He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Feb 27, 2015 20:21 GMT  ·  By
Leonard Nimoy resumed his role as Spock in the new “Star Trek” movies, in 2009 and 2013
   Leonard Nimoy resumed his role as Spock in the new “Star Trek” movies, in 2009 and 2013

Iconic actor, director, singer, poet and photographer Leonard Nimoy, best known for his role as Spock in the original “Star Trek” franchise, has died. He was 83 and had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as he announced last year.

Earlier this week, he had been rushed to the hospital for suffering severe chest pains. His wife Susan Bay Nimoy has confirmed the sad news, as also did a close relative on his official Twitter feed. The cause of death is the smoking-related disease.

Nimoy was a heavy smoker but he gave it up almost 3 decades ago. However, as he said in one of his most recent tweets, in his final months, he had come to bitterly regret ever picking up the habit.

He never spoke of being in pain or went into the details of his condition, but his last tweets read now, in retrospect, like beautiful goodbyes. They were pieces of advice inspired from a lifelong experience, words meant to encourage us all to live happier, more fulfilling lives.

Leonard Nimoy has 134 credits as actor and 12 as director. He was an accomplished artist and beloved human being, and he will be terribly missed. His Spock is considered one of the greatest top 50 characters of all times, and his legacy for the fans is tremendous.

Nimoy is survived by his wife and two children. His final tweet, posted just before the emergency hospitalization, is heartbreakingly beautiful - and memorable too.