Obituaries

Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek's Mr. Spock, Dies at 83

The iconic half-Vulcan performed in the original Broadway production of ”Equus”.

| New York City |

February 27, 2015

Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek's original Spok, died this morning at the age of 83. — Leonard Nimoy, *Star Trek*'s original Spock, died this morning at the age of 83.

Leonard Nimoy, an actor, writer, director, and photographer who became immortalized as the Star Trek series' original Mr. Spock, died this morning at his home in Los Angeles. He was 83.

His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death to the New York Times. She identifies the cause as end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, caused by years of cigarette smoking, though he gave up the habit over three decades ago.

Nimoy began acting at the age of 8 in neighborhood theater near his home in Boston. At 17, he was cast in his first major role as Ralphie in an amateur production of Clifford Odets' Awake and Sing! He went on to take drama classes at Boston College in 1953 but never completed his studies.

He landed his iconic role as the half-Vulcan, half-human Mr. Spock in 1966, earning three Emmy nominations during his three-year run with the series. He reprised his Spock character in Star Trek: The Animated Series, two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the first six Star Trek movies, two of which Nimoy directed.

Nimoy made his Broadway debut in a 1973 revival of Full Circle. He returned to the stage in 1977 in Equus, taking over the role of Martin Dysart, originated on Broadway by Anthony Hopkins. He took his final turn on the Great White Way in 1996, directing the play The Apple Doesn't Fall….

In addition to his wife, Nimoy is survived by his children Adam and Julie Nimoy, a stepson, Aaron Bay Schuck, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and an older brother, Melvin.