Celebrity Encounters

[CaughtOnTape]

For those of you who love Robert Downey, Jr (I do as well) you'll also be happy to know he's the nicest celebrity I have ever met.  (And I've met.....a few)

We ran into him at Universal City Walk in LA at Planet Hollywood of all places.  After a long day of sightseeing my friends and I all went out to dinner and he just happened to be at the table next to us with two boys I assumed were his sons (although I guess now knowing more about him only one was actually his son).  He knew we knew who he was, mostly because when we sat down my friend loudly whispered "HOLY SHIT THAT'S ROBERT DOWNEY JR!" to the whole table.  

We patiently waited until he was done eating and had paid his check (Thankfully half of that part of the restaurant was also gone) and asked him for a picture.  He was so gracious and kind.  And a real chatterbox.  He thanked us for not interrupting dinner and then told us to have a great day and we left.  When we saw the picture later it made us all laugh....he has the happiest smile on his face.  To this day whenever one of us sees him he's described as "Our friend RDJ."

 

I have a huge thing for Jeremy Renner.  He was so beautiful in The Town.

[Bastet]

He thanked us for not interrupting dinner and then told us to have a great day and we left.

 

In my experience, celebrities are so appreciative of gestures like that, especially when they're with their families, because what should be common courtesy often isn't -- people just barge up and interrupt them in all manner of situations.  Based on how frequently I've seen it happen, it seems rampant.  I think many people just get caught up in the excitement, but jeez.

 

I was miniature golfing behind Dustin Hoffman and his family many years ago, and we didn't say anything the whole time we trailed along behind them (there were only two of us and several of them, so we spent some time waiting for them to finish holes).  When they finished the course and the kids went to turn in the clubs, Hoffman turned around and wished us a good day and apologized for the occasional hold-up. When we said it had been a pleasure as we're fans of his work but didn't want to interrupt a family outing, he walked up to shake our hands and thank us for that.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Bastet

[GHScorpiosRule]

Agree, Bastet.

 

I remember, years ago, traveling back home from Wyoming, while waiting for my connection flight back to MD, I heard a verrry familiar voice. It was Jamie Lee Curtis, traveling with her husband and son, who was only a toddler at the time. She was sitting right behind me, explaining to her son, why they had to wait before they got home.  I sooooo wanted to turn around and ask for her autograph, but I didn't, because I knew that traveling is very tiring. So I didn't do anything but peek, to make sure it was her, and it was.

 

Then a few years later, when I was in New York, my girlfriend had taken me to some little restaurant for my birthday, and in the next booth were John Slattery, and this other actor, who  I've seen multiple times on Law & Order. Lee Wilkof.  Not really fans per se, but they did not look approachable so we just sat there and whispered about them sitting there.

 

It's amazing how many New York actors can be found in the smallest of places. Skip Sudduth was in some bar another friend took me to, in New York; he was very friendly, in jeans and knit top. Not that I approached him, but others did.

 

And let me finish this with, Mike Wallace. Sure he's not a movie star, but he was most charming and not the gruff, "mean" journalist I watched on 60 Minutes.

[Bastet]

I sooooo wanted to turn around and ask for her autograph, but I didn't, because I knew that traveling is very tiring.

 

It's that "Would I want to be approached by a stranger in this situation?" self-questioning that too often doesn't happen.  I get it - this may very well be your one and only chance in your life to talk to this particular person, but there are ways to go about it and sometimes it's just plain inappropriate under the circumstances. 

 

I've sat next to a few celebrities on airplanes over the years, and as a "regular person" I hate when people start babbling at me just because we've drawn seats next to each other*, so I'm very conscious of offering nothing more than a simple nod or "hello".  (But Ray Charles is a Chatty Cathy, I can tell you that.  That was a great flight!)

 

*Sure, sometimes conversation strikes up naturally, and I've spent some pleasant time chatting with seatmates; it's the automatic jumping into it despite the fact I'm reading, eating, cloud gazing, whatever situations that bug me.

