Our name is one of the first things people learn about us, and they have the potential to leave a lasting impression. For Gavin MacLeod, a name wasn't just an identifier; it was a way to honor one of his heroes.

MacLeod's real name is Allan George See. However, when the actor began to pursue performance as a career, he decided to change his name. He chose MacLeod in honor of his drama teacher, Beatrice MacLeod.

Beatrice Maceod spoke to the Syracuse Herald Journal about her former student, who later went on to star in popular sitcoms like The Love Boat and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. "I only taught in the department for a couple of years," said the instructor. "There were only two of us at that time in the department teaching acting and directing, so I remember most of my students...we worked them very hard, and they were very good...Gavin, I mean Allan, is one who has succeeded."

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Gavin MacLeod later asked Beatrice for permission to use the title as his stage name.

"I said, 'Heavens, I don't have any dibs on it,'" said MacLeod. "I was pleased that he wanted to. I was just a little surprised because it's not an easy name. It's hard to pronounce."

For his part, Gavin MacLeod was particularly reverent of his former teacher. "Beatrice MacLeod was the most inspirational human being I had ever met," said the actor. "I adored her."

But while Beatrice was supportive of her student, that didn't necessarily mean she was an avid television fan.

"I'm not a real television watcher," said Beatrice MacLeod. "In fact, I wouldn't have watched either the Mary Tyler Moore Show or Love Boat if it weren't for him. I think they're terribly corny scripts."