Author Topic: Famous People.  (Read 17543 times)

Offline sparkle_motion

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Famous People.
« on: May 25, 2006, 07:54:35 pm »
After reading RT's thread about meeting Jake or Heath, I find it so cool that you guys have met/encountered so many famous people. (Who was it that had sex with Boy George?) Let's share our experiences.
When I was strolling thru Central Park one time, my boyfriend and I saw this large tow-truck towing a car with all these bright lights on the hood of it. Then it stopped DIRECTLY in front of us. It was so weird, I whipped out my camera and took a picture (I took pictures of EVERYTHING in NYC, 13 rolls all total). Then, guess who stepped out of the car that was being towed? Kurt Russell and shorty Tom Cruise! I was like OH MY GOD OH MY GOD! I put the camera up to my eye to take a picture of them (they were like 2 yards away) and this big, HUGE security guard gives me a major evil eye and tells me to put the camera down. It was the coolest thing EVER. As soon as I got back home, I did an IMDb search and found out they were filming Vanilla Sky.
That's a long story just to say I saw Kurt Russell and Tom Cruise but it's so fun for me to tell it!
Anyone else?
...then you ask me about Mexico and tell me you'll kill me for needing somethin' I don't hardly never get.

Offline delalluvia

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2006, 08:14:45 pm »
For what's it worth - I met the mayor of Dallas a few months ago - heh - while waiting to go see BBM with a friend.

Does that count?

No, she and her family were not there to see the movie.

For you X-Files fans, I met the blue-tattooed guy from the sideshow freaks episode while with a bachelorette group at a tattoo parlor one night (the lovely bride was getting one last pre-marriage tattoo).

Eh, I don't get out that much.  :(

Offline sparkle_motion

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2006, 08:17:26 pm »
I LOVE Laura Miller!
...then you ask me about Mexico and tell me you'll kill me for needing somethin' I don't hardly never get.

Offline delalluvia

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2006, 08:22:45 pm »
I LOVE Laura Miller!

My friend I was there with teaches at the very expensive private school Laura Miller sends her daughter to.  My friend used to have Laura's VERY beautiful sex kitten daughter in her debate class.   My friend liked her daughter - a Lolita type who knows way too much for her own good and is built like a brick shit house.  My friend said she rarely spoke with Laura, conversing mostly with Her Honor the Lady Mayor's husband, since he is now playing househusband to Laura Miller's career.  He was once a senator I believe and surprisingly, the guy's a stud muffin.

Offline opinionista

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2006, 08:40:36 pm »
Well, last september I was at a bar with my friend when we spotted Natalie Portman struggling with the language and trying to explain the bartender that she didn't order wine. We looked at her for a minute or so until my friend decided to intervene and help. He did all the talking, I just stood there looking at the whole scene. But she is so nice and sooooo beautifiul. She got all excited after finding out that we have the same name, because my friend told her. She's small, though and very thin. I read in her IMDB profile she's 5'4 tall, but that's not true because I'm 5'1 and she wasn't taller than me. She's about my height. She's much thinner though.

Also about four years ago I was having dinner with a group of friends at a restaurant when we heard a commotion going on outside and saw people coming in and out from the restaurant  with smiles on their faces. So, three of us went out to see what was happening and believe it or not, there was Bill Clinton, with a whole entourage of body guard or secret service agents. He was been awfully nice to the crowd, giving hand and posing for pictures as if he were a movie star. Later I read that he had been in Madrid in some conference and I guess he was having dinner nearby. He's quite ugly, but thinner than expected. His face is red.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2006, 11:05:54 am by opinionista »
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Offline littleguitar

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2006, 09:21:36 pm »
I am so jealous that you met Natalie Portman! She is by far my favorite actress, and so so beautiful, pardon me while I gush a moment  ::) I love her!!

Well, my first famous person was Rupert Everett.  I was at the student global AIDS conference in D.C. about 4 years ago and I didn't know it but he was one of our key note speakers.  I was standing in the lobby of the hotel the conference was in and Rupert Everett steps off the elevator right in front of me.  I just thought to myself, "that can't actually be him!" so I asked my friend and she said it was.  I never got the nerve to say anything to him, there was no one else around being a gushing fan so I didn't want to be the only one.  He gave a very good speech though.  He was nervous which I found strangely endearing.  I never expect people who act for a living to be nervous speaking in front of people.

My other famous people encounters come from my 6th months spent stalking any and all famous people performing in the west end while I was in london last spring.  I met Kevin Spacey, Joshua Jackson, Ewan McGregor, Kim Catral, Patrick Stewart and Jonny Lee Miller.  I think that's it... by far the most insane was Ewan McGregor, he was in Guys and Dolls and it was the same weekend the last star wars came out so everyone was there for an autograph.  I have some amazing pictures though, and I was one of the lucky few who actually got an autograph and got to say a few words to him.  It was nice. 
‘cause the truth is, I already give him everythin’ I got to give, more than I ever even knew I had; ‘n it all for him, all of it, him who is my brother, my father, my child, my friend, my lover, my heart, my soul; my Ennis.

