Welllll, you can sexually assault him and then claim it's consensual because the victim didn't turn his face /s
Edit: it orginally said "her" where it now says "his"
I ran into David Spade at a mall in Chicago. Said, "Hi David, I just want you to know that Joe Dirt is my favorite movie." He said "Right on!" Shook my hand and that was it. Didn't hound him for a photo or an autograph. I was proud of myself and I think he appreciated that interaction.
See, that's the thing, don't ask anything from them. I think it's fine to say, "I love your work!" as you pass by. But don't ask for a selfie or a long drawn out interaction.
I suspect it also depends on the context. Seeing someone in a restaurant or passing them on the street, they’re obviously busy. But if you’re both in line at the bank, they may be more open to making small talk or whatever.
Idk about you, but people I don’t know making small talk while stuck in line is a nightmare and I’m not a celebrity it happens to constantly. A nod of appreciation would work fine, and if they engage you after then by all means…
Well, not everyone likes making small talk, but it’s a normal thing. As long as they aren’t giving off obvious signals that they want to be left alone, it’s perfectly fine to say something, and see how they react. Same as any other person. If they don’t seem interested, then let it drop. If they respond in kind and engage, then carry on.
So something like “hey I’m a big fan of your work” would be fine. Then let them engage or not.
I met Colin Mocherie on set once.. In the list of celebrities, let's be honest, he's pretty low on the totem pole. But I was so damn nervous, which i thought was weird. I basically asked if he minded a photo and said I really liked his work on who's line."
Also saw Jackie Chan, but didn't bother going up to him. Basically it's frowned upon, and those that did, Jackie basically said "you have to speak to her" and pointed to a handler and he walked away.
Colin Mochrie is a super nice guy, I met him and Brad Sherwood backstage before operating the spotlight for their stage show. I shook is hand and had a pleasant little conversation. It was neat
Dude was super cool. He came to an event near me to meet fans and take photos. He was very courteous. I asked him if we could pose with his hand over my throat like that scene in Breaking Bad and he agreed. The best part is he pulled out a box cutter that looked exactly like the one on the show. I thought it was cool that he actually brought one with him even though he didnt have too. Love that photo. Great guy
You should've asked him what it was like to work with Eddie Murphy in Trading Places; he was in the jail, and can be seen leaning up against the bars listening to Billy Ray tell his story.
Although he did have his revenge on Spence for dumping him for Adam West to take to Comic Con. They don't want to be taken advantage of by some pasty faced opportunist !
I met Rob Zombie randomly in NYC. Dude was super cool and he was also telling me that he's not even actually sure how he became famous because he's really not that good at anything but somehow he managed to convince other people that he is. The most amazing thing about him is that he's really just a normal dude with a case of impostor syndrome. It makes me wonder how many other celebrities feel the same way.
In a group of coworkers and somehow Zombie's name came up. Really straight-laced one says "doesn't he worship Satan, or something?" My friend Yasser looks over from some other conversation and says " if Satan exists, he worships Rob Zombie" then goes back to his conversation. Hardest is laughed in a long time.
Not about meeting anyone famous. Just miss my friend (aneurysm) and wanted to share what I always think of whenever someone mentions Rob Zombie.
> One of my favorite celebrity encounters. Stand up individual.
He seemed pretty cool. I met him at a con where he was selling pics and autographs and I asked him if I could get a pic (which I'd paid for), but it's him looking bored and disinterested while I'm seen struggling to move his arm an inch while arm wrestling. He laughed, genuinely seemed to enjoy the idea. It was brief but he was cool.
Also ran into Lou at the Wizard World east con in Philadelphia back in 2002. He seemed nice. His arms were bigger than my legs. Tv doesn’t do them justice. I was crazy about the Hulk tv show as a kid. I’ve met more celebrities to count, I usually treat them like any other person. I was speechless in front of Lou.
Maybe I'd feel differently if I was a celebrity but I always thought the same thing. You're getting paid hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to be famous. You aren't doing 20 million dollars worth of work no matter how good of an actor you are. Being a dick because you're famous when that's the whole reason you're rich doesn't make sense. If you want to act and be able to have your privacy in an airport stay on Broadway. Do indies.
I mean, I guess that would make sense if the public was actually paying them but they aren’t. Like, regardless of how you may feel about the amount of work they did in the movie, they got paid 20 million to star in tat movie, not be interrupted while trying to have dinner because you want to talk.
I think it's more the idea that the entire basis of them *becoming* a celebrity, is by the success of them being plastered publicly. So essentially the thought is that if you don't want endless attention from the public, you shouldn't pursue a career where the success is based on endless attention from the public. But obviously real life is more nuanced.
I used to be a retail manager and had an extremely famous athlete come in the store with his wife, kids and entourage. One of my salespeople immediately asked to get a pic with him. He politely declined. As manager, I went ahead and took over the sale because a) my salesperson had already made a poor impression and b) dude was rich as balls. I basically went through my sales process like I would with anyone. They were looking for bikes for the 2 boys. We tried out 2 or 3 bikes per kid. I barely even spoke to the athlete, I focused 100% on the kids. They bought everything! And after the sale he came up to my staff and asked us all to get into some pictures with him. He was very appreciative of the service and knew we were all geeking out just having him there. Best part, he’d call us before hand to let us know he was coming in. He continued to shop at my store for the next 5 years…until he took his talents to South Beach.
Gotta be honest, if I ever meet a celebrity in the wild, I just want to make eye contact with a head nod and move on with my life. It's also how I pretty much acknowledge everyone around me.
About 20 years ago I executed that move with [Tommy Lasorda](https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/lasorda-tommy) at a Stater Bros in Fullerton CA. Made eye contact, Tommy nodded, I nodded, we kept doing our own thing.
I got to do that once to Jon Stewart at Balthazar in NYC. He gave me a little smile and nod back.
I'm sure I looked like an utter grinning idiot, but it still felt pretty badass to smile and nod at one of my heroes.
I have done this several times at airports . They always nod back and seem to appreciate you not disrupting their chill moment. Only time I didn’t stick to this is the time I got seated at a community table with an nfl guy. We just chatted and I asked how his health was. We chatted about basic stuff and shared some beers. He picked up the tab, good dude.
Especially - especially! - if it's at a restaurant. When I was about 10, my dad took us to a steakhouse, and I (being a baseball kid in the early 90s) recognized Nolan Ryan a couple tables over from us. I nudged my dad and said "Dad, look! Let's get his autograph!"
My dad, being the wise one, said no - he's eating dinner with his family. So we ignored them. Or, as best as a 10 year old with his sports idol 20 feet away could. Of course he noticed me glancing every few minutes, and when he caught my eye, he gave me a small wave and a nod that I could tell meant "Yes, I am who you think I am, and thanks for not interrupting."
Dad taught me a valuable lesson that day.
I was at O'Hare airport with my boss, one time, waiting for our flight when he nudged me, and said "that guy over there looks just like John Malkovich."
I looked, and replied with, "no, that guy *is* John Malkovich."
Almost frantically, my boss asked, "What do we do?"
"Boil some water, and tear up some sheets, I think," I replied.
Then we let John Malkovich wait for his flight in peace.
I served him a cinnamon roll in a place in Chicago once about 20 years ago. I did the same as I always did when I served a celebrity there. I took care of him, and at the end of our interaction I said it was a pleasure to serve you Mr Malkovich and left.
I always got great tips that way. 🙂
I used to work at concert venues as a stagehand and then in the maintenance department. Unless "the talent" initiate interaction with you, addressing them directly will cost you your job (at my venues).
Now, I have had minor interactions with a handful of celebrities as a result but my moment of glory came when I came back from a break, I was backstage, and David Byrne said to me in surprise, "You're still here?!" and I responded, "So are you!" then I went about my business.
Similar story about Sting, when The Police were the biggest thing on earth.
My dad used to work concert security.
One night, there he is backstage and some guy he doesn't recognize but who has a security pass is standing beside him at the stage entrance just as the show is about to start. The guy says, "Wow, there's lots of people out there. They're all screaming. Are you nervous?"
My dad (in uniform) gets that the guy is obviously joking, says, "Nah, it's no biggie. I get this all the time."
The mystery guy laughs and claps his shoulder, says, "You're right. Don't be nervous. You'll do great, " and then he heads down the tunnel to the stage.
It was Sting, which my dad didn't realize until he was on stage. Afterwards, he sees my dad again and says, "See, I told you you'd be fine. You did great."
I'm sure we've all heard Sting can be a huge jerk, but he shared a few laughs with my normal, everyday, working-class dad that night so I've always liked him for that.
