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Leonard Nimoy, known to generations of Star Trek fans as Mr. Spock, died this morning at his home in Los Angeles, the New York Times reports. He was 83. Susan Bay Nimoy, his wife, said that the cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Nimoy was cast as a Vulcan, the only alien member of the original Star Trek crew, in 1966. It was a role that he embraced for the duration of his career, and one that he returned to as recently as 2013 in the theatrical reboot of the series where he played opposite Zachary Quinto. The New York Times notes that Spock was a role which Nimoy expressed ambivalence toward as shown in his two autobiographies, titled I Am Not Spock from 1977 and I Am Spock in 1995.
Video games were also part of Nimoy's body of work. He performed voiceover for titles like Seaman, Civilization 4, Star Trek Online, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep, where he played the series' leading villain, Master Xehanort.
Polygon will update this article throughout the day as remembrances roll in from Nimoy's colleagues, friends and castmates.
Quinto, who played Mr. Spock in 2009's Star Trek reboot by J.J. Abrams, and 2013's sequal Star Trek: Into Darkness, went to Instagram to express his condolences.
NASA remembers Nimoy today on Twitter for inspiring the members of the U.S. space program.
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, 2015
Here's Nimoy's Star Trek co-star George Takei, who played the role of Sulu on the original television series as well as the first six movies.
Nichelle Nichols, who played opposite Nimoy as communications officer Nyota Uhura since that very first season, released a statement today.
"I am deeply saddened by the death of my dear friend Leonard Nimoy," Nichols said. "But, I also want to celebrate his extraordinary life. He was a true force of strength and his character was that of a champion. Leonard's integrity and passion as an actor and devotion to his craft helped transport Star Trek into television history. His vision and heart are bigger than the universe. I will miss him very much and send heartfelt wishes to his family."
William Shatner, on the passing of his dear friend.
"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, 2015
Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
It is with sadness that I heard of Leonard Nimoy's death. I was lucky to spend many happy, inspiring hours with him. He won't be forgotten.
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) February 27, 2015
Actor LeVar Burton, better known to Star Trek fans as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge.
God Bless You, Leonard Nimoy... May Angels guide thee to thy rest! #agoodman #talented #funny #awesome
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) February 27, 2015
Director J.J. Abrams left this hand-written note on his Twitter account.
LLAP pic.twitter.com/9ZbT67JKUZ
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) February 27, 2015
This afternoon even the highest office of the U.S. government offered its condolences.
"Long before being nerdy was cool," said President Barack Obama, "there was Leonard Nimoy. Leonard was a lifelong lover of the arts and humanities, a supporter of the sciences, generous with his talent and his time. And of course, Leonard was Spock. Cool, logical, big-eared and level-headed, the center of Star Trek’s optimistic, inclusive vision of humanity’s future."
"I loved Spock. In 2007, I had the chance to meet Leonard in person. It was only logical to greet him with the Vulcan salute, the universal sign for 'Live long and prosper.' And after 83 years on this planet — and on his visits to many others — it’s clear Leonard Nimoy did just that. Michelle and I join his family, friends, and countless fans who miss him so dearly today."
Finally, it was Dani Nimoy who took to her grandfather's Twitter account today to share the family's feelings on his passing.
"As you all know," she wrote, "my Grandpa passed away this morning at 8:40 from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was an extraordinary man, husband, grandfather, brother, actor, author — the list goes on — and friend.
"Thank you for the warm condolences. May you all LLAP," she wrote, a reference to his iconic phrase, "Live long and prosper."
Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015 Read: http://t.co/pw7zYRRlts
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 27, 2015
The SHOPLLAP.com site will feature special shirts on sale soon, Dani said, with all of the proceeds going to fund the COPD Foundation.
