This is a sad day for humanity! The iconic actor who portrayed the half-human, half-Vulcan Spock has left planet Earth. Leonard Nimoy passed away earlier today at his home in Bel Air. His wife, Susan, revealed the cause of death as end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Last year, Nimoy revealed his new diagnosis to CNN and spoke about much COPD slowed down his pace at life. He was diagnosed with the disease 30 years after he stopped smoking. Here are the somber details:
Leonard Nimoy, who famously played Mr. Spock, died at home Friday morning in Bel-Air… after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The “Star Trek” star announced last year that he was battling the disease and attributed it to years and years of smoking. He had given up the habit 30 years ago.
TMZ broke the story … Nimoy checked into UCLA Medical Center last week for intense chest pains — but was eventually released.
Nimoy started playing Mr. Spock when the TV show debuted in 1966 … and is the only actor to appear in every episode of that original series. He continued in the Spock role through most of the movies — including the most recent reboot in 2013.
Aside from acting … he wrote books of poetry, 2 autobiographies … and even recorded albums.
Nimoy tweeted for the last time on Feb. 22, saying … “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP”
He was 83.
[From TMZ]
This is such a loss. Nimoy was best known as Spock from the original Star Trek, and for good reason. Spock wasn’t simply a throwaway character from a sci-fi franchise. Nimoy portrayed him with a measured performance, which reflected Spock’s intellectual and compassionate qualities (and occasional glimpses of the emotion within). But Nimoy wasn’t simply an actor. He was a loving husband, parent, and grandfather. He also dabbled and poetry and photography. Nimoy published a book of photos that focused on the female form. His work is also available at R.Michelson galleries (although their website has crashed).
Last week, Nimoy was hospitalized after suffering chest pains, which were likely related to his COPD. On Monday, he tweeted a final statement to the world. Leonard Nimoy shall be cherished and missed.
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
Photos courtesy of WENN
He will be very, very missed.
V, V. sad. LLAP
Tears!!! He lived long and prospered. RIP Leonard Nimoy. One love.
The LLAP got me in his quote tweet.
Tears for sure.
Thoughts to his family.
Yes, reading that final tweet got me too.
His last public communication was a kind, thoughtful message to the world. LLAP indeed.
I bawled my eyes out after my sister told me on the phone…
Thank you for the excellent obituary,
Rest in Peace, Vulcan salute!
Love him! He also hosted a great show in the 70s and 80S called “In search of”.
I loved that show when I was a kid. I wish they’d redo it–it was mysterious, entertains and informative. He was a great host and I can still hear his voice narrating.
He had a great voice for narrating!
I think I saw every episode of both Star Trek and In Search Of.
R.I.P. Leonard Nimoy. You will be missed.
I loved “In Search Of”, I used to watch it with my mom as a kid. She was also a “Star Trek” fan. Sorry to hear of his passing. ๐
I remember that show, I think it was also why he was in the Simpson’s X-Files episode (“The Simpsons files”) in such a similar ‘role.’ This bit always made me laugh:
“Hello. I’m Leonard Nimoy. The following tale of alien encounters is true. And by true, I mean false. It’s all lies. But they’re entertaining lies. And in the end, isn’t that the real truth? The answer is: No. ”
He will be missed.
Spot on! I cried a bit.
I loved that show. As a child I had a huge crush on Leonard Nimoy. Rest in peace and thank you for all you given to the world. A gentleman to the end.
What a class act he was. RIP Dr. Spock!
LLAP He will be greatly missed
This made me tear up a little, very sad. He always seemed like such a lovely man and leaves behind such an amazing legacy. RIP Leonard, your memory will live on.
Rest in peace, Mr. Nimoy. Who knows how many people he helped inspire to go into science, engineering and astrophysics, among so many, many fields.
Noooo!
Goodbye, Mr Spock. ๐
My 20 year old daughter loved him. She was really sad to hear this.
He really seemed to be the glue of the cast–the one person who got along with everyone. He also appeared in Next Generation when some purists were still,mad about a sequel. Also loved his recent car commercials with New Spock Zachary Quinto.
This is sad news indeed. RIP, Dr Spock. You brought delight to so many. You will be sorely missed.
