Leonard Nimoy AKA Mr Spock dies, aged 83

(Image credit: AP/Press Association Images)

Star Trek icon Leonard Nimoy has died at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, aged 83.

According to the New York Times, his wife Susan Bay Nimoy confirmed his death, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Nimoy attributed his illness to a longerm smoking habit, although he had quit smoking three decades ago.

Nimoy, the son of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, was an accomplished poet, photographer and musician, but it was as the half-human, half- vulcan Mr Spock in the massively popular Sixties series Star Trek that Nimoy became famous.

Spock was responsible for many of Star Trek's greatest moments and immortal phrases, including 'That's illogical' and 'Live long and prosper' and, of course, the unique hand signal (pictured).

He once said of his character: "Spock is definitely one of my best friends. When I put on those ears, it's not like just another day. When I become Spock, that day becomes something special."

After Stark Trek ended in 1969, Nimoy continued acting, including other in hit series such as Mission: Impossible, but also branched into directing, notably the box office hits Three Men and a Baby (1987), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986).

Nimoy is survived by his secoond wife, Susan, and children Adam and Julie.

The BBC has posted a tribute to the life and career of Leonard Nimoy. Watch it here

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.