-- del Mar Painting, Ch. 48 by b73

Offline delalluvia

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2006, 10:09:45 pm »
I think that's it... by far the most insane was Ewan McGregor, he was in Guys and Dolls and it was the same weekend the last star wars came out so everyone was there for an autograph.  I have some amazing pictures though, and I was one of the lucky few who actually got an autograph and got to say a few words to him.  It was nice. 

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR...SO jealous!!!   >:(   Can you post a pic?  Purty please?

I went to a matinee of 'Guys and Dolls' while I was in London last fall and by sheer chance, we got front row seats!  He wasn't 10 feet from me in the front row on the stage performing.

Unfortunately for me, there was a sign in the lobby of the theater saying that 'Due to the terrorist threat, there will be no more stage door autograph signings due to security reasons for the safety of the people of London..'

SOOOOOO pissed.

I blame Hamas.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2006, 10:12:48 pm by delalluvia »

Offline littleguitar

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2006, 11:07:56 pm »
I must have been lucky, I caught it during preview week, so before the performance actually opened in mid May.  they were still doing autograph signings then, though I went to the matinee and had to go back for the later show to get the autograph.  I'll see if I can get a picture up for you! I'll have to put them on my computer...
‘cause the truth is, I already give him everythin’ I got to give, more than I ever even knew I had; ‘n it all for him, all of it, him who is my brother, my father, my child, my friend, my lover, my heart, my soul; my Ennis.

-- del Mar Painting, Ch. 48 by b73

Offline kirkmusic

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2006, 03:42:34 am »
Every now and then, famous people come to see the show I'm in.  I've been onhand to meet Shirley MacLaine, Sidney Poitier, Kathleen Turner (she was in town doing another show), Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser, who's boyfriend was in town doing a show.  Yep, he's gay.), Dawn Welles (Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island), Celeste Holme (although she didn't stick around afterwards.  Who knew she was still living?), a stage and television actress who's name escapes me because I don't watch TV, but she was playing the lead in Golda's Balcony, and this guy from the UK.  That's me in the tropical drink hat and ruffles.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2006, 04:06:15 am by kirkmusic »

Offline Sheyne

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2006, 04:45:53 am »

I've met Kylie Minogue before. She's very sweet and soooooo tiny. She'd come up to about my breast height.. Extremely little woman.  I've also met Ian Thorpe who's kinda stand-offish and soooooo tall!

They're probably the most famous people I've MET, but I've seen heaps of them up close. I was very lucky to have a friend who worked in the Heritage Hotel here in Brisbane and whenever famous people came into town, she'd buzz me and I'd just happen to head in there and hang out in the lobby / bar.

Those I've seen or walked past: Madonna, U2, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, Linda Evangelista (sooooo tall!!), Tara Moss, Robin Williams and many others who sorta slip my mind at the moment.. if i remember, I'll post em.
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Offline Ray

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2006, 06:27:11 am »
Sheyne!  Me!
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Offline Shuggy

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2006, 07:41:44 am »
.

Offline serious crayons

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2006, 10:32:29 am »
You guys have cool stories. I myself am surrounded by an anti-celebrity force field. For someone who 1) was a newspaper reporter and 2) lived in New York for a year, I have a paltry few famous-people sightings and no meetings whatsoever (aside from governors and boring people like that). I lived in New Orleans during a time lots of stars made movies there (Tom Cruise, Kevin Costner, etc. etc.) -- never saw any of 'em. I lived in Minneapolis last year, while Robert Altman was making his new star-studded film -- nada. I even lived in Duluth, Minn., in the mid-'80s, when Sam Shepherd and Jessica Lange spent so much time on a movie there that by the end just about everyone in town was practically on their Christmas card list. Never saw em.

So here's my whole list:

-- Walked past Carl Bernstein in Greenwich Village.
-- Spotted John Goodman at the New Orleans jazz festival.
-- Passed Steve McQueen in a grocery store parking lot in Ketchum, Idaho, in 1979.
-- Sat across the aisle from Tom Brokaw when seeing "Proof" on Broadway.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2006, 11:10:16 am by latjoreme »

Offline MaineWriter

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2006, 11:09:30 am »
Supposedly all sorts of famous people show up in Portland and Maine, regularly, but I am always a day late and a dollar short in seeing them...but my friends do and tell me about it!

There is a mixing studio here that apparently is quite famous in the recording world. Supposedly Eric Clapton shows up about twice a year, and also Bruce Springsteen. Other musicians are spotted on a regular basis.

Folks own homes here--Kirstie Alley has been getting alot of press and also Martha Stewart (up on Mt. Desert Island). Glenn Close just married a guy with a big house on Prout's Neck so lots of pictures of her in the paper...and as summer gets underway, I'm sure she'll be hanging around.

