Star Trek icon Leonard Nimoy has died at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, aged 83.
According to the New York Times, his wife Susan Bay Nimoy confirmed his death, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Nimoy attributed his illness to a longerm smoking habit, although he had quit smoking three decades ago.
Nimoy, the son of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, was an accomplished poet, photographer and musician, but it was as the half-human, half- vulcan Mr Spock in the massively popular Sixties series Star Trek that Nimoy became famous.
Spock was responsible for many of Star Trek's greatest moments and immortal phrases, including 'That's illogical' and 'Live long and prosper' and, of course, the unique hand signal (pictured).
He once said of his character: "Spock is definitely one of my best friends. When I put on those ears, it's not like just another day. When I become Spock, that day becomes something special."
After Stark Trek ended in 1969, Nimoy continued acting, including other in hit series such as Mission: Impossible, but also branched into directing, notably the box office hits Three Men and a Baby (1987), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986).
Nimoy is survived by his secoond wife, Susan, and children Adam and Julie.
The BBC has posted a tribute to the life and career of Leonard Nimoy. Watch it here
