Leonard Nimoy, who was best-known for his role as Mr. Spock in the "Star Trek" franchise, died at his home on Friday in Los Angeles, his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed to the New York Times. He was 83.
According to his wife, Nimoy's death was due to end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The star had been open about his condition, and spoke publicly about it last year. "Just can't walk distances. Love my life, family, friends and followers," he wrote on Twitter a week after announcing his diagnosis.
Nimoy had been hospitalized earlier this week, and many of his former co-stars, including George Takei, sent public well wishes. He had become active on Twitter in recent years, and wrote his last message on Monday:
Nimoy portrayed Spock for 40 years, reprising the role in 2009's "Star Trek" and 2013's "Star Trek Into Darkness." Aside from his work as Spock, Nimoy sat in the director's chair, helming "3 Men And A Baby" and "Star Trek" films like "The Search For Spock" and "The Voyage Home." He was also an accomplished voice actor, and can be heard in two episodes of "The Simpsons," “Atlantis: The Lost Empire,” “Transformers: The Movie,” “The Pagemaster," and dozens of other projects, including video games. More recently, he had a recurring role on the series, "Fringe," as William Bell.
Nimoy also released five albums via Dot Records, one of which borrowed from his days as Spock: "Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock's Music From Outer Space."
The actor is survived by his wife, two children from his first marriage to actress Sandra Zober, his stepson and grandchildren.
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