Doctor Spock that half Vulcan, half human.
Not Doctor Spock the baby care author.
๐
Mr. Spock, the half human half Vulcan.
Those are nice words Bedhead. Spock was one of my favourite characters ever. I started watching the original Star Trek when I was 11, and still 48 years later enjoy an episode and still can do that “live long and prosper” hand sign.
A candle for you Leonard, you were a good man.
I was so shocked by this. Somehow, it never occurred to me that he was old. Or mortal. That sounds weird but there it is.
Right with you on that one.
+1
Me too actually!
LLAP Mr Nimoy – you were a cultural icon
๐ข
We’ll never forget him. He’ll always be iconic.
I just want to say thanks to CB for giving him his own thread. It was well earned.
RIP Mr. Nimoy.
Seconded. Indeed. X
Agreed.
Well-deserved indeed! Agreed!
Indeed – so nice to see this. Still so bummed by this news.
I agree. Spock was the one character who translated everywhere too. The others, not so much. Young/old; he was still Spock. Quinto’s not bad either; he had a very tough act to follow.
Rest in peace, Mr. Nimoy.
RIP Leonard Nimoy.
Anyone remember him in the Golda Meir bioepic? He was great in that (all too small) role.
My 1st reaction to this was send him to the genesis planet.
I met him at a Comicon years and years ago for maybe 2 minutes. He was always accessible and always indulged the fans. You would think after that many years an actor would grow bored or resentful of 1 character he played out of his whole career, but he wasn’t. He played it up and spoke openly about it.
What a loss to Trekkies, nerds, and the whole universe.
Wow, great story. I grew up watching Star Trek reruns with my mom. Loved Spock. Mr. Nimoy will be missed.
He came across the same in his twitter. Genuine, accessible, and accepting. With all of the acting stripped away you’re still left with a good man.
That’s cute you guys watched together. We’ll all have our memories and moments made greater by people that’ll never know they had such a positive impact.
If only more stars were like him! I haven’t cried for a stranger like this since Robin Williams. Grateful that we were graced with his presence, kindness and light for so long. I was so thrilled when he did the cameo in the new ST movie and I remember gushing like a schoolgirl at his commercial with Zachary… Not many people have that kind of lasting impact, despite hundreds of selfies or self-puffed interviews. And his tweets were always kind, encouraging, honest… You will be sorely missed, sir. LLAP!
I like your genesis planet idea, FLORC. That’s really nice you got to meet him, although I think he really struggled with being identified so much as Spock for a while. It’s nice he came to terms with it.
Fascinating.
I didn’t know he struggled. I can see that though. He certainly seemed to have given into his role.
Yes he was an actor, and yes he played a very iconic role in tv and sci fi history. Had that not happened though I got the impression he would have still be a sweet and humble man.
I went to that comicon not being a huge star trek fan either. He was so funny and grounded though. A few years later he announced he’d stop doing the circuit. Still got my autograph pic and i’m never selling it.
“We are assembled here today to pay final respects to our honored dead. And yet it should be noted, in the midst of our sorrow, this death takes place in the shadow of new life, the sunrise of a new world; a world that our beloved comrade gave his life to protect and nourish. He did not feel this sacrifice a vain or empty one, and we will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings.
Of my friend, I can only say this: Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most… [voice breaks] human.”
๐
You had too?!
Seriously though I never heard a bad word about him. You can’t say that for many celebrities. Off to the Final Frontier, safe travels!
Yup. I teared up on that one.
Still can’t watch that film without sobbing through the second half. Even the music makes me tear up. (I might also have had a thing for Mr Mantalban.) May they, Mr Doohan, Mr Kelly, and Mr Butrick all RIP.
Very sad news. RIP Mr. Nimoy, you will be missed.
My dad (a first generation Tekkie) is genuinely sad about this, as am I. You will be missed good sir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtQUePN5y40
Last night my husband and I actually watched his episode of the Simpsons, “Marge vs. the Monorail.” He did such a fantastic job as guest star – he poked fun at himself and gave the episode a lot of humor. Such a genuine nice guy, I think.
