OT - MGoBloggers random encounters with celebrities

Submitted by Butterfield on

There is no debating that we are in a dead period in regards to all things Michigan athletics.  People, including myself, can't wait for the season to get here so that MGoBoard becomes more informational  rather than conversational.  But since news can't be produced, and since I'm bored, and since I can't help but navigate to this site even during dead periods, and since I don't have interest in the Tour de France, I am hoping to live vicariously through each and every one of you. 

The topic du jour is your encounters/run-ins with celebrities (or pseudo celebrities).  Ground rules are as follows: 

1) Seeing the celebrity or walking past them does not count - you must have spoken with said celebrity and received a response, even if it was only a one word response like "yes". 

2)  Meeting the celebrity at a planned event (book signing, back stage at a concert after their show, on the field after a game) does not count.  Said celebrity must be out of their natural element.

3)  Celebrity cannot be a college athlete.

With that said, my list is very weak and filled with D-listers (thus why I am hoping your stories can inspire me):

  • Sinbad (the comedian):  Ran into him fairly recently while he was purchasing sour apple Mentos in a Caesar's Palace gift shop.  I told him that I loved Neccessary Roughness and asked if he would let my girlfriend take a picture of the two of us.  He obliged but said make it quick, as he was trying to get to the sportsbook to place a bet and the clock was ticking.  He's a big man. 
  • Young MC:  He lives in Scottsdale, AZ and was a guest at a Phoenix area law firm's Christmas party.  The Christmas Party was held at a very cool old dive bar that the law firm saved from being condemened years ago and has held their Christmas party at ever since.  Well, karaoke was on the menu that night and, to the delight of all in attendance, Young MC karaoked (or sang, is it really karaoke if you sing your own song) Bust a Move.  He was very approachable and I went and talked to him for a bit about random stuff, mostly Phoenix sports since he was sporting a Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals jersey.  Very nice guy, has definitely eaten well since his early 90's success. 
  • EDIT:  How could I forget meeting Bob Eucker at a charity golf event.  He was playing in the foursome in front of our group and, since the course was jammed up, we would catch the group on every tee box.  He was a riot, always making everyone laugh.  Of course, after a few beers, I did watch one of his tee shots slice wickedly and (in hindsight, embarassingly) shouting, "Juuuuuust a bit outside." 

Space Coyote

July 9th, 2012 at 12:42 PM ^

So I have a friend that was pretty good at golf and was working on his game down in Florida for a while (must be nice) to see if he could make a go at a career for a while.  Anyway, he's at this nice golf course and in the locker room changing, when out walks Arnold Palmer from the showers butt-naked.  Palmer looks at my friend, who is just in awe, but not just because it's Arnold Palmer.

Well, Palmer sees my friend, stops, looks down at what is apparently a third leg, and says "They don't call me the King for nothin'." He never said a word more.

michigan24

July 9th, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^

I met Dennis Rodman when I was about 10 years old at Burger King at the airport in Cali headed to New York. I told him I was a big fan when he was with the pistons and he just stared at me didn't say a word. One of the biggest douches I've ever met.

bacon1431

July 9th, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^

I'm from the Toledo area and I went to the Jim Jackson Basketball Camp one year. My JV Coach/barber is also friends with him and was one of the coaches at the camp. Now, I'm a white boy with really curly hair and I used to pick it out like an afro. Jim Jackson would make fun of my hair all week and I would wear a Michigan shirt every day at camp and we'd go back and forth throughout the day about it. I ended up, through the grace of God and a ton of luck, won the camp-wide knock-out/lightning competition and he had to present me with the award in front of the whole camp while I flashed my Michigan shirt and said "Go Blue" as I shook his hand. Ah, to be an obnoxious freshman.

HELLE

July 9th, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^

at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. I rode an elevator with him but I wasn't really into talking to him because it was during the Rock of Love days. I'd strike up some conversation now though

Feat of Clay

July 9th, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^

I met JFK Jr once.  I didn't realize it was him--he was sitting next to Darryl Hannah at a bar in which I was a regular.   I was eager to get her autograph for a friend who had a major crush on her.  I didn't have the nerve to ask her, so I figured I'd go through the Nobody she was sitting next to.  Found out the next day that "Nobody" was John Kennedy Jr.  

He couldn't have been nicer about turning my request down, I must say.  I was selfish and young; today I would never approach someone like that who was clearly (as JFK Jr pointed out to me) just out to have a drink with friends.

