Celebrity encounter: fact or fiction?

[Anonymous]

I used to date a guy in the movie business before he "made it", and we remained friends for a while after he did. When visiting him over the years I met a bunch of people through him, including Bryan Singer (X-men, etc.). Bryan was always very nice to me. Went to the Saturn Awards with him (friend, not Bryan Singer, though he came with us) the year that Terminator 2 won stuff and met James Cameron. After that I lived in LA for a few years and used to see celebrities all the time. After the first month it didn't register much anymore, though I did have to physically restrain my DH one time when Anthony Kiedis and Chris Rock were in front of us in line to see "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

[Anonymous]

Ok, I can beat all of you all. I once saw Chuck Norris walk the red carpet at a movie premiere at Wheaton Plaza (I was in high school at the time, so this was probably around 1990).

[Anonymous]

Mostly have seen government officials, pundits, and politicians (go figure!). Only a few actors -- Saw John Slattery shopping in Georgetown while he was filming K St. Alfre Woodard at the open house at the MacDowell Colony in NH. My favorite sighting was seeing Erik Dellums on the metro (son of Ron, has guest starred in Homicide, The Wire).

But my favorite actual encounter was meeting retired Senator Charles Percy (Ill.) at my daughter's piano lesson. He had just finished his lesson as we were arriving and the teacher introduced him. (Pretty cool that an elderly retiree was taking piano lessons, too.) I had had this vague memory of him doing the right thing on Vietnam when I was young (but I remember nothing else about him so don't judge me!) so I was very pleased to meet him and gushed "Oh Senator Percy!" I think he was delighted to be remembered.

It made my day and I wished my mom was alive so I would actually have someone to call and dish to about it. (DH is a little younger than me and only got politically active in his late 20s so it meant nothing to him.)

Anyway, I'm sure people on these boards have had lots of encounters like that -- no biggie in DC, eh?

[Anonymous]

I went to summer camp with Seth Green as a child. He was not famous then but was in some movies and commercials and thus was a big deal at camp. Totally cocky and annoying, and ridiculously short.

[Anonymous]

Hung out with Michael Stipe and others from REM after a friend's wedding. All were totally nice and friendly and normal.

[Anonymous]

I used to work at Olsson's Books (now closed... yet another indie bookstore casualty) and helped out with our authors' readings. I met Goldie Hawn, Jamie Lee Curtis, Al Gore, Dan Savage, Marlo Thomas... I could go on and on. Goldie was awesome but her publicist had specific demands about the water and tea she was to drink... down to the clear glass tea cup she was to drink out of! Also we had to purchase a "low, lush bouquet, preferably with peonies" to set on the table where Goldie sat as she was signing her autobiography. But she was so friendly to all of us the demands didn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to summer camp with Seth Green as a child. He was not famous then but was in some movies and commercials and thus was a big deal at camp. Totally cocky and annoying, and ridiculously short.

Was he much shorter as a kid than all the other kids?

[Anonymous]

I met Sting and the other two members of the Police (Summers and Copeland) during a soundcheck before a concert in Philly. Actually, after the meet and greet, I got to sing with him onstage during the soundcheck (Every Breath You Take) and he kissed me when we finished (on the cheek). What an awesome experience it was!!!

[Anonymous]

I have met a gazillion VIP's from having attended black tie events throughout the years. (Dresses anyone?) I have to say, the one thing I recall most that almost every last one had in common, was the where with all to have so much grace, kindness and humility in public presence. Something that could absolutely be in use around here!!!!!!

21:28 - met everyone but. Would trade with you and die a happy woman

[Anonymous]

OP here. Love the stories! I have never met anyone of note, but my large and assertive husband got to shake Obama's hand while I was back in the crowd.
Anyone have any "I wish I could meet...." stories? I think I'd get tongue tied around a film or rock star. It's good to know most of the real encounters have been positive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mostly have seen government officials, pundits, and politicians (go figure!). Only a few actors -- Saw John Slattery shopping in Georgetown while he was filming K St. Alfre Woodard at the open house at the MacDowell Colony in NH. My favorite sighting was seeing Erik Dellums on the metro (son of Ron, has guest starred in Homicide, The Wire).

But my favorite actual encounter was meeting retired Senator Charles Percy (Ill.) at my daughter's piano lesson. He had just finished his lesson as we were arriving and the teacher introduced him. (Pretty cool that an elderly retiree was taking piano lessons, too.) I had had this vague memory of him doing the right thing on Vietnam when I was young (but I remember nothing else about him so don't judge me!) so I was very pleased to meet him and gushed "Oh Senator Percy!" I think he was delighted to be remembered.

It made my day and I wished my mom was alive so I would actually have someone to call and dish to about it. (DH is a little younger than me and only got politically active in his late 20s so it meant nothing to him.)

Anyway, I'm sure people on these boards have had lots of encounters like that -- no biggie in DC, eh?

That's why I love DC. I've met Kissinger and McNamara, and as an avid reader of all things related to the Vietnam War, I was speechless for a while but did manage to talk to them.

[Anonymous]

I shook Al Gore's hand, and two ex-governors of NJ (one slept in my bed...not with me in it!!).

I also met John Stewart at Politics and Prose for a book signing.

[Anonymous]

I was attending the Kennedy Center Honors one year and after the program, before the dinner, I snuck out into the garage for a cigarette. Then about a minute later, out comes Philip Seymour Hoffman. We chatted about D.C. for a bit and then this annoying guy came out and started in with the whole "I LOVED YOU IN BOOGIE NIGHTS!". Mr. Hoffman seemed to become a bit awkward after that. He was a very nice guy.

[Anonymous]

I met Adrian Paul from the Highlander Series over 10 years ago in a beach resort in the Philippines. I had no idea who he was. We started chatting and he seemed like a nice guy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mostly have seen government officials, pundits, and politicians (go figure!). Only a few actors -- Saw John Slattery shopping in Georgetown while he was filming K St. Alfre Woodard at the open house at the MacDowell Colony in NH. My favorite sighting was seeing Erik Dellums on the metro (son of Ron, has guest starred in Homicide, The Wire).

But my favorite actual encounter was meeting retired Senator Charles Percy (Ill.) at my daughter's piano lesson. He had just finished his lesson as we were arriving and the teacher introduced him. (Pretty cool that an elderly retiree was taking piano lessons, too.) I had had this vague memory of him doing the right thing on Vietnam when I was young (but I remember nothing else about him so don't judge me!) so I was very pleased to meet him and gushed "Oh Senator Percy!" I think he was delighted to be remembered.

It made my day and I wished my mom was alive so I would actually have someone to call and dish to about it. (DH is a little younger than me and only got politically active in his late 20s so it meant nothing to him.)

Anyway, I'm sure people on these boards have had lots of encounters like that -- no biggie in DC, eh?

Wow, I saw him on the Metro once too!!! He's so tall and striking, and I probably just stood there with my mouth open staring.