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“Live long and prosper,” the Vulcan mantra made famous by Leonard Nimoy’s iconic Star Trek character, also turned out to be the actor’s most famous final words and a slogan used by friends and fans alike to pay homage to him.

The American actor and director who played Spock on the classic TV series from 1966 to 1969 died Friday morning due to end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to his son, Adam. He was 83.

Obituary: Leonard Nimoy, 1931-2015

Fans shared their condolences under the hashtag #LLAP, for “live long and prosper,” which Mr. Nimoy used to sign off his tweets – including his final one on Feb. 23.

Fellow Star Trek alumni quickly began sharing their remembrances of Mr. Nimoy:

“He affected the lives of many,” Adam Nimoy said on Friday. “He was also a great guy and my best friend.”

Asked if his father chafed at his fans’ close identification of him with his character, Adam Nimoy said, “Not in the least. He loved Spock.”

Mr. Nimoy's granddaughter, Dani, said she would be putting special shirts on their online store, with proceeds going to the COPD Foundation.

With a report from Associated Press