Leonard Nimoy: 1931-2015

Actor Leonard Nimoy, beloved for his portrayal of Spock in the television and film series Star Trek, died this morning in his Los Angeles home.

He played the Vulcan role in the original series which aired from 1966 to 1969, creating a pop culture icon that appeared in numerous movies, TV programs and video games for more than four decades.

He enjoyed a successful acting career prior to Star Trek, however, making appearances in a number of popular television programs, including Dragnet, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Twilight Zone, Rawhide, Perry Mason, The Outer Limits, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Get Smart.

He also directed an episode of Night Gallery (Death on a Barge), and the films Three Men and a Baby, The Good Mother, Funny About Love, Star Trek III: The Search For Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

Nimoy was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in February of last year and was reportedly rushed to hospital with severe chest pains on February 15, 2015.

His final tweet posted to Twitter on February 22 reads: "Life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP" (Live long and prosper).

He was 83 years old.