Jeff Probst (Survivor guy) was (maybe he still is?) dating a Survivor contestant, Julie, who is from Gorham. Many, many sightings of those two, especially when the romance was first getting going and she hadn't moved to California yet. They seemed to like to hang out in the Hannaford (grocery store) in Gorham, of all romantic places.

Of course, we have the Bushes, pere et fils and their respective spouses. Babs is around a lot as the children's hospital at Maine Medical Center is named after her. Laura shows up for various ribbon cutting events. And now that Bill Clinton is so chummy with George, Sr., he shows up for regular golf dates.

Celebrities of a different sort: lots of artists, especially in the summer, but the Wyeths (Andew and son Jamie) are probably the most well known. Jamie hangs out on Monehegan Island in the summer. Nice place.

L
« Last Edit: May 26, 2006, 11:26:08 am by lnicoll »
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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2006, 11:52:03 am »
I've had the honor of meeting George Kuchar and his twin brother Mike in San Francisco in 1990. Both Kuchars were legendary figures in the New York underground-film scene of the 1960s, and were major influences on John Waters. Since the early Seventies, George has made his home in San Francisco, teaching filmmaking at the Art Institute there.

I was greeted by Roy Rogers at his museum in Victorville, California.

I was in a move theater twice with former Texas governor Ann Richards, the first time before she became governor, and the second time while she was in office.

I stood a mere few feet away from Antonio Banderas in a now-closed Barnes & Noble bookstore, several years ago. He was browsing like me, and stopped to ask a clerk for help in finding a specific item. I tried not to stare, and kept a respectful distance from him the whole time.

I attended a film presentation and speech by director Dusan Makavejev once, and hoped to get to meet him afterward, as a friend was a friend of his, but I felt sheepish about all the people thronging around him after the show and bade a quiet goodbye to my friend, upon which I departed.

I did get to meet performance artist Penny Arcade after a show of hers at back in 2004. I thanked her for a beautiful memorial essay she had written for her friend, filmmaker Jack Smith, and she even gave me a warm hug afterwards.

Scott
« Last Edit: February 26, 2008, 06:29:42 pm by moremojo »

Offline henrypie

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #15 on: May 26, 2006, 02:59:56 pm »
After a concert followed, on hot tip, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode to dance club in DC.  We talked to them, tried to be cool....  Understand that Martin Gore was, from age 13, my first True Love (if you don't count Curtis the Lifeguard).  This happened at age 18.  My love had matured, but not dimmed.

Also ran around a grocery store late at night after Hugh Grant, who was in Baltimore for... God, I can't even remember.  It might have been a John Waters premiere.  We followed him at a distance, hiding in the frozen vegetables, grabbing a magazine to hide behind.  Very cloak-and-dagger.  Hugh-and-frozenpeas.

Talked briefly to Elton John outside the Royal Academy of Music in London, which is right down the street from Madame Tussaud's, where he made an appearance for a wax-figure premiere-thingy, and was headed on foot, with small entourage, for Regent's Park.

What is it with these pasty Brit boys?

NOW:
One of the above stories is false.  Which one????

Offline ednbarby

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #16 on: May 26, 2006, 03:33:01 pm »
I've spotted several folks, too, but never had the inclination/guts to try to speak to them:

- Steve Winwood in the Miami Airport about 10 years ago

- Denis Leary in LAX about 10 years ago

- Tim Roth at the Ft. Lauderdale Int'l Film Festival about 6 years ago - screened a film he'd directed called "The War Zone" and he did a Q&A afterwards - he's a very small, very slight man - no taller than 5'7", I'd say, and very thin.

- Matthew Modine walking by with his daughter in her school uniform in 2000 in the Village, near Washington Square Park - he's VERY tall - I'd hazard a guess at 6'2" or 6'3"

- Chris Noth in the heart of Broadway after a matinee play crossing at the same crosswalk and walking in the same direction as Ed and me for a couple blocks - he was wearing a jacket and tie and looked to be escorting his parents (a considerably older couple) to dinner.  He's tallish, but not as tall as I'd have thought - more like 5'10".

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Offline j.U.d.E.

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #17 on: May 26, 2006, 05:13:54 pm »
Also ran around a grocery store late at night after Hugh Grant, who was in Baltimore for... God, I can't even remember.  It might have been a John Waters premiere.  We followed him at a distance, hiding in the frozen vegetables, grabbing a magazine to hide behind.  Very cloak-and-dagger.  Hugh-and-frozenpeas.

NOW:
One of the above stories is false.  Which one????
For some strange reason, THIS Hugh-chase sounds phoney..  :laugh:

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Offline henrypie

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #18 on: May 26, 2006, 05:34:09 pm »
Wheee!
Nope, the Hugh-chase was real.

I almost forgot: Pope John Paul II.  He was pretty famous.  He blessed me.  And, like thousands of others.  But I was about three feet from him.

Offline j.U.d.E.

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #19 on: May 26, 2006, 05:41:56 pm »
Wheee!
Nope, the Hugh-chase was real.
Really?! What the hell were you thinking about!?  ;D  ;D

I almost forgot: Pope John Paul II.  He was pretty famous.  He blessed me.  And, like thousands of others.  But I was about three feet from him.
Pretty amazing!

