CREDIT: REUTERS/FRED PROUSER
Leonard Nimoy has died. The actor was famed for his portrayal of Mr. Spock on the “Star Trek” science fiction TV series and movies. He died Friday (February 27) morning after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Last year, Nimoy disclosed on Twitter that he had been diagnosed with the progressive lung disease. He was 83.
Nimoy had other roles during a long career in TV, film and theater, and directed successful movies, wrote books, composed poetry, published photographs and recorded music. But he will be forever linked to the half-Vulcan, half-human Spock in the original 1960s “Star Trek” TV series and subsequent movies.
For years, Nimoy resented that Spock defined him but ultimately came to accept that his life would be intertwined with the alien who inspired a fervent fan following for “Star Trek.”
He came up with the Vulcan nerve grip that rendered foes unconscious, as well as the split-fingered Vulcan “live long and prosper” salute, which he said was inspired by a gesture he had seen worshippers make in his synagogue when he was a boy.
Reuters wires
