Legendary Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy has died today, aged 83 at his Los Angeles home.
According to the New York Times, the iconic Star Trek veteran passed away earlier today following a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
“Leonard Nimoy, the sonorous, gaunt-faced actor who won a worshipful global following as Mr. Spock, the resolutely logical human-alien first officer of the Starship Enterprise in the television and movie juggernaut “Star Trek,” died on Friday morning at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 83.”
“His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death,” they explained, “saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”
Of course, Nimoy had been battling the illness for some time, and last year revealed that he was suffering from COPD – attributing it to a smoking habit he had given up thirty years ago.
But just last week, the 83-year-old actor was admitted to hospital following a 911 emergency call after he collapsed with severe chest pains. He underwent treatment at the UCLA Medical Center before presumably being released to his home.
“I quit smoking 30 years ago,” he said on Twitter last year. “Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! [Live Long and Prosper].”
And his last tweet was even more poignant still…
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
He was last seen in the role of Spock in the 2013 reboot movie, Star Trek Into Darkness, but was rumoured to be reprising his role in the upcoming sequel. With speculation that he would star alongside William Shatner, it was the Star Trek reunion we’ve all been waiting for.
Sadly, it seems it just wasn’t meant to be… and with the death of Leonard Nimoy we see the passing of a true sci-fi legend.
R.I.P. Leonard Nimoy – a man who lived long and prospered.
