Friday, February 27, 2015

Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015

Leonard Nimoy, best known for his portrayal of the half-Vulcan half-earthling Mr. Spock in the Star Trek TV shows and movies, has died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles.  He had reached the age of 83, thus living out the Vulcan blessing that Spock often recited, "live long and prosper."  Nimoy attributed the disease to years of smoking, although he had quit about 30 years ago.

Leonard Nimoy was born on March 26, 1931, to Max and Dora Nimoy, Jewish immigrants from Ukraine.  He started acting at age 8 and continued through his high school and ensuing adult years.  He served two years in the Army, getting his discharge in 1955.  Afterwards, he worked various odd jobs while studying acting, attended college, and appeared on several TV shows, before landing the role of Mr. Spock.  Besides appearing in the original series, he was also on screen for the first six Star Trek movies, two of which he directed, a few episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and in cameo roles in director J.J. Abrams' two recent Star Trek movies.

Besides his involvement with the Star Trek franchise, Nimoy also directed the comedy Three Men and a Baby, and hosted the TV series In Search Of and Ancient Mysteries.  His pursuits outside of show business included poetry, photography and music.  He wrote two autobiographies, I Am Not Spock and I Am Spock.  He is survived by his second wife, two children (with his first wife), several grandchildren, and a brother.

Read more at The New York Times, Variety, USA Today, TMZ and The Telegraph.

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