 

To bring this back to celebrity crushes -- I once chatted briefly with Rob Lowe in an airport lounge (about the NFL draft, which we were watching on the same TV).  That man is FINE.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Bastet

[CaughtOnTape]

I was always taught as a kid that you never interrupt someone while they're eating.  In my experience when you show them a little respect and decorum, celebrities are much more apt to stop and talk.

 

Colin Farrell is also very very nice and shockingly good looking in person.  He ran past my friend on his way to the bathroom, having expressed how bad he REALLY had to go after she'd asked him for a picture.  She said ok and turned to walk away.  Next thing you know he comes running back "Ya know what?  I'm sorry.  It can wait.  Where's your camera?"

I admit, he impressed me.  I wasn't expecting that at all.  

 

It makes me laugh how many actors I now find more attractive after meeting them.  Before that, he was barely a blip on my radar.  Now that I know he's a nice guy, I pay attention.

Edited July 14, 2014 by CaughtOnTape

[Athena]

These stories are interesting and a good reminder of how people should act around celebrities. I wonder if we should create a topic for it and I can move your posts over?

[BizBuzz]

These stories are interesting and a good reminder of how people should act around celebrities. I wonder if we should create a topic for it and I can move your posts over?

 

As I was reading I was thinking the same thing.  Do it @Athena !

 

Maybe, Celebrities I Have Met - ok, I am not good at creating titles.  ::giggle::

[GHScorpiosRule]

How about Celebrity Encounters?

[BizBuzz]

How about Celebrity Encounters?

 

LOVE IT!  If you don't do it @Athena, I am gonna...

[Athena]

I'm on it, Queen @BizBuzz !

 

ETA: Done. I was actually thinking of doing "Close Encounters of the Celeb Kind" for a moment there!

[Athena]

Going off some posts in Movie Crushes, this is a place to discuss encounters, sightings with celebrities of any kind (TV, film, music, etc).

 

This topic is to share anecdotes between posters, not to invade or intrude on the privacy of celebrities in any way. Please do not share any specific details of where or when you will find celebrities and their families. Part of the reason we wanted to create this topic was to promote common sense and respectful behaviour. Celebrities, they may be great or awful, but they're still people.

 

Enjoy!

[GHScorpiosRule]

Okay, I have three more to add.*

 

*All at the RTNDA conferences as a college journalism major!

 

Like I posted above, met Mike Wallace. He was the keynote speaker at our dinner the first year I went. So very charming and spoke with us and let us take pictures with him, and autographed our 60 Minutes t-shirts (which I'll never forgive my mum for donating!).  The following year was Carole Simpson, who used to do World News Tonight on ABC on the weekends.  Also met Katie Couric, and sadly, though she's nice, she's also a ditz.

 

The one disappointment was Jane Pauley, who was so arrogant and dismissive of all those students who weren't interested in anchor positions or those who wanted to sit and read the news. Basically told us that if we had aspirations to do what she did, then we "damned well better be the loved one" like she'd been dubbed. And no, that's not an exaggeration, but a direct quote. Something I'll never forget. And Gee, where is Jane now?

 

I'll end on a positive note, with coming thisclose to Debra Messing when I was in New York a couple of summers ago. Woman looks better in person than on television. Of course, I was looking for Jim Caviezel because I'd read they had begun filming Person of Interest and I wanted to see him.

 

What?

[CaughtOnTape]

I've also run into Jared Leto while he was touring with his band.  He got swarmed.  He was pretty logical about all of it though.  Asked everyone to get into groups and he'd make sure we all got pictures.

Afterwards I heard a couple people commenting that he was kind of a dick...and yeah, I guess I could see how people took him that way.  But I didn't.  He was just trying to get people what they wanted in an efficient way.  He was certainly nice to everyone.  Plus he has a very dry sense of humor and is a total smartass.  So I don't think it occurred to him that someone was going to be offended by his tone.

[Ohwell]

Does this thread also include celebrities you've boinked?

[Shannon L.]