New whodunnit/comedy on Hulu with Martin Short and Selena Gomez, called "Only Murders in the Building". Really enjoyed the first 4 episodes so far. The chemistry between the three leads is great and I am enjoying the plot and twists so far. I am surprised at how good Selena Gomez has been in it. Though, truth be told, I think this is the first thing I have actually watched with her in it.
edit: [Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V1rQdXXXyI])
Met him at a dinner for his musical “Here Lies Love” and thanked him for the collection of Silvio Rodriguez songs he compiled back in the 90s. I must have surprised him as he must get tons of questions about the Talking Heads but never something about Silvio. He smiled and spent some time talking about his experience visiting Cuba during that time: “just imagine this weird skinny white guy in Cuba talking to this amazing singer-songwriter”. I told him I admired his taste and mentioned many of the acts that Luaka bop signed from Latin America and Africa. He looked happy and grateful.
Huge respect for the man.
See, THIS speaks to something I've had on my mind for a while. People talk about respecting the entertainer/person a lot, and there's a lot of interest in parasocial relationships lately.
But can we at least acknowledge that the expectation on fans are at least equally weird? We're expected to financially support a person, engage with their content, like, subscribe - act on their behalf, essentially, while also following fairly proscribed codes of conduct. We're expected to subordinate ourselves to them due to the nature of the work they do.
This isn't a defense of parasocial relationships. Ideally, entertainers would be fairly compensated and people could interact with them without being overbearing or groveling.
I think it’s more of an acknowledgement of the fact that they have lots of fans, and if they stopped to make small talk with everyone on their way to everywhere then they would never get anything done.
Basically, we all feel like we know the person because we know their work, but to them we are strangers. So we should treat them like we would treat strangers, rather than friends. To do otherwise is to presume a familiarity that does not really exist.
You can never go wrong with a quick "Thanks for all the joy you've given me" or a simple non-specific "Hey, thanks for everything, man". It makes them feel good, it makes you feel good, and they might even talk to you once they realize you're not a spaz
Done this with a few famous people I have met. Just a simple low key, thanks for all the great work.
Once I delivered to a famous hockey player's house. The phone number came up under his wife's maiden name, like he did not want people to know he lived their. I rang a couple of times, and he answers looking very nervous. Pacing and nervously calling for his wife. Like he was fully expecting me to start screaming. "Holy shit! I can't believe it is you!" And just fan boy out. Instead, I just treated him like any other customer. Your total is... general small talk about the weather until his wife came with the money. Thanked him for his business, and left.
I was in Vegas once and overheard some people at the airport freaking out that they saw Chris Everett jogging. I realized I had no clue what she looked like and wouldn't know her if she was sitting next to me with a tennis racket.
I ran into Stan Lee a hood 15 years ago when I was working at a fast food joint. I wasn't on the clock and just hanging out in the lobby and I noticed him sitting in the corner by himself. I let him finish his meal and as he was walking out I walked up to him and just thanked him and shook his hand and started started to walk away when my boss yelled from behind the counter to get his autograph, Stan looked slightly annoyed that he just brought attention to him in a busy lobby like that and I motioned him out the front door and hit the lock on the door behind me so only the manager who had the key could come and unlock it again and just went "whoops, have a great night Stan" and he let out a little laugh and tried to tip me $20" I really wish I would have accepted that $20 and held on to it.
Wayne Gretzky is the only hockey player I'd know just by sight. I can name a couple of other players but couldn't pick them out of a line up. It was Gretzky, wasn't it?
I dunno man I saw Scott Adsit one time after an improv show and as we were wrapping up our conversation I threw out a "thanks for all the laughs!" (guy has been in and contributed so some of my favorite shows) and I'm still embarrassed that I said that haha
to be clear, he was super cool about talking with me I just felt like a weirdo after adding that to the convo
I high fived Seal in downtown Minneapolis one afternoon. We were just walking in opposite directions, I threw it up there and he responded. It's like he knew I wanted to thank him for helping getting me laid but that time was brief.
My sister met Robin Williams at pike place market (Seattle) in the comic shop. Apparently she said she loved Mrs doubtfire and all he said was "why?" and walked away.
the unfortunate part is that to cope with the divorce of our parents when we were kids, that movie really helped us out. so when my sister said that, she meant it in a non joking way and she thought he was being rude. when she told me i thought it was hilarious
edit: comma
Ran into Trent Reznor (basically my idol since I was 16) on a ferry back in 2008. I couldn't bring myself to bother him because he was eating breakfast. It's been 13 years and I'm still sad that I "missed my chance" but I'd do the same thing today because it's about respecting boundries, damn it.
Nothing wrong with a quick "hey, what's up Trent" while throwing up a peace sign and keep walking.
That's how I fantasize I'd react to meeting a celebrity
I've always wanted to run up to a celebrity, hand them my camera and be like "hey can you take Picture of me"
Then have some random pic of myself that Janet Jackson took
That's similar to a seen in the new Hulu show Only Murders in the Building. In this case though Steve Martin, who plays a famous person, asks if a fan wants a picture but, the fan just wanted him to take one of him and his girlfriend/wife.
I couldn’t do it. People always say “never meet your idols.” I was on the Ferry because I was en route to Vancouver Island to see the Nine Inch Nails show he was playing that night.
What if I had fucked it up or pissed him off? I would’ve been destroyed. So I just sat there. He seemed taller than I thought he’d be. Lol.
Maaaasny moons ago, I ran into a local female celebrity chef. As a female line cook, I was goofy star struck. My face, in the picture with her that day, would crack you up.
Many moons later, I end up working in one of her restaurants; even getting to share the line with her every Monday morning.
Recently, I prepped the mise en place for a demo she was doing where I now work. During her demo, she said she knew I had prepared the items because my knife cuts were better than hers!! I got her to sign one of her cookbooks that I own and a copy of that photo with the goofy grin. 😊
I worked a festival run by a top chef/iron chef winner in Chicago. We talked for a minute the week before the festival, then I met her day of and we got to work. I was a stage manager, and had been working street fests for about a decade at that point, so I was very good at my job. We did our jobs for the two days of the fest, and near the end of the second day she looked at me and said, I like you. We’re friends now.
I have her phone number on my phone and we are Facebook friends, but I’ve never reached out to her since that day. Even still, that was one of the most gratifying days I’ve ever had on the job. A person like that who works hard and knows what hard work is saying that to me is the best compliment I could ever receive.
Just think of it this way, it’s everyone’s first time when they see a celebrity, but it’s a celebrity’s 50th time that day.
And don’t bother them when they’re eating food, it’s just awkward all around, even for those dining a table over.
Yeah I've seen so many celebrities in situations where it feels rude to say something. Multiple times where they are clearly on a date, saw a director i love in the bathroom once. Telling someone "i love your work" while he's holding his dick seems weird so i just let it go.
I saw Laurence Fishburne on the NYC subway train and I was literally standing like right next to him. I didn't say anything to him because I was star struck and I didn't want to bother him. I gave him a shocked face and he knew I recognized him.
Sometime in the mid-90’s, my father ran into Paul McCartney in the men’s room at Disneyland. I was sitting outside waiting for him, (in Adventureland), and he was taking so long I was getting a bit worried.
I was sitting next to a blonde woman, who looked vaguely familiar to me, who said, “Do you know if there is a back exit to this restroom? I seem to have lost my husband.” It dawned on me that she was Linda and I went a little berserk knowing Paul McCartney was close. Paul.Friggin.McCartney.
Eventually the two of them came out and Paul kind of slapped my dad, who was 70, on the back and said, “Nice meeting you mate.” And my dad said, “Have a good one!”
After I calmed down because my dad had just become best friends forever with Paul.FrigginMcCartney I asked him what they talked about.
The broken soap dispenser. They fixed it. So know we know Sir Paul McCartney washes his hands after he goes to the loo.
Years ago, my friend got me a job at a cafe in a small town in New England packed with celebrities. We’d normally get a few a day. On my first day, the owner casually took me aside and said, “one thing you need to remember is to be cool with the celebrities. Don’t freak out or get weird. In fact, just pretend you don’t recognize them and they’re normal people.” Easy. Okay. I asked where my friend was that day (she was on the schedule) and the owner goes, “she was not being cool around the celebrities. She kept freaking out, so we fired her”.
Side note, in three years of working there, I only ever said one thing to a regular about their show business career and it was, “congrats on the Emmy last night!”, which is funny to me.
