Brushes with stardom: Meeting famous people thread

[GhostOfPelluer]

I'm sure some of you have some great stories about meeting famous people. I'd love to read some of them. I worked in special events in college so I actually got to meet quite a few famous musicians. But one of my favorites was just a few years ago:

My buddy is a roadie who has worked sound, lighting and stage production for a number of famous acts. He was with Rush, a longtime favorite of mine, a few years back and he knew I was a gigantic fan. So when the band came through Kansas City on tour he asked if I wanted to come see the show. Well it turned out that Kansas City was the last stop on that tour - it was the Clockwork Angels tour if I recall correctly. So the band actually had it's end of tour party for the crew in Kansas City the night before the final show. They rented out a bowling alley across the street from Sprint Center and had it catered with some of the best local BBQ and the band and crew partied there for a few hours. Turns out Neil Peart is a big bowler. My buddy was able to get me and my wife into the party.

It was pretty low key. Just a few drinks and food and bowling. Peart stayed at his lane the whole time bowling frame after frame. Alex Lifeson just sat at the bar and drank. But Geddy Lee was going around and socializing with everybody. Paul Rudd showed up and hung out for a while and he was pretty sociable, too. It was a pretty cool experience, especially for my wife who is a huge Rudd fan.

The show the next night was great, too. We had seats in the middle of the floor in the front row of the second section. Rudd made a cameo during the set where he "slapped the bass".

I saw the band play a few times over the years, too bad it will never happen again. They were fantastic live, even with everybody in their 60s.

 

[CouchCoach]

My favorite is meeting Jack Palance on a flight from LA to DFW in the late 70's. Back then I flew 1st class and he was sitting behind me and before we took off, I jumped around in my seat and introduced myself and the lady sitting next to him took quick notice and offered to change seats. She figured this was going to be worse than a kid kicking her seat for 3 hours.

This was right before they excluded pipes and cigars on flights. We start visiting and I am trying to be "normal" and not monopolize his time and I am not usually star struck but this man was the first great villain, he enjoyed being evil in Shane and he was bigger than life to me. As soon as we got in the air, he pulls out a Maduro and offers me one, I asked "is this to get me to shut up" and he laughed loudly and said he was enjoying the conversation.

He was really a nice guy and asked me about what I did and acted really interested since it was in the music field. The man is 6'5" and has an impressive presence about him and a voice that demanded attention but he said the entire year after Shane came out, he couldn't go into a bar without someone wanting to fight him. He really was the first really bad guy that enjoyed it and set the stage for a lot of other actors to personify evil and not apologize for it. And we all know, everybody loved Shane.

He told me a funny story that when he was in a bar/restaurant in LA, this guy starts ragging on him and trying to goad him into a fight and Alan Ladd comes up behind the guy and tells him to back off or he's going to take him outside and kick his butt. He said the guy almost swallowed his tongue and his only response was "but Shane". Ladd and Palance burst into laughter as everyone around them did and the guy joined in as well.

So we visit some more have a few more cocktails and when we land we walk to baggage claim, shake hands and I go to the side of the carousel next to the exit. It takes about 15 minutes for the bags to arrive and I can see people stirring as they recognize him and I can see a murmur in the crowd and people elbowing each other and nodding toward him. There were two flights on the carousel and it was packed with people. By the time the bags arrived, all eyes were on Jack and I don't know if he does this on purpose or not but when I got my bags, I waved over to him and he yells across the carousel " hey (my name) great to see you, take care".

Every head in that area whipped around and looked at me as they're trying to figure out 'who is this guy, should I know him'? I did a "see ya Jack" with a cute little salute like I'd known the man all of my life and swaggered out of that door like a king. I didn't even need my car to get home, I could have floated.

 

[jsb357]

George Strait play at a club I was working at.
He's was heavy into Jack & Coke back then.

Randy White dropped by a couple times as well.

Saw Leonard Nimoy reading poetry at the state fair eons ago.

Was disappointed his ears were not pointed.