 

For those of you who love Robert Downey, Jr (I do as well) you'll also be happy to know he's the nicest celebrity I have ever met.  (And I've met.....a few)

I have a friend who said the same thing.  She was able to get herself and her daughter into the fan area of the red carpet for Iron Man and they were right up front. When he passed by, he took a few extra moments to talk to her daughter since she was the youngest on in that group.  She'll always love him for that.

 

Well, my husband used to work in the business, so I've met a few actors but most of them weren't big celebrities (I'll get to my faves in a sec), and living near Hollywood, I've seen my share walking by.  My favorites from my husband's film days are these:

 

Brendon Frasier on the set of Gods and Monsters.  They were filming here in Pasadena about 10 minutes from our home.  I went by set to say hello, and told him that I'd like to meet Brendon, but not if he seemed closed off to the idea.  He was working and I never wanted to interrupt any actor while they were on set unless they were ok with it.  So, I'm standing across this huge lawn, waiting for my husband to finish up and come over to say hello, when I hear someone behind me say "Shannon?".  I turned and am suddenly staring into a well built chest with a tight sleeveless t-shirt on (this was post-George of the Jungle Brendan and he's tall!).  I looked up and it was him.  I said "yes" and he held out his hand and said "I think we're supposed to meet".  OMG!  Here's the thing--I'm very shy, but my husband is always the life of the party, so I count on him to help the conversation along, but he was nowhere in sight.  To make matters worse, it turns out that Brendan's really shy, too. So, it was a nice, but awkward conversation for a couple of minutes, then he had to go back.  I found my husband looking at us and I gave him a dirty look because I thought him sending Brendan over alone was some kind of joke.  He threw up his hands and shook his head.  When he could finally get to me, he said "I swear I didn't set that up.  I asked him if he minded meeting you, he said 'no, where is she', I pointed you out and he took off."   I just love that story.

 

Luke Perry and Gloria Reuben in Indiscreet:  I don't think this movie went anywhere, but they were in it and my husband worked on it.  One day, he comes home with a shaved head and I hated it--I couldn't believe he did that!  He said that Luke had suggested it and he figured 'why not'?  A few days later, I'm visiting set and they were filming at a motel, so each department had their own room.  I was sitting on the bed watching tv when Luke walks in with my husband, sits down on the bed next to me, leans over and says "I'm sorry.  It's my fault."  hee!  Then Gloria came in to meet me and all I can say is she was so nice and had such a quiet, calm way about her.  She's even prettier in person, too.  Luke stayed for a bit to watch tv, then when they called him to set to film a love scene, he muttered "I hate filming love scenes--I'd rather have a root canal."

 

I'm also famous for seeing famous people, but not being able to place them until long after their gone.  This happened at Disney Land a this spring.  We saw four people together with a few kids.  I knew that three of them were celebrities, but couldn't place them.  One, on their way off a ride, passed by the line to go in, smiled at my daughter and said "That was fun--you'll like it." She's only 12, so she wouldn't know them by their names, only character names, so she knew the face of the guy who talked to her, but couldn't think of the character.  About 20 minutes later, I realized that two of them were Xander Berkely and Sarah Clarke (both were in 24).  Then, a little later, I figured out who the other guy was.  Since we were in the middle of his show on Netflix and it was my daughter's first encounter and she loved the show, I pulled up his picture on my iphone and said "Is this him?"  Her eyes went wide and she shouted "Yes!  Oh my God!  I have to text dad and Dalton (her brother)!"  It was Matt Bohmer and we were in the middle of watching Chuck  :)

 

And, since he was in Wayne's World:  Alice Cooper.  It's not so much that I saw him (and shook his hand), it was where I saw him--he was sitting right behind me in church one Sunday and I shook his hand during the passing of the peace.  It took me a second to figure out who it was--he looked familiar--but when I did, man was it tough keeping my head straight forward and my attention on the sermon! 

Edited July 14, 2014 by Shannon L.

[Athena]

Does this thread also include celebrities you've boinked?

 

No. That would be invading people's privacy. I hope you're joking. This isn't TMZ. There are many other forums and websites where people could share that, but not here.