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Offline David

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #20 on: May 26, 2006, 05:43:35 pm »
The only famous person I was ever near was our own KirkMusic.    ;D

I sat in the front row during one of his shows.  So I must have been only a few feet from him.     And to think I had to fly back home over 3000 miles to see his abs!
  HA HA HA!    :laugh:

Offline MaineWriter

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #21 on: May 26, 2006, 06:14:06 pm »
Wheee!
Nope, the Hugh-chase was real.

I almost forgot: Pope John Paul II.  He was pretty famous.  He blessed me.  And, like thousands of others.  But I was about three feet from him.

I saw Pope John Paul II in Chicago back in 1979...sorta...funny story associated with that one.
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Offline j.U.d.E.

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #22 on: May 26, 2006, 06:28:16 pm »
I saw Pope John Paul II in Chicago back in 1979...sorta...funny story associated with that one.
Do tell!

I almost saw him once in New York City. He was scheduled for a visit in a church(?) not far from where I stayed, but he cancelled hours before, due to illness (so we were told). This was 1994, if I remember well.

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Offline henrypie

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #23 on: May 26, 2006, 07:02:33 pm »
About Hugh, I was thinking hmm, he's taller than I thought, and he looks tired.  Poor Hughy-poo.

Hey, what about the Bishop of the Delaware-Maryland synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Gerard Knoche?  Is he famous?  I've spoken to him on several occasions.  What about the King's Singers?  Dave Brubeck?  Peter Schikele?  I've done concerts with them.

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #24 on: May 26, 2006, 07:14:16 pm »
  Peter Schikele?  I've done concerts with them.
Peter Schikele? The Peter Schikele of 'P.D.Q. Bach' fame? He's definitely famous in my book! My sister adored him, and collected the requisite books and LP's. Feel free to share more detail on your acquaintance--it could make riveting travel conversation!

 :)
Scott

Offline sparkle_motion

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #25 on: May 26, 2006, 10:31:46 pm »
Sarah, I'll bet you never spoke with Elton.

I love that Daniel Powter song, the had a bad day one.
...then you ask me about Mexico and tell me you'll kill me for needing somethin' I don't hardly never get.

Offline henrypie

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #26 on: May 26, 2006, 10:33:38 pm »
Oops it's Schickele.
Well, he's not an acquaintance, just someone I've shared the stage with.  Baltimore Choral Arts Society did "Oedipus Tex" a while back and he played Tex himself.  Quite an amusing production.  Togas!  I was just a chorister.


That's right, Elton was a fabrication, Sparkle.

Offline Shuggy

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #27 on: May 28, 2006, 12:35:42 am »
Well, ego trip time.
I met Ian McKellen and interviewed him for an hour on our gay programme. What a lovely man! Then we went to a gay party when shooting of LotR finished, and Peter J came too. (No, he isn't.) There's a picture of me in a spa pool, with Ian McKellen. Sadly, the comma is meaningful: he wasn't in it. Just before the world premiere of RotK, a week after I met my Tim (our first date), we went to a gay reception for him at Premier House (~The White House) organised by one of our gay MPs.

I met Armistead Maupin in 1988 when I was in SF - just rang him up and said "I'm a fan of yours from New Zealand, I'd like to meet you" and he invited me up. I stayed for more than an hour. So when he came to NZ I gave him the same present Mrs Madrigal gives newcomers, and we got this pic taken at a book launch of "Significant Others" (which I've just noticed is dedicated to Ian McK) on March 15, 1990 (he autographed my copy "with warm regards").

But my favourite "touched by greatness" story is going to hear Alessandra Marc sing the Liebstod from Tristan and the Immolation Scene from Götterdämmerung. We were in the second row and when it finished, I called out "Bravi!" and she frowned a little, so I called out "Brava!" and she turned (no small thing, she's a big lady) and gave me a special bow all to myself.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2006, 01:24:19 am by Shuggy »

Offline kirkmusic

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #28 on: May 28, 2006, 05:18:23 am »
What do you know?  David Hyde Pierce came to see our show last night.  Came backstage to say hello afterwords.  He loved it.  He and his 3 friends were the only ones who stood at the end.

Offline JCinNYC2006

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #29 on: May 28, 2006, 11:20:43 am »
At a job I had a several years ago, my boss would start off the weekly staff meetings with Celebrity Watch.  If you saw someone famous you had to report your siting.  Since it's New York you do see people on and off and don't always think about it, especially if you don't talk to them.

When I was younger, if I saw a celebrity and went up to them, I tended to scare them off with my enthusiasm.  I did this once to Jennifer Beals, post-Flashdance, way pre-L Word, in Washington Square Park (she practically ran) and Boy George in the Limelight club (he was with an entourage).  But my favorite celeb encounter was someone I didn't wind up meeting. 

