Rest in peace, Leonard Nimoy.
It was announced today that one of the icons of modern entertainment, Leonard Simon Nimoy passed away due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 83 years old.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 50 years or are a techno-phobe, you’ve seen his work in some form. From his most popular role of Spock in the classic Star Trek series to his tenure as “The Great Paris” replacing Martin Landau on Mission: Impossible to his more recent appearance as Dr. William Bell on the Fox series Fringe, Nimoy’s performances captivated generations.
In addition to acting, he was a director, a photography, a teacher, and an author.
I grew up watching Leonard Nimoy, first as Spock in reruns on TV and then on the big screen. I discovered The Great Paris years later while recovering from back surgery when Mission: Impossible was in heavy syndication on the then-fledgling F/X cable network. I was captivated by his appearances on Fringe. Nimoy was more than just “that guy on TV” for me. He was a familiar presence, a comforting voice and, in real life, an inspiration of what a well-rounded individual could accomplish through perseverance and hard work.
For years, whenever there was a personal tragedy or a death in the family, I found myself watching Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The words of both the characters of Kirk and Spock served as an inspiration and a reminder that “how we face death is as important as how we face life.” Tonight, I’ll be doing the same but this time it will be to remember the life and contributions of one of its cast.
His final tweet, sent on February 23, 2015, is uncannily fitting.
Good bye, Mr. Nimoy. I have been and always shall be your fan. May your memory and the inspiration that you’ve brought to millions truly live long and prosper.
