Leonard Nimoy Dies At 83

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Posted by Soulskill on Friday February 27, 2015 @05:34AM from the rest-in-peace dept.

Esther Schindler writes: According to the NY Times, Leonard Nimoy died on Friday morning at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 83 years old. He was, and always shall be, our friend. From the article: 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”).

38 of 411 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Just damn by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-27 05:37 · Score: 5, Insightful

Sad day.
1. Re:Just damn by theshowmecanuck · 2015-02-27 05:38 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Agree.
  
  --
  -- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.
2. Re:Just damn by MightyMartian · 2015-02-27 05:43 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Yes, a very sad day. Nimoy created one of the great cultural icons of the 20th century.
  
  --
  The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
3. Re:Just damn by The+Real+Dr+John · 2015-02-27 05:49 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Tobacco company execs should be publicly flogged. Goodbye old friend.
  
  --
  A brain is a terrible thing to waste... Mind? That's debatable.
4. Re:Just damn by Penguinisto · 2015-02-27 05:51 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Yeah... today just went real sour.
  It had to happen sometime, I guess... doesn't make it any easier to accept, though.
  
  --
  Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
5. Re:Just damn by aaron4801 · 2015-02-27 06:09 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  It's a very short list of celebrities who are so universally loved.
6. Re:Just damn by TechNeilogy · 2015-02-27 06:13 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  He inspired and validated the hopes of generations of nerdy kids; including this nerdy kid. The world will seem a little non-sequitur to me for a bit.
  
  --
  "The wisdom of the Patriarchs was that they *knew* they were fools." --Master Foo
7. Re:Just damn by YrWrstNtmr · 2015-02-27 06:30 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  He was 83. The human condition does not last much beyond that, no matter what you do or do not do.
  
  But agreed. Goodbye, old friend.
8. Re:Just damn by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-27 06:37 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  I'm pretty sure the logical Mr. Spock could have figured out that smoking is bad for you.
  I'm sure he could have, if he weren't a fictional character.
  Leonard Nimoy, flawed human like the rest of us, finally did figure it out, and quit 30 years ago. That probably bought him an extra ten years right there.
  I'm a realist, and recognize that there's no way to prohibit tobacco any more effectively than marijuana or alcohol. That doesn't mean that it should be acceptable for the executives of tobacco companies to enrich themselves by selling it. Tax the crap out of it, prohibit any advertising, including signage, and require it to be sold in plain packaging.
  (CAPTCHA: "addicted")
9. Re:Just damn by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-27 06:47 · Score: 0, Insightful
  
  Fuck those kids, they never did anything of value. Leonard Nimoy did.
10. Re:Just damn by damn_registrars · 2015-02-27 06:49 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  I loved his acting as much as anyone, but I disagree that it was necessarily a sad day. He was, after all, 83 years old. He beat the average life expectancy in this country by a wide margin. He made an impact on a huge number of people, as well. He was ready to check out and move on. Really, what could you reasonably expect an 83 year old man to do beyond this point anyways? I'm happy for him and all he's done.
  
  --
  Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
11. Re:Just damn by jellomizer · 2015-02-27 07:40 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  We can't emotionally morn for people who we have no connection too. We can just not like it as an academic point.
  While Actors and Actresses aren't any more deserving for life then the children of the "third world", their work as affected our lives, thus we have more of an emotional bond to them.
  The character of Spock that Leonard Nimoy played affected most of us. Spock was a good role model, kept his cool, fearless, and intelligent. Also Spock was the first few Aliens portrayed on TV who were the good guys.
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
12. Re:Just damn by cayenne8 · 2015-02-27 08:33 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock....
  :(
  RIP old friend...we'll all miss you.
  
  --
  Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
13. Re:Just damn by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-27 08:36 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Don't be sad. He was 83 and died world famous in Bel Air. The cultural icons he created will be around for generations to come. By all accounts, he lived long and prospered, and then some.
14. Re:Just damn by ganjadude · 2015-02-27 09:28 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  and he lived to be 83, thats not a short life. if i make it to 70 ill be happy lol
  
  --
  have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
RIP Mr. Nimoy by decipher_saint · 2015-02-27 05:39 · Score: 3, Insightful

You will be missed.

--
crazy dynamite monkey
He lived long and prospered by fleeped · 2015-02-27 05:40 · Score: 5, Insightful

Still, :(
So by Hognoxious · 2015-02-27 05:42 · Score: 3, Insightful

So.
Farewell then, Leonard Nimoy.
You were Spock, and then you were not Spock. Or was it the other way round?
If I may be so bold
that
is illogical.
E.J.Thribb (17Â½)

--
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Leonard Nimoy is why we have nice things by Galaga88 · 2015-02-27 05:44 · Score: 5, Insightful

Seriously - Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock probably inspired more people to enter science, engineering, and intellectualism in general than any other figure in pop culture. He turned anti-intellectualism on its ear by making being a "nerd" not just cool, but even sexy.
Look at any major technology or research company making the world a better place, and I guarantee it was built by people who grew up aspiring to be more like Spock.
1. Re: Leonard Nimoy is why we have nice things by rfengr · 2015-02-27 05:49 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  True. I'm an EE partly due to ST, trying to build the enterprise in the back yard when I was 4. Best Spock scene was when he made the mnemonic memory circuit with stone knives and bear claws. RIP Spock. Funny too, I am wearing a ST shirt today.
2. Re:Leonard Nimoy is why we have nice things by MightyMartian · 2015-02-27 07:47 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  It was a pretty inspirational cast; Spock's dedication to science was inspirational, and there are plenty of people who talk about how Scotty inspired them to engineering. Nichelle Nichols and George Takei both were members of minorities who were given fairly prominent positions on the Enterprise at a time when many minority characters were still played by Caucasians (I'm thinking about Mickey Rooney's obnoxiously awful portrayal of an Asian in Breakfast At Tiffany's, released just five years before ST:TOS).
  
