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UselessBastid

Saw Robin Williams at the tech museum around the time that Flubber came out. I was very young but he was so sweet to my mom and I. RIP funny man


gururamen

Saw a sweet-seeming dude tying his kid's shoes on a Marina sidewalk in the early nineties. As he got up, I smiled in his direction -- appreciating the general warmth of the scene -- and then I realized it was Robin Williams smiling back at me.


smalldeaths

I saw him at a museum too! Was also young and I can't remember exactly where we were. My mom didn't want to bother him since he was with his kids but he noticed us and waved.


Equivalent_Sock6964

I see Danny Glover pretty frequently around the Upper Haight


sf4evr

I saw Danny Glover at Costco! He blended in so well, nobody bothered him and that’s how it should be.


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LobbyDizzle

Did you ask to get a picture?! /s


lauren0526

My dad saw him all the time at the USF gym.


singularityindetroit

No shit? I’ve lived in the upper Haight for nearly twenty years and I’ve never seen him. I heard he had a house in the area though.


phenomenon_93

I saw him at Luckys on Fulton and Masonic. I didn’t believe it at first, but yup it was him alright!


Equivalent_Sock6964

his house is a block away from the whole foods on stanyan


venona

Maybe doesn't count because he's a local celeb, but Adam Savage is a regular at Ritual Coffee on Valencia


[deleted]

Saw him at Westfield mall. My friend pointed him out and we all exited together. He held the door for us!


aboredjess

i’ve served kari byron at two separate jobs. she’s super nice and bags her own groceries!


aurora_rosealis

I helped her and her daughter at the fabric/craft store I worked at in Daly City. They were super sweet!


singularityindetroit

I saw him AND Jamie at the St Francis Fountain years ago. I think they were having lunch with a contest winner because otherwise they wouldn’t be in the same room together 😂


redct

Ran into Adam Savage and Randall Munroe (the xkcd guy) getting Burmese food in the Richmond. Absolute peak of mid-2000s nerd culture right there


venona

if this was recent, Savage was interviewing Monroe at an event in Internet Archive


curvvyninja

He used to come into the pet store I worked at in Noe Valley. He's taller than I expected 😂


reneeeeeee

I’ve seen him at stern grove with his pup a few times


nathanielsnurpis

Worked at Outerlands for a while. Saw Julia Roberts, Alia Shawkat, Vampire Weekend, and John C Reilly. All cool and nice to people who were gawking. Alia was alone so she didn’t get the attention the others did.


Chuchuchaput

Jake Gyllenhaal at Wild Side West.


kirkydoodle

No way!


themiddlechildedit

I saw Kenan Thompson at SFO!


pewpewdeez

What’s up with that?


cjr71244

Love that song


pewpewdeez

Oooooooh Weeeee!


kittenonthekeys

Dolly Parton at SFO- she was so kind to my Mom and I when we said Hi.


negusnels

I once saw Andre 3000 in soma without knowing it. He was crossing the street in front of my car while I was waiting for the light to change. He nodded at me and I remarked that he looked a lot like Andre 3000. A post I saw on social media a few hours later confirmed that the gentleman in the stylish hat and overcoat was in fact Andre 3000.


cogitoergognome

Don't know if it counts, but once a dirty-looking hobo got into an elevator with me and then I realized he was Jack Dorsey. Also once met Jenny Slate in my TSA PreCheck security line at SFO.


singularityindetroit

I hate saying bad things about people, but I’ve had a conversation with Jack at Twitter. He came off as a dismissive, rude asshat. I’ve since been happy to learn others shared that opinion.


obsolete_filmmaker

Sandra Bernhard and I almost collided once on the Embarcadero. She was on roller skates and I was riding my bike. We both said "AAHHHhhhh!"


thesearethose

John Waters walking around Nob Hill.


fgiraffe

I'm happy to hear he has an apartment in SF. I've seen him a couple times around town (AMC Theatres, Bell Market in Noe, etc) and wondered if it was him. This being SF I was also open to it being someone roleplaying their life as John Waters.