Socrates Johnson

July 9th, 2012 at 1:02 PM ^

As far as celebrity run ins, I have had a couple.  First of all, I don't consider U of M atheletes 'celeberities' , but I have a bunch of stories about assorted athletes.

Growing up I went to school with Alan Trammel's son.  His son and I played on our middle school basketball team together.  His Dad actually became out defacto head coach as the assigned head coach was an english teacher who knew more about frisbee golf than basketball.

It was fun to take the court and the other team would begin whispering "holy crap...that can't be....is that...holy crap".  It was less fun when we lost every game by an average of 40 points.  And this was middle school- most teams barely reached 40 points.

Toward the end of the season his son had a birthday party.  It was at his house and blew my 7th grade mind (they had a cotton candy machine...in...their...house).  Anyways my dad comes to pick me up and is really star struck.  He idolized Trammel.  Trammel opens the door and for my Dad and I run out.  As I am leaving I say the following:

"Thanks for the party Mr. Trammel.  By the way, you know those glove statues on the wall downstairs?  I accidently knocked one off and broke it.  Sorry.."

My Dad said Trammel's face turned green as he tried to hide his rage/dissapointment/plans to kill me.  Without skipping a beat I smiled and said "Just kidding, see ya Monday".

My Dad half laughed and half cried the whole way home.

7th grade troll for the win.

TorontoBlue

July 9th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^

I got my hair cut at D's Barbershop on Long Lake Rd in Bloomfield Hills when I lived in MI and would often take my son in on Sat mornings and get a duo.  Tram was a regular there and often had his son with him as well - many times he would be right ahead of me or else right after me and there was always some good banter going on between our regular barber Mike and the 5 of us.  Unbelievably classy guy in real life!

GO BLUE!

M Fanfare

July 9th, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^

I met Dan Dierdorf in an airport once. His legs are pretty messed up from his football career, he walks with a cane and a bad limp. Super nice guy, and luckily I was wearing a Michigan shirt so he readily agreed to take a photo.

Blue in Yarmouth

July 9th, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^

Doesn't quite fit within the rules, but I was on vacation in Spain one summer and was walking along the beach with my wife when we saw Juiliette Binoche walking down the beach toward us topless.

Now I am one of those people who never forgets a face and can always remember where I saw them, but often don't remember their names, for some reason I am terrible with names. I couldn't remember her name but told my sife what movies she was in and of course she remembered the name, but was certain it wasn't her.

After debating it (see also arguing) for a couple of minutes I decided to end the debate by going to ask her. We back tracked to catch up to her and as politely as I could I said "Pardon me, but are you Juiliette Binoche"?

I was pretty nervous as she was topless and all that and thought she might think I was some crazy or something, but she turned around and said "I am...do I know you"?

I told her she didn't, and explained why I had chased her down and she laughed and we made small talk for a few minutes. She was a very nuce lady and not really typical of what I used to think celebrities would be like.

Anyway, that is the only one that I have that is close to fitting in the rules.

Blue in Yarmouth

July 9th, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^

I must say it was a highlight for me. That probably also factored in to why I couldn't remember her name. I was surprised I could look at her face long enough to determine it was her given the fact that she was topless. 

I know it is a different culture over in eurpoe, but I was amazed at how the fact that she was topless didn't seem to bother her in the least. On a funny note that encounter persuaded my wife to become a lot more liberal whenever we go overseas as now she is always topless whenever we go to beaches there. Thanks Juiliette!

96goblue00

July 9th, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^

celebs, including Annette Bening, Seth Rogen, Gwen Stefani/Gavin Rossdale, Rob Zombie, Kathy Griffin, the guys from Blink 182, Chris Noth, a few peeps from Glee, Amos Lee, etc, etc. When I first moved out here I did get a bit starstruck, but  now I do not get phased anymore. You sit next to them in the restaurants, ride with them in elevators, wait with them in line at the deli. I usually refrain from the "OMG It's____ OMG, you are_______ OMG I love your show/music" =)

WolvinLA2

July 9th, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^

Yeah, I live in LA too, super cool, I know, celebs galore, I see them like every day, I'm basically one myself now.

Our closest connection is that my son is good friends with Julie Bowen's kids, because our nannies are friends from Guatemala. I've been to her house a handful of times and hung out with her. She even kissed me on the lips once following a hug (apparently this is common but totally made my life). She's very pretty in person but also crazy skinny. Incredibly nice too, and her personality in real life is almost the same as on Modern Family.

