Leonard Nimoy, the science-fiction icon best known as Mr. Spock on the seminal series Star Trek, died on Friday morning at the age of 83. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Nimoy announced that he had the disease, which he attributed to years of smoking, last year via Twitter. He had given up the habit more than 30 years ago and urged his fans to quit smoking as well. The actor was hospitalized earlier in the week.
Nimoy's reflective final tweet was one for the ages. "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP," he wrote. "LLAP," as Star Trek fans know, stands for "Live Long and Prosper," Spock's signature catchphrase.
Our condolences go out to Nimoy's family and many fans.
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(Photo: AP Photo/Ric Francis, File)