Out of the blue I called writer David Rakoff (he's listed) to tell him what a big fan I am, what's he working on, etc.  Almost met for coffee but it never happened.  But he was pretty nice the whole time. I actually left him a message and he called back using caller ID!

Juan
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Offline opinionista

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #30 on: May 28, 2006, 03:08:41 pm »
Quote
At a job I had a several years ago, my boss would start off the weekly staff meetings with Celebrity Watch.  If you saw someone famous you had to report your siting.  Since it's New York you do see people on and off and don't always think about it, especially if you don't talk to them.

That's true. When I lived in NY I saw celebrities from time to time but didn't really think about it or cared. I ran into Harvey Keitel with his son in SOHO a couple of times, and even had Robert Downey jr. getting mad at me for blocking his way to the candy bars at a store. I was having a hard time choosing what I wanted and didn't realize he was behind me. I have a hearing disability and didn't hear him say "excuse me". He was very rude, but I forgave him because it was during those days when he was having trouble with his drug addiction and the law.

I also saw Keanu Reeves getting off a cab on 5th avenue, across from where I was. My cousin, who was with me at the moment, crossed the street like a mad woman to get his autograph, but failed because he disappeared quickly into a building.

Then, some other time I was at the elevator of the building I used to work in with a co worker and a third person I didn't recognize. When he got off my co worker, who had gotten excited all of a sudden, told me it was Tony Danza. I couldn't believe I didn't recognized him after being a fan of Who's the Boss for so long. Now I hate the show, but I used to like it.

I guess that New York has some turn off effect on me regarding celebrity sightings, because now that I'm in Madrid, I get happy when I see someone famous, though I never bother them. But in NYC, I didn't give a damn, honestly.
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement. -Mark Twain.

Offline opinionista

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #31 on: June 05, 2006, 03:41:26 pm »
I just saw Pedro Almodovar! Didn't speak to him but seems nice. He's short!
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement. -Mark Twain.

Offline starboardlight

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #32 on: June 05, 2006, 06:59:02 pm »
Living in LA, i've actually encountered quite a few famous people, even discounting those Q&A's, book/cd signings or promotional appearances. My one story begins with "John Lithgow bought me a latte." Through college, I worked at Jimmy's, one of the on campus coffee houses at UCLA. We often get actors coming in since the Theater/Film department is nearby, and Hollywood actors/director often give seminars or guest lectures. There were also young actors who attend UCLA. I remember locking eyes with Chad Allen once while walking across campus. Any how, John Lithgow came in and order two lattes. I made them, rang him up. He picked the drinks to leave, then turn back, and gave one to me. He explained that he was meeting his wife and had bought the coffee for himself and for her. As he was about to go look for her, he sudden see that she had already arrived before he did and had already gotten herself a drink. So no, he didn't actually intend to buy me a latte, but technically, he bought one and gave it to me.
"To do is to be." Socrates. - "To be is to do." Plato. - "Do be do be do" Sinatra.

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #33 on: June 05, 2006, 07:06:50 pm »
I just saw Pedro Almodovar! Didn't speak to him but seems nice. He's short!
I was struck by how short Antonio Banderas was when I saw him in a Barnes & Noble some years back.
« Last Edit: February 26, 2008, 06:10:46 pm by moremojo »

Offline starboardlight

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #34 on: June 05, 2006, 07:10:14 pm »
wow! shuggy. As an LotR fan, I'm totally jealous. Both Jackson and Ian. Did you get to meet any of the other cast members? Were they shooting at the time? Actually I did meet Ian back in the mid 90's. It was pride weekend in West Hollywood. My friends and I managed to get ourselves into the Abbey and he was sitting there by himself, apparently waiting for his friends to get drinks.
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Offline starboardlight

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #35 on: June 05, 2006, 07:17:21 pm »
About Hugh, I was thinking hmm, he's taller than I thought, and he looks tired.  Poor Hughy-poo.

Hey, what about the Bishop of the Delaware-Maryland synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Gerard Knoche?  Is he famous?  I've spoken to him on several occasions.  What about the King's Singers?  Dave Brubeck?  Peter Schikele?  I've done concerts with them.

Dave Brubeck, definitely. Don't suppose you got a taping of that performance, do you?
"To do is to be." Socrates. - "To be is to do." Plato. - "Do be do be do" Sinatra.

Offline Ellemeno

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #36 on: June 05, 2006, 07:18:04 pm »
and this guy from the UK. 

You guys could have made him a tampon hat.  Maybe I'll sit where he sat.  Next week!!

Offline Ellemeno

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #37 on: June 05, 2006, 07:20:09 pm »
.

Very tasteful t-shirt, Hugh.  I'm pleased that I know who both those people with you are.

Offline Ellemeno

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #38 on: June 05, 2006, 07:23:25 pm »
You guys have cool stories. I myself am surrounded by an anti-celebrity force field........by the end just about everyone in town was practically on their Christmas card list. Never saw em.

