Mr. Spock

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Who

Leonard Nimoy, the American Jewish actor who created the character and based the Vulcan salute on a Jewish priestly gesture

When

1966

Where

Los Angeles, United States

Leonard Nimoy shaped Mr. Spock, the iconic Star Trek character introduced in 1966, and drew the famous split-fingered Vulcan salute from the Kohanim priestly blessing he saw in his childhood synagogue. Nimoy grew up in an Orthodox Yiddish-speaking Jewish family in Boston and often spoke about how his heritage inspired the gesture.

Part of “The Gifts of the Jews” — verified Jewish contributions to the world, with sources.