Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy with wife Susan Bay Nimoy at Griffith Observatory in 2006.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Leonard Nimoy in 2009 after deciding to return to the role of Spock for “Star Trek,” the J.J. Abrams revival of the venerable franchise.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Leonard Nimoy in 2008.  (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press)

Leonard Nimoy, right, joins “Star Trek” castmates Walter Koenig, from left, George Takei and Nichelle Nichols at the 2014 L.A. Asian Pacific Film Festival premiere of the documentary “To Be Takei” on May 1, 2014.  (Mark Sullivan / WireImage)

Leonard Nimoy, DeForrest Kelly and William Shatner at the microphone for taping of their voices for new animated series for a Saturday morning show, on April 24, 1973.  (Mary Frampton / Los Angeles Times)

Alan Sues as Professor Moriarty and Leonard Nimoy as Sherlock Holmes in “Sherlock Holmes” on March 25, 1976.  (Kathleen Ballard / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Leonard Nimoy gives a Vulcan greeting while rehearsing at a TV studio on Sept. 10, 1984.  (Cassy Cohen / Los Angeles Times)

Actor and director Leonard Nimoy at work editing “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” in 1986.  (Iris Schneider / Los Angeles Times)