[Bastet]

Then Gloria [Reuben] came in to meet me and all I can say is she was so nice and had such a quiet, calm way about her.

 

I met her backstage before a Tina Turner concert (this was when Reuben was enjoying her stint as one of Turner's back-up singers), and found her the same way.  It was particularly noticeable in the midst of the frenetic pre-performance energy.

[Crs97]

I met Kenneth Branagh at a meet and greet before the showing of Hamlet.  He was very nice, self-deprecating and chatty with everyone, even though his handlers kept him moving.  Fast forward one year and I was in London.  We were caught in traffic when the person in the cab in front of us hopped out, grabbed his backpack, and jogged up the street.  It was Kenneth heading toward one of the theaters.

[Ohwell]

No. That would be invading people's privacy. I hope you're joking. This isn't TMZ. There are many other forums and websites where people could share that, but not here.

No, I was joking.  Seriously.

[lottiedottie]

No, I was joking.  Seriously.

Your original post made me chuckle. I figured you were joking around!

 

I was once shopping in a vintage store in Cleveland when I realized that Kathy Kinney (Mimi from Drew Carey show) was also shopping there. I didn't talk to her because beyond saying "Hello! I know who you are!" there's not much else to say! LOL

 

I used to work at a restaurant and one night Monica Potter came in. I didn't wait on her, but the owner chatted with her and said she was really nice. She seemed pleasant enough, especially considering the hostess had seater her and her companion at the crappiest/smallest table in the restaurant). I recently discovered that I went to the same high school with her younger sister--I only went to that high school for one year and was not friends with her sister--it was a big high school.

 

At yet another former job at a record store (in the 90s, when such things still existed), I sold a stack of records to Sean Lennon.

 

On one hand, I'm such a fan girl whenever I see someone famous, I want to say hello and take a picture, but on the other hand if I was famous, it would freak me out to have people come up to me so it makes me not want to do or say anything.

[tribeca]

     Clint Eastwood & Lee Marvin bought my dad a beer.  Dad was 18 and in his marines uniform in a bar across the street from some movie premiere.  Eastwood and Marvin snuck out.   Dad asked them if they would get in trouble.  Eastwood said "nah once you have been to one of those you have been to them all"

     Mom, Dad, Aunt & Uncle were having dinner at Foxwoods casino when James Brown came in.  My aunt thought he was Little Rich.  My parents, uncle & aunt did not bother him.  When he left he gave everyone except parents table an autograph pictures  of himself.   Not sure if he was mad they did not ask or if he was mad my aunt called him little Richard.

[Shannon L.]

I want to run into Bill Murray one day.  He's a kick.

[harrie]

     Clint Eastwood & Lee Marvin bought my dad a beer.  Dad was 18 and in his marines uniform in a bar across the street from some movie premiere.  Eastwood and Marvin snuck out.   Dad asked them if they would get in trouble.  Eastwood said "nah once you have been to one of those you have been to them all"

    

 

That's super-nice of Messrs. Marvin and Eastwood, kudos to them.  But if the premiere they skipped was Paint Your Wagon (in which they both sing), they may have had a genuine motive to bail on it.  

[Athena]

No, I was joking.  Seriously.

 

Just double checking since you're a regular poster. ;)

 

There be trolls sometimes though and the whole celeb boink issue is one I've seen on gossip sites.

[King of Birds]

I also met Jamie Lee Curtis- at a concert for Spinal Tap of course. I think it was at the Greek. The Folksmen opened for them. I was proudly wearing my Break Like the Wind t-shirt and standing in line to get more junk ~ er, uh, collectibles, that's it ~  and I heard this woman say "Oh my God look at this line!"  (It was a long line)

 

And it was Jamie. So I said "Hi' and chatted about the fact that yes, we were all in line to buy more t-shirts. Then I pointed to Chris (Guest) on my shirt and asked "Hey does he really look all buff like this?" Now seriously - if you haven't looked at the link above, it is HEAVILY photo-shopped. So Jamie looks at me and says "In. My. Dreams. ... he looks like that."

