This morning, sci-fi icon Leonard Nimoy passed away from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 83 years old.
Born on March 26, 1931, Leonard Simon Nimoy found fame as an actor, director, writer, musician, poet, and photographer in a career that spanned over sixty years. But his best known part was for playing the half-human, half-Vulcan First Officer on the original Star Trek, Spock.
Prior to his role on Star Trek, Nimoy starred in the film Kid Monk Baroni, and made appearances in Perry Mason, Bonanza, Rawhide,Them!, The Braineaters, The Silent Service and several other TV series and films. In 1964, Nimoy was cast as Spock in the original Star Trek pilot. While the series was retooled before its eventual premiere in 1966, Nimoy was the only main character to return for the regular series.
Over the course of Star Trek’s three season voyage, Spock quickly became an indelible and iconic character, thanks to Nimoy’s performance and the character’s slightly inhuman qualities. While the role dominated his career, Nimoy seemed to publicly distance himself from the character with his first autobiography, I Am Not Spock.
However, Nimoy later returned to the role in six feature length Star Trek movies, including two stints in the director’s chair in addition to co-writing and executive producing the sixth film, Star Trek Vi: The Undiscovered Country. In the 1995, Nimoy released a second biography titled I Am Spock. More recently, Nimoy reprised his role in the two J.J. Abrams directed Star Trek films as he appeared opposite Zachary Quinto’s younger Spock and a new generation of actors.
Nimoy’s success as the director of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home opened the door to direct films outside of the franchise including Three Men and a Baby, The Good Mother, Funny About Love and Holy Matrimony.
As an actor, Nimoy continued to appear in film and television before his “retirement” in 2010 after recurring on the TV series Fringe as the enigmatic William Bell. Nimoy broke his self-imposed retirement two years later to return to Fringe and appear in the rebooted Star Trek films.
Outside of the film and TV industry, Nimoy’s photography was a hobby he pursed his entire life, with exhibitions of his work appearing in art galleries and universities. He wrote several volumes of poetry and photographic books. Nimoy also released five musical albums during the height of his popularity on Star Trek.
Nimoy’s importance to the science fiction community of fans and creators can not be understated. He was a legend and he will be greatly missed.
CraveOnline extends its condolences to Nimoy’s friends, family and fans across the world.
“Live Long and Prosper.”
