Leonard
Nimoy, famed for his portrayal of Mr. Spock on the "Star Trek" science
fiction TV series and movies, has died after battling chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 83. Last year, Nimoy disclosed on
Twitter that he had been diagnosed with progressive lung disease. "I
quit smoking 30 years ago. Not soon enough," he tweeted to his 810,000
followers. "Grandpa says, quit now!!" Nimoy had other roles during a
long career in TV, film and theatre, 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. Known
for suppressing his emotions and using strict logic to guide his
actions, Spock became one of the best-known and most beloved sci-fi
characters of the late 20th century. 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." His feelings were summed up in the titles of his memoirs -
"I Am Not Spock" in 1975 and "I Am Spock" two decades later.
