This is truly heart breaking news. Even after a few days, it still hasn't sunk in. He was one of those figures that I just assumed would be around forever, continuing to inspire and be a role model for young people and older fans who grew up with his performances. Even though he is now physically gone, he truly WILL be around forever, continuing to inspire. We will all miss you, Mr. Spock.
And I do love me the Gorn and his episode! I think that may have been my first episode, in fact, and I had NO idea until later just how famous (or infamous) that episode was! He never really reminded me of Godzilla, but he is still an iconic man-in-monster-suit creature!
If anyone here hasn't seen it, I recomend seeking out the documentary Men in Suits. Not only does it highlight Godzilla and Ultraman (along with pretty much every iconic suitmation monster in film history), but it features an interview with the guy who played the Gorn, filmed in the same place the episode was filmed! Great stuff!