Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy, 82, reveals he is suffering from a chronic lung disease as he admits he 'quit smoking 30 years too late'

Star Trek star Leonard Nimoy – who played Mr Spock – has revealed that he is suffering from a potentially fatal lung disease.

The revelation comes after the 82-year-old was seen in a wheelchair in New York last month. In a post on Twitter, he said: ‘I quit smoking 30 years ago. Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! LLAP [Long Live and Prosper]’.

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which makes it increasingly difficult to breathe.

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Frail: Leonard Nimoy, 82, was seen in a wheelchair late last month and has now revealed that he is suffering from 'chronic obstructive pulmonary disease'

It is said to be caused by smoking and gets progressively worse. Despite his recent frail appearance, Nimoy has kept himself busy with numerous work projects, including a cameo as the steadfastly logical Vulcan in last year’s Star Trek film, Into Darkness.

The actor retired from Star Trek conventions in 2011, but continues to urge fans to support the science-fiction franchise.

Despite his illness, he urged them to tune into a forthcoming Star Trek marathon of shows being shown on US television next month. He said: ‘Trek Fest is coming. I’ll be there. Join me.’



Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease makes it increasingly difficult to breathe.

The 'progressive' aspect of the disease means it gets worse over time.



Despite his recent frail appearance, Leonard has kept himself busy with numerous work projects over the last few years.

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE: MORE THAN JUST A COUGH

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases, which include chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.

People with COPD have difficulties breathing, due mainly to the narrowing of their airways, or airflow obstruction. Symptoms include increasing breathlessness, a persistent cough with phlegm, and frequent chest infections. There are a million people registered with COPD in this country, yet the British Lung Foundation believes there may be two million who don’t know they have it. It not only increases the risk of respiratory failure and cardiovascular disease, but quadruples the risk of lung cancer.

Though it is a progressive disease, the sooner it is diagnosed and treated the slower it will progress. The main cause of COPD is smoking. The more you smoke and the longer you've been smoking, the more likely you are to contract it.



Taking to Twitter, Leonard said: 'I quit smoking 30 yrs ago. Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! LLAP (Long Live and Prosper)'

In 2012, Leonard finished a successful stint playing the character Dr. William Bell on the hit science fiction thriller Fringe.



While the actor retired from attending Star Trek conventions in 2011 he continues to reach out to his fans whenever he can, and made a cameo as the steadfastly logical Vulcan in last year's reboot sequel Into Darkness.

He was even urging his supporters to tune into a forthcoming marathon of shows being shown on US television next month.

Leonard said: 'Trek Fest coming to EPIX on 2/16. I'll be there. Join me.'