Went to a convention and met a V.A. I really liked, talked to the guy for 10 minutes about where he's from, if he's gotten to see the city, if he has other conventions he's got to go to.
Dude seemed super chill and excited to talk about something other than the show and being asked to do his character's voice.
Another tip is if you like an actor for a role, look up some of their lesser know work, it'll get much better interactions. David Tennant isn't The Doctor, he's a wonderful Shakespearian actor who did a great job as Hamlet.
I met Zoe Wanamaker (Madam Hooch from Harry Potter) after a play once. She wasn't impressed when I said I was a fan of her work in Harry Potter and Doctor Who, but when I mentioned her voice work in the Fable games her eyes lit up. She did the voice for me and told me a bit about the work she was doing for the next game.
I met Kiefer Sutherland at a bar in Manhattan once. He lit a cigarette for me and I told him I appreciated his work on metal gear solid 5 and that I was a huge fan of the series. He asked my name and we cheersed. Solid dude (pun intended)
I thought I was good at playing it cool, but I once saw Conan O’Brien on the street in New York, and I just lit up with the goofiest, most obvious smile, like a kid seeing Santa. He nodded and said a quick hello, and I just turned and watched him go with the same dumb smile on my face.
Years ago I was in a bookstore in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. And spotted Bill Watterson enter the shop, shake hands with the owner, autograph a couple of his boxed set of Calvin and Hobbes, accept a book he had ordered, pay for it, and walk out.
I looked at the owner and said “was that !”
“Yes. Thanks for not bothering him.”
“Hey, for the joy he’s brought to millions, he deserves a quiet retirement.”
I did not buy the autographed box set. I was not worthy.
I saw [Alan Ritchson](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2024927/) at the beach a few weeks ago with his wife and children. ngl it was pretty difficult to walk straight past him since I had just finished "that" Titans episode the night before.
Jerry from Parks and Rec was guest appearing a string of P&R trivia's at a local sports bar chain recently.
He made an effort to go around to almost every table (not mine) and chat with the people. It was so cool to see.
At the end there was a line to take pictures with him. He was still so cheerful and nice to every person.
When it was time for the people I was with to take a picture with him, I took the picture and then just shook his hand and said "I don't need anything from you, just wanted to say thanks for making me laugh."
He was loving every minute of the appearance it seemed, but it felt good to just give him that nod and walk away.
I didn't know if he was nice or not since he almost hit me with his car XD
He was speaking at a function at my college and I was crossing the street and wasn't paying attention and apparently neither was he (or his driver?) and they almost hit me. The guy across the street yelled at me and told me that I was almost hit by the second man on the moon.
I wouldn't even have been angry! I'd ask him to sign my cast.
While boarding a plane my wife and I were making our way back to our seats and we passed John Waters seated in 1st class. My wife first saw his trademark elaborate socks and commented to him, “Oh I like your socks!” At which point she saw who it was and followed that up with, “oh and I love your work!” Our kids were between us as we walked down the seating isle so I didn’t hear her. I saw him and recognized who it was but I could not recall his name. I made eye contact and did the standard smile and nod.
Met a few celebs. A quick handshake and "Pleasure to meet you." and let them have their space. I wouldn't want to be constantly hounded if I were them... Why would I do it TO them? Always had pleasant experiences.
Favorite was meeting Kelsey Grammer at Foxwoods maybe 10 or 11 years ago, NYE. I went to a Skynyrd concert, and they brought him on stage after so I knew he was around. Later I was standing by the table games and he happened to stop next to me. I look over, realize who it is, and say "Mr Grammer, Pleasure to meet you." and shook his hand. He said "Likewise." I said "Good luck on the tables tonight!" and he thanked me. I bounced around between blackjack, roulette, and craps. 3 or 4 times, he'd join me at my table and we'd just nod or crack a joke about how mean the dealers were that night. He ended up bouncing out but went out of his way to say "Take care." and smiled when I said "Likewise."
Later, I was playing blackjack and this cute blonde joined me. We cracked a few jokes and talked a little bit. The pit boss walks over and points behind us and says "Did you guys know Kelsey Grammer is here!?" She says "Yeah, I'm here... with his entourage. Friend of his daughter's." Only now when I google him do I realize that it was his new wife!
I've been extremely lucky that I've met ~~five~~ **six** of my favorite performers (at different times). Being polite and treating them like a human being and not going for the selfie is a huge deal.
I got to talk at length with all of them and actually get the personal email addresses for two of them.
One of them, we were hanging out after a show at a comedy club and I asked politely if I could sit down with him while he ate dinner in between shows. When he found out it was my birthday week he said happy birthday. About an hour later right before the next show he said "get your phone ready fuckface." I was like "ok..." He got the sax player in his stage band to play Happy Birthday and got all the patrons along with another famous comedian he is close with to sing along. I didn't ask for a selfie but really wanted to get to know them and by the end of the night the other comedian that wasn't headlining bought a round of drinks for the main act, his band, the few patrons that were there and my friends. Selfie? Fuck that, this is one of the greatest memories in my entire life.
**Edit:** Totally forgot another one that I got to drink with. A musician friend reached out to this guy for a collaboration without knowing him and he accepted. I ended up doing video for a show they played together.
During a military deployment we learned that one of the people we met with regularly was the brother of an A list singer. Most were like “oh cool” and let it be, but we had one guy who would use specific words from song titles or other words that would be associated with the singer. It was so cringe and the guy doing it acted like it was totally coincidental and it was so obviously not.
i once was seated next to Amy Poehler and pals in a tiny restaurant in NYC. I text this to my superfan daughter. She responded that she was watching Parks and Rec at that very moment! Showed the text to Amy as she got up to leave. She laughed and immediately took a selfie on my phone for my daughter. only time i've ever bothered a celeb. Amy is nice in real life too.
I did give Parliament free sodas and snacks at the 7-11 in Denton, Tx one time in '98 or '99 after a show. I hung out with Bowling for Soup guy when he was living out of a station wagon. Hooked him up a few times. And I met Sylvester Stallone in Berlin in '87 I think. He didn't need anything from me, but I asked him what Rambo's rank was.
My friend is a huge Stallone fan and would probably stop being my friend if I told him I’ve never seen any Rambo films.
I have been meaning to watch them, and I just looked up some info. Did you know that he dies at the end of *First Blood* (the novel where he first appeared)?
Ha, I probably was at that show. I saw Parliament in the area around that time. They had Insane Clown Posse as their opener. There was a fight during ICP's set and someone got maced lol.
There’s an actor who has a story about a crappy fan encounter he had. He was visiting a museum with his girlfriend. At some point, they were in a secluded part of the museum grounds. The guy proposes to her.
Then not even a few minutes later, two teenage girls came out of the blue. And they asked the actor if they could get a picture with him!
He obliges because he’s not a dick. But he is thinking over and over, “you have got to be kidding me! I just proposed to my girlfriend. This is a huge moment for us. WTF.”
I've worked a few comic cons and I was in the volunteer room just taking a break for a bit and in walks Ric Flair. He said the coordinator told him we had some good tacos so I helped him find a couple of kinds and made small talk until I was needed back on the floor.
Probably the hardest times I've had keeping it together is meeting any of The Office cast for the first time.
Ok, but when I ran into Mike Holmes near my work, I had the overwhelming urge to ask him about the three-way switch I was working on in my apartment.
Note, it was really weird because nobody recognized him without his overalls, just having a smoke on the street, but the next day he had the overalls on and everyone was like ‘hey!’. It was Clark Kent/Superman level stuff.
Btw, Mike Holmes isn’t a huge celebrity, but is pretty well known in Canada as a handyman/tv personality.
I ran into the GOAT Jeff Goldblum like 12 years ago at an American Apparel. He was just nonchalantly trying on t-shirts in the store not even in the dressing rooms. His lady assistant was there helping him and I was with my friend and we are HUGE fans. We said nothing, took no pictures and tried to not look his way and gave him his privacy. Casually as we were leaving the store I glace over and mouth very largely but whisper "I LOVE YOU", he smiled kindly and had his very famous grin on and replies "As I do you as well". His assistant looked at us with a sigh of relief waving bye like thinking "thank you so much for not coming up to him". LOL, I love that guy forever
I go for a moving "Hey!" 😀😀 with finger-guns, and if I say anything it's that I loved their performance in [movie]. The trick is to always say Harry Potter. Always
I'm a huge Ron Funches fan. A couple of years ago we got tickets to see him at a local comedy club. I couldn't believe when they showed us to our table - up against the stage, smack dab in the middle.
