President Barack Obama released a statement on the passing of legendary actor Leonard Nimoy Friday, remembering the actor in his most famous “Star Trek” role and for his contributions to the arts.
“I loved Spock,” Obama said.
The president recalled elements of Nimoy’s character that sound an awful lot like how Obama pictures himself: “Cool, logical, big-eared and level headed.”
When Obama met Nimoy in 2007, he said, the president greeted the actor with the Vulcan salute and shared the “Live long and prosper” sentiment so closely attached to the character.
Read the president’s full statement here:
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.
I loved Spock.
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.