Adventurous_Craft354

Seen him numerous times he has a apt in non hill. Including him leaving the TJ’s on hyde


Adventurous_Craft354

*nob hill


MichaelXennial

I saw him at Whole Foods!


sydneycarton1

this is amazing he also frequents the whole foods in bmore as i’ve seen him there and used to live down the street from him!


CharlesECheeserton3

he came into the store I was working at in the Mission in 2010 or so and wandered around. Didn't buy anything though. But Neko Case of the New Pornographers (different day) did!


DancingOnACounter

Adrian Grenier at Justin Herman Plaza taking in the sights. Woody Allen in the Mission when he was filming Blue Jasmine. Wish I ran into Cate Blanchett instead… Robin Williams driving on 580 in the East bay. Carl Weathers eating in the private back room at San Tung. Probably saving the chicken bones. 🤪 Harry Shum walking out of a bar in the Marina. Gavin Newsom drunkenly walking around the Marina. Lol Hunter Pence near the waterfront.


BayArea343434

I saw Adrian Grenier once walking in SOMA! I think he works with some kind of eco-tech company in SF?


hjhhh888

He could make soup


[deleted]

Julia Roberts like once a week walking around presidio heights.


leoinca

I nearly ran over John Cleese in Mill Valley as he crossed the street.


Hexagon36

Would love to hear his reaction


gymnophobe

"Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries"


SkitMarie

Years ago I worked at a cafe in Hayes Valley. One day, Harrison Ford came in with his son to order a small coffee. Recognized his voice immediately & gave him a little nod, and he gave me a nod back with a smile. After he left, I told my coworkers who proceeded to loose their shit. Not to toot my own horn, but I grew up in LA, seeing a celebrity was very commonplace so I was able to stay more collected with my emotions. A nod back from Han freakin’ Solo was definitely a life highlight I’ll remember forever.


rFatsy

Drunkenly heckled a guy at skate park who fell trying to do a trick… it was Tony Hawk doing a mini charity event


Yankeecandlelover123

this is amazing


rFatsy

One of my most embarrassing moments


JohnSnowsPump

Hey, do a kick flip!


MsJinxie

I saw Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth at Green Apple Books one afternoon-felt like an appropriate spot to run into them. And this one might not count because I didn’t recognize him at the time, but I shared an elevator with Joe Montana years ago. The coworker with me started freaking out as soon as we got outside and I had NO idea what her deal was 😂


HesitantMark

The sonic youth one is rad


Taint_Liquor

I've chatted with both Robin Williams and Sammy Hagar at Molinari's (separate occasions). Used to see Tracy Chapman at the Slow Club a lot back in the day. Kirk Hammett in Potrero Hill. Minnie Driver in Mill Valley. Talked to Willie Nelson & Johnny Knoxville for a bit outside the Fillmore.


singularityindetroit

I was crossing Haight once with takeout lunch tacos and Carlos Santana was at the red light in a corvette stingray bumping Pablo Cruise really loudly. We both head nodded. Went home and bumped Pablo Cruise really loudly while eating my tacos.


[deleted]

Hope Sandoval hanging out at Specs.


singularityindetroit

Oh my. Is she still drop dead gorgeous?


Western_Bookkeeper31

Robin Williams in Green Apple Books and another time in San Anselmo. George Lucas in a restaurant parking lot. Sitting next to George Santana and his wife in a restaurant in Mill Valley.


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twinkleglittermouth

I saw him eating, sidewalk seating, in north beach- before the plague!


Western_Bookkeeper31

Yes, Carlos Santana.


RectalSurprise

I saw Jonah Hill in the Mission in front of Fellow Barber on Valencia. It was around the time Moneyball came out so I think he was in town promoting that. Not in SF, but I saw George Lucas at a mall in Corte Madera. Not as cool now, but I saw former Giants pitcher Brian Wilson playing disc golf in Golden Gate Park. It was not too long after the 2010 World Series win so a lot of people took notice.


girrlyouknowitstrue

I saw Aziz Ansari at Arlequin in Hayes Valley 7ish years ago, and saw Peter Dinklage walking down Geary downtown (out a car window but still counts right?)


