Leonard Nimoy, actor, film director, poet, singer, photographer, and valued member of the Americans for the Arts Artists Committee passed away on February 27, 2015.

Nimoy was born on March 26, 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts to Max and Dora Nimoy, Yiddish-speaking Orthodox Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union. He began acting at the age of eight in childrens and neighborhood theater. His parents wanted him to attend college and pursue "a stable career," but his grandfather encouraged him to become an actor.

Mr. Nimoy served in the Army for two years, alongside fellow actor Ken Berry, and Americans for the Arts Artists Committee Member, Frank O. Gehry. Nimoy rose to the rank of sergeant and spent 18 months at Fort McPherson in Georgia, where he presided over shows for the Army’s Special Services branch.

Mr. Nimoy’s Hollywood film and television acting career began in 1951. He performed in more than 50 movies, television series, and serials but received his greatest prominence with his role in the original Star Trek series as the half-Vulcan, half-human Spock. Spock's Vulcan salute became a recognized symbol of the show. Nimoy created the sign himself from his childhood memories of the way Jewish clergy hold their hand when giving blessings.

A few days before his passing, Nimoy, a skilled photographer and poet, in addition to his other artist talents, shared some of his poetry on Twitter. The final tweet that he posted read: "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP" (Live Long and Prosper).

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.