I was 8 give me a break.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I'm met several musicians, though the biggest were probably Pantera whom I knew through others. We weren't "friends" per se as I was about 8-10 years their junior. The others were pretty big, but they came through the same venue that I used to see Pantera at. (Joe's Garage)

I've met two presidents. (Trump and Bush Jr.) Both before they were president and one during his presidency. (Bush) I was offered the option to go to Trump's inauguration, but passed on that.

I've met a hoards of pro athletes, tons of Cowboys, ton of Rangers Rangers, at least 6-8 Dallas Stars, 4-5 Mavericks, several Yankees, Mark Messier, Jaromír Jágr. Most I met at media or fund raising events or at games or a bar. (Stars I usually met at the Big Apple bar that used to be at the north end of 360, not sure if it still exists)

My ex-wife's brother was best friends with Mike Breen throughout childhood who calls the NBA finals games, ESPN, ABC, Olympics, and was the Knicks radio guy until Marv Albert **** show and was promoted to Knicks on TV. So I've met him on several occasions. Both in NY and at Mavericks games in Dallas when he was calling games and I attended.

Bruce Willis is complete and utter **** head.

 

[Runwildboys]

My favorite is meeting Jack Palance on a flight from LA to DFW in the late 70's. Back then I flew 1st class and he was sitting behind me and before we took off, I jumped around in my seat and introduced myself and the lady sitting next to him took quick notice and offered to change seats. She figured this was going to be worse than a kid kicking her seat for 3 hours.

This was right before they excluded pipes and cigars on flights. We start visiting and I am trying to be "normal" and not monopolize his time and I am not usually star struck but this man was the first great villain, he enjoyed being evil in Shane and he was bigger than life to me. As soon as we got in the air, he pulls out a Maduro and offers me one, I asked "is this to get me to shut up" and he laughed loudly and said he was enjoying the conversation.

He was really a nice guy and asked me about what I did and acted really interested since it was in the music field. The man is 6'5" and has an impressive presence about him and a voice that demanded attention but he said the entire year after Shane came out, he couldn't go into a bar without someone wanting to fight him. He really was the first really bad guy that enjoyed it and set the stage for a lot of other actors to personify evil and not apologize for it. And we all know, everybody loved Shane.

He told me a funny story that when he was in a bar/restaurant in LA, this guy starts ragging on him and trying to goad him into a fight and Alan Ladd comes up behind the guy and tells him to back off or he's going to take him outside and kick his butt. He said the guy almost swallowed his tongue and his only response was "but Shane". Ladd and Palance burst into laughter as everyone around them did and the guy joined in as well.

So we visit some more have a few more cocktails and when we land we walk to baggage claim, shake hands and I go to the side of the carousel next to the exit. It takes about 15 minutes for the bags to arrive and I can see people stirring as they recognize him and I can see a murmur in the crowd and people elbowing each other and nodding toward him. There were two flights on the carousel and it was packed with people. By the time the bags arrived, all eyes were on Jack and I don't know if he does this on purpose or not but when I got my bags, I waved over to him and he yells across the carousel " hey (my name) great to see you, take care".

Every head in that area whipped around and looked at me as they're trying to figure out 'who is this guy, should I know him'? I did a "see ya Jack" with a cute little salute like I'd known the man all of my life and swaggered out of that door like a king. I didn't even need my car to get home, I could have floated.

Awesome story! I had no idea he was that tall. I figured 5'10" or 6'.
I remember him doing one handed push-ups at the Oscars, when he was probably 65 years old.

 

[CouchCoach]

Awesome story! I had no idea he was that tall. I figured 5'10" or 6'.
I remember him doing one handed push-ups at the Oscars, when he was probably 65 years old.

Yep, he was an impressive man but really nice. I did leave something out.

About 30 minutes out of DFW, we were both buzzing as he'd put down at least 4 cognacs with another cigar after dinner and I looked over at him and said "Jack, I need a Cherry smile" and he laughed and gave me that smile that he'd used in Shane and I reacted and pulled my finger on him and made a shooting sound and the people around us were laughing. And probably really glad there were only 30 minutes left on the flight.