 

Living in LA,  I've met or bumped into several "stars" and mostly they're nice. The wackiest was being in a Bed Bath & Beyond when Britney Spears ran into the store to avoid paparazzi. (I think it was during the whole 'shaved her head' era) The store security had to kick the paps out, and it just got real loud with yelling and such.

[BizBuzz]

Ok, you said musicians counted, so my two of my encounters are Rod Stewart and Daryl Hall.

 

Rod Stewart I met at Disney World (Magic Kingdom) of all places.  I was actually trying to put my 18 month old baby girl to sleep away from people because she had gotten over stimulated with the crowds, so I found a little alcove where there were no people around and started just rocking her in my arms.  I heard some talking, so I was looking around to see where it was coming from and here was Rod and a group of women and cameramen shooting some sort of shot (I think it ended up on a cover of a CD or something).  I just kinda stood there dumbfounded, disbelieving it was Rod Stewart, until I guess it was his manager or something said I wasn't supposed to be in the area.  I explained politely that I was just trying to put my little girl to sleep and I will back out of the way, when Rod walked up and said, they are not doing any harm, let them stay and watch.  I about died.  And my baby fell asleep.  ::giggle::

 

The second was Daryl Hall, on a plane trip from California to Hawaii.  I had gotten bumped to first class because I was bumped off the flight previously.  So, here he was in the seat in front of me.  The whole five hour trip I said nothing, but I listened to EVERYTHING.  ::giggle::  This same trip The Chippendales were on this flight.  HA!

 

I met Jack Lord once.  I was asked to be an extra just because I was there while they were filling Hawaii Five O.

 

And anyone who might be from Hawaii, or there during the 60's, I spent my 6th birthday on the Checkers and Pogo show.

[CaughtOnTape]

If musicians count this could get out of hand.  LOL

 

I've met every member of NSync.  All were nice except JC.  Contrary to popular opinion, Justin Timberlake is a total sweetheart (if you aren't screaming in his face or tearing at him).  He was funny, cute and gave us a ride back to our car at the mall.  

Every member of NKOTB.  Joey McIntyre is a dickhead.  Donnie Wahlberg is the nicest most accommodating celebrity ever.  

And to finish out the boy band tri-fecta, I have met the members of the Backstreet Boys a TON.  All members are nice, sweet, gracious and take time to speak to you.  There is a reason they are the most popular boy band ever.

 

I've met all members of My Chemical Romance as well.  They are also all very nice.  Frank is very VERY talkative.

 

The guys from the Eli Young Band are also very nice.

 

My friend is one of Willie Nelson's family members.  I've been around him a ton.  He's also very nice.

[Kel Varnsen]

I met George Wendt (Norm from Cheers) at a beer festival in Eastern Ontario once. It was no surprise that I met him because he was the guest of honour but it was actually better than just saying hello. The festival fair grounds and the brewery that were running it were about a 10 minute hay wagon ride. My wife and decided we were needed a break from the festival so we went for a hay wagon ride to the brewery . When we got there George Wendt had just shown up and was talking with the organizers and took some pictures at the brewery. After a few minutes we decided we better get back on the hay wagon so that we could get back to the fair grounds in time for George to make his appearance. As the wagon was about to leave George was getting in his car, and a bunch of people on the wagon yelled for him to hop on. Since I was sitting at the very back of the wagon he ended up sitting next to me for the whole ride to the fair grounds. We didn't really talk much since everyone on the wagon was trying to talk to him, but my wife got some good pictures.

[Ohwell]

I'm old so it took me a while to remember who I'd met, lol.  Anyway, back in the 80s I walking in downtown DC and Richard Thomas (John Boy) was walking on the opposite side.  I waved at him, and he smiled and waved back.  I had a crush on him back in the day, so I was on cloud nine for the rest of the week.  Again in the 80s, I went to some sort of convention and George Hamilton was there signing pictures of himself.  I talked briefly to him while he signed my picture, I don't remember what I said but it was probably something stupid.  I just remember that he was very nice and handsome and had a beautiful smile.  I've still got the picture.  