  --
  The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
Re:Hum by Rick+Zeman · 2015-02-27 05:46 · Score: 5, Insightful

I come to Slashdot for interesting news, not sad news. .
This, more than most anything else, is definitely "News for Nerds."
Re:Illogical by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-27 05:55 · Score: 2, Insightful

He was 83. He lived a longer life than most, and if it wasn't this that got him it would have been something else.
The Civilization Series will never be the same... by Crazy+Taco · 2015-02-27 05:59 · Score: 5, Insightful

Agreed, very sad. Most know him for Star Trek, as do I, but he was also a great voice actor as well. His narrations in Civilization 4 were the best the series has ever seen. He will be greatly missed.

--
Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not tried it.
The Real Thing by AdamStarks · 2015-02-27 06:00 · Score: 5, Insightful

So many other logical characters function as the butt of the joke. They're always the ones who "don't get it", or "lack compassion", or seem "out of touch".
Mr. Nimoy, through Spock, showed how such characters can be more than just socially awkward, how through logic one can derive strong ethics, compassion, and integrity.
A literal inspiration.
Re:The Civilization Series will never be the same. by anagama · 2015-02-27 06:02 · Score: 4, Insightful

Civ 4 was a great game, and part of it was his narrations. He really had a way of saying things beautifully. Maybe my tribute will be playing out a game this weekend.

--
What changed under Obama? Nothing Good
Re:From his twitter account by raddan · 2015-02-27 06:12 · Score: 4, Insightful

Also, somewhat presciently: Don't smoke. I did. Wish I never had. LLAP

RIP, Leonard Nimoy. You are sorely missed.
Re:Illogical by TheReaperD · 2015-02-27 06:12 · Score: 4, Insightful

We're here to mourn one of our fallen heroes. Fuck you for dragging this bullshit in! I will now count you in the same category as the Westboro Baptist Church.

--
"Be particularly skeptical when presented with evidence confirming what you already believe." -
Re:Hum by gstoddart · 2015-02-27 06:14 · Score: 5, Insightful

I come to Slashdot for interesting news, not sad news
"News for Nerds. Stuff that matters".
The passing of Leonard Nimoy matters to most of us.
Nobody promised you happy news. Not now, not ever.

--
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Legacy by Sir_Eptishous · 2015-02-27 06:14 · Score: 4, Insightful

Though it can be viewed as sad news, he lived a long and "prosperous" life by any measure.
Think about his legacy.
He masterfully played a character who willfully disdained violence and used his massive intellect for the good of sentient beings everywhere.
A brilliant "avatar" for the future.

Leonard Nimoys legacy will live on and is probably the most iconic of all the Star Trek characters.

Spock is right up there with Gandalf and Yoda in the Nerd Trinity.

--
We play the game with the bravery of being out of range
suddenly... by CosaNostra+Pizza+Inc · 2015-02-27 06:33 · Score: 4, Insightful

Suddenly, I feel old. For some reason, I always feel that way about the death of an actor who portrayed a revered character that inspired me in my childhood.
Damn shame. by cfalcon · 2015-02-27 06:34 · Score: 4, Insightful

He offered a lot over his life. Really goddamned solid human.
Re:The Civilization Series will never be the same. by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-27 06:37 · Score: 5, Insightful

"but he was also a great voice actor as well”
He was also a good stage actor. I saw him do Sherlock Holmes at Playhouse Square in Cleveland when I was a teenager. A Spock-ish role to some degree, but he was very good. One big applause line: “why sir, it is simplylogical!” with a raised eyebrow to the audience.
Damn.
Mr. Quinto... by frank_adrian314159 · 2015-02-27 06:39 · Score: 4, Insightful

... you have the con.
RIP, Leonard. Godspeed.

--
That is all.
Re:Hum by Jason+Levine · 2015-02-27 07:03 · Score: 3, Insightful

I plan on turning this sad news into happy memories by introducing my kids to Star Trek. Mr. Nimoy might be gone, but a piece of him will always live on.

--
My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
Another Sad Day by ChuckDivine · 2015-02-27 08:09 · Score: 3, Insightful

I woke up this morning thinking about my wonderful mother who passed away on Friday, February 27, 2009.
Now I learn that Leonard Nimoy has passed away. My family helped me grow up in so many ways. Leonard NImoy and Star Trek also had a significant positive influence.
I can't think of anything more to say other than I miss Leonard Nimoy as much as I can -- which is quite a bit.

--
"Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy." -- B. Franklin
Goodbye by LocutusOfBorg1 · 2015-02-27 08:35 · Score: 3, Insightful

Being sad is so illogical. But I'm not vulcan unfortunately. Rest In Peace
"Mr. Spock" is everywhere today by msobkow · 2015-02-27 08:50 · Score: 3, Insightful

I find it gratifying to see that Mr. Nimoy is being remembered on every website and feed that I've visited today. And not merely remembered, but remembered by more people than I've ever seen pay tribute at the same time. Even the passing of Robin Williams wasn't marked with as many posts and comments.
RIP, Leonard.

--
I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.