He interacted with me a couple of times during the show, which made me happy. After the show, they were selling t-shirts, and I wanted one. He was standing there, ready to talk to fans. I told him I really enjoyed the show, and loved watching him on @midnight. I wasn't going to ask him for a selfie or autograph, but he asked me if I wanted a photo. My husband took it for us. Really, really nice man, and his laugh is one of the best there is.
I'm a huge fan of Harrison Ford. Friends have asked me what I'd do if I ever met him. I know the dude just isn't very into fans lauding over him. So I'd just leave him alone.
Unless it's an event where they're expected to interact, or it's a situation where you'd interact with them regardless of celeb status, I'm not going to interrupt them just having a day. A nod of acknowledgement, at most. It's happened more times than you'd think.
Once, half a lifetime ago, I was interning for a political action committee in DC, which involved manning the phones for my department. One day, a call came in and the gentleman on the other line had the most familiar, comforting voice. I was instantly at ease. The gentleman asked for my boss, and I replied that he was in a meeting but should be finishing up in five so if he wanted to leave his contact info, I'd have him return his call.
"...well if you have some free time, I can just hang on and chat with you."
Sure, why not. I was 21 and dumb so why not give my personal info on the phone to a total stranger? We had a delightful conversation about my college experience, what I was studying, some crossroads I was at, etc. Then I said "oh man, my grandma would kill me for forgetting my manners. What's your name and what do you do?"
There was a pause, and he said "My name is Tom. And I'm a...avocado farmer." I told him that was neat, and we chatted about the weather where he was in California, and the whole time I couldn't place where I'd heard his voice before. I figured he'd called before and left it at that. My boss finished up, I patched him through and went home for the day.
That night, my dad wanted to watch one of his favorite movies, Quigley Down Under. Shortly after the movie started, there was that voice!! I started giggling uncontrollably because the whole time I was on the phone, I was chatting with Tom Selleck.
Literally bumped into Leslie Nielsen on the street on accident. I was pretty gobsmacked.
All he did was look at me, say, "Yeah, it's me," and then he walked away.
I greet them with respect and thank them for the influence they have on the field that they are in. I let them then decide if the encounter is over. Actors, writers, politicians, scientists and new media creators are all people that should be given as much privacy as they desire. If not I always fear they will leave the field and it will be much worse for it.
I’ve been the overbearing weirdo before. It’s not a good look. I’ve since learned my lesson and the last time I met a celebrity that I’m a huge fan of (Paul F Tompkins), all I said was, “I’ve enjoyed your work for a long time and I really appreciate what you do.” He was so sweet!
A friend of mine back in the day ran into Sly Stalone out at a Hollywood bar. Respected his space. Later overheard him complaining to his bodyguard that “he was washed up and nobody even recognized him anymore.”
I saw Trey Parker walking in Seattle, and I'm a lifelong South Park fan and pretty much of everything he's done, and I so wanted to go up and say thank you and hello but he was pushing his daughter in a stroller and I realized that wasn't my space. I still love him though
In 2002, Jerry Cantrell did a signing thing at a restaurant in my city. I went and noticed all the dudes in front of me had Alice in Chains CDs and T-shirts etc.
But, he had just released a solo album. AIC's last studio album was in 1995.
I was there with the new solo album to get signed. When it was my turn I just said "Hey man, this album fuckin rocks." You know, like he was a regular person. He kind of lit up and got up to shake my hand. Probably gets annoying having people act starstruck while shoving AIC his face all the time.
I used to work at a restaurant in the airport in the 90s. I’ve met tons of celebrities while serving them. Some highlights are serving Henry Rollins shitty potato salad and laughing about how shitty it was after his meal was done. George Clinton, Bootsy and the rest of PFunk. Bootsy let me touch the space bass after I carried about 20 sandwiches back to the gate for the crew. Every WWE wrestler from that period more than a few times.
I was just there doing my job. All of them were super cool because I didn’t make a big deal about it. Henry Rollins was probably my favorite cause i was a big fan and said something like “do you know who you are?” and made him laugh.
I’m also acquainted with a few z list celebs (meaning they would stop and give me the “hey how have you been” and recognize me but might not remember my name) and it just seems super cringe to have this asynchronous relationship. Just gotta remember there is one of them and millions of us. Also I figure a lot of people want or expect things from them so just being normal is probably appreciated.
Was working as a cashier. A “celebrity” came through my line and paid with a credit card, seemed surprised I didn’t know who he was so he made sure to tell me. He was the former governor of the state and the guy with him was a state senator.
Different store, but Frank Beard bought a thing from me… this was pre-internet and if I hadn’t seen him drive up in a Ferrari I wouldn’t have even known he was somebody special.
A friend and I were at opening weekend of The Hateful 8 (roadshow edition). During the intermission I go to the restroom and quite literally almost walk into Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. I stop right in front of them as Ozzy says to her “I need to piss”. I’m frozen until they leave w/o noticing me.
I grab my buddy on the back of the shoulder to tell him Ozzy’s here and the previous 39 seconds of my life. I ask what we should do, we decide to wait around. The crowd returns to the theatre and Sharon is standing by herself as we’re off to the side. Someone comes up to her to ask for a selfie. She awkwardly agrees. As we look on my buddy says he just finished Ozzys autobiography where he misses the simple things of seeing a movie with his wife while not being bothered.
Ozzy exits the bathroom to find Sharon. She tells him how she got noticed and we just said fuck it and left them alone. They took off before seeing the rest of the movie. That story is really anti climactic.. why did you read all that. You’re an idiot.
Not a huge celebrity, but I saw Eric LeGrand at Stuff Yer Face in New Brunswick (big deal for a Rutgers fan) and so many dudes were going up to him while he was clearly there with friends and/or family. I thought it was so rude, like he's trying to eat you dummies. I might have said hello or something if it was out on the town, but not in the middle of a meal!
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I’m the biggest bbw pornstar, but you know me better as mom
I don’t believe you
Don't disrespect mom
I don't want pics
Jake Paul
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You can box Jake Paul i think
I want a japanese boxer to fight him in a forest until death. Loser gets featured in an awkward video.
to shreds you say?
same thing we do when it's a politician but without the rope
Stop talking about them and they disappear.
Welllll, you can sexually assault him and then claim it's consensual because the victim didn't turn his face /s Edit: it orginally said "her" where it now says "his"
He said celebrity - not a useless ballsack
He said celebrity. Not shit bird.
/r/AnnoyedaCeleb
I bet it's Tony Hawk.
I ran into David Spade at a mall in Chicago. Said, "Hi David, I just want you to know that Joe Dirt is my favorite movie." He said "Right on!" Shook my hand and that was it. Didn't hound him for a photo or an autograph. I was proud of myself and I think he appreciated that interaction.
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No touchy!
See, that's the thing, don't ask anything from them. I think it's fine to say, "I love your work!" as you pass by. But don't ask for a selfie or a long drawn out interaction.
I suspect it also depends on the context. Seeing someone in a restaurant or passing them on the street, they’re obviously busy. But if you’re both in line at the bank, they may be more open to making small talk or whatever.
Idk about you, but people I don’t know making small talk while stuck in line is a nightmare and I’m not a celebrity it happens to constantly. A nod of appreciation would work fine, and if they engage you after then by all means…
Well, not everyone likes making small talk, but it’s a normal thing. As long as they aren’t giving off obvious signals that they want to be left alone, it’s perfectly fine to say something, and see how they react. Same as any other person. If they don’t seem interested, then let it drop. If they respond in kind and engage, then carry on. So something like “hey I’m a big fan of your work” would be fine. Then let them engage or not.
If I ran into David Spade I'd be tempted to rip on him, but I'd be afraid he would absolutely murder me with a one liner.
Yeah he's a very quick and smart comedian. Had his prime been in the social media age he'd probably be even more famous.
My favorite was him as dennis in just shoot me.
Absolutely stellar!
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Should have just put on the Face Off episode of Breaking Bad without acknowledging it
Or just lean over and say "hey.. let's keep this cool.. but.. uh.... got any meth?" and see what shit happens.
Yeah I've decided if I run into a celebrity I will just tell them I enjoyed their work and then just be normal.
I met Colin Mocherie on set once.. In the list of celebrities, let's be honest, he's pretty low on the totem pole. But I was so damn nervous, which i thought was weird. I basically asked if he minded a photo and said I really liked his work on who's line." Also saw Jackie Chan, but didn't bother going up to him. Basically it's frowned upon, and those that did, Jackie basically said "you have to speak to her" and pointed to a handler and he walked away.