[Bastet]

Every member of NKOTB.

 

Some of the members of New Kids on the Block were at Magic Mountain (amusement park near Los Angeles) one day during the height of their fame, and some friends and I were getting on a ride as they were getting off.  If I'm remembering correctly, it was the two dark-haired brothers and Joey.  Even with all their security, they were swarmed, and you could just see the frustration on their faces even though they were being gracious.  I felt sorry for them; those teenage girls swarming around them were the reason they were rich and famous, yes, but they were still young guys themselves just trying to take a break - because while much of their work is glamorous, it is work - and ride some roller coasters.  But at this point in the NKOTB mania, they just couldn't do stuff like that; they'd have to either rent places out entirely or deal with being mobbed.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Bastet

[tribeca]

 When I was an working as an usher at a movie theatre, a co-worker said to me "is that Lou Rawls?'  I responded "doubt it.  Why would he be here?"  Our little town theatre is in the middle of no where.  Lou came over and shook booth our hands.  It was helping an opening a new art theatre.  He came to the theatre to see Austin Powers part II.

   Not sure they are celebrities but I did meet Teresa and Luann from Real Housewife's shows at a casino (on separate nights :) ).

[GHScorpiosRule]

It's really odd. As I'm thinking about all the celebrities I've seen...unless they were there for me to meet, like the journalists, I mentioned, I never ever approached them, because my thinking was, they're here not making appearances, and probably are hoping to be left alone...which brings me to when I saw Lynda Carter...about 10 years ago.  I was working part-time at Barnes & Noble, and I noticed this tall brunette in a ponytail, jeans and t-shirt. My mind went Wonder Woman! Because she lives in Potomac, MD and the store was about 15 minutes from that area. I remember just staring at her and thinking, even without make-up, she is just so beautiful. And not as tall as I expected her to be, heh.

 

But, Madeline Albright also came in. She was there with her daughter and granddaughter.  I remember talking up the granddaughter and asking her if she knew that her name was also the name of someone famous, and she was about 7, I think, and her mom said she was named after her grandmother, who then walked up, and I think I just stared for 10 seconds, speechless. Let me say, she was the most gracious person ever and so very, very nice.

[beesknees]

I kissed the Fonz on the cheek once for a charity event  held in Milwaukee (muscular dystrophy).  I was a teenager,  My mom saw it on the 6 o'clock news and she about fell over.

[jellysalmon]

I was working at a summer camp at UCLA and was working the registration table for the next group of kids to come in. There are tons of various summer camps at UCLA over the summer, academic, SAT prep, debate, cheerleading etc. Some guy in sunglasses and asks me (in a familiar sounding voice) if he can sign in his kid for some science camp I've haven't heard of. I tell him that's our company doesn't run that camp and he asks  where the sign up table for the science camp is or where . So he jokingly (but maybe kind of serious?) says "Huh. So you don't know anything do you?" and I responded back "I actually know plenty of things, just not what you need to know. " he doesn't really respond and just walks away looking for the table. The other girl at the table was like "dude! you flashed attitude at Tom Hanks!" I turned at looked again and sure enough it was him. 

[legaleagle53]

I was working at a summer camp at UCLA and was working the registration table for the next group of kids to come in. There are tons of various summer camps at UCLA over the summer, academic, SAT prep, debate, cheerleading etc. Some guy in sunglasses and asks me (in a familiar sounding voice) if he can sign in his kid for some science camp I've haven't heard of. I tell him that's our company doesn't run that camp and he asks  where the sign up table for the science camp is or where . So he jokingly (but maybe kind of serious?) says "Huh. So you don't know anything do you?" and I responded back "I actually know plenty of things, just not what you need to know. " he doesn't really respond and just walks away looking for the table. The other girl at the table was like "dude! you flashed attitude at Tom Hanks!" I turned at looked again and sure enough it was him. 

 

I'd  feel like crawling into a hole and pulling the hole in after me if that happened to me!

