Leonard Nimoy Cause of Death: Star Trek Star Dies of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Actor Leonard Nimoy, who became synonymous with the character of Mr. Spock in the TV series "Star Trek" and also appeared in several associated films, died on Friday at his home in Los Angeles, C.A. He was 83.

He had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease since last year.

Nimoy had earlier stated that he developed the disease as a result of his smoking habit during his younger days. He said he quit smoking 30 years ago and had been encouraging others to stop the unhealthy habit since then.

Nimoy was born in Boston in 1931 to Jewish immigrants from Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He took up acting in 1951 after taking part in several amateur shows in his childhood.

During his career he appeared in a number of TV series and movies, but it was his role as First Officer Spock on board the Starship Enterprise in the "Star Trek" series that made him famous. Spock, a half-Vulcan and half-human member of the Enterprise crew, remains a huge favorite among fans of the show and has become a major pop culture icon. Spock is always remembered as the character who always relies on logic and follows the Vulcan method of viewing situations without emotion.

Nimoy helped shaped the character and his traits, such as the nerve pinch that Spock uses as an alternative to physical violence. He also created the famous Vulcan salute and the greeting "long live and prosper" which is modeled after a Jewish blessing that he saw as a child.

Apart from acting, Nimoy was also interested in photography, poetry and music and also worked as a director. Many of his poems and photographs have been published and he even went on to direct two "Star Trek" movies and "Three Men and a Baby."

Tributes flowed in after news of his death broke. President Obama paid tribute, noting how "long before being nerdy was cool there was Leonard Nimoy."

He is survived by his wife Susan, his two children Adam and Julie and grandchildren.