Brush With Greatness

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:34 am

Have any of you peeps out in FG land had the opportunity to meet and greet or just get a glimpse of celebrity ?

I used to work at Tampa Int. Airport and I would frequently see sports, movie or singer/bands wisk through or sit down for a cocktail before their flights. Its interesting to come face to face with someone you feel like you know through tv or having enjoyed their music.

Once in awhile I get into WCCO's studio, a local radio institution and its cool to watch them broadcast after just having been listening to them in your car.

Stories ?

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:41 am

I had a pint with Viv Stanshall once, in the bar of the Bloomsbury Theatre after a performance of Stinkfoot. Definitely a brush, definitely greatness.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:49 am

I met Sophia Loren in Boots the chemist in Manchester, she was promoting some perfume.

What a beautiful, graceful lady.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:53 am

Good topic, Nomad!

I wish I had something really cool to contribute but I only have three...no laughing please. When I was 14, I shook Barry Goldwater's hand. I wasn't impressed then, being 14 and cavalier about it and all but now I think it's pretty neat. For those who don't know, he was a US senator. He came through our town and the other girls in our chapter of Job's Daughters (girls' religious order) served him and his people a formal dinner.

Then in summer of 97 or 98, I flew to Seattle Washington to meet some online friends for the first time. We were all meeting up because of our love for the pop band Hanson (no laughing) and after the concert, three of us women hid in the bushes around the arena after the show and stalked Hanson.

They saw us, we talked to them! Then the next day, we drove back into the city and spotted their bus. We spent from about 8 am to 11 pm that night waiting for Hanson to show. Finally they did and I was only about a foot from them with a gate between us. We shook hands through the gate. Later they sent one of their extra pizzas out to us and it was like a shark feed! 30 women and teenaged girls descended upon one poor pizza! They were shoving each other out of the way and yanking pizza slices out of each other's hands because "it was HANSON'S pizza!"

I was starving but I was too proud to fight off 12 year olds and grown women to eat a shred of pizza that had been stepped on, ripped up and dropped on the ground.

Then!! Maybe the coolest! I was atthe Heard Museum in Phoenix Arizona and I was in the gift shop. I turned around and there was Sandra Day O'Connor! The supreme court justice!! She was looking at a blanket or something. I could kick myself for not speaking to her but I was too stunned!

Sadly, those are my only stories. I've been in the vicinity of famous people but never actually met any but those mentioned.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:10 am

I've met a bunch.

My favourites, to think of it, are:

Meatloaf

Blondie

Judith Light

Roma Downey

and Ellen Burstyn

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:11 am

Ellen Burstyn would make a wonderful dinner guest I think.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:14 am

Ellen is amazing. Very spiritually enlightened.

The list of folks I've worked with that people might know:

Roma Downey, Jacqueline Bissett, Sean Young, James Earl Jones, Martin Sheen, Brian Dennehy, Andy Dick, Ellen Burstyn, Kelly McGillis, Kate Jackson, Judith Light, Jobeth Williams, Samantha Mathers, Pam Dawber, Patrick Duffy, Meatloaf, Bruce Davison, Stuart Margolin, Henry Winkler, Graham Green, Adam Beach, Brian Austen-Green, Michael York, Ed Asner, Joanna Pacula, Rick Schroeder, Brian Kerwin, Gordon Clapp, Helen Shaver, Elisabeth Pena, Eric McCormick, Debbie Harry, Amanda Plummer, Sarah Polley, Laura Leighton, Rhea Perlman, Alfred Molina, and Stacy Keach,

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:18 am

Resurrection is when I fell for her.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:25 am

Requiem for a Dream was rather brilliant

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:58 am

I probably shouldn't have posted in this. I feel like the typical name dropper from the film industry. Sorry. I'm suitably embarrassed.

Wolverine · Post by **Wolverine** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:08 am

well lets see...

i got to pee with Tim Dwight, Iowa hawkeye legend.

i had a beer with Eric Crouch in Lincoln, NE a few years back.

and when i was 14 i shot a game of pool with James Hetfeild of Metallica when they were in Des Moines for Lalapalooza. really nice guy.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:01 am

I sat across from Clint Eastwood on a fight from LA to San Diego once. He is so very soft spoken and a gentleman. :-4

I have hung out with the US Women's National Soccer team met them all Mia Hamm all of them great women, my Nicece is on the National Team.

I stood next to Sammy Davis Junior at the Landmark Hotel Desk in Las Vegas many years ago waiting to get the keys to my room. Very nice man as well, very tiny in stature.

Recently I met LT of the San Diego Chargers at Von's grocery store, we chatted about Football (NFL American Football). He also eats at the Omega Deli across the street from my office. They call me when he is coming to pick up a sandwich so I can hustle over there to chat with him. A nice young man.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:53 am

Don't be embarressed Koan, I think it's cool your job allows you to work with actors and actresses.

Imladris · Post by **Imladris** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:53 pm

Well I met Melvin Hayes in a night club in Plymouth, only fellow Brits will know who he is (he's very short)

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:20 pm

Imladris;463287 wrote: Well I met Melvin Hayes in a night club in Plymouth, only fellow Brits will know who he is (he's very short)Seriously talented, though. I'm not sure he'd have danced with me but I do like his work.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:51 pm

I've met quite a few of the coronation street cast, suppose i would being as though i'm oop north.

