Actor Leonard Nimoy, best known for playing Mr. Spock on "Star Trek" television and films, has died at the age of 83, his wife Susan Bay Nimoy confirmed to The New York Times. Susan Nimoy told The Times that the cause of death was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and according to The Times, "Nimoy announced last year that he had the disease, which he attributed to years of smoking, a habit he had given up three decades earlier."

Nimoy’s show business career spanned more than six decades as a stage actor, television guest star, series regular and movie veteran. He went on to direct a number of films, including the box-office hit “Three Men and a Baby” in 1987. He was also a recording artist, a published poet and an accomplished photographer.

But he will best be remembered as Mr. Spock, a Vulcan whose pointed ears, deadpan unemotional manner and frequently uttered catch phrases “fascinating” and "Live long and prosper," endeared him to millions and cemented his place as a pop culture icon.

According to CNN, His "Star Trek" co-stars, including William Shatner and George Takei, expressed sadness at his death. "I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love." -William Shatner

"We return you now to the stars, Leonard. You taught us to 'Live Long And Prosper,' and you indeed did, friend," Takei wrote.

Nimoy married his wife, Susan Bay, in 1989. She survives him, as do his two children by his first wife, Sandra Zober.

Leonard Nimoy Trivia per IMDB:

Born in Boston to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants.

Was the only actor to appear in every episode of the original Star Trek (1966) series.

The "Vulcan nerve pinch" concept on Star Trek (1966) was invented by Nimoy when he and the series' writers were trying to figure out how an unarmed Spock could overpower an adversary without resorting to violence.

Was William Shatner's best man at his third wedding to Nerine Kidd.

Hit #121 on the Billboard Singles Chart in 1967 with "Visit to a Sad Planet"

Was an accomplished photographer (specializing in black and white images) and has given exhibitions of his works.

Had a pet store in Canoga Park, California during the 1960s.

Was the only actor to appear in both pilots of the original Star Trek (1966) series.
His father had a barber shop in Boston, where one of the more popular haircuts given was the "Spock cut".

Along with Majel Barrett, he is one of only two actors to appear in both the first and last episodes of the original Star Trek (1966) series.

Appeared in episodes of six different series with William Shatner: The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964), Mission: Impossible (1966), Star Trek (1966), Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973), T.J. Hooker (1982) and Futurama (1999).

Was born only four days after his Star Trek (1966) co-star William Shatner.

Suffered from tinnitus (ringing in the ears), along with Star Trek (1966) co-star William Shatner. Nimoy's right ear and Shatner's left ear are affected. Their hearing was apparently damaged during the filming of the episode Star Trek: Arena (1967), when they were both close to a special effects explosion.

Along with David McCallum, Cliff Robertson, Barbara Rush and Peter Breck, he is one of only five actors to appear in both The Outer Limits (1963) and The Outer Limits (1995).

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6651 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on January 16, 1985.

Pictured here: Leonard Nimoy at the Premiere of Paramount Pictures' ""Star Trek Into Darkness"
(photo: © Joe Martinez / Picturelux - All Rights Reserved. )

The Art Directors Guild (ADG, IATSE Local 800) last night (January 31, 2015) announced winners of its 19th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards, in eleven categories of film, television, commercials and music videos during a black-tie ceremony at the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills hosted by comedian Owen Benjamin.

The awards took place before an audience of more than 850, including guild members, industry executives and press. ADG President Mimi Gramatky and Council Chair Marcia Hinds presided over the awards ceremony.

Winners included "The Big Bang Theory," "American Horror Story," "True Detective," and "Silicon Valley" for Television Series.

Christopher Nolan received the Cinematic Imagery Award and Jim Bissell was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining Bissell as Lifetime Achievement recipients were Camille Abbott, John P. Bruce and Will Ferrell. The Hall of Fame inductees were John Gabriel Beckman, Charles Lisanby and Walter H. Tyler.

