Coolest celebrity encounter?

[LuckyTheDog]

I have had many. The coolest was Weird Al Yankovic. Nice, down-to-earth guy.

[TrogL]

1. Shook Keith Emerson's hand

I've got big hands. His enveloped mine like mine were a baby's. No wonder I can't play half his stuff.

[HopeHoops]

2. Phil Collins, 1982

Well, it was cool, but it was also sad. A buddy of mine found out where he would be staying and we intercepted him. He showed up in a dark green Ford Fairmont with Tony Banks and Chester Thompson. My girlfriend of 2 1/2 years had died in a car accident the previous night and I had tickets to that night's show. "Afterglow" was "our song". I got a hug out of it.

On Edit:

Yes, I did go to the show. It was at the end of a chain of songs (typical Genesis approach) so he didn't say anything, but I could tell he was thinking about it while he sang.

[LostInAnomie]

3. My uncle met Waylon Jennings in a bar once.

He didn't know who he was at first. They just bullshitted for a couple of hours and Waylon was really interested in my uncle's work (he was a railroad conductor). When Waylon had to leave, he settled both their tabs and gave my uncle a couple of tickets to his show.

[NightWatcher]

8. My friend's grandmom was friends with Charlie Daniels

and we got to meet him when he came to town for annual concerts.

[SteppingRazor]

4. When Harold and Kumar met Neil Patrick Harris. n/t

[Ava]

6. ha

love that movie :rofl:

i was disappointed by the sequel though.

[Ava]

5. Obama

met him backstage at a speech and got to speak with him for a few minutes and take a couple pictures... absolutely awesome experience.

[LuckyTheDog]

10. I met Obama ...

...when he was a candidate -- for state senate. I liked him then and still do.

[NewJeffCT]

32. And, any DUers who have met you can claim you as a celeb

as well...

[NightWatcher]

7. I ran into Clint Eastwood in the craft services tent.

Craft services was proud of having a big spread for lunch, and Clint (complete in uncomfortably short shorts) said (as Dirty Harry) "can I get a couple of hotdogs?". I was behind him and laughed outloud, he turned and I got him to autograph a picture I had from a movie still of The Good The Bad and The Ugly.

He was very cool

[Iris]

9. Dave Matthews - I was the cool one.

I ran into him while Christmas shopping in Atlanta and pretty much dismissed him. The reason I ran into him? Because I was busy looking at the gorgeous woman with him and he was in front of her. She might be his wife now.

[Mike 03]

11. A few come to mind. If I don't know a celebrity, I NEVER bother them.

1. Seeing Adam Baldwin with his son on the fantasyland boat ride at Disneyland, after having seen him recently as the terrifying "Animal Mother" in FULL METAL JACKET.

2. Seeing Robin Williams at a Waldenbooks store in Beverly Hills. He was with his son too. He could see we recognized him, and he sort of winked, as if he was thanking us for leaving him alone, but acknowledging that we really liked him as an artist.

3. As a film school student, seeing Jack Nicholson getting a tour of the film school and we all knew he was there to donate money. We left the guy alone, but it was so incredible to see him just wandering around the edit room, the quad, the old studios.

I think how impressed one is has a lot to do with how young you are. Over time, if you live in Los Angeles, you get more accustomed to seeing celebrities.

[KittyWampus]

12. Kathleen Turner, she's very, very down-to-earth. Alec Baldwin can turn on the charisma

to such a high extent that I think he's intentionally doing it.

Joe Wiseman and his wife Pearl Lang are sweet and unassuming.

[hippywife]

13. Once a very, very long time ago

a friend of mine worked in a nice bar and grill on Clark St. in Chicago. I was visiting her and waiting for her to get off so we could walk home and Jim Belushi was waiting for his friend the bartender to get off work, too. He was trying to quit smoking and had been sitting at the end of the bar all evening puffing on a rolled up napkin. LOL It started pouring down rain and they offered to drive us home. I sat in back with Jim and he sang Paper Doll in my ear all the way there and that was the end of it. It was my birthday and he was leaving to go on the road with the Pirates of Penzance but
he called in and reserved tickets for us at Second City for the next night.

[hippywife]

35. Oops!

Make that Satin Doll. Sorry, brain fart. :blush: :rofl:

[tigereye]

14. Mick Jagger, I kid you not

He and Jerry Hall were in the popcorn line at a local theater to see Sex Lies and Videotape. This was awhile ago. It was during one of their tours. I was shocked.

