President Obama Says Goodbye To Leonard Nimoy: ‘I Loved Spock’

President Obama (left) and actor Leonard Nimoy.
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President Obama offered a tribute honor actor Leonard Nimoy, who was best known for his role as Spock in the “Star Trek” television and movie franchise, and who died Friday at age 83.

Here’s Obama’s statement, which was released by the White House:

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.

Correction: Because of an editing error, this post originally referred to Nimoy’s character as Dr. Spock. It has been corrected.

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