Spock’s boldly gone...
Iconic Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy dies aged 83
FOR generations of earthlings, he was our most cherished alien – a pointy- eared champion of cold logic who invariably got the rest of the crew of the Starship Enterprise out of a tight spot.
If Mr Spock was the most memorable character of the much-loved sci-fi TV series Star Trek, the actor who first played him – Leonard Nimoy – was certainly its real star.
His spaceship never reached journey’s end but the actor, sadly, has passed on.
His family announced last night that Nimoy had died at his Los Angeles home at the age of 83. His wife Susan, 71, and son, Adam, said it was a result of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease he revealed he was suffering from last year.
Nimoy, who was hospitalised with chest pains earlier this week, put the condition down to his years of heavy smoking despite having given up the habit almost three decades ago.
The father of three had a varied career on stage and screen but was best known for his portrayal of half-human, half-Vulcan science officer Spock in the original 1960s series of Star Trek.
Somewhat otherworldly looking anyway with his large ears and pointed eyebrows, Nimoy became forever associated with the role of Spock and battled alcohol abuse after struggling to cope with the pressures of fame.
But in many ways he relished his godlike status among the army of Star Trek fans who helped ensure the show – with its famous phrase, ‘To boldly go where no man has gone before’ – survived in various incarnations.
He admitted to having an almost mystical connection with the character he created. Playing him 12 to 14 hours a day, five days a week, influenced is personality, he said. Show creator Gene Roddenberry called him the ‘conscience of Star Trek’, a series that attempted to tackle many of the pressing social issues of the 1960s, despite its campy outfits and wobbly sets.
Tributes have poured in from across the planet Spock could never call home following news of the actor’s death. NASA posted a picture of the series’ original cast, with the message: ‘RIP Leonard Nimoy. So many of us at NASA were inspired by Star Trek. Boldly go...’
Actress Mia Farrow posted one of the actor’s many poems, along with the caption: ‘Thank you Leonard Nimoy. Rest in peace.’ Ordinary Star Trek fans also shared their grief, with one posting: ‘He changed my life.’
Nimoy was born in Boston in 1931, to Max and Dora Nimoy, Ukrainian i mmigrants and Orthodox Jews. He began acting at eight and moved to Hollywood to pursue dreams of stardom while still a teenager.
Known for his love of playing ‘outsider’ characters, he also starred in TV shows Mission: Impossible and Fringe.
While his Star Trek r ole brought him huge success, he spoke of his struggles with being so associated with a single character. The title of his first autobiography was ‘I Am Not Spock’.
A poet who recorded albums of space-themed songs, Nimoy sent a final Twitter message on Monday, which read: ‘A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP’.
The final acronym is a reference to Spock’s familiar catchphrase: ‘Live long and prosper.’