Actor and director Leonard Nimoy, known to Star Trek fans for his portrayal of the character Spock, has died. He was 83.
The newspaper reports the actor died at his home in Bel Air, Calif., Friday morning.
The actor was rushed to hospital earlier in February with severe chest pains. Nimoy suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and taken to UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles.
The star -- who is known for his portrayal of Commander Spock has been in-and-out of hospital on numerous occasions in the past few months and was spotted last year in New York in a wheelchair attached to a breathing apparatus.
Leonard took to Twitter last February to announce that he'd been diagnosed with the condition, despite giving up smoking over 30 years ago, and encouraged people to look after their health.
He wrote at the time: ''I quit smoking 30 yrs ago. Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! LLAP (Live long and prosper).
''Smokers, please understand. If you quit after you're diagnosed with lung damage it's too late. Grandpa says learn my lesson. Quit now. LLAP
''I'm doing OK. Just can't walk distances. Love my life, family, friends and followers. LLAP."
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term used for a number of illnesses affecting the lungs, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which affects millions of people around the world.
The disease damages the air sacs and passages into the lungs, which can then make breathing difficult, and the majority of cases are believed to be caused by cigarette smoke.
Actors, astronauts, writers and many others poured out their emotions on Twitter Friday as news broke that Leonard Nimoy, Mr. Spock from TV’s ‘Star Trek,’ had died.
“Live long and prosper” was the message fans remembered Nimoy by in the hours after his death, recalling the phrase his character often used in the popular sci-fi series.
Nimoy’s poetic final Twitter message also went viral. “A life is like a garden,” he wrote, just one day before he was hospitalized with chest pains. “Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory.”
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015Nimoy's 'Star Trek' co-star William Shatner said he loved him "like a brother." Shatner's Captain Kirk and Nimoy's Spock played best friends in the television series and movies.
"I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love." -William Shatner http://t.co/U8ZN98tVYp
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 27, 2015Actor George Takei, who played Sulu in 'Star Trek,' also expressed his sadness.
Post by George Takei.
Chris Hadfield, former Canadian astronaut and commander of the International Space Station, thanked Nimoy for inspiring him to look to the stars.
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, 2015NASA tweeted a photo of Nimoy and other ‘Star Trek’ cast members from a 1976 visit to see the Enterprise, a space shuttle named after the ship on the television show.
RIP Leonard Nimoy. So many of us at NASA were inspired by Star Trek. Boldly go... http://t.co/qpeH5BTzQc pic.twitter.com/nMmFMKYv1L
— NASA (@NASA) February 27, 2015Actor Zachary Quinto, who took over the role of Spock in 2009’s ‘Star Trek’ reboot, said he will miss the actor “every day.” Quinto and Nimoy actually crossed paths in the film, with Nimoy playing a version of Spock from the far future.
A photo posted by Zachary Quinto (@zacharyquinto) on
Wil Wheaton, who played Wesley Crusher on the 1990s series ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ paid tribute to Nimoy for helping launch the sci-fi franchise that has been around for more than 50 years.
We stood on your shoulders, and wouldn’t have had a galaxy to explore if you hadn’t been there, first. Thank you, Leonard, Rest in peace.
— Wil Wheaton (@wilw) February 27, 2015Many thanked Nimoy for the role he played in shaping their childhoods as the logical half-Vulcan Mr. Spock.
Boldly go, with that little piece of my youth packed in your suitcase. Look after it. Leonard Nimoy, 1931 - 2015. pic.twitter.com/PDIxzxzjTK
— Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) February 27, 2015Leonard Nimoy is dead, and with him my childhood. May your journey be free of incident, Doctor. pic.twitter.com/60gfUIhUzT
— Hannah Levinson (@djhannimal) February 27, 2015Others went back to YouTube to see his final moments as Spock on film, along with his character’s death scene in ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.’
"Since my customary farewell would appear oddly self-serving..." Farewell, Leonard Nimoy http://t.co/aLmtHnJ6h2
— Goose Lane Editions (@goose_lane) February 27, 2015Wrath of Khan is still the best. Happy travels, Leonard Nimoy. https://t.co/JQpeopNweJ
— jeridkurtz (@jeridkurtz) February 27, 2015Several people recalled Nimoy’s various other pop culture appearances, including his cameos on ‘The Simpsons’ and an odd-ball song about ‘The Hobbit’ he recorded in the 1960s.
Sad to hear about Leonard Nimoy. He was one of my favorite Simpsons cameos. https://t.co/cQy8fZUj1k
— Andrew Battifarano (@squidthoughts) February 27, 2015I'm playing Leonard Nimoy's Bilbo Baggins loud at the exhibition right now. No explanation given to the visitors. https://t.co/q43sq6lHo7
— Idil Sukan (@idilsukan) February 27, 2015Leonard Nimoy totally owned his nuttiness & was never afraid of typecasting. This @audi commercial ia a great example http://t.co/LYY26XXRCY
— Declan Brennan (@TheRaceTool) February 27, 2015Tributes poured in from all corners of the Internet.
"Spock" your $5 bills for Leonard Nimoy pic.twitter.com/bKdKyC3l4q
— Design Canada (@The_CDR) February 27, 2015Leonard Nimoy brought us one of the greatest, noblest characters in the history of American storytelling. Someone find the Genesis planet.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) February 27, 2015Cute pic of Sheldon and Leonard Nimoy to brighten this sad day. He was loved. pic.twitter.com/sniJpNLD15
— Mad Bitcoins (@MadBitcoins) February 27, 2015- With files from BANG Showbiz
