On February 27, 2015, an acting legend passed away and hearts shattered. Leonard Nimoy died at age 83 due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The actor, director, and author passed away in his Bel Air home, as confirmed by his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy.
Nimoy was born March 26, 1931 and began his film and television career in the 1950’s though he is most famous for his iconic role as Spock in the “Star Trek” franchise.
He first appeared as the Vulcan on Gene Roddenberry’s NBC series “Star Trek,” which would air for only three seasons from 1966-69. The series was so insanely popular that it led to an animated series, twelve feature films (with more on the way) and four spin-off television series, not to mention video games, theme park rides and innumerable merchandise. His character is one of the most famous cultural icons of the last 50 years.
Nimoy continued to play the role after the television series in six films featuring the original cast from 1979-1991, as well as a two-part episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” titled “Unification.” He also reprised his role in the J.J. Abrams’ reboot films Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek into Darkness (2013), as well as spoofing it in an episode of “Futurama” that reunited the surviving cast members titled “Where No Fan Has Gone Before.”
His career didn’t stop at acting. He had a successful career behind the camera directing as well. He directed the third and fourth “Star Trek” films and surprisingly the 1987’s #1 box office hit Three Men and a Baby.
He is very fondly remembered for his work on the J.J. Abrams series “Fringe” as well as publishing two contradicting biographies about his relationship to Trek fandom, “I Am Not Spock” (1975) and “I Am Spock” (1995).
Nimoy used his unique voice to appear in many voice over roles such as several appearances in “Futurama” and “The Simpsons.” But he was also a musician. His first album was adorably titled, Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock’s Music From Outer Space. His second, Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy, included the classic “Ballad of Bilbo Baggins.”
He lived life every day reminding fans to live long and prosper and he embraced that mantra even in his last tweet ever. It is a heartbreaking reminder that life is beautiful even in the hard moments and this magical man is gone forever but not in our hearts.
“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP”
He is survived by his wife and two children, Adam and Julie.
