Spock Is Dead: Leonard Nimoy, 1931-2015
His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Mr. Nimoy announced last year that he had the disease, which he attributed to years of smoking, a habit he had given up three decades earlier. He had been hospitalized earlier in the week.
His artistic pursuits — poetry, photography and music in addition to acting — ranged far beyond the United Federation of Planets, but it was as Mr. Spock that Mr. Nimoy became a folk hero, bringing to life one of the most indelible characters of the last half century: a cerebral, unflappable, pointy-eared Vulcan with a signature salute and blessing: “Live long and prosper” (from the Vulcan “Dif-tor heh smusma”).
The actor had been rushed to the hospital just over a week ago:
Law enforcement sources say the legendary “Star Trek” star was transported to UCLA Medical Center last Thursday.
We’re told paramedics weren’t taking chances with Captain Spock and got him in front of a doctor ASAP. Nimoy’s been in and out of hospitals multiple times in the last few months.
Nimoy was always identified with Spock:
A little like Spock struggling between his two sides, Mr. Nimoy was torn between his real self and his “Star Trek” identity, the one fans were so passionate to prolong.
And like Spock, Mr. Nimoy was gracious about the pressure, allowing for human weakness even when he didn’t share it. Everyone wanted him to be Spock, forever. Once in a while, Mr. Nimoy complied.
He lent his voice to a Spock action figure on a 2012 episode of “The Big Bang Theory,” in which Sheldon (Jim Parsons) dreams that his toy Spock is real. Even that brief cameo alludes to Mr. Nimoy’s ambivalence about his stardom. Sheldon rhapsodizes about what it would be like actually to be on the bridge of the Enterprise. The miniature Spock replies dryly, “Trust me, it gets old after a while.”
And the series in which Nimoy came to fame dared go where few series had gone before:
As a television program, “Star Trek” proved groundbreaking in many ways. It served up allegorical tales about violence, greed, jealousy, prejudice, peace and love — the roiling social issues of the 1960s — in the guise of intergalactic adventure.
It did so, said television scholar Robert Thompson, “at a time when American television completely shied away from any kind of relevance or social controversy, except in the news.”
Its 23rd-century starship crew was a utopian federation of men and women, blacks and whites, Americans, Russians and Asians — and Spock, who was born on the planet Vulcan in a civilization that has mastered control of its feelings. (The Vulcan aphorism “live long and prosper” became a catchphrase.) He becomes the science officer and first mate aboard the Enterprise and was, science fiction writer Isaac Asimov once observed, a “creature of pure reason and no emotion.”
Here’s Nimoy’s final tweet on Twitter:
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
Copyright 2015 Liberaland
By: dave-dr-gonzo
David Hirsch, a.k.a. Dave "Doctor" Gonzo*, is a renegade record producer, video producer, writer, reformed corporate shill, and still-registered lobbyist for non-one-percenter performing artists and musicians. He lives in a heavily fortified compound in one of Manhattan's less trendy neighborhoods.
* Hirsch is the third person to use the pseudonym, a not-so-veiled tribute to journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, with the permission of his predecessors Gene Gaudette of American Politics Journal (currently webmaster and chief bottlewasher at Liberaland) and Stephen Meese at Smashmouth Politics.
Gindy51 February 27th, 2015 at 12:39
RIP Spock, another childhood icon gone.
edmeyer_able February 27th, 2015 at 12:47
R.I.P …….I don’t know why but this seems like something we all should yell.
http://youtu.be/tvrI3wy_TGk
dave-dr-gonzo February 27th, 2015 at 12:48
Very sad. Nimoy’s Spock was the fictional hero of my teen years – an alien dude who resolved problems and crises with sheer brain power.
cecilia February 27th, 2015 at 19:19
for those of us who felt like aliens he was our role model of how to be in this very Strange world.
How to be rational, logical, always seeking the truth…..to Think first and solve problems rather than strike out.
When I grow up I want to be Mr. Spock. Or at least Vulcan-like.
I still hope the Vulcans visit us.
edmeyer_able February 27th, 2015 at 12:58
Wonder how they’ll mark this on that show THE BIG BANG.