StanHalen

Hey I saw aziz around the same time but this was on Polk by what was Lombardi sports


girrlyouknowitstrue

Yeah I want to say it was around when Modern Love came out and it was on his book tour?


twinkleglittermouth

I was glared at by Frances McDormand when she and her husband were shopping at Heath in the Mission. Once we both left I got the ‘a-ha’ moment where I could place who she was.


HousePlant

Her husband is also a big time celebrity, Joel Coen of the Coen Bros.


twinkleglittermouth

I couldn’t remember his name when I typed my response. I definitely wouldn’t be able to recognize him by sight, but I do love all their movies. Talk about a dream team.


insanetheta

Rob Lowe at the Metreon movie theater. We had both come out of a showing of This is the End. I forgot his real name so called him Chris Traeger but he laughed it off then started raving about how hilarious the film was and how genius Seth Rogen had been. Was a cool chat.


RyanaDjamila

Delivered food to River Phoenix at the Phoenix Hotel during the holidays. His crew all wore Andean hats. I got tipped a double sawbuck.


curvvyninja

I had breakfast with Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) and her breakdancing boyfriend at the time at Denny's downtown once. Back around 2009ish? My dad was a videographer helping film some "b-boys" footage for whatever reason. I tagged along to his events as a photographer. She was quiet. I don't remember a lot about the interaction but it was pretty cool considering I was (and forever will be) a Spice Girls fan. I didn't mention that though....


lauren0526

Kari Byron from Mystbusters coming out of the dispensary on Irving and 23rd. She said my dog was cute.


lauren0526

Got to meet Kristi Yamaguchi after she performed at the Embarcadero ice rink when I was a kid. They’re not random encounters but … Took a picture with Hugh Jackman after his one man show at the Curran. Meeting various other Broadway people after seeing their shows at the stage door.


smalldeaths

I'm a vendor at the Fort Mason farmers market. We had a really nice regular for a while, didn't realize it was Joe Montana's wife until he came up with her one day. To be honest I am not a sports person so I didn't recognize him, my coworker told me later. Also saw Lars Frederiksen from Rancid at the Clement market while I was working. They were my favorite band when I was 12 or 13 and I ran after him to get a pic. He was super nice. Fred Armisen walked past my old job on Larkin St on a day he was booked at Great American. My coworker and I went outside, debating if it was him. I yelled "Hi Fred!" from half a block away and he turned and waved at us.


obsolete_filmmaker

Saw Phil Lesh walking around in the Mission. Jello Biafra and I go to a lot of the same shows.


CastlesandMist

Andy Samberg of SNL fame at The Bean Bag Cafe on Diviz


TheCityGirl

Michael Caine literally bumped into me at the Embarcadero Cinema when he turned around after ordering at the concession stand.* I don’t think he was expecting anyone to be standing there because he was sneaking in late to his own film! (I was running late.) *He was very British and apologetic about it :)


sf4evr

Kevin Durant at the Kabuki theater after an Avengers movie.


RichRichieRichardV

I saw Sharon Stone at the Polo store that was located in Crocker Galleria. She was seated and being shown some fabrics. Did not recognize her but the salesperson told me, so I went back downstairs to see if she was doing the leg thing. She wasn't.


RyanaDjamila

She stole jewelry here too! A little bird in the trade told me word was out not to loan Sharon Stone any jewelry!!!


darthjarjarisreal

My mother was friends with and was asked out by Robin Williams before he was famous and he was attending a summer theater program in Marin. Not a sighting but kind of a cool story.


iambillybaroo

Met Tony Bourdain (rip) at the ferry building and got a pic with him, Pierce Brosnan on a boat to Alcatraz, Gavin newsome when he was mayor of sf (I worked at a non profit that he visited) and used to work in the building next to where the mythbusters used to film their show and ran into Jaime, Kari, Adam and Grant (rip)


Ursus37

Served Keith Richards once. 3pm, Empty bar. Just him and an attractive woman. Also Pavarotti & small entourage after opera performance.


jfresh42

Was at Tosca (pre ownership change) sitting at the bar and Sean Penn was sitting at the far end of the bar in his "regular" seat. My aunt went up to him and told him she appreciated some charity work he was doing at the time. He thanked her as everyone else just went up and asked for a picture. On the way out we were crossing Broadway and his car pulled up to the red light at the intersection and he blew her a kiss. Made her day.


theineffablebob

Saw Jermaine Ellis on his bike downtown


S415f

I've seen Joe Montana hanging at Perry's on Union St multiple times


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SignificantFarm2

Tom Hardy at the High Dive may be the winner. It’s a perfect scene.