 

[Xelda]

Awesome story! I had no idea he was that tall. I figured 5'10" or 6'.
I remember him doing one handed push-ups at the Oscars, when he was probably 65 years old.

I remember that too.

I've heard that about Bruce Willis before, Yosemite.

 

[CouchCoach]

I'm met several musicians, though the biggest were probably Pantera whom I knew through others. We weren't "friends" per se as I was about 8-10 years their junior. The others were pretty big, but they came through the same venue that I used to see Pantera at. (Joe's Garage)

I've met two presidents. (Trump and Bush Jr.) Both before they were president and one during his presidency. (Bush) I was offered the option to go to Trump's inauguration, but passed on that.

I've met a hoards of pro athletes, tons of Cowboys, ton of Rangers Rangers, at least 6-8 Dallas Stars, 4-5 Mavericks, several Yankees, Mark Messier, Jaromír Jágr. Most I met at media or fund raising events or at games or a bar. (Stars I usually met at the Big Apple bar that used to be at the north end of 360, not sure if it still exists)

My ex-wife's brother was best friends with Mike Breen throughout childhood who calls the NBA finals games, ESPN, ABC, Olympics, and was the Knicks radio guy until Marv Albert **** show and was promoted to Knicks on TV. So I've met him on several occasions. Both in NY and at Mavericks games in Dallas when he was calling games and I attended.

Bruce Willis is complete and utter **** head.

We were at The Mint, his bar/restaurant/venue in Hailey, ID and the manager wanted to introduce us to him because I'd done some promotions with them with my stations in Boise. What a jerk, he didn't even make eye contact and acted as if it was an imposition and his manager was embarrassed. However, we found at later that was the night he and Demi broke up and he was in a mood so anyone is allowed some slack but he should have just stayed out of his place.

 

[SlammedZero]

We were at The Mint, his bar/restaurant/venue in Hailey, ID and the manager wanted to introduce us to him because I'd done some promotions with them with my stations in Boise. What a jerk, he didn't even make eye contact and acted as if it was an imposition and his manager was embarrassed. However, we found at later that was the night he and Demi broke up and he was in a mood so anyone is allowed some slack but he should have just stayed out of his place.

I've heard a few Willis stories that are unfortunately not great. It's hard to be in somebody else's shoes though. I imagine the price you pay for being famous is being famous. Always have people wanting to be in your space, taking your picture, and wanting you for anything and everything. I'm sure you can only fake so many smiles.

With that said, I've also heard some good stories. I had some buddies fishing up in Sun Valley and I guess they heard a Harley rumbling up the road. I guess it came right up to them, slowed down, and the guy nodded at them and was like "What's up boys!" and it was Willis. Little did they know they were toeing on the line of his property but he didn't hassle them.

Back on topic, my life sucks and I'm lame. I have met exactly ZERO people worth mentioning. That is kind of sad now come to think of it. haha

 

[Hardline]

I was classmates with Lisa Welchel.
You will know her as Blair on The Facts of Life.
This should officially put me at the top of the coolest member list

 

[cowboyec]

I met Everson Walls in '88.
great guy.
he signed by Dallas Cowboys Weekly I brought with me.
He asked me to stay longer and hang-out...I was so star-struck,so scared...I couldnt speak.
said I had to get back home and do home work.
Really nice guy.
Wrote him off and on between '86-'88...got several autographed photos from him.
Freshman Yr in college...he wrote me a 2 page letter.
Everson Walls is as great a person as he was a CB.
One thing I'll never forget...he had the biggest hands...no wonder he was a magnet for the ball.

 

[YosemiteSam]

We were at The Mint, his bar/restaurant/venue in Hailey, ID and the manager wanted to introduce us to him because I'd done some promotions with them with my stations in Boise. What a jerk, he didn't even make eye contact and acted as if it was an imposition and his manager was embarrassed. However, we found at later that was the night he and Demi broke up and he was in a mood so anyone is allowed some slack but he should have just stayed out of his place.

