Live Long and Prosper Mr. Spock.

Leonard Nimoy, most well known for portraying Spock in the Star Trek franchise, died due to end stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in his Los Angeles home last February 27, confirmed by his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, New York Times reports.

Mr. Nimoy was 83 years old. He made an official announcement last year about acquiring the lung disease as a result of years of smoking. He kicked the habit thirty years earlier but was recently hospitalized earlier this week.

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Mr. Nimoy started acting at a young age of 8, winning roles in community colleges. He eventually moved to Hollywood and started out in minor roles in "Queen For A Day" and "Rhubarb".  He also had a short role in "The Twilight Zone".

He served in the Army for two years, rising to the rank of sergeant and spent 18 months in Georgia presiding over shows for the Army's Special Services Branch. Mr. Nimoy received his final discharge in 1955.

Mr Nimoy returned to California and gained widespread recognition for roles in "Wagon Train" and "Rawhide".

Aside from acting, Mr. Nimoy pursued other forms of artistry such as poetry, photography and music. However, it was his role of the emotionless, cerebral and flappy eared Vulcan, whose trademark salute and blessing: "Live long and prosper" became one of the famous quotes of all time.

Mr. Nimoy was already a teacher on method acting before he was cast as Spock in the 1960's original Star Trek television series.

Star Trek premiered in NBC on September 8, 1966 and this cemented Mr. Nimoy's acting career as an actor. Gene Rodenberry, the creator of the famous TV franchise called Mr Nimoy, the "conscience of Star Trek".

He enjoyed playing as an outsider, as someone who was quite different from the crew. Mr. Nimoy admitted in a previous interview that he had some sort of mystical connection with his Star trek character.

Star Trek only lasted for three seasons due to low TV ratings but it developed a cult following. Suddenly fan conferences and Star Trek costumes became well known and the series was even made into an animated show.

In the 2009 reboot of the franchise by JJ Abrams, Mr. Nimoy plays as the older version of Spock, while Zachary Quinto plays as the younger Spock.

Mr. Nimoy is survived by his wife, children Adam and Julie Nimoy, stepson Adam Bay Schuck, six grandchildren, one great grandchild and older brother.

Mr. Nimoy's last words through Twitter touched the hearts of people worldwide.

"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"

LLAP is a shortened term for live long and prosper, which Nimoy signs his tweets from time to time.

TagsLeonard Nimoy, Dies