The New York Times reports his death was caused by “end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”
Nimoy will best be remembered for his role as the logical half human/half Vulcan science officer Mr. Spock in the Star Trek franchise, in which he starred in the original series (earning three Emmy nominations) and eight films, including J.J. Abrams’ recent reboot and its sequel. Nimoy also directed the underrated Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, as well as Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Some of his non-Trek roles included providing the voices of Galvatron in Transformers: The Movie, Jekyll and Hyde in The Pagemaster, and Mr. Moundshroud in The Halloween Tree. In the live-action realm, he had a starring role on the original Mission: Impossible TV series, as well as tons of guest spots on everything from Bonanza to The Twilight Zone. He was also a successful stage actor, poet, a photographer, and a singer, having famously performed “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins” on his 1968 album Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy. And here’s something I didn’t know about him: he directed the hit comedy Three Men and a Baby.
Nimoy was a pop culture icon and a legend who will be remembered forever. R.I.P.