Presenters for this year’s awards included George Clooney "The Monuments Men", Anne Hathaway "Interstellar", Eddie Redmayne "The Theory of Everything", Felicity Jones "The Theory of Everything", Julie Bowen "Modern Family", Tony Hale "Veep", Mayim Bialik "The Big Bang Theory", Margo Martindale "The Americans, Justified", Kiernan Shipka "Mad Men", Loni Love "The Real", Brian Tyler "Iron Man 3",Lisa Edelstein "Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce", Matt Ryan "Constantine" and Tyler Oakley "YouTube star". iJustine was the trophy handler.

WINNERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
FOR A FEATURE FILM IN 2014:

Period Film

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL                       
            Production Designer: ADAM STOCKHAUSEN

Fantasy Film

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY                           
            Production Designer: CHARLES WOOD

Contemporary Film

            Production Designer: KEVIN THOMPSON

WINNERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
IN TELEVISION FOR 2014:

One-Hour Period or Fantasy Single-Camera Television Series

GAME OF THRONES: “The Laws of Gods and Men,” “The Mountain and the Viper”        
Production Designer: DEBORAH RILEY                                                                

One-Hour Contemporary Single-Camera Television Series

TRUE DETECTIVE: “The Locked Room,” “Form and Void”               
Production Designer: ALEX DiGERLANDO

Television Movie or Mini-Series

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW: “Massacres and Matinees”                                    
Production Designer: MARK WORTHINGTON                                                               

Half Hour Single-Camera Television Series

SILICON VALLEY:  “Articles of Incorporation,” “Signaling Risk,” “Optimal Tip-To-Tip Efficiency”
Production Designer: RICHARD TOYON

Multi-Camera Television Series

THE BIG BANG THEORY: “The Locomotive Manipulation,” “The Convention Conundrum,” “The Status Quo Combustion”
Production Designer: JOHN SHAFFNER:

Awards or Event Special

86th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS                                 
Production Designer: DEREK McLANE
            

Short Format: WebSeries, Music Video or Commercial

APPLE: “Perspective”                                           
Production Designer: SEAN HARGREAVES
                                              

Variety, Competition, Reality, or Game Show Series

PORTLANDIA: “Celery”                            
Production Designer: TYLER B. ROBINSON

The Annual Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Awards honors excellence in production design for theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials and music videos. For more information visit the Art Directors Guild.

Photo: © 2015 Joe Martinez / Picturelux - All Rights Reserved.

By Joseph Martinez -

Matthew McConaughey has been stirring things up since walking away with the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as Ron Woodroof in "Dallas Buyers Club", the role for which he slimmed down considerably to play a man who battled AIDS for seven years after being told he had only 30 days to live.

On Tuesday night (Oct. 21, 2014), another accolade was bestowed on Matthew McConaughey as he was honored  at a star-studded event held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The 44 year old actor received the coveted American Cinematheque Award for the work he has done in his 21-year career. A host of A-listers, including a number of his former co-stars, came out to support the star including "Dallas Buyers Club"'s Jennifer Garner, "True Detective" actress Michelle Monaghan and "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days" lead Kate Hudson.

The yearly event is a benefit for the American Cinematheque which was established in 1981 as a non-profit, viewer supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration to the moving picture in all it's forms. During the gala, McConaughey was also feted by his "Interstellar" co-stars Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain and director Christopher Nolan, who presented him with the award. Other guests at the event, which was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, included McConaughey's "Mud" co-star Reese Witherspoon and actress Jess Weixler.

Dressed in a dapper black Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo with a black bow tie, the actor was surrounded by loved ones to celebrate his success. He brought his mother Kay McConaughey and her date C.J. Carlig, his wife Camila Alves (also in Dolce & Gabbana) and her mother Fatima Alves, and two of his three children.

