Leonard Nimoy Dead: 'Star Trek' Spock Actor's Death Caused by COPD Disease
Leonard Nimoy, famous for playing the character Spock in "Star Trek" and several other roles, has died at 83 in his home in Los Angeles, The New York Times reports.
Nimoy's wife, Susan Bay Nimony, confirmed his death and said the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Nimoy announced that he had the disease last year, blaming it on smoking. Nimoy gave up smoking three decades ago, however. Nimoy was hospitalized earlier this week.
Nimoy had many artistic passions including poetry, photography and music, but America really loved him as Spock and his often used quote: "Live long and prosper."
Nimoy seemed to really enjoy playing Spock as he preferred to play outsiders when he acted. He also had mixed feelings about playing Spock and he expressed those in his two autobiographies "I Am Not Spock" (1977) and "I Am Spock" (1995).
"Star Trek" only lasted three years, but thanks to a cultlike following, "Star Trek" lived on through syndication, a cartoon and several movies. The movies were able to use most of the TV show's original cast, including Nimoy and William Shatner.
A modern revival of the "Star Trek" film occurred in 2009 with an all-new cast. Director J.J. Abrams gave Nimoy a cameo as an older Spock character in the movie. Again in 2013, Nimoy appeared in a "Star Trek" movie: "Star Trek Into Darkness."
Star Trek was not the only thing Nimoy took part in. From 1977 to 1982, he hosted a mystery show called "In Search Of..." which looked into topics like UFOs and the Loch Ness Monster.
Nimoy also had a part in the TV show "Mission: Impossible." Most recently, Nimoy has provided voiceovers for "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" (2001) and the computer game "Civilization IV" (2005).
Internet Movie Database (IMDb) credits Nimoy with 134 roles as an actor.
Nimoy is survived by his wife; his children, Adam and Julie Nimoy; a stepson, Aaron Bay Schuck; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and an older brother, Melvin.
What did you think of Nimoy's acting? Were you a "Star Trek" fan? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think.
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