george Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' diesLYNN ELBER, Associated PressLOS ANGELES (AP) — Leonard Nimoy, the actor known and loved by generations of "Star Trek" fans as the pointy-eared, purely logical science officer Mr. Spock, has died.Nimoy's son, Adam Nimoy, said the actor died Friday of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at his Los Angeles home. He was 83.Although Leonard Nimoy followed his 1966-69 "Star Trek" run with a notable career as both an actor and director, in the public's mind he would always be Spock. His half-human, half-Vulcan character was the calm counterpoint to William Shatner's often-emotional Captain Kirk on one of television and film's most revered cult series.Nimoy's ambivalence to the role was reflected in the titles of his two autobiographies, "I Am Not Spock" (1975) and "I Am Spock" (1995).After "Star Trek" ended, the actor immediately joined the hit adventure series "Mission Impossible" as Paris, the mission team's master of disguises. From 1976 to 1982 he hosted the syndicated TV series "In Search of ... " which attempted to probe such mysteries as the legend of the Loch Ness Monster and the disappearance of aviator Amelia Earhart.He played Israeli leader Golda Meir's husband opposite Ingrid Bergman in the TV drama "A Woman Called Golda" and Vincent van Gogh in "Vincent," a one-man stage show on the life of the troubled painter. He continued to work well into his 70s, playing gazillionaire genius William Bell in the Fox series "Fringe."He also directed several films, including the hit comedy "Three Men and a Baby" and appeared in such plays as "A Streetcar Named Desire," ''Cat on a Hot Tim Roof," ''Fiddler on the Roof," ''The King and I," ''My Fair Lady" and "Equus." He also published books of poems, children's stories and his own photographs.But he could never really escape the role that took him overnight from bit-part actor status to TV star, and in a 1995 interview he sought to analyze the popularity of Spock, the green-blooded space traveler who aspired to live a life based on pure logic.People identified with Spock because they "recognize in themselves this wish that they could be logical and avoid the pain of anger and confrontation," Nimoy concluded."How many times have we come away from an argument wishing we had said and done something different?" he asked.In the years immediately after "Star Trek" left television, Nimoy tried to shun the role, but he eventually came to embrace it, lampooning himself on such TV shows as "Futurama," ''Duckman" and "The Simpsons" and in commercials.He became Spock after "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry was impressed by his work in guest appearances on the TV shows "The Lieutenant" and "Dr. Kildare."The space adventure set in the 23rd century had an unimpressive debut on NBC on Sept. 8, 1966, and it struggled during its three seasons to find an audience other than teenage boys. It seemed headed for oblivion after it was canceled in 1969, but its dedicated legion of fans, who called themselves Trekkies, kept its memory alive with conventions and fan clubs and constant demands that the cast be reassembled for a movie or another TV show.Trekkies were particularly fond of Spock, often greeting one another with the Vulcan salute and the Vulcan motto, "Live Long and Prosper," both of which Nimoy was credited with bringing to the character. He pointed out, however, that the hand gesture was actually derived from one used by rabbis during Hebraic benedictions.When the cast finally was reassembled for "Star Trek — The Motion Picture," in 1979, the film was a huge hit and five sequels followed. Nimoy appeared in all of them and directed two. He also guest starred as an older version of himself in some of the episodes of the show's spinoff TV series, "Star Trek: The Next Generation.""Of course the role changed my career— or rather, gave me one," he once said. "It made me wealthy by most standards and opened up vast opportunities. It also affected me personally, socially, psychologically, emotionally. ... What started out as a welcome job to a hungry actor has become a constant and ongoing influence in my thinking and lifestyle."In 2009, he was back in a new big-screen version of "Star Trek," this time playing an older Spock who meets his younger self, played by Zachary Quinto. Critic Roger Ebert called the older Spock "the most human character in the film."Among those seeing the film was President Barack Obama, whose even manner was often likened to Spock's."Everybody was saying I was Spock, so I figured I should check it out," Obama said at the time.Upon the movie's debut, Nimoy told The Associated Press that in his late 70s he was probably closer than ever to being as comfortable with himself as the logical Spock always appeared to be."I know where I'm going, and I know where I've been," he said. He reprised the role in the 2013 sequel "Star Trek Into Darkness."Born in Boston to Jewish immigrants from Russia, Nimoy was raised in an Italian section of the city where, although he counted many Italian-Americans as his friends, he said he also felt the sting of anti-Semitism growing up.At age 17 he was cast in a local production of Clifford Odets' "Awake and Sing" as the son in a Jewish family."This role, the young man surrounded by a hostile and repressive environment, so touched a responsive chord that I decided to make a career of acting," he said later.He won a drama scholarship to Boston College but eventually dropped out, moved to California and took acting lessons at the Pasadena Playhouse.Soon he had lost his "Boston dead-end" accent, hired an agent and began getting small roles in TV series and movies. He played a baseball player in "Rhubarb" and an Indian in "Old Overland Trail."After service in the Army, he returned to Hollywood, working as taxi driver, vacuum cleaner salesman, movie theater usher and other jobs while looking for acting roles.In 1954 he married Sandra Zober, a fellow student at the Pasadena Playhouse, and they had two children, Julie and Adam. The couple divorced, and in 1988 he married Susan Bay, a film production executive.___This story contains biographical material compiled by late AP Entertainment Writer Bob Thomas.-- (c) Associated Press 2015-02-26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telldem Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarpoFongness4U Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I met William Shatner at LAX one morning, and he was undoubtedly a hung over <deleted> with a very bright shiny nose and fake hair. Nimoy never had an opportunity to disappoint me as a fan RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