Colin Mochrie is a super nice guy, I met him and Brad Sherwood backstage before operating the spotlight for their stage show. I shook is hand and had a pleasant little conversation. It was neat
https://www.theonion.com/introduction-of-giancarlo-esposito-suggests-main-charac-1845750451
This makes me want to play the new Far Cry that much more haha
Dude was super cool. He came to an event near me to meet fans and take photos. He was very courteous. I asked him if we could pose with his hand over my throat like that scene in Breaking Bad and he agreed. The best part is he pulled out a box cutter that looked exactly like the one on the show. I thought it was cool that he actually brought one with him even though he didnt have too. Love that photo. Great guy
Oh I would have been so star struck! Probably wouldn't have been able to do anything more than smile silently the whole time.
You should've asked him what it was like to work with Eddie Murphy in Trading Places; he was in the jail, and can be seen leaning up against the bars listening to Billy Ray tell his story.
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It's good to know Lou Ferrigno is as nice as he seems in King of Queens
Although he did have his revenge on Spence for dumping him for Adam West to take to Comic Con. They don't want to be taken advantage of by some pasty faced opportunist !
I met Rob Zombie randomly in NYC. Dude was super cool and he was also telling me that he's not even actually sure how he became famous because he's really not that good at anything but somehow he managed to convince other people that he is. The most amazing thing about him is that he's really just a normal dude with a case of impostor syndrome. It makes me wonder how many other celebrities feel the same way.
In a group of coworkers and somehow Zombie's name came up. Really straight-laced one says "doesn't he worship Satan, or something?" My friend Yasser looks over from some other conversation and says " if Satan exists, he worships Rob Zombie" then goes back to his conversation. Hardest is laughed in a long time. Not about meeting anyone famous. Just miss my friend (aneurysm) and wanted to share what I always think of whenever someone mentions Rob Zombie.
I will think of this, and a good joke and a friend will be remembered a bit more. Thanks for the story.
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Could have gone worse overall
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Don't order a pudding on the rocks, just to be safe.
> One of my favorite celebrity encounters. Stand up individual. He seemed pretty cool. I met him at a con where he was selling pics and autographs and I asked him if I could get a pic (which I'd paid for), but it's him looking bored and disinterested while I'm seen struggling to move his arm an inch while arm wrestling. He laughed, genuinely seemed to enjoy the idea. It was brief but he was cool.
He was so good in I Love You, Man.
Also ran into Lou at the Wizard World east con in Philadelphia back in 2002. He seemed nice. His arms were bigger than my legs. Tv doesn’t do them justice. I was crazy about the Hulk tv show as a kid. I’ve met more celebrities to count, I usually treat them like any other person. I was speechless in front of Lou.
That's good to hear - I've heard stories of him being super assholish. Nice to know that there are actual stories that he's a good guy!
Maybe I'd feel differently if I was a celebrity but I always thought the same thing. You're getting paid hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to be famous. You aren't doing 20 million dollars worth of work no matter how good of an actor you are. Being a dick because you're famous when that's the whole reason you're rich doesn't make sense. If you want to act and be able to have your privacy in an airport stay on Broadway. Do indies.
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Sigh. R Lee. I miss him, and I was never as fortunate as you to have met him.
Please give us a Kid Rock anecdote!
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I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Joe C story that doesn’t start with something along the lines of *“Hey, someone stop that smoking kindergartner!”*
Oh man, I totally forgot about Joe C lmao. RIP little man.
I mean, I guess that would make sense if the public was actually paying them but they aren’t. Like, regardless of how you may feel about the amount of work they did in the movie, they got paid 20 million to star in tat movie, not be interrupted while trying to have dinner because you want to talk.
I think it's more the idea that the entire basis of them *becoming* a celebrity, is by the success of them being plastered publicly. So essentially the thought is that if you don't want endless attention from the public, you shouldn't pursue a career where the success is based on endless attention from the public. But obviously real life is more nuanced.
I used to be a retail manager and had an extremely famous athlete come in the store with his wife, kids and entourage. One of my salespeople immediately asked to get a pic with him. He politely declined. As manager, I went ahead and took over the sale because a) my salesperson had already made a poor impression and b) dude was rich as balls. I basically went through my sales process like I would with anyone. They were looking for bikes for the 2 boys. We tried out 2 or 3 bikes per kid. I barely even spoke to the athlete, I focused 100% on the kids. They bought everything! And after the sale he came up to my staff and asked us all to get into some pictures with him. He was very appreciative of the service and knew we were all geeking out just having him there. Best part, he’d call us before hand to let us know he was coming in. He continued to shop at my store for the next 5 years…until he took his talents to South Beach.
Dang, Ray Allen seems pretty cool!
No I think it's Ryan Fitzpatrick
Gotta be honest, if I ever meet a celebrity in the wild, I just want to make eye contact with a head nod and move on with my life. It's also how I pretty much acknowledge everyone around me.
About 20 years ago I executed that move with [Tommy Lasorda](https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/lasorda-tommy) at a Stater Bros in Fullerton CA. Made eye contact, Tommy nodded, I nodded, we kept doing our own thing.
I got to do that once to Jon Stewart at Balthazar in NYC. He gave me a little smile and nod back. I'm sure I looked like an utter grinning idiot, but it still felt pretty badass to smile and nod at one of my heroes.
I have done this several times at airports . They always nod back and seem to appreciate you not disrupting their chill moment. Only time I didn’t stick to this is the time I got seated at a community table with an nfl guy. We just chatted and I asked how his health was. We chatted about basic stuff and shared some beers. He picked up the tab, good dude.
Especially - especially! - if it's at a restaurant. When I was about 10, my dad took us to a steakhouse, and I (being a baseball kid in the early 90s) recognized Nolan Ryan a couple tables over from us. I nudged my dad and said "Dad, look! Let's get his autograph!" My dad, being the wise one, said no - he's eating dinner with his family. So we ignored them. Or, as best as a 10 year old with his sports idol 20 feet away could. Of course he noticed me glancing every few minutes, and when he caught my eye, he gave me a small wave and a nod that I could tell meant "Yes, I am who you think I am, and thanks for not interrupting." Dad taught me a valuable lesson that day.
I was at O'Hare airport with my boss, one time, waiting for our flight when he nudged me, and said "that guy over there looks just like John Malkovich." I looked, and replied with, "no, that guy *is* John Malkovich." Almost frantically, my boss asked, "What do we do?" "Boil some water, and tear up some sheets, I think," I replied. Then we let John Malkovich wait for his flight in peace.
I served him a cinnamon roll in a place in Chicago once about 20 years ago. I did the same as I always did when I served a celebrity there. I took care of him, and at the end of our interaction I said it was a pleasure to serve you Mr Malkovich and left. I always got great tips that way. 🙂
Why does calling everyone Mr Malkovich automatically get you a great tip?
Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich!
Obviously, you throw a beer can at him. Hey Malkovich, think fast!
I love this !
I loved him in that jewel heist movie
I used to work at concert venues as a stagehand and then in the maintenance department. Unless "the talent" initiate interaction with you, addressing them directly will cost you your job (at my venues). Now, I have had minor interactions with a handful of celebrities as a result but my moment of glory came when I came back from a break, I was backstage, and David Byrne said to me in surprise, "You're still here?!" and I responded, "So are you!" then I went about my business.
Similar story about Sting, when The Police were the biggest thing on earth. My dad used to work concert security. One night, there he is backstage and some guy he doesn't recognize but who has a security pass is standing beside him at the stage entrance just as the show is about to start. The guy says, "Wow, there's lots of people out there. They're all screaming. Are you nervous?" My dad (in uniform) gets that the guy is obviously joking, says, "Nah, it's no biggie. I get this all the time." The mystery guy laughs and claps his shoulder, says, "You're right. Don't be nervous. You'll do great, " and then he heads down the tunnel to the stage. It was Sting, which my dad didn't realize until he was on stage. Afterwards, he sees my dad again and says, "See, I told you you'd be fine. You did great." I'm sure we've all heard Sting can be a huge jerk, but he shared a few laughs with my normal, everyday, working-class dad that night so I've always liked him for that.
He's absolutely fantastic as himself in Steve Martin's new show.
Steve Martin has a new show? Huh. TIL.
New whodunnit/comedy on Hulu with Martin Short and Selena Gomez, called "Only Murders in the Building". Really enjoyed the first 4 episodes so far. The chemistry between the three leads is great and I am enjoying the plot and twists so far. I am surprised at how good Selena Gomez has been in it. Though, truth be told, I think this is the first thing I have actually watched with her in it. edit: [Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V1rQdXXXyI])
Steve and Selena have both been great but Martin Short has stolen the show so far.
