It is with great sadness to report that Leonard Nimoy best known for his role as Spock in ‘Star Trek’ has passed away today. He was 83.

It was reported that Nimoy was rushed to UCLA Medical Centert last week following complaints of severe chest pains which prompted a 911 call. The news of his death was confirmed by his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, stating it was end stage COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) as the cause.

Nimoy revealed last year that he was diagnosed with COPD which he attributed to his years of smoking which he broke the habit 30 years prior. Since his diagnosis, he has encouraged his fans via Twitter to not smoke.

While the actor has made many television and film appearances, authored several books which included 2 autobiographies, 9 poetry books and a comic co-authored with Isaac Asimov, it will be his portrayal of the alien that soon became readily accepted in the ‘Star Trek’ franchise that he has come to be associated with. In fact, Nimoy is attributed for inventing the now famous Vulcan hand greeting and has often used the anagram LLAP (“live long and prosper”) as his moniker.

When asked by THR what the appeal was of the ‘Star Trek’ franchise, Nimoy answered:

“I think there’s something to seeing these very professional people helping each other to solve a problem and in the idea that mankind is humane and will do the right thing eventually to each other and to other. And we all like the idea that there are great mysteries still to be explored.”

Nimoy tragic passing has affected us all and his last tweet is most bittersweet.

 

— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015

RIP Leonard Nimoy, you have lived long and prospered and for that we thank you and shall miss you.