Here in Seattle, we are surrounded by water, and by actual orca pods that live here.  Everyone else has seen at least one wild orca.  Not me.  And I want to so bad.  I had a guest from out of town.  She took one 20 minute ferry ride and came home raving about the orcas she saw.  Why not me?  Why can't I see them?

Offline starboardlight

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #39 on: June 05, 2006, 07:27:32 pm »
Here in Seattle, we are surrounded by water, and by actual orca pods that live here.  Everyone else has seen at least one wild orca.  Not me.  And I want to so bad.  I had a guest from out of town.  She took one 20 minute ferry ride and came home raving about the orcas she saw.  Why not me?  Why can't I see them?
ah yes, a whale sighting is so much more impressive than celeb sighting. in my rowing days, I saw a whale once. My partner and I were in a pair shell and we ventured out of the marina pass the break wall, and looking down the coast, we suddenly saw a whale come up for air and then down again. it was pretty amazing.
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Offline Ellemeno

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #40 on: June 05, 2006, 07:49:17 pm »
I grew up in Manhattan, where it's hard to avoid famous faces.  Here goes:

In the 60s:
John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon (as a kid) - saw them walking down the street.
Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Ben Stiller (as a kid) - they stood in back of me in line at a museum once. 
David Bowie, Iman - I followed them walking slowly down Madison for a few blocks (my last stalker-type experience - it didn't feel right).   
Charlie Chaplin - I was introduced to him at a friend's house as a child.  That friend is now quite famous and both her parents are extremely famous (though not Charlie Chaplin-famous), and I don't think I should say their names.
John F. Kennedy - he used to stay at the Hotel Carlyle across the street from my nursery (as we called them in those days) school.  He kneeled down on one knee and put me on his knee and talked to me for a minute..  As an adult I read about his Addison's Disease, and wonder how he could have done that.
Kurt Waldheim (pre-knowledge that he was a Nazi) - his daughter went to my school.  Several famous people's kids went to that school. 

In the 70s:
Stevie Wonder - lived across the street from my school for 8th and 9th grade.  I saw him quite often.  He didn't see me.  He was always surrounded by at least 8 people with him.

Um, who else?  We're only talking about people we happened upon, not people we went to go see in concert or on stage, right?  I'm blanking for now.  I'll come back when I remember more.  JFK, John Lennon, and Charlie Chaplin - they are my personal big ones.




Offline delalluvia

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #41 on: June 05, 2006, 08:28:11 pm »
Quote
In the 70s:
Stevie Wonder - lived across the street from my school for 8th and 9th grade.  I saw him quite often.  He didn't see me.  He was always surrounded by at least 8 people with him.

I wouldn't feel bad.  I don't think little Stevie saw ANYone.  :P

Offline Ellemeno

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #42 on: June 05, 2006, 08:33:10 pm »
I wouldn't feel bad.  I don't think little Stevie saw ANYone.  :P

(That was my joke, dela)

Offline delalluvia

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #43 on: June 05, 2006, 08:35:36 pm »
(That was my joke, dela)

oops, sorry!  ;D

Offline Ellemeno

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #44 on: June 05, 2006, 08:45:25 pm »
Well, you know what they say, truth is an iron bride.  :)

Offline henrypie

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #45 on: June 06, 2006, 04:18:57 pm »
Hey Starby and Hutch,
I don't have any recordings of Dave Brubeck with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, but he's done a number of concerts with them and I'm sure they're all on tape somewhere....

I thought of a few more famous people, at least in the world of classical music, whom I've worked with --

I had coachings or rep classes or master classes with Julius Drake (pianist, brilliant accompanist), Ian Partridge (tenor), John Shirley-Quirk (bass -- he premiered a lot of roles in Benjamin Britten's operas), Paul Esswood (countertenor), Leon Fleisher (pianist).  I consider all of them famous.  My tummy went a-flutter with Julius Drake... but that was more because he's a hottie, in a rumpled sort of way.

Clarissa, your list is so interesting.  May I steal from it when I write my memoir?

Offline Becky

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #46 on: June 06, 2006, 04:57:09 pm »
I suppose the BAFTAs don't actually count cause I didn't actually meet them, I just looked at them and shouted a bit. All of you who have seen my pictures will know I saw alot of Backs and even a few backs of heads! ;D

Anyway here are all the people I can think of now:

Pierce Brosnan, Jude Law, Rupert Grint, Neve Cambelle, Christina Richie,(although she was quite a bitch and was serinded by the crowd with "The Adams Family" theme tune when she wouldn't turn round), John Hurt(Who was really nice and even commented on my BBM banner), PSH, Patrick stuart(his head is so shiny), Ziyi Zhang, Charlize Theron(but from far away), Clooney's head( I only knew it was him cause of the grey hair), Jake and Heath's heads and the one I am most proud of: Richard Bacon! Hahaha :laugh: Most of you wont know who he is but Kelda might, anyway I was joking.