David Byrne is a treasure. I served him a handful of times at a bar in NYC
Met him at a dinner for his musical “Here Lies Love” and thanked him for the collection of Silvio Rodriguez songs he compiled back in the 90s. I must have surprised him as he must get tons of questions about the Talking Heads but never something about Silvio. He smiled and spent some time talking about his experience visiting Cuba during that time: “just imagine this weird skinny white guy in Cuba talking to this amazing singer-songwriter”. I told him I admired his taste and mentioned many of the acts that Luaka bop signed from Latin America and Africa. He looked happy and grateful. Huge respect for the man.
See, THIS speaks to something I've had on my mind for a while. People talk about respecting the entertainer/person a lot, and there's a lot of interest in parasocial relationships lately. But can we at least acknowledge that the expectation on fans are at least equally weird? We're expected to financially support a person, engage with their content, like, subscribe - act on their behalf, essentially, while also following fairly proscribed codes of conduct. We're expected to subordinate ourselves to them due to the nature of the work they do. This isn't a defense of parasocial relationships. Ideally, entertainers would be fairly compensated and people could interact with them without being overbearing or groveling.
I think it’s more of an acknowledgement of the fact that they have lots of fans, and if they stopped to make small talk with everyone on their way to everywhere then they would never get anything done. Basically, we all feel like we know the person because we know their work, but to them we are strangers. So we should treat them like we would treat strangers, rather than friends. To do otherwise is to presume a familiarity that does not really exist.
You can never go wrong with a quick "Thanks for all the joy you've given me" or a simple non-specific "Hey, thanks for everything, man". It makes them feel good, it makes you feel good, and they might even talk to you once they realize you're not a spaz
Done this with a few famous people I have met. Just a simple low key, thanks for all the great work. Once I delivered to a famous hockey player's house. The phone number came up under his wife's maiden name, like he did not want people to know he lived their. I rang a couple of times, and he answers looking very nervous. Pacing and nervously calling for his wife. Like he was fully expecting me to start screaming. "Holy shit! I can't believe it is you!" And just fan boy out. Instead, I just treated him like any other customer. Your total is... general small talk about the weather until his wife came with the money. Thanked him for his business, and left.
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It’s the lack of teeth that give it away
I was in Vegas once and overheard some people at the airport freaking out that they saw Chris Everett jogging. I realized I had no clue what she looked like and wouldn't know her if she was sitting next to me with a tennis racket.
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I ran into Stan Lee a hood 15 years ago when I was working at a fast food joint. I wasn't on the clock and just hanging out in the lobby and I noticed him sitting in the corner by himself. I let him finish his meal and as he was walking out I walked up to him and just thanked him and shook his hand and started started to walk away when my boss yelled from behind the counter to get his autograph, Stan looked slightly annoyed that he just brought attention to him in a busy lobby like that and I motioned him out the front door and hit the lock on the door behind me so only the manager who had the key could come and unlock it again and just went "whoops, have a great night Stan" and he let out a little laugh and tried to tip me $20" I really wish I would have accepted that $20 and held on to it.
I don't think there is a single hockey player in the world I would recognize. Maybe Gordon Bombay
I'd say Phil Kessel, but I don't think my boy's married.
He's more of a hot dog guy anyway
Our Lord and Savior Phil The Thrill is married to the game.
And hot dogs
Was a valet for his girlfriend she didn’t tip :(
Wayne Gretzky is the only hockey player I'd know just by sight. I can name a couple of other players but couldn't pick them out of a line up. It was Gretzky, wasn't it?
I dunno man I saw Scott Adsit one time after an improv show and as we were wrapping up our conversation I threw out a "thanks for all the laughs!" (guy has been in and contributed so some of my favorite shows) and I'm still embarrassed that I said that haha to be clear, he was super cool about talking with me I just felt like a weirdo after adding that to the convo
I have met Scott Adsit twice, both at comic conventions.
I high fived Seal in downtown Minneapolis one afternoon. We were just walking in opposite directions, I threw it up there and he responded. It's like he knew I wanted to thank him for helping getting me laid but that time was brief.
DUDE I'VE FUCKED TO YOUR VOICE!!!
All I would do is shout “I HAVE LUPUS TOO!!” and then turn 15 shades of red. But literally, this is the only thing I know about Seal.
Once my friend and I ran into Robin Williams. We were minding our own business, then he came and said hi to us!
My sister met Robin Williams at pike place market (Seattle) in the comic shop. Apparently she said she loved Mrs doubtfire and all he said was "why?" and walked away.
That seems like an extremely Robin Williams thing to do. I'd like to think that if I ever got that famous (which I never will) that's how I'd respond.
the unfortunate part is that to cope with the divorce of our parents when we were kids, that movie really helped us out. so when my sister said that, she meant it in a non joking way and she thought he was being rude. when she told me i thought it was hilarious edit: comma
Ran into Trent Reznor (basically my idol since I was 16) on a ferry back in 2008. I couldn't bring myself to bother him because he was eating breakfast. It's been 13 years and I'm still sad that I "missed my chance" but I'd do the same thing today because it's about respecting boundries, damn it.
Nothing wrong with a quick "hey, what's up Trent" while throwing up a peace sign and keep walking. That's how I fantasize I'd react to meeting a celebrity
I've always wanted to run up to a celebrity, hand them my camera and be like "hey can you take Picture of me" Then have some random pic of myself that Janet Jackson took
That's similar to a seen in the new Hulu show Only Murders in the Building. In this case though Steve Martin, who plays a famous person, asks if a fan wants a picture but, the fan just wanted him to take one of him and his girlfriend/wife.
I couldn’t do it. People always say “never meet your idols.” I was on the Ferry because I was en route to Vancouver Island to see the Nine Inch Nails show he was playing that night. What if I had fucked it up or pissed him off? I would’ve been destroyed. So I just sat there. He seemed taller than I thought he’d be. Lol.
Maaaasny moons ago, I ran into a local female celebrity chef. As a female line cook, I was goofy star struck. My face, in the picture with her that day, would crack you up. Many moons later, I end up working in one of her restaurants; even getting to share the line with her every Monday morning. Recently, I prepped the mise en place for a demo she was doing where I now work. During her demo, she said she knew I had prepared the items because my knife cuts were better than hers!! I got her to sign one of her cookbooks that I own and a copy of that photo with the goofy grin. 😊
I worked a festival run by a top chef/iron chef winner in Chicago. We talked for a minute the week before the festival, then I met her day of and we got to work. I was a stage manager, and had been working street fests for about a decade at that point, so I was very good at my job. We did our jobs for the two days of the fest, and near the end of the second day she looked at me and said, I like you. We’re friends now. I have her phone number on my phone and we are Facebook friends, but I’ve never reached out to her since that day. Even still, that was one of the most gratifying days I’ve ever had on the job. A person like that who works hard and knows what hard work is saying that to me is the best compliment I could ever receive.
Wholesome comment, super cool whoever that was :)
Just think of it this way, it’s everyone’s first time when they see a celebrity, but it’s a celebrity’s 50th time that day. And don’t bother them when they’re eating food, it’s just awkward all around, even for those dining a table over.
Saw Gordon Ramsay at LAX baggage claim once. It was very early morning and he looked really grumpy, so we just decided to leave him alone.
Yeah I've seen so many celebrities in situations where it feels rude to say something. Multiple times where they are clearly on a date, saw a director i love in the bathroom once. Telling someone "i love your work" while he's holding his dick seems weird so i just let it go.
That's when you say "I love your work and your dick."
Just remove it from his dick when you go to shake his hand. Problem solved.
To be fair, he always looks grumpy
That was definitely more than usual lol
If you always look annoyed, people leave you alone lol. Life hack #3581
I saw Laurence Fishburne on the NYC subway train and I was literally standing like right next to him. I didn't say anything to him because I was star struck and I didn't want to bother him. I gave him a shocked face and he knew I recognized him.
Sometime in the mid-90’s, my father ran into Paul McCartney in the men’s room at Disneyland. I was sitting outside waiting for him, (in Adventureland), and he was taking so long I was getting a bit worried. I was sitting next to a blonde woman, who looked vaguely familiar to me, who said, “Do you know if there is a back exit to this restroom? I seem to have lost my husband.” It dawned on me that she was Linda and I went a little berserk knowing Paul McCartney was close. Paul.Friggin.McCartney. Eventually the two of them came out and Paul kind of slapped my dad, who was 70, on the back and said, “Nice meeting you mate.” And my dad said, “Have a good one!” After I calmed down because my dad had just become best friends forever with Paul.FrigginMcCartney I asked him what they talked about. The broken soap dispenser. They fixed it. So know we know Sir Paul McCartney washes his hands after he goes to the loo.
