Leonard Nimoy has been hospitalized since last Thursday when he began experiencing severe chest pains, according to TMZ.
A 911 call was placed and the 83-year-old “Star Trek” actor was rushed to UCLA Medical Center on Feb. 19. His rep told People, “We don’t have any comment at this time.”
Nimoy revealed his diagnosis with the lung disease COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) last January. The actor credits his years of smoking to the disease despite the fact that he quit 30 years ago.
“I quit smoking 30 yrs ago. Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa say, quit now!! LLAP,” he tweeted on Jan. 29, 2014, signing off with his signature “Live Long and Prosper.”
I quit smoking 30 yrs ago. Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) January 30, 2014
A few days later, he explained how the disease has affected his daily life and warned others who have not quit smoking yet to do so “now.”
Smokers, please understand. If you quit after you're diagnosed with lung damage it's too late. Grandpa says learn my lesson. Quit now. LLAP. — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 6, 2014
I'm doing OK. Just can't walk distances. Love my life,family, friends and followers. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 6, 2014
Nimoy has tweeted since entering the hospital. He shared bits of poetry on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.
I will be sharing my poetry. Today's is, "You and I have Learned," which is in my book, These Words Are for You. LLAP pic.twitter.com/CsHAtmtDnz — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 22, 2015
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
The third “Star Trek” movie is set to begin filming this spring, and Nimoy along with his former co-star William Shatner are rumored to reprise their classic characters of Spock and Captain Kirk, respectively. The film is set to premiere on July 8, 2016.
Nimoy starred as Spock Prime in 2009’s “Star Trek” and 2013’s “Star Trek Into Darkness,” both directed by J.J. Abrams.
The “Star Trek” franchise will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. The original series created by Gene Roddenberry, starring Nimoy and Shatner, premiered in Sept. 1966 on NBC.