He was very short and very craggy. She was gorgeous. I was waiting for my friend, who was late, otherwise I would not have seen them. They walked right by me and I nodded, rather coolly, I thought.


After the movie, word must have gotten around that they were there and folks ran up the aisles after them. I did not. They got into a smallish limo and drove away.

[RiffRandell]

15. Ramones and Milo from the Descendents.

Dee-Dee was the most talkative (yeah me and 2 of my friends got back stage in Prov in 1988) and then my husband and I talked to Milo when he was walking around the Warped tour in 1997.

I did shake Bill Clinton's hand in 1992, but I prefer the above.

[charlie and algernon]

16. meeting Obama was certainly cool, but the leadup to seeing John Kerry was awsome

I got to be one of the people in the background on stage during an Obama rally in 2006 and he shook everyone's hand, which was certianly VERY cool. But seeing Kerry in 2004 was awsome. Kerry was holding a rally at a local community college and I got there hours before hand, yet was one of at least a thousand people that wasn't able to get into the hall. So we were all still standing around outside the building and when we saw Kerry walk by inside, everyone started chanting his name. It should be known that this was right when he was supposed to start the rally. Next thing we knew, Secret Service agents came outside and quickly set up a rope line. Instead of starting the rally on time, Kerry comes OUTSIDE, shakes a bunch of hands, including mine, then rushes back in for the rally. that was incredibly cool and Kerry solidified hundreds of votes with that little detour.

[whistler162]

17. Never have.. closest I have come is

some prep work for when exGov. Spitzer visited our company. Giving a MS Office CD to the guy who was liasoning between our company and First Lady Hillary Clinton when she and her people stayed at the company condo.

Heck, I never even met my ex-step brother, his mother passed away shortly after my dad and her where married(nice lady), who plays bass for a fairly well known country artist with hits in the 70's and 80's.

[arcadian]

18. Jesus

He's shorter in real life.

[txwhitedove]

19. Ha, best laugh today!

:rofl:

[GReedDiamond]

20. Madonna...

...Timothy Leary, Leonardo DiCaprio, Val Kilmer, Henry Rollins, Exene Cervenka, Stan Ridgway, and, yes, Weird Al too, to name a few I could readily remember.

I did a Leary comic book with George DiCaprio (Leo's dad), and we met with Leary in the course of working on the artwork and script. We had a beer with the Doctor. The title of the comic is "Timothy Leary Neurocomics", it was published by Last Gasp in 1979, and it's sometimes available on ebay. I first met Leo when he was about four years old. My son's mom took Leo's first publicity photos in my art studio in Pasadena, CA, way back when. George is, literally, one of the finest, best people I have ever known, and his son is a very good person, too, as well as being an accomplished actor.

Madonna, I've worked on costume graphics for her several times, the first time in 1984, the last in 2001. She is very petite, but somewhat intimidating nonetheless. I have a lot of respect for Madonna.

Val Kilmer, met him when he was rehearsing live music (with the other actors who played the rest of The Doors), that was to be incorporated into the "Doors" move, for which I did some costume graphics. He was in full character mode, so it was more like meeting Jim Morrison than Val Kilmer, I suppose. I was told he stays in character, even off the set, through the duration of any given project.

The original bass player of my punk band circa 1980-82 has professional relationships, and is also friends with, Stan Ridgway (Wall of Voodoo), Weird Al, and Exene of X, which is how I met them. I also have another connection to X, through Top Jimmy, which you can read about in the thread linked-to at the bottom of this comment.

I met Henry Rollins when my band played with Black Flag outside the Federal Building in Los Angeles at a July 3-4 "California Marijuana Initiative" smoke-in, 1983.

And, oh yeah, I "met" Kermit the Frog when I was working on costume graphics for the movie "The Phantom," which starred Billy Zane. I had a meeting with some folks at The Creature Shop, and Kermit was sitting on a shelf. I said "hello" to Kermit, but I guess he was too cool to say anything to me, or in any way acknowledge my presence.

I guess when you live in L.A. for 30+ years and work on the fringes of the entertainment biz and are active in the music scene, it increases the likelihood of running into the celebrity types.

