Incredibly sad news today. Actor-writer-director-presenter-ambassador of nerds everywhere, Leonard Nimoy, has passed away at the age of 83 following a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his widow Susan Bay Nimoy confirmed today. Nimoy’s career in film and television began in 1951 and he enjoyed success for the next 60+ years.
Dan Casey shares his favorite Leonard Nimoy moment. Share yours in the comments below
He is, of course, best known and loved as Mr. Spock, the logical-to-a-fault half-human/half-Vulcan science officer on Gene Roddenberry’s landmark sci-fi series Star Trek, and was the only member of the cast to appear in every single episode, even including “The Cage,” the original pilot which featured Captain Christopher Pike instead of James Tiberius Kirk. Spock became the immediate standout character and his familiar hand symbol and phrase “Live Long and Prosper” became one of the most recognizable aspects of that series.
Even though that show only lasted three seasons, Nimoy’s involvement in the franchise continued, lending his voice to the animated series, appearing in all six of the original crew movies, directing Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, guest starring on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and being the only crossover actor in J.J. Abrams’ reboots beginning in 2009. Beyond Trek, Nimoy was a genre film and TV staple, becoming a lead character in the Seasons 4 and 5 of Mission: Impossible, acting in and directing episodes of Rod Serling’s Night Gallery, appearing in both The Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake in 1978 and Transformers: The Movie in 1986 as Galvatron, the new and improved Megatron. He hosted the amazing series In Search Of… about paranormal phenomenon and was never not up for being an ambassador of the nerdly pursuits.
His list of accomplishments are too long to list here, but suffice to say, Nimoy was one of the great proponents of science fiction and never shied away from the fandom that launched his career. He will forever be missed, but he was and will always be a friend to spacey kids everywhere. Now, enjoy some of my favorite Nimoy clips.
Even Nimoy’s last tweet perfectly encapsulated his optimistic yet logical view of life. Live long and prosper.
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
For his sake I hope he passed quietly and painlessly. He touched millions of people without ever meeting them, and in their memories he will live on.
NASA should consider naming one of their next shuttles the “Nimoy.”
it like a piece of my childhood has left, like the world is a lil less magical or as Prince Nuada best put it when were gone…..the world will be poorer for it godspeed mr spock and ty
Beam him up one last time Scotty…
I raise both hands flashing the Shin symbol. He lived long and prospered, and now may he RIP. PS, I’m keeping the pornstache avatar in memorium.
*sigh* This isn’t a particularly good Friday for me, after hearing this news.
Going to bring out my extended cut of STII:TWOK on the big TV and pour out a 40oz. of some plomeek soup for my hero.
He was a kind, caring and beautiful person. Thank you for bring me joyful entertainment in my life. RIP