Leonard Nimoy Dies At 83

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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”).

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

Sad day.
1. 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")
2. 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.
He lived long and prospered by fleeped · 2015-02-27 05:40 · Score: 5, Insightful

Still, :(
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.
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."
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: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.

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Lost at C:>. Found at C.
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.