Paying Tribute to Leonard Nimoy, The President, JJ Abrams and Zachary Quinto

                                                                               

                                                   

Following the death of actor Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed Mr. Spock on Star Trek, countless tributes have poured in for the man who popularized the phrase "Live long and prosper." Among those remembering Nimoy’s legacy are astronauts, scientists, writers, sci-fi fans, fellow actors and directors and even President Barack Obama, who wrote in a statement from the White House, “I loved Spock." 

"Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy. Leonard was a lifelong lover of the arts and humanities, a supporter of the sciences, generous with his talent and his time. And of course, Leonard was Spock. Cool, logical, big-eared and level-headed, the center of Star Trek's optimistic, inclusive vision of humanity's future," Obama wrote. "In 2007, I had the chance to meet Leonard in person. It was only logical to greet him with the Vulcan salute, the universal sign for 'Live long and prosper.' And after 83 years on this planet – and on his visits to many others – it's clear Leonard Nimoy did just that. Michelle and I join his family, friends, and countless fans who miss him so dearly today.”

Zachary Quinto, who took over the role of Spock in the Star Trek reboot and acted alongside Nimoy in two films thanks to the films' time-twisting plot lines, shared on his Instagram, "My heart is broken. I love you profoundly my dear friend. And I will miss you every day. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Nimoy passed away Friday at his home in Los Angeles after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 83. In a handwritten note, Star Trek director J.J. Abrams penned, "Dearest Leonard. What a man you were. What a life you lived. As funny and thoughtful and generous and loving as you were talented. You taught us all, at every encounter. We will miss and love you forever.”

A trio of Star Trek captains also remembered their fallen comrade. "It is with sadness that I heard of Leonard Nimoy's death. I was lucky to spend many happy, inspiring hours with him. He won't be forgotten," tweeted Patrick Stewart, who played Jean-Luc Picard on the TV spin-off Star Trek: The Next Generation. Following news of Nimoy's death, his longtime co-star William Shatner wrote, "I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love." Chris Pine, who portrays Captain Kirk in the Star Trek cinematic reboot, tweeted simply, “ he world has become a darker place."       

                                                                                                                         

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