Star Trek's' Spock Leonard Nimoy Dead At 83

William Shatner paid an emotional tribute to former Star Trek co-star and friend Leonard Nimoy, saying he 'loved him like a brother' after hearing news of his tragic death.

The 83-year-old legendary actor, who played Mr Spock in the sci-fi franchise for 47 years, passed away at his Bel Air, Los Angeles home on Friday, following a long battle with lung disease.

Shatner, who starred as Captain Kirk in the original series, became close with Nimoy during filming and asked him to be the best man at his wedding in 2000.

He released a statement saying: 'I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love.' 

Nimoy, who was first cast in the role in 1966, suffered from COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - and was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center after a 911 call on February 19.

The star sent a final tweet on Monday which read: 'A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP'

Actor Zachary Quinto, who took over as Mr. Spock in the reboot and its sequel, posted a photo of the actor on Instagram on Friday after hearing news of his death alongside the message: 'My heart is broken. i love you profoundly my dear friend. and i will miss you everyday. may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.'

Nimoy, who was part of the franchise for almost 60 years, played Spock one last time in the reboot of Star Trek: Into Darkness in 2013. It was Nimoy's final film role. 

George Takei, who played the helmsman of the USS Enterprise during the original series, wrote on Facebook: 'Today, the world lost a great man, and I lost a great friend. We return you now to the stars, Leonard. 

'You taught us to 'Live Long And Prosper,' and you indeed did, friend. I shall miss you in so many, many ways.' 

Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander William Riker in the Next Generation series, said: 'RIP to the best first officer.'

Other celebrity fans including Larry King, former Star Trek star Will Wheaton, singer Boy George and Broke Girls actress Kat Denning also posted tribute messages.

On Friday, after his passing was announced, NASA also paid their respects to the late star, saying many staff at the space agency had been 'inspired' by Spock. 

President Obama said the actor who made the sign for 'Live long and prosper' famous around the world, achieved that goal during his 83 years on planet Earth.

'I loved Spock,' Obama said in a statement.

'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,' Obama said. 'Cool, logical, big-eared and level-headed, the center of Star Trek's optimistic, inclusive vision of humanity's future.