Shatner, Takei & More React to Passing of Leonard Nimoy

By: Feb. 27, 2015
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

As BWW previously reported, Leonard Nimoy, best known for his iconic role as Spock in STAR TREK, has died at age 83. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death to the New York Times, revealing that the cause of death was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Last week it was reported that the actor was hospitalized this week for chest pains.

A-listers from stage and screen took to social media to react to the sad news of the passing of Leonard Nimoy:

William Shatner "I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love."

George Takei: Today, the world lost a great man, and I lost a great friend. We return you now to the stars, Leonard. You taught us to "Live Long And Prosper," and you indeed did, friend. I shall miss you in so many, many ways.

Zachary Quinto: my heart is broken. i love you profoundly my dear friend. and i will miss you everyday. may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

jason alexander: I shall truly miss Leonard Nimoy. He gave us a great gift that will last for ages. A good soul and kind man. RIP

LeVar Burton: God Bless You, Leonard Nimoy... May Angels guide thee to thy rest! #agoodman #talented #funny #awesome

Seth MacFarlane: Leonard Nimoy brought us one of the greatest, noblest characters in the history of American storytelling. Someone find the Genesis planet.

Wil Wheaton: We stood on your shoulders, and wouldn't have had a galaxy to explore if you hadn't been there, first. Thank you, Leonard, Rest in peace.

Nathan Fillion: @TheRealNimoy I have been, and always shall be, your fan. Thank you.

Kat Dennings : Leonard Nimoy will always be a beloved legend

Roseanne Barr: HAIL HAIL, A GENIUS HAS VACATED THIS REALM! #LeonardNimoy gets beamed up 2 Zeir Anpin-the Endless Intelligence of Infinity. Rest in Peace.

J.K. Rowling: RIP Leonard Nimoy


Nimoy had appeared on Broadway in "Full Circle," directed by Otto Preminger, and served as a replacement for Anthony Hopkins as Martin Dysart in the 1973 production of "Equus." In 1996 he directed "The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree" on the Rialto. The actor portrayed Stanley Kowalski in a 1955 Atlanta production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" and toured in the role of Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" in 1971. He also played SHERLOCK Holmes in a play of that name in 1976 as well as Vincent Van Gogh in the solo show "Vincent: The Story of a Hero," which he also produced and directed, in 1978-80. Vincent will be presented by Starry Night Theater Company for three performances only March 20-22, 2015 at the Maxwell C. King Center's Studio Theater. Nimoy adapted the play from hundreds of letters between Vincent and his closest ally, his brother, Theo. The play includes over 100 stunning projections of Vincent's artwork on a large screen.

In 1965, he made his first appearance in the rejected Star Trek pilot, "The Cage", and would go on to play the character of Mr. Spock until 1969, followed by eight feature films and guest slots in the various spin-off series. His character of Spock has had a significant cultural impact and garnered Nimoy three Emmy Award nominations; TV Guide named Spock one of the 50 greatest TV characters. After the original Star Trek series, Nimoy starred in Mission: Impossible for two seasons, hosted the documentary series In Search of..., and narrated Civilization IV, as well as making several well-received stage appearances. More recently, he also had a recurring role in the Science fiction series Fringe.

Nimoy's fame as Spock is such that both of his autobiographies, I Am Not Spock (1975) and I Am Spock (1995), were written from the viewpoint of sharing his existence with the character.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter



Videos