A moment of silence, an outpouring of affection for Leonard Nimoy

The death of Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock on the “Star Trek” TV and movie series, touched millions of lives around the world, perhaps none more deeply than fans of science fiction and fantasy for whom Spock was a guiding light.

So it was only fitting that a day after Nimoy’s death at age 83, the Long Beach Comic Expo — a two-day comic book and pop culture convention — celebrated his life and legacy with tributes both big and small.

Not long after the doors opened at the Long Beach Convention Center, thousands of attendees observed a moment of silence while holding up their hands in the iconic Vulcan salute that Nimoy originated. The salute symbolized Spock’s universally known motto, “Live long and prosper.”

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Leonard Nimoy holds his first camera, No. 1 Autographic Kodak Jr., at home in Bel Air in September 2002. He got it at age 12.   (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

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Leonard Nimoy supported the renovation of the Griffith Observatory.   (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

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Leonard Nimoy holds his first camera, a Kodak acquired at age 12.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

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Leonard Nimoy at home in Bel-Air in 2002.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

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Leonard Nimoy, DeForrest Kelly and William Shatner at the microphone for taping of their voices for new animated series for a Saturday morning show, on April 24, 1973.  (Mary Frampton / Los Angeles Times)

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Alan Sues as Professor Moriarty and Leonard Nimoy as Sherlock Holmes in “Sherlock Holmes” on March 25, 1976.  (Kathleen Ballard / Los Angeles Times)

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Actor Leonard Nimoy gives a Vulcan greeting while rehearsing at a TV studio on Sept. 10, 1984.  (Cassy Cohen / Los Angeles Times)

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Actor and director Leonard Nimoy at work editing “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” in 1986.  (Iris Schneider / Los Angeles Times)

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Leonard Nimoy in his Bel Air home in 2002, inside his studio holding his first camera, a No.1 Autographic Kodak Jr.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

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Leonard Nimoy with wife Susan Bay Nimoy at Griffith Observatory in 2006.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Leonard Nimoy greets fans at Comic Con in San Diego on July 26, 2007.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

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Leonard Nimoy in 2009 after deciding to return to the role of Spock for “Star Trek,” the J.J. Abrams revival of the venerable franchise.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Leonard Nimoy signs autographs as he arrives at the premiere of Paramount Pictures’ “Star Trek Into Darkness” at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on May 14, 2013.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

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Leonard Nimoy and wife Susan Bay arrive at the premiere of Paramount Pictures’ “Star Trek Into Darkness” at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on May 14, 2013.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

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Leonard Nimoy, right, joins “Star Trek” castmates Walter Koenig, from left, George Takei and Nichelle Nichols at the 2014 L.A. Asian Pacific Film Festival premiere of the documentary “To Be Takei” on May 1, 2014.  (Mark Sullivan / WireImage)

“Obviously, when we heard it everybody was floored,” said Gabriel Fieramosco, the expo’s marketing manager who led the morning tribute. “We couldn’t do the weekend without acknowledging it in some way. So after discussing it amongst ourselves, we decided that a moment of silence on the floor was the way to do it.”

Comic book and sci-fi writer Brandon Easton, who attended the expo, recalled bonding with his grandfather, “who basically raised me through watching ‘Star Trek.’ …He [Nimoy] was deeply talented, worked in charity, and was a great role model for anyone, especially those who love science fiction.

“Leonard Nimoy’s passing is a major moment. I didn’t realize how universally beloved he was until he died. Just a wide array of people honoring the man.”

Angela Bell, from Carson, who attended the Expo dressed as Uhura, Nichelle Nichols’ character from the original “Star Trek” series, said she had seen every “Star Trek” episode and movie. “When I found out about it last night, I was really, really upset. People who don’t know anything about ‘Star Trek’ knew about Spock.”

Idalia Mejia, left, Alfredo Garcia Jr. and Richard Casillas pose next to a poster signed by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy on display at the Long Beach Comic Expo. “He actually inspired me to study science,” said Garcia, an engineer, of Nimoy’s character Spock. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Sean Doorly, from Hollywood, who was dressed in a mustard-yellow Starfleet shirt, called himself a big fan of “Star Trek,” “especially the classic. He was beloved by everyone. People have favorites, but everyone liked him.”

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Click through to read celebrity reactions to news of Leonard Nimoy’s death.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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@WilliamShatner: “I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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“Today, the world lost a great man, and I lost a great friend. We return you now to the stars, Leonard. You taught us to ‘Live Long And Prosper,’ and you indeed did, friend. I shall miss you in so many, many ways.” --Facebook  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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@WhiteHouse: “‘Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy.’ --President Obama #RIPLeonardNimoy #LLAP”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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“my heart is broken. i love you profoundly my dear friend. and i will miss you everyday. may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”--Instagram  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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@SirPatStew: “It is with sadness that I heard of Leonard Nimoy’s death. I was lucky to spend many happy, inspiring hours with him. He won’t be forgotten.”  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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@jonathansfrakes: “#LLAP RIP to the best First Officer. @TheRealNimoy”  (Sebastian Artz / Getty Images)

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@levarburton: “God Bless You, Leonard Nimoy... May Angels guide thee to thy rest! #agoodman #talented #funny #awesome”  (Bret Hartman / For The Times)

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@wilw: “We stood on your shoulders, and wouldn’t have had a galaxy to explore if you hadn’t been there, first. Thank you, Leonard, Rest in peace.”  (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)