I will probably think of a few more in a minute, but I will update it if I do.
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Offline JCinNYC2006

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #47 on: June 07, 2006, 01:27:59 pm »
I had the BEST celeb sighting last night!  I was out with a friend at a bar in Chelsea and got into a cab to head home.  I get in and there's this really nice looking phone on the seat, so I figured, the person's gonna call, I'll figure out how to give it back at some point.  We had to make a stop so we barely took the cab like, around the corner, and the phone starts ringing over and over.  The ring tone was Big Poppa by Notorious BIG, so I thought, whoever owns this is cool!

Well with the stop finished, the phone rings again so I finally answer it.  The person says, oh are you in a cab?  I said, no but I found your phone in one, luckily for you we didn't go far, where are you?  He says, 9th and 23rd, and I said, oh! We're on 24th and 7th, we can meet you at 8th and 23rd.  He says oh thanks man, I'm wearing a red baseball cap.

So we walk over to the Gap on 8th Avenue, my friend and I wait for a minute or two.  This sexy guy in shorts, red cap, sweat jacket and flip flops is approaching the corner, so I wave, and he waves.  He crosses the street and approaches us, and now, he sounded kinda sexy on the phone, deep voice, kinda homeboyish.  He gets closer, he's smiling to get his phone back and I go, Oh my @!#$%% God, it's you!  My friend had no idea who is was....it was Bobby Cannavale!!  I was tipsy and I was like, this guy's a great actor!  He's all, oh thanks, and thanks so much for the phone.  He asks, is it condescending to offer you a reward?  I was like, oh man the reward was that it was you!  (OK so I was quite tipsy!)

He's not a household name, but he's been on lots of TV shows (the bodyguard who comes on to Keith on Six Feet Under, a boyfriend of Will's, etc.)  His bio is here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0134072/ and here's a pic of him: .  I was so star struck, even though it was already late as anything, I was sooo excited for the rest of the night!

Juan
What is essential, is invisible to the eye....

Offline Ellemeno

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #48 on: June 07, 2006, 03:20:12 pm »
He's the actor who plays the guy with the bad-tasting "funky spunk" on Sex and the City that Samantha goes down on.  Some might remember him that way.  He IS very cute. 

Offline Kelda

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #49 on: June 08, 2006, 04:10:01 am »
He's the actor who plays the guy with the bad-tasting "funky spunk" on Sex and the City that Samantha goes down on.  Some might remember him that way.  He IS very cute. 

VERY cute Juan.. *growls*
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Offline Kelda

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #50 on: June 08, 2006, 04:12:04 am »

 and the one I am most proud of: Richard Bacon! Hahaha :laugh: Most of you wont know who he is but Kelda might, anyway I was joking.

mwhahahahahahahahahhahhhhhh!!
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Offline starboardlight

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #51 on: June 08, 2006, 12:04:12 pm »
He's the actor who plays the guy with the bad-tasting "funky spunk" on Sex and the City that Samantha goes down on.  Some might remember him that way.  He IS very cute. 

yes! funky spunk! he is a cutie.
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Offline Shuggy

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #52 on: June 12, 2006, 07:59:28 pm »
Very tasteful t-shirt, Hugh.
I bought the t-shirt for $3 NZ (about $2 US) at a street stall, and gave it away to a stange woman who begged it of me at the Big Gay Out (a sort of Pride Fair), because I was feeling karmic. She gave me her long-sleeved one in exchange. Unfortunately I can't replicate it for http://www.cafepress.com/wero because of Hard Rock Cafe's copyright.

Quote
I'm pleased that I know who both those people with you are.
Yes, no-one has ever looked at that picture and said "Who are those guys with you, Hugh?"

Offline MaineWriter

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #53 on: June 13, 2006, 05:44:08 am »
Apparently there was a golf fundraiser here in Maine recently (hard to believe since it has been raining for weeks but I guess it cleared up for a few minutes). A friend was participating and among the players were George Bush (dad, not the prez), Barbara Bush, Bill Clinton, and Tom Brady.

Most people were most excited about Tom Brady, btw.

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Offline kudzudaddy

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #54 on: June 13, 2006, 06:57:56 am »
It was back in the 70s in New York.  I had been to an audition in some tall skyscraper.  I stepped into the elevator which was empty except for -- Leontyne Price.  I got in.  Tongue-tied, I finally found the courage to ask, "Excuse me, aren't you Leontine Price?"  She turned her head slowly and looked down her nose at me (she is tall, statuesque)  "Well," she drawled, "I'm what's left of her."
I blithered on about what a fan I was (her voice was a true wonder) finally asking if she would be playing Bess in the Met's then upcoming production of Porgy and Bess.

"No, honey," she replied, "... one trip to Catfish Row is enough!"

With that we arrrived at the lobby, the elevator doors opened and she sailed out like a frigate under sail.

Fast forward to the late 60s.   I'm early for an audition at one of those very large rehearsal studios.  I'm hanging in the hallway... waiting for my name to be called.  Down the long hallway comes Teresa Stratas -- she was rehearsing for a show called "Rags" at the time...  she was wearing a large rehearsal skirt and was deeply focussed on something, looking neither to the right or left, walking slowly down the hallway.  As she passed me, I blurted out, "Ms. Stratas, I have to tell you that "La Traviata" is not only the best Opera film ever made (Starring Stratas and Domingo, directed by Zeffirelli) but one of the best films, period!"

