Barack Obama gives infamous Vulcan salute with ‘Star Trek’ actress

New York: Barack Obama gave the Vulcan salute, a hand signal made famous by the ‘Star Trek’ character Mr. Spock, when actress Nichelle Nichols came to visit him at the Oval Office.

Nichols, 79, who played Lieutenant Uhura on the popular television series posted a photo of herself alongside the US president on Twitter, flashing the hand signal. The photo was taken in late February, when Nichols visited the White House and later headed to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Both Obama and Nichols smile widely in the photo, Obama reaching his arm around the actress’ shoulder as they posed in front of his desk. Nichols wore a necklace bearing the show’s Starfleet insignia, and captioned the image, “Live Long and Prosper,” the words traditionally said after the Vulcan salute. At the time of her visit, Nichols tweeted her excitement about meeting the president. In the past, Obama has revealed that he had a crush on Nichols as a kid, as she was one of the first black women to have a major role on a television series. “I was honored to get a chance to meet with Pres Barack Obama today in the White House. He was as charming and handsome as I had expected,” the New York Post quoted her as writing. “Months ago Pres Obama was quoted as saying that he’d had a crush on me when he was younger. I asked about that and he proudly confirmed it! President Obama also confirmed for me that he was definitely a Trekker! How wonderful is that?!” she wrote. ANI