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“He will ‘Live Long and Prosper.’ You will be remembered Leonard Nimoy.... Always”--Instagram  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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“We are deeply saddened to report the passing of the legendary Leonard Nimoy. He died this morning at the age of 83 in the comfort of his home in Los Angeles. Nimoy succumbed to the end stages of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) #LLAP”--Facebook  (CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images)

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@HankAzaria: “I am genuinely saddened by Mr. Nimoy leaving us. I got to tell him once that his work truly inspired me as an actor. “  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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“His generosity of spirit made the work he did on Star Trek age so well. And his interactions with all his fans really put out so much positivity and made so many people happy. I grew up with him, looked up to him and will miss him! #LLAP”--Instagram  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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@NathanFillion: “.@TheRealNimoy I have been, and always shall be, your fan. Thank you.”  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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@neilhimself: “I just saw that Leonard Nimoy has passed on. We didn’t know each other well, but I’m glad I spent the time with him I did. A wonderful man.”  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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@SethGreen: “Well done, sir. Many thanks for all you gave us. You’ll be greatly missed & forever remembered.”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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@feliciaday: “‘Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.’ #RIPLeonardNimoy”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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@tomhanks: “Leonard Nimoy was more than Mr. Spock. But Mr. Spock is his gift to us all. Live long and prosper. HANX.”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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@larrywilmore: “Because he lived long, we prospered! RIP Leonard Nimoy.”  (Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images)

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@ColinHanks: “Like to think that MCA is walking Leonard Nimoy to the room where DeForest Kelley, James Doohan & Gene Roddenberry are having drinks”  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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@SteveMartinToGo: “So sad about Leonard Nimoy, who was ever engaged, vital, interesting, and interested.”  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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@SethMacFarlane: “Leonard Nimoy brought us one of the greatest, noblest characters in the history of American storytelling. Someone find the Genesis planet.”  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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@pattonoswalt: “Has the Information Society released a statement yet? #RIPLeonardNimoy”  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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@Rodriguez: “The universe lost a legend today. RIP Leonard Nimoy.”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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@AndrewWK: “Leonard Nimoy was a party master of illogical proportions.”  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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@ThatKevinSmith: “‘Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... Human.’ Farewell, Leonard Nimoy - Actor, Director, Pop culture icon.”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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@NASA: “RIP Leonard Nimoy. So many of us at NASA were inspired by Star Trek. Boldly go...”  (NASA/ Associated Press)

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@MasiOka: “RIP Leonard Nimoy, your inspiration will live with us forever. Thank you.”  (Brian VanderBrug / Los Angeles Times)

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“From the @bigbang_cbs set. RIP Leonard Nimoy.”--Instagram  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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@goldenglobes: “Have a great star trek, Leonard Nimoy. You will be greatly missed. RIP”  (Handout / Getty Images)

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@tatianamaslany: “RIP Leonard Nimoy :(“  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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@Alyssa_Milano: “#livelongandprosper”  (Richard Derk / Los Angeles Times)

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@woodelijah: “Live long and prosper. So long, Mr. Nimoy.”  (Tibrina Hobson / Getty Images)

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@karengillan: “Live long and prosper”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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@jk_rowling: “RIP Leonard Nimoy”  (Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press)

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@kingsthings: “He created a role that nobody else could play. Multitalented writer,actor,director. A terrific&sweet man. RIP Leonard Nimoy #Spock #StarTrek”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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@piersmorgan: “Leonard Nimoy told me how he developed lung disease 30 years after he gave up smoking. A warning to all smokers”  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)

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@JoyVBehar: “Sad to hear about the passing of Leonard Nimoy. He was a true renaissance man.”  (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)

Sadly, when Nimoy is laid to rest, his “Star Trek” captain will be absent.

William Shatner took to Twitter to express regret that he will have to miss his co-star and longtime friend’s service, which is scheduled for Sunday in a private ceremony.

“I am currently in FL as I agreed to appear at the Red Cross Ball tonight. Leonard’s funeral is tomorrow. I can’t make it back in time,” he wrote Saturday afternoon. “I feel really awful. Here I am doing charity work and one of my dearest friends is being buried,” Shatner said.

Shatner, who played Capt. Kirk in the TV series and movies, wrote his more than 2 million followers that he was “humbled by the worldwide outpouring of love that has been displayed; words cannot express my feelings.”

After being honored at Red Cross’ Palm Beach event, Shatner hopes to have a memorial for his friend in Florida. “So maybe tomorrow we come together here and celebrate his life,” he wrote.

“I loved him like a brother,” Shatner wrote soon after Nimoy’s death was announced. “We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love.”

Another “Star Trek” captain, Patrick Stewart, who played Jean-Luc Picard on the TV spinoff “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” tweeted that he was “lucky to spend many happy, inspiring hours with him.” Chris Pine, who plays Kirk in the franchise reboot of “Star Trek,” tweeted that “the world has become a darker place.”

Among those paying tribute to Nimoy was President Obama, whose cool demeanor and logical approach often drew a comparison to Spock.

“Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy,” Obama wrote in a statementFriday. “Leonard was a lifelong lover of the arts and humanities, a supporter of the sciences, generous with his talent and his time. And of course, Leonard was Spock.

“In 2007, I had the chance to meet Leonard in person. It was only logical to greet him with the Vulcan salute, the universal sign for ‘Live long and prosper.’”

The tributes to Nimoy weren’t limited to Earth. On Saturday astronaut Terry W. Virts gave the Vulcan hand salute from the International Space Station. And fellow astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti from Italy tweeted, “Live Long and Prosper, Mr. Spock!”