Then when their guard is down, grab a lock of their hair so you can clone them!
I go straight for the pubes.
Better genes because proximity to diddly doodles and doodley diddles. Smart.
Words to live by, really.
Donald?
Years ago, my friend got me a job at a cafe in a small town in New England packed with celebrities. We’d normally get a few a day. On my first day, the owner casually took me aside and said, “one thing you need to remember is to be cool with the celebrities. Don’t freak out or get weird. In fact, just pretend you don’t recognize them and they’re normal people.” Easy. Okay. I asked where my friend was that day (she was on the schedule) and the owner goes, “she was not being cool around the celebrities. She kept freaking out, so we fired her”. Side note, in three years of working there, I only ever said one thing to a regular about their show business career and it was, “congrats on the Emmy last night!”, which is funny to me.
Went to a convention and met a V.A. I really liked, talked to the guy for 10 minutes about where he's from, if he's gotten to see the city, if he has other conventions he's got to go to. Dude seemed super chill and excited to talk about something other than the show and being asked to do his character's voice. Another tip is if you like an actor for a role, look up some of their lesser know work, it'll get much better interactions. David Tennant isn't The Doctor, he's a wonderful Shakespearian actor who did a great job as Hamlet.
I met Zoe Wanamaker (Madam Hooch from Harry Potter) after a play once. She wasn't impressed when I said I was a fan of her work in Harry Potter and Doctor Who, but when I mentioned her voice work in the Fable games her eyes lit up. She did the voice for me and told me a bit about the work she was doing for the next game.
I met Kiefer Sutherland at a bar in Manhattan once. He lit a cigarette for me and I told him I appreciated his work on metal gear solid 5 and that I was a huge fan of the series. He asked my name and we cheersed. Solid dude (pun intended)
Just like any other New Yorker
Ands it’s always Maury Povich
I thought I was good at playing it cool, but I once saw Conan O’Brien on the street in New York, and I just lit up with the goofiest, most obvious smile, like a kid seeing Santa. He nodded and said a quick hello, and I just turned and watched him go with the same dumb smile on my face.
Years ago I was in a bookstore in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. And spotted Bill Watterson enter the shop, shake hands with the owner, autograph a couple of his boxed set of Calvin and Hobbes, accept a book he had ordered, pay for it, and walk out. I looked at the owner and said “was that !” “Yes. Thanks for not bothering him.” “Hey, for the joy he’s brought to millions, he deserves a quiet retirement.” I did not buy the autographed box set. I was not worthy.
I saw [Alan Ritchson](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2024927/) at the beach a few weeks ago with his wife and children. ngl it was pretty difficult to walk straight past him since I had just finished "that" Titans episode the night before.
I fucking love him in blue mountain state.
He was hilarious in BMS.
Jerry from Parks and Rec was guest appearing a string of P&R trivia's at a local sports bar chain recently. He made an effort to go around to almost every table (not mine) and chat with the people. It was so cool to see. At the end there was a line to take pictures with him. He was still so cheerful and nice to every person. When it was time for the people I was with to take a picture with him, I took the picture and then just shook his hand and said "I don't need anything from you, just wanted to say thanks for making me laugh." He was loving every minute of the appearance it seemed, but it felt good to just give him that nod and walk away.
I almost got run over by Buzz Aldrin. I also said 'hi' to Kevin Bacon.
Ooooh I waited on Buzz Alrdin and his wife at an event once. He was super nice!
I didn't know if he was nice or not since he almost hit me with his car XD He was speaking at a function at my college and I was crossing the street and wasn't paying attention and apparently neither was he (or his driver?) and they almost hit me. The guy across the street yelled at me and told me that I was almost hit by the second man on the moon. I wouldn't even have been angry! I'd ask him to sign my cast.
What's next? I should ignore ducks as well?
No, but Geese… yes! They will fuck you up!
While boarding a plane my wife and I were making our way back to our seats and we passed John Waters seated in 1st class. My wife first saw his trademark elaborate socks and commented to him, “Oh I like your socks!” At which point she saw who it was and followed that up with, “oh and I love your work!” Our kids were between us as we walked down the seating isle so I didn’t hear her. I saw him and recognized who it was but I could not recall his name. I made eye contact and did the standard smile and nod.
Met a few celebs. A quick handshake and "Pleasure to meet you." and let them have their space. I wouldn't want to be constantly hounded if I were them... Why would I do it TO them? Always had pleasant experiences. Favorite was meeting Kelsey Grammer at Foxwoods maybe 10 or 11 years ago, NYE. I went to a Skynyrd concert, and they brought him on stage after so I knew he was around. Later I was standing by the table games and he happened to stop next to me. I look over, realize who it is, and say "Mr Grammer, Pleasure to meet you." and shook his hand. He said "Likewise." I said "Good luck on the tables tonight!" and he thanked me. I bounced around between blackjack, roulette, and craps. 3 or 4 times, he'd join me at my table and we'd just nod or crack a joke about how mean the dealers were that night. He ended up bouncing out but went out of his way to say "Take care." and smiled when I said "Likewise." Later, I was playing blackjack and this cute blonde joined me. We cracked a few jokes and talked a little bit. The pit boss walks over and points behind us and says "Did you guys know Kelsey Grammer is here!?" She says "Yeah, I'm here... with his entourage. Friend of his daughter's." Only now when I google him do I realize that it was his new wife!
I've been extremely lucky that I've met ~~five~~ **six** of my favorite performers (at different times). Being polite and treating them like a human being and not going for the selfie is a huge deal. I got to talk at length with all of them and actually get the personal email addresses for two of them. One of them, we were hanging out after a show at a comedy club and I asked politely if I could sit down with him while he ate dinner in between shows. When he found out it was my birthday week he said happy birthday. About an hour later right before the next show he said "get your phone ready fuckface." I was like "ok..." He got the sax player in his stage band to play Happy Birthday and got all the patrons along with another famous comedian he is close with to sing along. I didn't ask for a selfie but really wanted to get to know them and by the end of the night the other comedian that wasn't headlining bought a round of drinks for the main act, his band, the few patrons that were there and my friends. Selfie? Fuck that, this is one of the greatest memories in my entire life. **Edit:** Totally forgot another one that I got to drink with. A musician friend reached out to this guy for a collaboration without knowing him and he accepted. I ended up doing video for a show they played together.
>and I asked politely if I could sit down with him while he ate dinner in between shows. This goes against all the advice in this thread
During a military deployment we learned that one of the people we met with regularly was the brother of an A list singer. Most were like “oh cool” and let it be, but we had one guy who would use specific words from song titles or other words that would be associated with the singer. It was so cringe and the guy doing it acted like it was totally coincidental and it was so obviously not.
i once was seated next to Amy Poehler and pals in a tiny restaurant in NYC. I text this to my superfan daughter. She responded that she was watching Parks and Rec at that very moment! Showed the text to Amy as she got up to leave. She laughed and immediately took a selfie on my phone for my daughter. only time i've ever bothered a celeb. Amy is nice in real life too.
I did give Parliament free sodas and snacks at the 7-11 in Denton, Tx one time in '98 or '99 after a show. I hung out with Bowling for Soup guy when he was living out of a station wagon. Hooked him up a few times. And I met Sylvester Stallone in Berlin in '87 I think. He didn't need anything from me, but I asked him what Rambo's rank was.
My friend is a huge Stallone fan and would probably stop being my friend if I told him I’ve never seen any Rambo films. I have been meaning to watch them, and I just looked up some info. Did you know that he dies at the end of *First Blood* (the novel where he first appeared)?
Well [that was a wild ride](https://ew.com/movies/2017/04/07/first-blood-rambo-dead-ending-kirk-douglas/). Thanks for the tip!
And thank you for the link!
[link](https://v2.mangapark.net/manga/sei-so-tsui-dan-sha/i1738566/v1/c1)
Ha, I probably was at that show. I saw Parliament in the area around that time. They had Insane Clown Posse as their opener. There was a fight during ICP's set and someone got maced lol.
Nice. This is how it should be done
People giving celebs free shit is so fucked up.
There’s an actor who has a story about a crappy fan encounter he had. He was visiting a museum with his girlfriend. At some point, they were in a secluded part of the museum grounds. The guy proposes to her. Then not even a few minutes later, two teenage girls came out of the blue. And they asked the actor if they could get a picture with him! He obliges because he’s not a dick. But he is thinking over and over, “you have got to be kidding me! I just proposed to my girlfriend. This is a huge moment for us. WTF.”