[Shannon L.]

I've got an embarrassing one:  I used to watch a few soap operas religiously.  My husband was working on a movie with Billy Warlock and he was fun and hung out with with me and a few other people on set between takes.  I was convinced he'd been on one of my soaps and he was telling me that he hadn't been on that one.  I was sure he was messing around with me, so I kept on with it.  After a little while, it occurred to me that he was being serious.  Oops. 

 

I worked at a mall on the boarder of Beverly Hills when I was 18.  One day Jacqlyn Smith walked in and I gasped because she was so beautiful she glowed. I'd always hear about women like that, but I never really understood it until that day. 

[legaleagle53]

I always did think she was the most beautiful of the Angels (I found Farrah Fawcett to be way overrated), and from what I've seen of her today, she's just as beautiful now as she was then (and I've also heard that she's a real sweetheart to her fans, even if she is a bit shy at first).  Lucky you to have had a close encounter of the second kind with her!

Edited July 16, 2014 by legaleagle53

[wlk68]

Decades ago I worked for a bookstore and they would occasionally have book signings so I've met Mr T, Anne Rice, Stephen King and Richard Karn from Home Improvement. They were all really nice.

 

Oh and I met Bobby Flay at the opening of one of his restaurants. He was nice but kind of distracted. He was really concerned about keeping the orders flowing so that people got their food in a timely manner, etc. Understandable.    

[JBC344]

I had a similar encounter with Diane Lane years ago.  This was more than five years ago when she was still with Josh Brolin.  I used to work at a home goods store in West LA and one day during the Christmas rush, Josh and Diane came in.  I happened to be ringing that day and spotted them in line.  If I remember correctly I actually rang them up for there few items. 

 

Now I have always thought of Diane Lane as a beautiful woman but I can't tell you how stunningly gorgeous she looks in person.  She was very casually dressed and had short curly hair at the time and I don't believe any make-up.  It was literally like everyone in the store stopped to just stare at her.  Josh was cute too, and a very handsome man himself but no one was really paying attention to him with Diane standing there.

 

Shannon L, I know what you mean about some celebrities just "glowing" in person. 

[midge]

I've got an embarrassing one:  I used to watch a few soap operas religiously.  My husband was working on a movie with Billy Warlock and he was fun and hung out with with me and a few other people on set between takes.  I was convinced he'd been on one of my soaps and he was telling me that he hadn't been on that one.  I was sure he was messing around with me, so I kept on with it.  After a little while, it occurred to me that he was being serious.  Oops. 

 

I worked at a mall on the boarder of Beverly Hills when I was 18.  One day Jacqlyn Smith walked in and I gasped because she was so beautiful she glowed. I'd always hear about women like that, but I never really understood it until that day. 

Met her at a Kmart, she was very sweet and the most beautiful person I have ever met. 

[topanga]

 

I kissed the Fonz on the cheek once for a charity event  held in Milwaukee (muscular dystrophy).  I was a teenager,  My mom saw it on the 6 o'clock news and she about fell over.

I would have died. Or would have come close.

 

I've met Aisha Tyler. She's hilarious. And very down-to-earth. I met Oprah when I was a guest on her show. She was very nice.  And I met Wayne Brady in Orlando. He's taller than he looks.

 

Do you care about athletes and broadcasters? At the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, I met Ray Lewis, Chris Berman, Warren Sapp, Rich Eisen, Jerry Jones, basketball player Grant Hill, and I once sat in the seat behind Holly Robinson-Peete at a football game. I didn't talk to her, though. 

 

Oh, and I met Jasmine Guy (A Different World) and Sean Patrick Thomas (Save the Last Dance, Barbershop)

Edited July 17, 2014 by topanga

[Rick Kitchen]

My brother-in-law is the first cousin of Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, but I've never met him.  (Well, okay, he was at my sister's wedding when he was seven).  Does that count.  :)

[BizBuzz]

My brother-in-law is the first cousin of Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, but I've never met him.  (Well, okay, he was at my sister's wedding when he was seven).  Does that count.  :)

 

If it does count, then I am second cousin to Judith Light ...