My "obscure celebrity encounters" are on this other Lounge thread, started, I think, yesterday:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=8871954&mesg_id=8872170

[Kat45]

21. Lemmy. Can't get much cooler than him.

I was backstage at a multi-band outdoor bill, which included Motorhead. I had previously done a phone interview with Phil Campbell (his guitarist) for an article I wrote about the band. Lemmy was hanging out with a few young women, and I walked right up to him and introduced myself. We shook hands and chatted for a couple of minutes; he seemed like a nice guy. I couldn't believe that I actually walked right up to him and introduced myself, because I don't usually have the cojones to do something like that. :D

[Zavulon]

36. I thought I had a cool story, but it doesn't get cooler than Lemmy.

Some years ago I was flying to London from New York, and there was a guy next to me at the window seat, sleeping for most of the flight. He was fast asleep, or so I thought, before I got to my seat. He was turned towards the window and I had no idea who he was until about a half hour before we landed, when he woke up. I still wasn't paying attention until I saw a stewardess (or whatever they're called these days) rush up to him and ask if he wanted his meal.

I thought that was a bit strange - my experience in flying, even in first class, is that if you sleep through a meal, tough shit. Go hungry until you land. My first thought: is this guy the airline's CEO or something?

I turned and leaned forward just enough to see who Mr. VIP was. It was Harrison Ford.

The first thing he asks me as I stare wide-eyed at him: "I take it you know who I am?"

"Yes, I do."

"Well, I want to thank you for letting me sleep. Not everyone does that on these flights."

"No problem. One question, if you don't mind?"

"Sure."

"I didn't even know it was you until you woke up. Were you really asleep the whole time?"

He laughed and said "Hell, no."

For those last few minutes before we landed, we had a pretty cool chat. I wasn't a huge fan of his before that, but I am now.

[dropkickpa]

37. Shit

Lemmiy IS god.

[Mad_Dem_X]

39. My husband will be so jealous!

He loves Lemmy and Motorhead.

[cemaphonic]

22. I saw Dale Chihuly at the mall buying X-Box games a few years ago

Always struck me as amusing for some reason.

Nicest were probably Neville Marriner and Dan Savage (who I used to run into on a fairly regular basis)

[RoyGBiv]

23. Hank Williams Jr.

I was a kid, about 13 I think. I had *no* idea who he was.

My mom and grandma were doing a craft fair thing in a stadium-like place that was being used for a concert that evening. I was bored out of my mind but found a puzzle and a hand-crafted checkers set at one of the tables. The opening act was down near the floor doing sound checks, so I went down there to watch and play with my stuff.

This guy in a hat and sunglasses came by, talked to me, asked me what was up. We chatted a bit about nothing, then he asked to see my stuff and finally wanted to know if I'd play a game of checkers with him. I did. He let me win I believe, and then he shook my hand and said he had to get back to work.

I saw him on television that night, which is when I realized who he was.

Never forget it.

[begin_within]

24. My dad met Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart at the same time.

My grandparents lived in Chevy Chase, Maryland and they were active members of the National Geographic Society. They went to all the monthly luncheons at the NGS headquarters in Washington DC. One time, my grandfather was sick, so my grandmother took my dad to the luncheon. He was about 13 or 14 at the time (this was the early 1930s, but I'm not sure exactly what year). The guest speaker at that luncheon was Amelia Earhart. Also, Eleanor Roosevelt was in attendance. When it was all over, my dad and his mother were walking through the hallways at NGS headquarters, and came upon Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart in a hallway, having a conversation. My grandmother introduced my dad to them and the 4 of them had a polite conversation for about 5 minutes. When he told me about this, he couldn't remember what they talked about, but it was a memory he cherished for the rest of his life.

[dana_b]

26. that's a winner

wow - not too many people can say that thay met two of the most renowned women of the time at the same time.

[Godhumor]

25. I regularly played an online game with Mercedes Lackey

Also...

Chatted with "The Misfits" on an international flight to Japan.

Met and chatted with Hikaru Utada for about an hour backstage at Liquid Night Club in Japan (She was making a surprise walk-on for a band). Ironically, I didn't have any idea who she was until I saw her music video in Akihabara.

Lots of encounters while living in Hawai'i.

Met Howard Dean on the subway into DC.


Of course, my wife ran into George Clooney at the Detroit airport, of all places, so she wins.

[dana_b]

27. also many

I used to be a flight attendant so celebrities were common, but I think being meeting all of Rage Against the Machine at a backstage party was a highlight for me. I really respect those guys and love their music.

oh - my friend has me beat though. She met John Lennon. sigh...