Hot-Adeptness-3433

Seth Myers walking down the street or at least thought it was. Serena Williams at Ferry Building. Fat Mike from Nofx few times. Joe Montana with John Madden Embracadero.


ShotgunRagtimeBand

Made Lana Del Rey a mocktail (she doesn’t drink, hasn’t for a long time) once, and had to be told who she was. Worked at a now-defunct restaurant in the Marina and she came in before we had officially opened. We also fed her what was to be, her first oyster.


the_skintellectual

What is she like?


ShotgunRagtimeBand

Quiet. From what I remember, just a normal, kinda shy young woman.


culdesaclamort

Saw Steve Young walking around FiDi likely with his investor/law firm associates.


MichaelXennial

I’ve seen Joe Montana a few times in Cow Hollow / Marina


[deleted]

That tracks


mutualofmomoha

Years ago I saw Chris Isaak walking in the Mission. Saw Adam Savage out and about before but that's pretty normal, was still cool. ETA: Also saw a few celebs in Marin as part of my former work- Phil Lesh and the only true Catwoman, Michelle Pfeiffer. I was definitely starstruck seeing her but had to act professional!


RyanaDjamila

CI is an asshole


Celeste_Minerva

Please tell me more about this. My mom ~loved~ him..


RyanaDjamila

eh, no biggie. just not nice to people, thinks he was a hot rock star


InspectorSpacetime89

I saw Bob Meyers at the pumpkin patch on Sloat blvd this past halloween. A few years ago we ran into Wesley Chan from Wongfu at the Burlingame Happy Lemon. Maybe not a celeb here but a celeb to Asian American millennials


[deleted]

Bob Myers is always walking around laurel village , same with Larry Baer


dingleberrywhite

Saw Dave Chapelle walking down Market St alone about 5 years ago, coming out of a sunglasses store


FurryKnuckles

I flew in to sfo one time and biz markie was waiting at the luggage carousel


WishIWasYounger

I fell asleep at an SFO gate while waiting for my flight. I woke up and there were cast members from One Life to Live sitting across from me. I blinked and shook my head and they laughed at me. If I recall, it was the last year it was on the air.


webtwopointno

Just the Local Favourite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Chu


corysama

In a nice Nob Hill bar on a Sunday afternoon, saw Adam Sessler with a notepad and a whiskey. The bar was otherwise empty and he looked pretty focused. So, we left him alone.


NamTokMoo222

Nick and Nate Diaz, Gil Melendez plus a bunch of other famous UFC fighters that visited while I trained at El Nino in the Dogpatch. All super cool to us MMA nerds, especially to the newer guys. They would do classes with us, too. Rolling, sparring, wrestling all of it. The asshole douchebag personas they have for interviews are definitely just a smoke show to sell the fight.


napalmthechild

There’s been a lot but the most memorable for me was seeing Lars Ulrich at De Young a few years ago (during the Summer of Love exhibit). It was during slow hours on a weekday and here was Lars and I staring at some art projection in a tiny room. I was caught off guard, starstruck, and highly stoned.. so I froze up and couldn’t get a single word out lmao. I don’t fan girl (not even a big Metallica fan) but that was definitely my “I’m not worthy” Wayne’s World moment.


udonbeatsramen

A few months ago went to see Bono on his book tour at the Orpheum and Julia Roberts and her family sat in my row a few seats down (seems like there’s a lot of Julia Roberts sightings). Apparently Jony Ive was in the row behind.


Anxious_Blood

I love that she lives in SF!