He was also a poet and photographer and artist. He did some fascinating work around trying to discover what he felt were the feminine aspects of God in Judaism and other work – really interesting stuff and worth seeing.
I hope wherever he is, he’s with Scotty and McCoy reminiscing. That would be an excellent way to wind up.
So sad to hear this. Thoughts go out to his family and friends.
His last tweet is so beautiful. F*cking smoking- I just lost someone to lung cancer and it’s so sad how illness can just take over your life and eventually take you away.
Zigggy, I’m so sorry. Me, too. Lost my mom to lung cancer. My brother says he still can’t quit. It’s such a curse-
\\//
Gone, but never forgotten. ๐
Once a Bostonian, always a Bostonian. Boston’s West End has lost one of its own today. Leonard, your hometown mourns for you. Thanks for all you gave to so many. Rest in peace.
I feel like I just lost a family member. I have the Vulcan IDIC symbol tattooed on myself and Nimoy was such a part of my growing up that I spent my lunch in the car trying to compose myself.
Be humble, for you are made of Earth. Be noble, for you are made of stars. Rest in peace.
Leonard Nimoy, a class act. RIP, gentle Sir.
RIP
I’m a huge geek. I was lucky enough to see him at a couple of Star Trek conventions, including a Vegas con where he retired and said “goodbye” to his fans. He was a gentleman and a legend, and will be missed a great deal. ๐
Huge, Huge fan. Not just a great actor and sci-fi character but an excellent human being as well. We should all be so wise.
Without Mr.Spock , their would be no Star Trek. He will be missed.
When my brother and I were kids we use to beg our parent to let us stay up and watch Star Trek on Saturday nights, then after, it was always bedtime. My husband and I still watch when we catch it on T.V. I still enjoy it.
As the years pass and we watch reruns one can’t help to think about how hokie the original series was but at the time it was inspirational. It made us dream and imagine. Thanks for the memories.
PS- I can’t believe how active and how good of shape Capitan Kirk is still in while in his mid 80’s.
This gave me sads all day.
We’ve lost a true gentleman.
Rest in peace. I am thankful for his life, his legacy. Great actor and wonderful person.
Star Trek is my favorite TV show, all of them. As an extremely logical person, where emotions always take second place; I always think of myself as (at least partly) vulcan.
I am so thankful he shared his time, talent & wisdom with us.
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER MR. SPOCK
A very, very sad day.
Rest in Peace, Leonard Nimoy.
What a sad day. Leonard Nimoy was such a fine actor and by all accounts, a genuinely good person. Thoughts are with his family, friends, and all of us fans. What a legacy he leaves behind–he made Mr. Spock a cultural icon. I remember practicing the Vulcan greeting sign. I only wish Leonard Nimoy had been granted the lifespan of a Vulcan. Rest in peace.
I’m leaving boxes of black crepe armbands around–they can be pinned on with the included IDIC medallion pin, sorry for the tear-stains. My first IDIC medallion was the first thing I ever got at a convention. Somehow it never seemed possible that a day would come when he wouldn’t be there, in our universe. I’ve been tearing up over and over again–between classes, during classes. And you know what? Not a single instructor or student, after I answer their query as to why I’m crying, has had any reaction other than sympathy and sadness themselves. Everyone lost today.
“I am…and will always be…your friend.”
We will miss you Mr. Spock!
As kids, my brother and I used to see a strong resemblance between Leonard Nimoy and our own father, a physics professor who also watched Star Trek. My father died in November. I find myself wishing I could call him to talk about Mr. Nimoy. ๐
Aw, I’m very sorry for your loss of your dad. My dad introduced me to Star Trek when it was first on TV, and I remember watching it with him. I also remember trying not to cry in front of him when we saw Wrath of Khan in the theater. We’d been so excited about the first Trek movie and it was so bad, and we really enjoyed Wrath of Khan up until Spock died. We just sat there stunned. My dad and mom drove two hours each way back in 2009 so they could watch the new movie in IMAX with me. I couldn’t bring myself to call him yesterday to tell him because I knew I’d start crying on the phone.
Sorry to hear about the passing of Mr Nimoy. Was a fan of Mr Spock.