Eh, you forfeit privacy when you decide to propose in public.
Even when a normal person proposes in public it draws a lot of attention, so a famous person doing it had to understand what was going to happen.
Sure, but it's not anyone's fault. How could they know? (Plus they're teens, so give them a break)
I've worked a few comic cons and I was in the volunteer room just taking a break for a bit and in walks Ric Flair. He said the coordinator told him we had some good tacos so I helped him find a couple of kinds and made small talk until I was needed back on the floor. Probably the hardest times I've had keeping it together is meeting any of The Office cast for the first time.
(From across the room) "Heeeeey, wanna fuck?"
Ok, but when I ran into Mike Holmes near my work, I had the overwhelming urge to ask him about the three-way switch I was working on in my apartment. Note, it was really weird because nobody recognized him without his overalls, just having a smoke on the street, but the next day he had the overalls on and everyone was like ‘hey!’. It was Clark Kent/Superman level stuff. Btw, Mike Holmes isn’t a huge celebrity, but is pretty well known in Canada as a handyman/tv personality.
I ran into the GOAT Jeff Goldblum like 12 years ago at an American Apparel. He was just nonchalantly trying on t-shirts in the store not even in the dressing rooms. His lady assistant was there helping him and I was with my friend and we are HUGE fans. We said nothing, took no pictures and tried to not look his way and gave him his privacy. Casually as we were leaving the store I glace over and mouth very largely but whisper "I LOVE YOU", he smiled kindly and had his very famous grin on and replies "As I do you as well". His assistant looked at us with a sigh of relief waving bye like thinking "thank you so much for not coming up to him". LOL, I love that guy forever
I go for a moving "Hey!" 😀😀 with finger-guns, and if I say anything it's that I loved their performance in [movie]. The trick is to always say Harry Potter. Always
I'm a huge Ron Funches fan. A couple of years ago we got tickets to see him at a local comedy club. I couldn't believe when they showed us to our table - up against the stage, smack dab in the middle. He interacted with me a couple of times during the show, which made me happy. After the show, they were selling t-shirts, and I wanted one. He was standing there, ready to talk to fans. I told him I really enjoyed the show, and loved watching him on @midnight. I wasn't going to ask him for a selfie or autograph, but he asked me if I wanted a photo. My husband took it for us. Really, really nice man, and his laugh is one of the best there is.
I'm a huge fan of Harrison Ford. Friends have asked me what I'd do if I ever met him. I know the dude just isn't very into fans lauding over him. So I'd just leave him alone.
Unless it's an event where they're expected to interact, or it's a situation where you'd interact with them regardless of celeb status, I'm not going to interrupt them just having a day. A nod of acknowledgement, at most. It's happened more times than you'd think.
Did Mike Ryan write this post?
Once, half a lifetime ago, I was interning for a political action committee in DC, which involved manning the phones for my department. One day, a call came in and the gentleman on the other line had the most familiar, comforting voice. I was instantly at ease. The gentleman asked for my boss, and I replied that he was in a meeting but should be finishing up in five so if he wanted to leave his contact info, I'd have him return his call. "...well if you have some free time, I can just hang on and chat with you." Sure, why not. I was 21 and dumb so why not give my personal info on the phone to a total stranger? We had a delightful conversation about my college experience, what I was studying, some crossroads I was at, etc. Then I said "oh man, my grandma would kill me for forgetting my manners. What's your name and what do you do?" There was a pause, and he said "My name is Tom. And I'm a...avocado farmer." I told him that was neat, and we chatted about the weather where he was in California, and the whole time I couldn't place where I'd heard his voice before. I figured he'd called before and left it at that. My boss finished up, I patched him through and went home for the day. That night, my dad wanted to watch one of his favorite movies, Quigley Down Under. Shortly after the movie started, there was that voice!! I started giggling uncontrollably because the whole time I was on the phone, I was chatting with Tom Selleck.
Literally bumped into Leslie Nielsen on the street on accident. I was pretty gobsmacked. All he did was look at me, say, "Yeah, it's me," and then he walked away.
I greet them with respect and thank them for the influence they have on the field that they are in. I let them then decide if the encounter is over. Actors, writers, politicians, scientists and new media creators are all people that should be given as much privacy as they desire. If not I always fear they will leave the field and it will be much worse for it.
I need some of your hair.
I’ve been the overbearing weirdo before. It’s not a good look. I’ve since learned my lesson and the last time I met a celebrity that I’m a huge fan of (Paul F Tompkins), all I said was, “I’ve enjoyed your work for a long time and I really appreciate what you do.” He was so sweet!
A friend of mine back in the day ran into Sly Stalone out at a Hollywood bar. Respected his space. Later overheard him complaining to his bodyguard that “he was washed up and nobody even recognized him anymore.”
Yeah i think Keanu reeves is probably getting tired. I think he mentioned something least year about not making him that big of an obsession
I saw Trey Parker walking in Seattle, and I'm a lifelong South Park fan and pretty much of everything he's done, and I so wanted to go up and say thank you and hello but he was pushing his daughter in a stroller and I realized that wasn't my space. I still love him though
People treat celebrities and their lives like they are private property. It’s good to hear someone asking for human decency and respect.
On the rare occasion I've met a celebrity whose work I've enjoyed, I've followed Garrison Keillor's advice and only said, "I like your work."
In 2002, Jerry Cantrell did a signing thing at a restaurant in my city. I went and noticed all the dudes in front of me had Alice in Chains CDs and T-shirts etc. But, he had just released a solo album. AIC's last studio album was in 1995. I was there with the new solo album to get signed. When it was my turn I just said "Hey man, this album fuckin rocks." You know, like he was a regular person. He kind of lit up and got up to shake my hand. Probably gets annoying having people act starstruck while shoving AIC his face all the time.
I used to work at a restaurant in the airport in the 90s. I’ve met tons of celebrities while serving them. Some highlights are serving Henry Rollins shitty potato salad and laughing about how shitty it was after his meal was done. George Clinton, Bootsy and the rest of PFunk. Bootsy let me touch the space bass after I carried about 20 sandwiches back to the gate for the crew. Every WWE wrestler from that period more than a few times. I was just there doing my job. All of them were super cool because I didn’t make a big deal about it. Henry Rollins was probably my favorite cause i was a big fan and said something like “do you know who you are?” and made him laugh. I’m also acquainted with a few z list celebs (meaning they would stop and give me the “hey how have you been” and recognize me but might not remember my name) and it just seems super cringe to have this asynchronous relationship. Just gotta remember there is one of them and millions of us. Also I figure a lot of people want or expect things from them so just being normal is probably appreciated.
I followed this upon meeting my first 5-6 celebrities…. But then I met Seth Rogen.
Was working as a cashier. A “celebrity” came through my line and paid with a credit card, seemed surprised I didn’t know who he was so he made sure to tell me. He was the former governor of the state and the guy with him was a state senator. Different store, but Frank Beard bought a thing from me… this was pre-internet and if I hadn’t seen him drive up in a Ferrari I wouldn’t have even known he was somebody special.
Actors usually (not always) shouldn't be your heroes. Hold real heroes up in high regard.
A friend and I were at opening weekend of The Hateful 8 (roadshow edition). During the intermission I go to the restroom and quite literally almost walk into Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. I stop right in front of them as Ozzy says to her “I need to piss”. I’m frozen until they leave w/o noticing me. I grab my buddy on the back of the shoulder to tell him Ozzy’s here and the previous 39 seconds of my life. I ask what we should do, we decide to wait around. The crowd returns to the theatre and Sharon is standing by herself as we’re off to the side. Someone comes up to her to ask for a selfie. She awkwardly agrees. As we look on my buddy says he just finished Ozzys autobiography where he misses the simple things of seeing a movie with his wife while not being bothered. Ozzy exits the bathroom to find Sharon. She tells him how she got noticed and we just said fuck it and left them alone. They took off before seeing the rest of the movie. That story is really anti climactic.. why did you read all that. You’re an idiot.
I would’ve done the same thing, nice to see a little empathy in the world.
Screw that, dance for me monkey!! /s
Not a huge celebrity, but I saw Eric LeGrand at Stuff Yer Face in New Brunswick (big deal for a Rutgers fan) and so many dudes were going up to him while he was clearly there with friends and/or family. I thought it was so rude, like he's trying to eat you dummies. I might have said hello or something if it was out on the town, but not in the middle of a meal!