 

::giggle::

[Kel Varnsen]

If it does count, then I am second cousin to Judith Light ...

 

::giggle::

Did you ever ask her who really was "the boss"?

[Snowprince]

Responded to a single car roll over crash where the car caught fire. The incapacitated driver and passenger had been pulled  from the burning car by a neighborhood resident just before we arrived. The resident? Mark Harmon. Took witness statements from him and his wife, Pam Dawber, for the accident report.

 

An extra patrol request was generated based on a BOLO from an agency in Texas, regarding a stalker who swore he was married to Valerie Bertinelli and was headed to LA to claim her and take her back home. While doing a drive by check on the house at about 2 AM we see the suspect climbing the fence. When we catch him, Valerie and husband Eddie Van Halen come out to see what the commotion was all about.

 

Both couples were the nicest, most humble people you could imagine. Mark Harmon so much so that he was adamant in his request that his act of heroism not be publicized. It was eventually, how the press got the story, I'm not sure.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Snowprince

[roseslg]

I've seen several over the years (primarily due to living in NYC), but the closest encounter I've had was when I was flying from Budapest to London with a friend of mine and who would be standing directly behind me in the boarding line but Colin Firth.   I had a huge crush on him, which my friend knew and she was trying to get me to turn around but I was too involved in whatever conversation we were having. She kept pointing and gesturing.  I still didn't get it.   It's only when he was slightly out of earshot that she whispered that I should turn around.  I turned around, saw  who it was, smiled and turned back around.  Had to keep my NY pride and not go all crazy fan girl.   The stewardesses of course were chatting about him during the flight. 

[Snowprince]

My partner and I are on Code 7 (meal break) at Jerry's Famous Deli on Ventura Bl in Studio City, about 5 AM. Attractive blonde in jeans and sweatshirt, hair in ponytail, comes in for coffee and a bagel. She gets her to go order, then comes over toward our booth. "Gina?" My partner looks up, hesitates a second then says, "Heather?...OMG!!!". Hugs and an animated conversation ensue, while I'm basically just sitting there thunderstruck. It's Heather Locklear, they had been classmates in high school.   

Edited July 19, 2014 by Snowprince

[topanga]

 

The incapacitated driver and passenger had been pulled  from the burning car by a neighborhood resident just before we arrived. The resident? Mark Harmon. Took witness statements from him and his wife, Pam Dawber, for the accident report.

Mark Harmon is married to Mindy? Didn't know that.  Two great stories.

[Bastet]

Mark Harmon's reputation as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood is well earned.

 

On a similar car accident note, when my friend's husband wrecked his car driving home from a wrap party down a canyon road, the person who stopped to check on him, guide traffic around the incident, and stay with him until my friend arrived was Jay Leno. 

[Milburn Stone]

As a young man I idolized Robert Klein. I still remember an evening at The Quiet Knight in Chicago in the mid-seventies when my face was literally in pain from the giant laughing grin he plastered across it for two hours.

 

Cut to the late eighties or early nineties. I'm staying at The Four Seasons on Doheny in LA on business. It's time to meet my compadres downstairs in the lobby. I summon the elevator (I'm on 8, as I recall), the doors open, and even though the elevator is empty, it's abundantly clear that someone has let go a really vile fart in the very recent past!

 

Oh well, I figure, this elevator ride will be over before long. I can handle it.

 

What I didn't figure was the elevator doors opening once again, now on 6. One person gets on. Robert Klein.

 

He gives me such a look. A look that says, "You disgusting pig! How could you do such a thing!"

 

Frozen in awe of the great man, and humiliated by what I knew he was thinking, I couldn't summon the wherewithal to say, "Hey man, it wasn't me! It smelled like this when I got on!" Instead, I just prayed for the ride to end.

 

But twenty years later, in a club in Chicago once again, he smiled at me and put his hand on my shoulder as he walked past. I chose to interpret that as absolution.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Milburn Stone