OMG, I want to cry. ๐
Shine on Mr. Nimoy!
R.I.P. Mr. Spock!
As a Trekkie, this news has saddened me greatly. To quote Spock from The Wrath of Khan: “I have been, and always shall be, your friend.”
Peaceful journey, Mr. Nimoy. Live Long & Prosper, old friend.
He sounded like a great person and a true talent. It’s also nice to know he had a good life. May he rest in peace.
Nooooo. For some reason I thought of him as ageless as if he would live for eternity.
We’ll miss you Spock…LLAP.
My heart sunk when I read the news ๐
And I just watched the Simpson’s episode where he comes out as himself. The one where they think an alien is wondering around in the woods but it’s actually Mr Burns. He will be sorely missed. Death the final frontier.
LLAP Mr. Nimoy
What a great person and actor. I loved Mr. Spock! And he conveyed so much emotion, while showing no emotion.
This is very sad news to me. I was hoping it was another hoax.
I met him when I was 12. It was one of my childhood’s ‘big’ moments. That story is for another day, this pulls at my heartstrings just a little too hard today.
Check out his poetry. My mom was a big fan.
(Below), We Are All Children Searching For Love (by Leonard Nimoy)
I am convinced
That if all mankind
Could only gather together
In one circle
Arms around each other’s shoulders
And dance, laugh and cry
Together
Then much
of the tension and burden
of life
Would fall away
In the knowledge that
We are all children
Needing and wanting
Each other’s
Comfort and
Understanding
We are all children
Searching for love
Ugh tears! Sweet, kind man. So many of our childhood icons or actors that played characters we loved are showing themselves to be monsters. Nimoy never had a bad word spoken of him.
God speed, Mr. Nimoy.
I was lucky enough to have my picture taken with this wonderful man at a 2011 convention. At first, I was a little depressed because he was seated and looked so frail. However, once he came in for the Q&A–I ate my words. He LOVED his fans. You could just tell. They kept trying to close the Q&A so he could take more photos, but he waved them off and kept going. He read some of his own written poetry and I was bawling by the end. I’m so so sad that we’re losing so many greats. He and Edward Hermann were much admired. Prayers going out to his family. He lived such a full life. Rest in peace, dear Mr. Nimoy.
May his memory be for a blessing.
Alav ha-Shalom.
Alav ha-Shalom…ืขืืื ืืฉืืื
Moral lessons I learned from Star Trek:
1. Loyalty
2. Honor
3. Duty
4. Excellence
5. The heart has its own logic
Goodbye Mr. Spock. Hope to see you in the next time vortex.
Many happy journeys to you, Mr. Nimoy…
you will be missed.
Aww….he was my favorite character in the original star trek series, and I’ve enjoyed much of his thoughtful writing since. And in 2013 as a touch of whimsy in my otherwise very traditional religious wedding ceromony, after saying our vows and kissing my new husband, our officiant ended it with “may you both live long and prosper”. It was one of my favorite parts of the ceromony and I owe it to Mr. Limoy. He will be missed.
He will truly be missed. I was struck by his many tweets and how kind and insightful he was. I wish others used twitter more for those ideas than the hate that gets thrown out. Love that it was an aging Spock trying to teach the masses of young how the world should be. He did live long and prospered and it was a great ride! RIP Mr. Nimoy you deserve it.
Wha a man and human being. I loved the ongoing friendship with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. I caught an interview of them together years ago and it was so delightful.
His was a life well lived.
First celebrity death I’ve ever cried about. LLAP, Mr. Spock.
LLAP RIP
Live Long and Prosper, Mr. Nimoy! You will be greatly missed.
Go Boldly, Spock, go boldly. Live long and prosper, Leonard Nimoy … wherever you may be. ๐
RIP. See you on the other side. LLAP
I have never (in my 50 years) seen an actor pass with such universal sorrow. And in these past sad days overheard nor read one negative comment about him, not one. Godspeed Mr. Nimoy. You are sorely missed.
Robin Williams.
MTE, Jayna. However, as someone who has never really been into Star Trek, but I was a fan of Leonard Nimoy. He will be missed sorely.
Yes, Robin Williams.