It was big a night for red carpet fashion as well. Highlights included Reese Witherspoon in a Prabal Gurung Resort 2015 gown which featured bold black roses and a figure-hugging fit, Jessica Chastain in bright yellow long Givenchy dress, Kate Hudson in a Jennifer Packham blush sequin gown and Anne Hathaway in a Christopher Kane dress, Christian Louboutin shoes and clutch, and Neil Lane jewelry.

Funds raised from the event go towards the American Cinematheque's operating costs for it's year-round public film and video programs.

For more information visit AmericanCinematheque.com

Matthew McConaughey trivia per IMDB:

Attended the University of Texas at Austin, College of Communication, where he majored in film, graduating 1993, with a Bachelor's degree in Radio-Television-Film.

Was for some time strongly considered to play 'Jack Dawson' in Titanic (1997), until Leonardo DiCaprio decided to accept the part.

His first professional acting job was in a beer commercial.

His brother, Michael McConaughey, aka Rooster McConaughey, had a son and named him Miller Lyte McConaughey.

His childhood hero was Evel Knievel, and he has said that he would like to star in a movie based on Knievel's life.

His life motto is "Just Keep Living"

Had a dog named "Mrs. Hud," named in appreciation of the movie Hud (1963), which starred his favorite actor, Paul Newman.

Lost over 30 pounds to play Ron Woodruff in his Oscar award winning role in Dallas Buyers Club (2013).

Has his own line of clothing, called "j.k. livin," named for his life's motto, "Just Keep Living," which is also the name of his charitable foundation.

By Joseph Martinez -

According to CNN, Oscar winning actor and comedian Robin Williams died at his Northern California home Monday. Williams apparently took his own life, law enforcement officials said. He was 63.

"He has been battling severe depression of late," his media representative Mara Buxbaum told CNN. "This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time."

Per a statement from the Marin County, California, Sheriff's Office, coroner investigators suspect "the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia,"

USA Today added "Williams was found by his personal assistant, who broke in to his room Monday morning when he failed to respond to knocks. She was distraught in the 911 call and indicated Williams' death was a suicide by hanging."

The news of Williams' death shocked the Hollywood community and the world. Although the 63-year-old beloved actor and comedy legend has passed, so many unforgettable film and TV roles will ensure that his memory and talent live on.

Robin Williams Trivia Per IMDB:

Moved to San Francisco, California when he was 16.

Studied acting briefly at Julliard under John Houseman. Houseman told him he was wasting his talent at Juilliard and he should strike out on his own and do stand-up comedy.

When he auditioned for the role of Mork from Ork on Happy Days (1974), producer Garry Marshall told him to sit down. Williams immediately sat on his head on the chair. Marshall hired him, saying that he was the only alien who auditioned.

During the making of Mork & Mindy (1978), Williams departed from the scripts and ad libbed so many times and so well, that the producers stop trying to make him stick to the script and deliberately left gaps in the later scripts leaving only "Mork can go off here" in those places so Robin could improvise.

2003: Won Grammy Award for Best Spoken Comedy Album for "Robin Williams - Live 2002".

Was voted "Least Likely to Succeed" by his fellow graduates at Larkspur (highschool).

He was voted the 50th Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly.

He was a very overweight child. As a result, nobody would play with him. He started talking in different voices to entertain himself.

Most of his dialogue in Aladdin (1992) was ad-libbed.

Co-owned the Rubicon Restaurant in San Francisco with Robert De Niro and fellow Bay area resident Francis Ford Coppola.

Was offered the role of The Riddler in Batman Forever (1995), which eventually went to Jim Carrey.

Williams and Robert De Niro were the last stars to see John Belushi alive, albeit on separate visits to Bungalow #3 of the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Los Angeles that fateful day in March 1982.

Was frequently called up by Steven Spielberg when he was filming Schindler's List (1993). He would put him on speaker phone so he could tell jokes to the cast and crew to cheer them up. He used his character in Aladdin (1992) most of the time.

As of his death in 2014, he had appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Dead Poets Society (1989), Awakenings (1990) and Good Will Hunting (1997).