Julie Goodyear aka Bet Lynch lives in my home town.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:04 pm

The Queen & Princess Diana

Prince in Amsterdam airport - omg he's tiny & had 8 bodyguards

Sasha Distel (french singer) granny made me line up for hours for his autograph as she was in love with him :rolleyes:

D.J Tall paul - gave him a piece of my mind for sending my daughter flying & not apologizing

Most of our local news & radio personalities through various charity events but doubt they would be known outside north east scotland

I would love to meet Paul Weller :-4

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:12 pm

About 8 or 9 years back I won a trip to the American Comedy Awards in California. Brushed elbows with alot of celebreties then. Did not "meet" many, but talked with several.

In the ladies room alone, got to mingle with Ellen Degeneris, Jamie Leigh Curtis and a few others.

Also met Jamie's Dad, Tony, and said hello to Richard Pryor and Estelle Getty (the lady who played the mom on Golden Girls. Plus saw alot of others.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:15 pm

Oh yeah, a group from the late 70's England dan and John Ford Cloey. Met them after one of thier concerts....got to have a nice long chat over coffee. Very nice guys. They even walked me to my car afterward.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:36 pm

Trust me to help a buddy out...

while you're reading all this remember

I'm ONLY doing it to make Koan feel better!! (Yeah, yeah, they should

buy that...) :yh_bigsmi

Most of these people I've talked to, some many times. A few I've only

been within a few feet of or something. Tried for a bit of order here

but it's not that easy, and I'm sure I missed some.

Debbie Myer/Mark Spitz (Olympic Gold Medalists) "Dated" guys on the

same swim team...

Marv Hubbard (tried on his Super Bowl Ring!)

Will Sampson (Were blood brother/sis!)

Saul Zaentz

Country Joe McDonald

Creedence members

Harvey Fuqua (Harvey and the Moonglows, a very sweet man)

Tippi Hedren (we "did lunch" more than once, an angel)

Aaron Neville

Michael Douglas/Brenda Vaccaro

Hung out with the Dead backstage many times.

Bill Graham (told me I had beautiful hair backstage one time)

(And sent a bodyguard over at a Christmas party saying Bill

wanted to dance with me... I was a snot and said "Well then he can

ask me himself... so I never danced with him!)

Lee Grant (no comment)

George Lucas/Steven Spielberg

Dennis Hopper

Mel Brooks (talked to his wife Anne on the phone many times)

Sean Penn (gave him a disposable lighter and got a nice thank you!)

Harrison Ford

Bob De Niro/Willie Nelson (spoke with on phone, if Willie hasn't

changed his phone number over the years, I still have it!!)

Jeff Bridges (taught him a "champagne trick" at a wrap party one time,

where you put your finger in the glass, bubbles go down and they can

fill it up more... he loved THAT!!)

Jack Nicholson ("makes me nervous to walk into a room without any ashtrays")

Raquel Welch

Mic Jagger

Sir Paul/Linda (They walked by me... but I didn't actually "see" them

because all employees had been instructed to "avert" our glance!)

Michael Jackson (screened Captain EO for him, smiled and thanked me)

Matt/Amy Roloff at company picnic (He was an Ewok)

Robin Williams (all funny ALL the time)

Danny Glover (had to take his shirt off at one point, mic was picking up

too much "rustle")

Robert Redford (sigh, one FINE hunk of manflesh!)

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Ron Howard

Janeane Garofalo

And most recently, and not as well known to most of you...

Dennis Reis (horse trainer extrodanaire)

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:48 pm

as a kid i often ice-skated with Bobby Kennedy and his children on the reflecting pool in front of the Washington monument.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:51 pm

lady cop;463388 wrote: as a kid i often ice-skated with Bobby Kennedy and his children on the reflecting pool in front of the Washington monument.

now that would have been fun.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:53 pm

Marie5656;463392 wrote: now that would have been fun.they were a warm and down-to-earth family. my heart broke when he was murdered.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:57 pm

lady cop;463394 wrote: they were a warm and down-to-earth family. my heart broke when he was murdered.

I was 14 at the time he died. I think it was the first time I actually felt the impact of death...even though he was not a person known to me in real life.

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:02 pm

abbey;463341 wrote: I've met quite a few of the coronation street cast, suppose i would being as though i'm oop north. :DI did ask William Roache to write in my autograph book once and he signed it.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:03 pm

lady cop;463388 wrote: as a kid i often ice-skated with Bobby Kennedy and his children on the reflecting pool in front of the Washington monument.

This is waaaaay more fitting for the thread title than ANY of mine...

:o

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:04 pm

speaking of "brushes" I once helped Jamie Lee Curtis remove her hair extensions.

She was actually one of the coolest I ever met.

Mystery · Post by **Mystery** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:05 pm

Hmmm, Meg Ryan once a long time ago. I also got to meet the bandmembers from Tantric (sp) after a concert we'd just been to. They were eating at Whataburger

Insomniac · Post by **Insomniac** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:55 am

Joe DiMaggio , Sylvester Stallone , Michael Caine, and several local politicians.

Even the "great" are humble when the nurse is in the room! :wah: