I was fortunate enough 15 years ago to sit next to Leonard Nimoy on a 2 hour flight from Seattle to SFO. Giving no indication that I recognized him, I began a c

I was fortunate enough 15 years ago to sit next to Leonard Nimoy on a 2 hour flight from Seattle to SFO. Giving no indication that I recognized him, I began a conversation. We chatted for about an hour about current theater on the West End in London, where I had been living and where he traveled every Christmas with his wife to see the shows. As we were standing in the aisle at the end of the flight, I raised my hand in the Vulcan salute and said "Live long and prosper". No, actually I didn't, but I thought about doing so! In fact, I never told him that I recognized him, and I suspect he was happy to have a regular conversation as if he hadn't played one of the most important fictional characters in many people's lives. But he did, and his portrayal of Spock was profoundly impactful to me, and I am now introducing the character to my young sons as well.