Over the course of my life, thanks to the things I have done in my career, I have met many celebrities and dignitaries. From Kevin Bacon, to Hulk Hogan, to Mary Tyler Moore – to President George W. Bush – it is fair to say that I have met quite a lot of famous people. Truth be told, despite all of the people I have met – I have never been, “star-struck.” I have had personal conversations with some, spent hours with others – and even put The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H from the WWE on the phone with Christine – and Hillary Clinton on the phone with my mother. But of all the celebrities I have met and all of the times I have experienced not being, “star-struck” – yesterday truly takes the cake.

I was in Manhattan for the day and was standing in front of a store for a cigarette break. While puffing on my, “Cancer stick,” I was, “people-watching” as I always do – just staring at the people passing me by and internally commenting about each one. Suddenly, through the crowd of constantly moving New Yorkers – a man walked right past me wearing a black suit and white shirt swinging his umbrella – as if he was just one of the crowd and nothing was abnormal about him as he carelessly walked down a New York City street…

…but it was abnormal – because the man was Law & Order Special Victims Unit Star Christopher Meloni.

Once the shock passed and I was able to regain my bearings, I dashed after him –because I was certainly not going to let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity pass me by. When I caught up to him, I got his attention and said – absolutely, “star-struck” – “Excuse me sir, I am so sorry to bother you, but I just had to stop you and say that you are my absolute favorite actor. I mean, I have seen every episode of your show and I have always wanted to meet you.” Extending his hand, he said, “Thanks man, what’s your name?” I told him – surprised that I could remember it – and then asked him for his autograph. When he agreed and I handed him the pen and pad I thankfully always carry on me, I said, “I really hope you win the Emmy this year, because you absolutely deserve it.” He smiled and began to write my autograph, which read, “Paul – The Emmy is for you. Christopher Meloni.” I then thanked him by wishing him a good day – because he just made mine. After we parted – he turned around and went back to casually swinging his umbrella and continuing down the street in the original direction he was going.

Whatever plans I had for the rest of the day went out the window as I called pretty much everyone in my phone book to tell them what just happened. From my friend Christine, to Wendi, Julie and Lisa, to my mom – no one could believe it – and neither could I. As I told him directly, I really, truly have seen every single episode of the show – I even own three of the eight seasons on DVD. So to see him right in front of me talking to me blew my mind. If I saw, say, Kelly Ripa, Meredith Viera, or some soap opera star walking down the street – I would not have cared – but this was my absolute favorite actor of all time from my absolute favorite show of all time – so how could I have not done what I did? Would anyone in my position, if they saw their favorite actor or actress right in front of them – not have ran up to them just to be able to say they met and talked to them? I don’t think so.

Ironically, the Emmy nominations were announced this afternoon – and Christopher Meloni, although nominated last year – was not even given a nod for the coveted statue. Besides the obvious miscarriage of justice – I now feel bad that I wished him luck on winning the Emmy a day before he wasn’t even nominated. But hopefully, my words will at least let him know that myself and the rest of his die-hard fans know that he deserves it – and even if he doesn’t win – he has one in our eyes.

Now all I have to do is meet Mariska Hargitay.