StoneyCurtisll February 27th, 2015 at 17:06
To be sure..
Suzanne McFly February 27th, 2015 at 20:04
My fave show, I am looking forward to see how they address this.
Long Tom February 27th, 2015 at 13:03
This breaks my heart.
LLAP, Mr. Nimoy.
rg9rts February 27th, 2015 at 13:06
RIP and thankyou for the memories
raypc800 February 27th, 2015 at 13:12
The world has lost a loving, kind gentle man. He will be missed.
Khary A February 27th, 2015 at 13:27
From Boston to Rigel 7 to Middle Earth, In Search of…the unknown all the way to Cybertron and to the next world…This galaxy loses one more light in the darkness.
Sy Colepath February 27th, 2015 at 13:30
He was Spock!
It’s sad to see these TV icons dieing; James Doohan, Deforest Kelley and now, Leonard Nimoy. The Spock character was definitely one of my favorites and Leonard Nimoy acted the part so well. Thank goodness technology allows us to continue to enjoy those old shows. Wifeski bought me all three seasons of Star Trek TOS on DVD many moons ago which includes interviews with the cast. I can’t seem to ever get tired of watching the episodes.
Rest in Peace Leonard Nimoy.
Bunya February 27th, 2015 at 13:30
God, beam him up.
Um Cara February 27th, 2015 at 13:31
R.I.P. and thank you.
craig7120 February 27th, 2015 at 14:03
R.I.P.
One of my favorites, ‘In Search Of’ made it ok to question and imagine outside the box.
***Scratch Shaking Leonard Nimoy’s hand off my bucket list, sad stuff.
gil reyes February 27th, 2015 at 14:07
I am sad..But, I went to p/u my 20yr old son from College ans he gets in the car and tell him he died and myson says “What??? Really ??? Holy Shit !!! “Didnt even know he made that much of an impact on him.. That is how far reacking Him and His Character shaped generations.. Rest in Peace, Mr. Nimoy.. My Condolences To Your Family..
fahvel February 27th, 2015 at 14:13
haven’t felt this sad in a long time.
William February 27th, 2015 at 14:39
RIP.
http://youtu.be/XO1qE_IoJWk
FatRat February 27th, 2015 at 15:56
RIP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFUaHWAJ9_4
Leonard Nimoy: Proud Mary
OldLefty February 27th, 2015 at 16:37
Live long on the next voyage and prosper.
But when did he get to look like Donald Rumsfeld?
StoneyCurtisll February 27th, 2015 at 17:04
RIP Mr. Spock..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uxTpyCdriY
Suzanne McFly February 27th, 2015 at 20:02
Awesome tune, they were amazing in concert. Seen NIN many times and was never disappointed.
StoneyCurtisll February 27th, 2015 at 20:24
I wish I could have seen them..
I’m sure it was amazing~!
Hirightnow February 27th, 2015 at 17:11
First TV hero.
Begged my Mom to let me stay upon a Friday to watch an all-night ST:TOS marathon (I was about10…the “TOS” part wasn’t a thing), and she let me.
Wow! An alien that was smart, and not scary, with a (kinda) sense of humor! Kirk was second banana to him, IMHO.
Later, I found out what a great director he was! I even forgave my Dad’s wife for setting me up on a date, when the girl’s choice of “3Men and a Baby” turned out so good.
Even later, I was able to appreciate the effort he put into everything that he did, be it another ST movie, voice acting, or even just being personable on a talk show.
He never had Shatner’s ego, but of the two, he deserved it.
I shall miss his talent. Thank the Gods of Sha Ka Ree he lived long, and prospered.
(Oh! I made it to about 4:30 a.m. in the marathon…”The Squire of Gothos”, IIRC…)
Roctuna February 27th, 2015 at 18:12
I think it’s really cool that so many of the regular posters reveal themselves to be sci-fi nerds as wells as libruls. Nimoy was a Hobbit nerd too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGF5ROpjRAU
Obewon February 27th, 2015 at 19:44
“…Pure Energy…” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPuXvpkOLmM