Leonard Nimoy, ‘Spock’ Dies At 83

BEL AIR—The man behind America’s favorite extra-terrestrial passed-away in his Los Angeles home on February 27.

Leonard Nimoy, famed for his role as “Spock” in the transcendent television and film series, “Star Trek” died at the age of 83, following his battle with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Nimoy attributed his sickness to a smoking habit that he had quit 30 years prior.

Born to Ukrainian-Jewish immigrants on Boston’s West End, Nimoy’s acting talent eventually transported him from the Eastern seaboard to the promised-land of Los Angeles, where he would land the immortal part of Captain Kirk’s unflappable Vulcan sidekick.

To fans, Nimoy will forever be tied to the pointy-eared, valiant, and at times, infuriatingly logical Spock. Because of the immense popularity of the Star Trek franchise, Nimoy had difficulty escaping the shadow of his alien alter-ego, a struggle he chronicles in his autobiography, entitled, I Am Not Spock (1975).

With time, Nimoy appeared to embrace his inseparable bond to the character, as detailed in his subsequent autobiography, I Am Spock (1995).

In death, the profound impact of Nimoy the man, and Spock the character, has been expressed by fans, and colleagues alike. In a statement released by the White House, President Barrack Obama paid homage to both the man and the character.

“Long before being nerdy was cool, 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.”

In the aftermath of his passing, a small controversy brewed concerning the absence of Nimoy’s co-star, William Shatner, from the funeral services held on Sunday. Shatner’s absence earned him a New York Daily News front-page article entitled, “Captain Jerk.”

The actor took to Twitter to respond to critics, defending his absence in saying he was in Florida attending a charity event that he had committed to several months prior.

Absent from Sunday’s remembrance of Nimoy, Shatner used the social media platform to express fond memories of his friend and science officer.

@WilliamShatne tweeted: “I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love.”

“I feel really awful. Here I am doing charity work and one of my dearest friends is being buried,” said Shatner in another tweet.

@WilliamShatner: “@nickwilli131: @WilliamShatner what was your favorite memory of Mr. Nimoy?#LeonardNimoy.” He responded,  “Every moment I spent with him.”