Mr Miggle

July 9th, 2012 at 1:21 PM ^

Telly Savalas came to my table at lunch and introduced himself. That was unexpected. I belonged to the same club as Don Adams and spoke to him occasionally. He was a very funny guy in person.

In Ann Arbor, I've run into Tom Goss, literally. He pushed his way past me while in line at the stadium while apologizing. I spoke to Steve Fisher while waiting in line at my bank. He was already ahead of me in line.

I've played a couple of the poker celebrities.

Tubes

July 9th, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^

I talked to Adam Richman (Man vs. Food) for about five minutes going through security at LaGuardia. He said he liked Ann Arbor so much he came back on his own two weeks after filming the episode there.

triangle_M

July 9th, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^

I ran into Prince (and his entourage) and Pierce Brosnan at LAX 20 years ago.  I sat down right at the bar next to Pierce without knowing it was him until I heard him speak, then I was like, whoa, Irish guy next to me, then I looked and was like whoa Remington Steele.  He was wearing an Aloha shirt.  Talked to him for about 5 minutes, then got self-conscious and left him alone.

Also met Johnny and June in their hotel in Kalamazoo.  Can't believe I forgot about that one.

 

French West Indian

July 9th, 2012 at 3:50 PM ^

That the thing about famous people, I never recognize them until they speak.  Too often they are dressed "out of character" (facial hair, baseball cap etc) or are larger or smaller than you'd expect.  But as soon as they start talking that's when I think "oh, now I know who you are."

Horace Prettyman

July 9th, 2012 at 4:11 PM ^

About 6 months ago I was riding a ferry between Seattle and Bainbridge Island. I was minding my own business when I heard a familiar voice. I look up and sure enough it's Conan O'Brien sitting 10 feet from me chatting up an old couple. Before I could snap out of my shock, he got up, thanked the couple for the conversation and walked off.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

July 9th, 2012 at 5:00 PM ^

Truman Capote had a story where he was hanging out with Marilyn Monroe in NYC and he thought it was really weird that they weren't being surrounded by legions of admirers.  "That's because I'm not being 'Marilyn'," she says, then to prove it she turned it on and watched the crowd gather.

bwlag

July 9th, 2012 at 6:43 PM ^

About 10 years ago, Muhammad Ali and his wife were seated at a local restaurant (when he lived in SW Michigan) a couple of tables away. I sent him and his wife a note through our server asking if we could take a picture of him with my 3-year-old son. They were very gracious, and I have several pictures of Ali with my son on his lap, including one with Ali with his fist up.



Most recently, met Michael Symon (an Iron Chef, so nowhere near the level of Ali) on Saturday at the Union Square outdoor market in NYC. He was a lot shorter than I expected.

umhero

July 9th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^

I ran into Bob Ritchie (aka Kid Rock) at the White Castle on Gratiot and Eleven Mile.  I was in a line waiting to order and he was in a line waiting to get his food.  I told him that I had seen him DJ at the Emerald Theatre in Mt. Clemens.  We talked about the Emerald for a minute until his food arrived.  After he walked out, the counter girl ran from the back before I could order.  She announced as she left that she didn't care if she was fired, she wanted his autograph.  

This really annoyed the girl now standing where Kid Rock previously stood in the pick up line.    She said to me he's not leaving without me.  Apparently she was Kid Rock's date (some famous model whose name I can't remember), and she couldn't get her food until the counter girl returned.

chunkums

July 9th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^

I once met George St. Pierre in Vegas.  Him and his entourage sat down at the table next to us and I think one of his friends wanted to kick my ass.  Also, it was kind of funny because St. Pierre kept walking up to his trainer and asking politely if he was allowed to have another drink.

Grahambino

July 9th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^

Couple logisitical points: He lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan for a long time.  Actually bought the house formerly owned by Al Capone.  Anyway he and his wife adopted a son, Asaad Ali.  Asaad played little league baseball across the street from my house.  Periodically Muhammad would be there to watch and cheer him on (very cool of him given his fame).  I walked over one day and he was heading out.  He reached out and shook my hand and we exchanged greetings, and he even gave me an autograph (which is tough to read).