off road pat Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 RIP, "I know where I'm going, and I know where I've been," Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post englishoak Posted February 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 27, 2015 He lived long and Prospered RIP 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trogers Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Sheldon Cooper will be devastated. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 RIP It's life Jim, but not as we know it... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooka Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Beam me up Scott. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post draftvader Posted February 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 27, 2015 Thanks Leonard. You were professional and loveable. The wonderful part about your life is that the things people are saying about you in your death are all the things we hope that people will say about us in ours. Standing ovation for a great life performance is in order I think. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wooloomooloo Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Highly illogical. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosha Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Thankyou for the memories RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I am saddened to see this legend and significant part of my growing up years gone. Rest in Peace, Spock, you inspired a generation to dream and think. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somtamnication Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Sad day for me. Lovely guy, loved his In Search Of series. RIP. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckamuck Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 He was a great human that we remember as a Vulcan. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
than Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Rip Live long and prosper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveAustin Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Indeed a sad day. Such a unique talent (that voice) and decent, real human being. I laughed hard when he labelled those daft 'Trekkies' that tried to pick to pieces the 2009 reboot as dickheads. Very sad that he's gone but also happy he had a long, fulfilling life and that he is no longer suffering. RIP LN. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonytigerbkk Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Beamed up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockPieandBeans Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 He has now passed the Final Frontier. RIP & thanks for the memories. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I am and always will be RIP 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Publicus Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Yes, lived long and prospered. Always to be remembered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieH Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I was a Trekkie and enjoyed many years of Star Trek, and I am sure that Star Trek franchise allowed him to "live long and prosper" to the age of 83. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyDaRench Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Pointy eared green blooded hobgoblin. RIP to Spock, McCoy, Scotty. Thank you for your works. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulc01 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Scotty, Bones, and Spock are now gone (along with Nurse Chapel). Only Kirk and the helmsmen, Sulu and the Chekov are left (and Uhura). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Songhua Posted February 28, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 28, 2015 The journey has ended.. Goodbye Mr Spock and thanks for the memories. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanBBK Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I am saddened to see this legend and significant part of my growing up years gone. Rest in Peace, Spock, you inspired a generation to dream and think. No better way to put it. I am part of that generation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackJack Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 now Spock onto a new frontier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdanielmcev Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Thanks, Mr. Nimoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just1Voice Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 For me, he was the best part of Star Trek. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB24 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 DITTO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaywalker Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I always loved the guy. Sad to hear of his departure. Just glad he went at 83 & not before, like that episode where those flying things stuck to his back & started feeding on him. That CREEPED ME OUT as a kid. RIP Leonard. You were a true icon that will never be forgotten. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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