As "Star Trek" fans around the world, both young and old, mourn the death of actor Leonard Nimoy, fellow friend and co-star Zachary Quinto took some time to pay tribute to the man he called a "father figure."
In an article in The Guardian, Quinto recalled his first encounter with Nimoy at the 2007 Comic-Con conference in San Diego where it was announced that he would be playing the role of a young Mr. Spock. Along with his excitement of the role, Quinto said he would have never guess that their "meetings about the character would evolve into a very profound friendship."
"I never imagined was how close we would become, and what a father figure he would be to me," Quinto wrote. "I lost my father at a very young age, and Leonard came to occupy a space in my life that was like a father figure. I had this person that I could look to with such respect. He was refined. And he cultivated a sense of dignity and respect for other people."
Quinto said that the respect apparent when he came out as a gay man in 2011, writing, "When I publicly announced I was gay, Leonard's embrace was unconditional. I shared my relationships with him. We spoke of it often during that period in my life and afterwards. He was supportive and encouraging. He met my boyfriend, and we had dinner together."
Nimoy died at the age of 83 on Feb. 27 after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The actor was among 300 people who paid tribute to Nimoy at his funeral in Los Angeles on Sunday, along with actor Chris Pine and "Star Trek" director J.J. Abrams.
According to Rabbi John L. Rosove, who delivered the eulogy at Leonard's service and also the cousin of Nimoy's widow, Susan Bay, everyone who attended the service was an important par of the late actor's life.
"There was nobody there who didn't mean something to Susan and Leonard or to their children and grandchildren," he said, according to People Magazine. "His love, appreciation, respect and gratitude for her transformed him and enabled him to begin his life anew."
Quinto said he was "heartbroken" when he received the news of Nimoy's death and was grateful to attend his funeral.
"When I got the bad news last Friday I was in Munich rehearsing for a film. I tweeted that my heart was broken and quoted Hamlet: 'May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.' Hamlet takes place in this world of princes and kings, and Leonard was that for me."
"I was so far away and wanted to wish him a safe and gentle passage, to send him on his way with love," Quinto added. "I got on a plane and came back to Los Angeles for his memorial service. I'm so grateful that I could participate and be here with his family. I miss him terribly, but above all celebrate that I was able to know him."