[abq e streeter]

28. Dixie Chicks in '92, Willie Dixon in '84, Bonnie Raitt in'74

these were the coolest ( also of many) because they were more than momentary, and because they were such nice people. Did a show with the Chicks before they were famous, and hung out with them in their RV during the down times ( alternating sets one afternoon and evening at the New Mexico State Fair) and watched each other play too. Willie Dixon was a gracious and hospitable man who invited our drummer and I to share his beer and barbecue ribs after a show that we'd opened for him. A living legend who treated us as if we were old friends. And Bonnie....down to earth and a real sweetheart ( as were the Chicks). And again, not just a brief encounter but she invited me and my friend Russ to hang out with her in her dressing room after her show; we were there about 20 minutes,just us 3, and actually invited us to go out drinking with her. But right then one of her people came in and said it was time to go back to the hotel. I'm pretty sure( although obviously I'll never know ) that had I played my cards right , and not been horrendously hung over when this occurred-(I may have turned green when she mentioned drinking), I and/or Russ could've gone back with her. Let that be a lesson about the evils of alcohol, you young DUers....I may very well have blown it with Bonnie Raitt because of being too hung over to seize that moment of once in a lifetime opportunity. Damn...

[Zomby Woof]

29. Bill Nye the Science Guy

I worked at a Barnes & Noble in the Seattle area back in the mid-90's. Bill Nye was a local fixture, thanks to KING-5's half-hour comedy skit program "Almost Live" (which was often superior to SNL, which followed at midnight for KING-5 viewers). By this time, he was making a national name for himself with his science-based program. I helped him set up his experiment/book presentation in the children's section. Nice, low-key guy, gracious, unpretentious.

Harry Anderson was a regular at our store - he was doing "Dave's World" at the time, so when he was home from taping on the weekends, he would accompany his wife and son to the store on weekends. He was completely into computer books, that was his hobby. I used to sell him audio tapes of classic radio programs too. Always paid cash, not very talkative, and I never let on one way or the other I knew who he was. The cool story about him was when I was ringing him up one slow Sunday, and another customer interrupted, wanting to know if he could get cheaper software than at the store we were linked to next door. Before I could answer, Harry interjected and recommended a store across the street. The customer thanked him nervously, because he recognized him, lol.

Harry Anderson is unexpectedly tall. I am 6'3", and I looked UP at him. He must be 6'5" or so. Thinking back on "Night Court", I realized he must have not been that short, being surrounded by Richard Moll ("Bull") and John Larroquette, who are both at least as tall.

[regnaD kciN]

30. He passed me a salad once...

I was standing next to him in line at the Queen Anne Pagliacci.

Coolest? According to my parents, I struck up a conversation with Zsa Zsa Gabor (about her dog) in a L.A. grocery store when I was four years old.

[Zomby Woof]

43. Queen Anne Pagliacci

They were the official food sponsor of Almost Live. Shows he was loyal, lol.

Glad Zsa Zsa didn't slap you! :o (sorry if that's an obscure reference!)

[NewJeffCT]

31. I met CaliforniaPeggy last summer

the first DUer I've met - and it was in NYC.

[conscious evolution]

33. Hip Hop artis Bobby Ray wants to film

a video at my place.Filming starts Monday night.
He seems to be a pretty nice guy.The song he is doing is pretty good,too.

[mrbill]

34. the runaways slept on my floor for two nights

Back in 1976 a Dallas music magazine sent me to take pictures of the Runaways (Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, Lita Ford, Sandy West and Jackie Fox) at the Electric Ballroom on Industrial.

Met the road manager, Carlos, and he told me that the money for expenses hadn't arrived from California and they were totally broke and had no place to stay.

Half joking, asked him if they wanted to crash at my photography studio up the street for the night and he accepted. The girls were real snarly at first but accepted their fate after a late night run to Jack-in-the-Box.

The next few days were a circus come to town.

[Mad_Dem_X]

38. I met Johnny Depp many moons ago

It was at an auto show in Philly. He was on "21 Jump Street," in his heartthrob phase. I looked at him, he smiled at me, and I couldn't speak. He must have thought I was an idiot. LOL But he was sooooooooo handsome and so nice.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

42. I never met Johnny Depp, but I do have something of an encounter with him second hand...

We went out to an Italian restaraunt and we noticed that the shopping center where it was located was unusually packed. People all over the place walking around. We actually had to park across the street it was so packed. So we go into the restaraunt and ask what was going on....apparently Johnny Depp has a band and it was playing at the club next door.

[no name no slogan]

40. I saw Bruce Willis at Planet Hollywood in the 80s

I walked up to him and punched him in the cock. What a jackass.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

41. Pete Rose at the Sports Authority near my house.

I didn't actually talk to him, but as I was walking in I see Pete Rose casually walking out, and I think to myself "Holy shit.....that's Pete Rose.....at the Sports Authority...."