What caused the death of Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr. Spock on Star Trek, the TV series?

Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy died at the age of 83. In February 2014, Nimoy revealed publicly that he had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition he attributed to a smoking addiction he had given up about 30 years earlier. On February 19, 2015, having been in and out of hospitals for several months, Nimoy was taken to UCLA Medical Center for chest pains.

Nimoy died of complications from COPD on February 27, 2015, in his Bel Air home. He was survived by his wife (Susan Bay); two children; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and his elder brother, Melvin. Adam Nimoy said that as his father came closer to death, "he mellowed out. He made his family a priority and his career became secondary."

A few days before his death, Nimoy shared some of his poetry on social media website Twitter: "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP".

Nimoy was buried in Los Angeles on March 1, 2015. The service was attended by nearly 300 family members, friends and former colleagues of film and television.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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51 Comments

foxphilam

Damn cigarettes

anthonygriffin

It was a very sad day losing Leonard (Spock) Nimoy. I enjoyed looking at the early "Star Trek" franchise episodes on "NBC" as a child from 1966-1969. But I also remember Actor Leonard Nimoy, for putting his hat on as Director Leonard Nimoy, while directing Actors Ted Danson, Steve Guttenberg, & Tom Selleck in the "Three Men & A Baby" movie franchise on the big screen.

Bill0325

I always enjoyed his performance of Spock...😎

Shane Oney

Of all the souls I have known, his was the most human .

robert karel

Leonard Nimoy, Thankyou for the years you gave! 🌹 🌎 ✨

robert karel

In spite of COPD, he lived long, and he prospered! 🖖

Andrew G. Rausch

COPD same as my father-----cigaretts!

Rebecca Woods

My Dad had that.He died of heart disease.

docluci

I had no idea what caused his death, so I used a hint

erik hughes

krkyates, needing to go to church every week is addictive behavior.

Roxanne Smith

He quit smoking 30 years before he died of COPD? Guess then that it doesn't matter if you quit or not. Think I'll have a smoke.

Corey Taylor

anthonygriffin, Nimoy directed two, possibly three of the Star Trek movies in the 80's.

Corey Taylor

William Shatner(Capt. Kirk) was not among the funeral's attendees, tied up with a charity event across the country. Most Trekkies agree that Nimoy would certainly understand.

robert karel

Marlene Van, Mr Spock didn’t use such language!

robert karel

Andrew G. Rausch, Don’t blame the cigarettes, take responsibility for poor choices in life. I have emphysema and asthma. Nobody tied me up and made me smoke!

teacherchicky

They're the same thing just using different terminology!

Howard Groopman

I have two friends whose wives died of COPD attributed to smoking. Both in their 70s.

RainingStars

Ken Blevins, It was a year after he announced, in February 2014, to the Public, that he had COPD, that he passed away, on February 27, 2015. He was buried 2 days later, on March 1, 2015 that he was buried, not a year later.