nimoy’s death broke, Twitter immediately responded with an outpouring of grief.
Watched Star Trek on the first run in the 60s; TV magic. “Mirror, Mirror” was my favorite episode. RIP #LeonardNimoy pic.twitter.com/091GUeiEHz
— Errol Louis (@errollouis) February 27, 2015
Leonard, you lived long and prospered, and were an inspiration to me and to millions. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/NESJKvTepm
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) February 27, 2015