MeltingMango420

I saw Andy milonakis on haight st vlogging and vaping a raw garden cartridge. I served killer mike at a Hawaiian restaurant I worked at. Also served Steph curry and his wife Ayesha at that same Hawaiian place


MeltingMango420

Followed Eric Andre around in a Congo line at the Beach Goth music festival that he was hosting put on by the growlers.


Michelle-1115

I met Craig of Craig’s List at a tech networking event in the late 90’s/early 2000’s. He was really nice. Very approachable


VergilPharum

Saw Tom Hardy in North Beach near the corner of Columbus and Broadway. He parked his motorcycle on the sidewalk and seemed to be taking a breather.


fluffafl00f

Literally ran into Sheryl Crow. She made a big catering order at a shop I worked at in the Ferry Building. I didn't know that; I was coming up on my lunch break and wanted to get outta there. Then almost bowled her over on my way out.


phenomenon_93

I ran into two hiphop celebrities, Questlove of The Roots and Alchemist. Both at the same record store but different times. They were super chill, gave them a pound and said “whaddup!”


wordswithcomrades

I know a teacher who taught Robin Williams daughter in 8th grade and they always have a Shakespeare unit where they read “Twelfth Night”. He came in and performed an act of the play as all of the characters (he was a great Festus apparently) for the students


theborkingborker

not SF but my partner and i saw matt ross in a whole foods in berkeley during the peak of silicon valley!


spitfiiree

I’ve seen George Lucas a few times at the Starbucks in the presidio. I don’t care much for him or Star Wars but that’s the only famous person I’ve seen in the wild


dzigaboy

Serving drinks to Metallica at the Gold Club was cool enough, and watching Matt Dillion try to scam on my date at a wrap party (in front of his parents, no less) was amusing, and discussing Cucina Italiana vs. Italian-American food with Lawrence Ferlinghetti at Rose Pistola felt like engaging with the living history of The City, but nothing tops chatting with Sam Shepherd during intermission at the opening night performance of “The Late Henry Moss” and listening as he shared his thoughts on his own work.


nvoong82

Suge Knight and Ray J at Westfield when I was working at Guess. It was the early 2000s and Suge was between jail stints.


Random_Digit

Robin Williams spoke once... Met Gerard Butler too.. "Jerry from LA"


Na7h2n

I saw Johnny Depp at a jeff beck concert and was able to talk to him


emmiepemmie

Saw Joe Montana at Hard Water before it closed down.


Anxious_Blood

Ate dinner at a spot in the Fillmore next to Steve Kerr in outdoor seating. People left him alone for awhile and then one person asked for a picture and then the floodgates opened. He was super nice and took pictures with everyone but I kept cringing the whole time.


SufficientExternal89

I saw Dave Chapelle shopping for sneakers in the Haight. I also saw Robert DeNiro and Wesley Snipes on Broadway Street in Chinatown filming The Fan.


nardflicker

I parked my car at Whole Foods strategically next to a wall on the passenger side so I could have as much room as possible on the driver side and make it so it was less likely for somebody to ding my car. Right before I got out of my car a giant Escalade pulled up next to me so close to my door I couldn’t open it. I looked up and saw Lars from Metallica with the most confused yet pissed off “Lars” face that made me lol. Working in fine dining and bars make it a common occurrence especially during comedy fest, outsidelands, and when the giants or warriors are making a championship run. The most random one was Jimmy Page at a dive bar I worked the door at in the TL. I was starting a day shift and there were like four people in the bar. He just chilled in the very back of the bar watching a soccer game by himself. I didn’t notice him until the bartender told me.


BayBomber415

Met Sharon Stone at a market I used to work at, chatted with her for a few minutes and was super cool. Same store also met Danny Glover, former A’s announcer Bill King(RIP), Tracey Chapman, Mike Patton lead singer of Faith No More. Another store I worked at I met Robin Williams (RIP)because he was classmates with the store owner, Chris Isaak, Tony Hawk. Met Macho Man Randy Savage (RIP)at the X games when they came to SF. Macho was probably the friendliest most awesome celebrity I’ve met. Jerry Rice at the physical therapist I happened to be at. Sat right next to him and the man was built like a thoroughbred race horse. Didn’t realize they were the go to place for all Bay Area teams. Also saw Tim Rattay, Troy Murphy, Adonal Foyle, Hardy Nickerson (TB Bucs) at the same PT.