You should know the story behind the Demi breakup. He basically couldn't keep his twang out of anything under 20 years of age that had a pretty face.

He is a user of anyone and everyone in his vicinity. He is the definition of the word trash. I can think of someone who is in the news now that is the exact same. (and I have met both)

 

[YosemiteSam]

I was classmates with Lisa Welchel.
You will know her as Blair on The Facts of Life.
This should officially put me at the top of the coolest member list

Bet you own all of her Christian Music Albums.

 

[Ranching]

Randy White held three camps for me. Great guy, got to get to know him and speak at length. Met John Dutton, Drew Pearson, Harvey Martin, Golden Richards and Tony Hill at a basketball game back in the early 80's. I got to drink a beer with Dutton about 10 years later. Had lunch with Eric Williams, interviewed Quincy Carter and I had a BBQ at my ranch for George Teague, Solomon Paige, Everson Walls, Larry Brown and Barry Foster when they came down to run a camp for me. Met Warren Moon, didn't like him . Got to talk with Jerry Jones at training camp. Met many coaches at football clinics. Played pool with Les Miles and drank beer with Wade Phillips. I even got to meet and talk football with Jason Garrett, that's why I don't like him.
Drank beer with the four Horsemen and James J Dillon. Rick Flair, lex Lugar, Ole Anderson and Tully Blanchard.
I even got to have lunch check with @RGV_C_Los

 

[cowboyec]

Randy White held three camps for me. Great guy, got to get to know him and speak at length. Met John Dutton, Drew Pearson, Harvey Martin, Golden Richards and Tony Hill at a basketball game back in the early 80's. I got to drink a beer with Dutton about 10 years later. Had lunch with Eric Williams, interviewed Quincy Carter and I had a BBQ at my ranch for George Teague, Solomon Paige, Everson Walls, Larry Brown and Barry Foster when they came down to run a camp for me. Met Warren Moon, didn't like him . Got to talk with Jerry Jones at training camp. Met many coaches at football clinics. Played pool with Les Miles and drank beer with Wade Phillips. I even got to meet and talk football with Jason Garrett, that's why I don't like him.
Drank beer with the four Horsemen and James J Dillon. Rick Flair, lex Lugar, Ole Anderson and Tully Blanchard.
I even got to have lunch check with @RGV_C_Los

 

[Hardline]

Bet you own all of her Christian Music Albums.

Not a single one

 

[Cowboys_22]

Randy White held three camps for me. Great guy, got to get to know him and speak at length. Met John Dutton, Drew Pearson, Harvey Martin, Golden Richards and Tony Hill at a basketball game back in the early 80's. I got to drink a beer with Dutton about 10 years later. Had lunch with Eric Williams, interviewed Quincy Carter and I had a BBQ at my ranch for George Teague, Solomon Paige, Everson Walls, Larry Brown and Barry Foster when they came down to run a camp for me. Met Warren Moon, didn't like him . Got to talk with Jerry Jones at training camp. Met many coaches at football clinics. Played pool with Les Miles and drank beer with Wade Phillips. I even got to meet and talk football with Jason Garrett, that's why I don't like him.
Drank beer with the four Horsemen and James J Dillon. Rick Flair, lex Lugar, Ole Anderson and Tully Blanchard.
I even got to have lunch check with @RGV_C_Los

Thanks for autographing my Cowboys jersey there Ranching. I have it hanging on the wall right next to The Playmaker’s signed football. . Both have the same value

 

[Ranching]

Thanks for autographing my Cowboys jersey there Ranching. I have it hanging on the wall right next to The Playmaker’s signed football. . Both have the same value

LMAO! I better not see it on Ebay!

 

[Xelda]

I've met people that have met people before!

 

[YosemiteSam]

I'm moving tomorrow. Finally moving back into a house....

Still, I'm moving. Pray for me.... and I'm not even religious, but I still need prayers!