Silence.  She made no acknowledgement, merely kept walking slowly down the hall.  Having lived in NYC for a long time, I accepted this...  She was clearly "working" on something.... oblivious to her surroundings.  I watched her traverse the long hall, enjoying my brush with greatness.

As she approached the corner, she turned her head very slightly in my direction.

"... always nice to hear..."  she chirped.  And disappeared around the corner.


Offline kudzudaddy

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #55 on: June 13, 2006, 07:02:52 am »
It was back in the 70s in New York.  I had been to an audition in some tall skyscraper.  I stepped into the elevator which was empty except for -- Leontyne Price.  I got in.  Tongue-tied, I finally found the courage to ask, "Excuse me, aren't you Leontine Price?"  She turned her head slowly and looked down her nose at me (she is tall, statuesque)  "Well," she drawled, "I'm what's left of her."
I blithered on about what a fan I was (her voice was a true wonder) finally asking if she would be playing Bess in the Met's then upcoming production of Porgy and Bess.

"No, honey," she replied, "... one trip to Catfish Row is enough!"

With that we arrrived at the lobby, the elevator doors opened and she sailed out like a frigate under sail.

Fast forward to the late 80s.   I'm early for an audition at one of those very large rehearsal studios.  I'm hanging in the hallway... waiting for my name to be called.  Down the long hallway comes Teresa Stratas -- she was rehearsing for a show called "Rags" at the time...  she was wearing a large rehearsal skirt and was deeply focussed on something, looking neither to the right or left, walking slowly down the hallway.  As she passed me, I blurted out, "Ms. Stratas, I have to tell you that "La Traviata" is not only the best Opera film ever made (Starring Stratas and Domingo, directed by Zeffirelli) but one of the best films, period!"

Silence.  She made no acknowledgement, merely kept walking slowly down the hall.  Having lived in NYC for a long time, I accepted this...  She was clearly "working" on something.... oblivious to her surroundings.  I watched her traverse the long hall, enjoying my brush with greatness.

As she approached the corner, she turned her head very slightly in my direction.

"... always nice to hear..."  she chirped.  And disappeared around the corner.

moremojo

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #56 on: June 13, 2006, 01:57:55 pm »
It was back in the 70s in New York.  I had been to an audition in some tall skyscraper.  I stepped into the elevator which was empty except for -- Leontyne Price.  I got in.  Tongue-tied, I finally found the courage to ask, "Excuse me, aren't you Leontine Price?"  She turned her head slowly and looked down her nose at me (she is tall, statuesque)  "Well," she drawled, "I'm what's left of her."
I blithered on about what a fan I was (her voice was a true wonder) finally asking if she would be playing Bess in the Met's then upcoming production of Porgy and Bess.

"No, honey," she replied, "... one trip to Catfish Row is enough!"

With that we arrrived at the lobby, the elevator doors opened and she sailed out like a frigate under sail.

Fast forward to the late 80s.   I'm early for an audition at one of those very large rehearsal studios.  I'm hanging in the hallway... waiting for my name to be called.  Down the long hallway comes Teresa Stratas -- she was rehearsing for a show called "Rags" at the time...  she was wearing a large rehearsal skirt and was deeply focussed on something, looking neither to the right or left, walking slowly down the hallway.  As she passed me, I blurted out, "Ms. Stratas, I have to tell you that "La Traviata" is not only the best Opera film ever made (Starring Stratas and Domingo, directed by Zeffirelli) but one of the best films, period!"

Silence.  She made no acknowledgement, merely kept walking slowly down the hall.  Having lived in NYC for a long time, I accepted this...  She was clearly "working" on something.... oblivious to her surroundings.  I watched her traverse the long hall, enjoying my brush with greatness.

As she approached the corner, she turned her head very slightly in my direction.

"... always nice to hear..."  she chirped.  And disappeared around the corner.

True divas, in every sense of the word. Thanks for those interesting stories, kudzu. Price and Stratas are both living legends, and I congratulate you on your close encounters with those grande dames. My friend Mark remembers the frisson he would get from visiting a shopping mall in Dallas that Maria Callas had been known to patronize.

Cheers, from sometimes opera queen Scott ;)

Offline bbm_stitchbuffyfan

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Re: Famous People.
« Reply #57 on: June 13, 2006, 03:37:25 pm »
Juan's story made me think, "what if I ever met one of the few celebrities who I really cherish... and I was wasted?"

Just imagine, it'd be my chance to gush to Ang Lee or Heath or Jake about how incredible Brokeback is, etc. and I'd make an ass out of myself.  :laugh:
If you'd just realize what I just realized then we'd be perfect for each other and we'd never have to wonder if we missed out on each other now
We missed out on each other now


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