Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy who played 'Spock' has died at the age of 83 at his home in Los Angeles.

Nimoy, who played the much loved role of 'Spock' in the original Star Trek series died Friday morning from the end-stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Nimoy's wife, Susan Bay Nimoy made the announcement today according to the NY Times.

Having played the role of 'Spock', Nimoy was a frequent guest at Star Trek conventions and most recently appeared in 'Star Trek : Into Darkness', directed by J.J. Abrams.

After the original series was cancelled the Spock character lived on, and was one of the show's most popular icons, for having pointed ears, and being a philosophical mind reader with extraordinary strength.

It was back in 2009 after nearly a decade following 'Nemesis' that Spock would make his epic Vulcan comeback to the screen. Nimoy was the only original Star Trek series' character appearing in the film, and at the time, Trekkies were also hoping for a brief cameo from William Shatner which didn't happen.

The film was a huge hit for Paramount, earning more than $600m worldwide, with old and new Trek fans coming together to see TV history re-told in an epic sci-fi adventure.

Nimoy started his career at the age of 8, and regularly performed in plays during high school. In later years he taught method acting to students and even produced a a TV movie called 'Never Forget'.

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