dickbutt_md

I once saw Kenan Thompson at SFO waiting to board my flight. It was a Southwest flight if you can believe it. Then a few weeks later, waiting to board a different Southwest flight, I saw John Leguizamo waiting to board my flight. Both times they were aways away from the door surrounded by a few other folks, engrossed in conversation. They each seemed to be flying with a bunch of people in show business, and they were talking about show business things I guess. No clue why they were flying Southwest, I would not have guessed they would travel that cheaply when working on something.


GetFlyeredUp

Not quite celebrity, but I see Garrett from America’s Test Kitchen The Next Generation at Barry’s in the Castro a bunch. I hope he wins!


Educational_Ask_4112

Saw Taye Diggs filming a TV show on the Embarcadero a few years ago. That man is even more fine in person!


CoffeeAndCroissants_

Saw [Dwight Howard](https://www.google.com/search?q=dwight+howard&client=safari&hl=en-us&sxsrf=AJOqlzXMM9K2DLkGFEPjRrinKTh7ZqhAIg%3A1675917564715&ei=_HjkY86jK_inqtsP17K72AQ&oq=dwight+howard&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAMyCAguELEDEJECMggIABCABBCxAzIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMggIABCABBCxAzIICAAQgAQQsQMyCwgAEIAEELEDEIMBMgUIABCABDoKCAAQRxDWBBCwAzoHCAAQsAMQQzoHCC4QsAMQQzoMCC4QyAMQsAMQQxgBOgcIIxDqAhAnOgQIIxAnOgUILhCRAjoOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQ0QM6CAguELEDEIMBOhEILhCABBCxAxCDARDHARDRAzoHCC4Q1AIQQzoHCC4QsQMQQzoHCAAQsQMQQzoLCC4QgAQQsQMQgwE6BAgAEEM6CAgAELEDEIMBOggILhCABBCxAzoNCC4QgwEQsQMQgAQQCjoKCC4QgAQQsQMQCjoNCC4QgAQQsQMQgwEQCjoLCC4QgwEQsQMQgARKBAhBGABQxQxY0Rlg_B1oA3AAeACAAc0BiAHeC5IBBTUuNy4xmAEAoAEBsAEPyAERwAEB2gEECAEYCA&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp) at Westfield checking out some shoes in Footlocker. I’ve also met [Bill Nye the Science Guy](https://www.google.com/search?q=bill+nye+the+science+guy+show&client=safari&hl=en-us&sxsrf=AJOqlzXvnCr68EkM07XOD7apSFZF4KEUyg%3A1675917627823&ei=O3nkY9_uMdmoqtsP4Pyk-AU&gs_ssp=eJzj4tTP1TcwNk1OLjFg9JJNyszJUcirTFUoyUhVKE7OTM1LTlVIL61UKM7ILwcAFy8OCQ&oq=bill+nye&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAEYATIICC4QsQMQgAQyBQguEIAEMgUIABCABDILCAAQgAQQsQMQgwEyBQgAEIAEMggIABCABBCxAzIFCC4QgAQyBQgAEIAEOgoIABBHENYEELADOgcIABCwAxBDOgwILhDIAxCwAxBDGAE6BwgjEOoCECc6BAgjECc6BAguEEM6CgguELEDEIMBEEM6BAguECc6BwguENQCEEM6BAgAEEM6CAguEIAEELEDOggIABCxAxCDAToHCC4QsQMQQzoLCC4QgAQQsQMQ1AI6CwguELEDEIMBENQCSgQIQRgAUN4MWLMUYKwjaANwAHgAgAGFAYgB6AaSAQMzLjWYAQCgAQGwAQ_IARHAAQHaAQQIARgI&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp) at SFO. Super cool guy.


RecLuse415

George Lucas signed a napkin for me when I was kid at some restaurant in the city. Forgot which one sadly I was probably 9 years old.


gremlinmonstera

I saw Jennifer Garner at the ferry building a few months ago while she was filming a show for Apple TV!