 

Even though this was in the late 90's and his disease had really impacted him by that point he was still an imposing figure.  His hand swallowed mine easily.  I was quite star struck.

bacon1431

July 9th, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^

I have family in Berrien Springs and my cousin has a picture of Ali kissing him on the cheek as a baby. But I think Ali's kid played travel ball or something because I remember going to a big little league tournament to watch my cousin and there was a big RV in the parking lot and my dad and uncle told me that's where Ali stayed in between his son's games.

Grahambino

July 9th, 2012 at 1:38 PM ^

Asaad was a really good baseball player.  He played on traveling all-stars later in the summer.  He played high school ball at Niles HS, and I believe got a scholarship to play ball for Louisville.

Neat family as I've met and spoken w/ his mom many times.

madmaxweb

July 9th, 2012 at 2:14 PM ^

Yea I actually had a sister that was in the class ahead of him at Niles and I was 3 years ahead, he was very good at baseball and still is at Louisville and will prolly be drafted next year again.

74polSKA

July 9th, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^

I once saw Tony Hawk in the airport in San Diego.  I yelled his name and he looked at me, does that count?  I really just wanted to post that it deeply concerns me that multiple MGoBloggers have met Ron Jeremy.  I feel dirty.

Baldbill

July 9th, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^

I met Don Adams (Get Smart an old TV show) while at the Santa Anita race track once back in the late 80's, said hi and got a picture taken with him. Later the same day, I met and got my picture taken with Willie Shoemaker, yes he was very short.) It was a strange day, two celebs in one day. I have never met anyone else of fame since.

 

Feat of Clay

July 9th, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^

And it's better than a random encounter.    My husband was once in a band with Chad Smith.

If you count junior high marching band.

/BOOM BLOOMFIELD HILLS'D

Son of Lloyd Brady

July 9th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^

When I was about 7 years old my stepdad and I talked to Richard Dent at the airport. I must say, that is a LARGE man. He didn't say much that I remember but I got to see the championship ring.

hart20

July 9th, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^

And took a shot with him. Really cool guy. Probably one of the nicest celebs that I've met; he asked me how school was going, what I was studying, etc.

icefins26

July 9th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^

My list:  Alan Trammell, Clint Hurdle (he is my cousin), Cam Maybin (drove him to the airport a few times when I interned), Tom Brookens (also drove him around), Colby Rasmus (sat next to him in the dugout during a rain delay), Mike Modano, Mike Knuble.

/lame celeb list

Dix

July 9th, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^

Mike Tyson at the airport in Atlanta.  I was flying to Detroit and he was flying to Vegas.  The two gates were next to eachother and he was sitting with 3 large suited up men and one woman who looked like she definitely belonged in Vegas.  I sat down opposite him and said "I'm surprised more people aren't bothering you" and he responded "must be my lucky day".  That was it.

David Justice and Halle Berry at a movie theater in Atlanta.  I think my school was closed for a snow day, or I just skipped that day and went to a movie.  As I was walking in toward the door through the parking lot, they walked out. I recognized Berry immediately, then realized it was David Justice with her, as they were married at the time.  I said "good luck tonight" to Justice referring to the baseball game, and he said "thanks.

Nichole Kidman at Rathbun's Steak (restaurant in Atlanta).  Same as before, I basically just said hello and she acknowledged.  I hardly have anything to say to people I know, coming up with something interesting to say to strangers is just not in the cards for me.  Oh well. 

M Fanfare

July 9th, 2012 at 12:59 PM ^

When I was a kid (probably ~8 or 9) I was at a friend's birthday party at a laser tag place when in walks Johnny Bench. My friend's mom went over to ask him for an autograph or a picture since it was her son's birthday. Bench then proceeded to chew her out for bothering him in the rudest manner possible. Moral of the story: Johnny Bench can eat a bag of dicks.

ChicagoB1GRed

July 9th, 2012 at 1:15 PM ^

When I was a kid my dad would often take the family on summer vacation to Kansas City. The highlight of the trip was taking in an A's-Yankees game at Municipal Stadium.

One day before the game we're eating at a restaurant downtown, the Italian Gardens, and who did my 8 year old eyes spy at a table near us but

File:Yogi Berra 1956.png

eating alone. Somehow we talked my dad into taking us to his table, he was very nice, let us interupt his dinner and chatted a few minutes.

He even autographed a dollar bill for me  which I guarded and kept as a prized possession. I like to think I played a small part in  "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded".

One of my life regrets is that I literally sold out when I was about 13 and spent the dollar to buy comic books. What a dumbass I was.