OT - MGoBloggers random encounters with celebrities
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."
Samuel L. Jackson -
Waited on him at a restaurant in Hell's Kitchen twice! It was a burger joint called % Napkin Burger so understandably I kept wanting him to say," This is a tasty burger!" Funny thing is that he ordered sushi and was really low key! He did drop a few mutha f...as in during the meal though!
Danny Aielo -
Came in to the same restaurant. was really friendly and introduced himself and his two friends to anyone who had contact with his table. Very nice easy going guy.
D Wade -
Same place yet again. He was really chill and not looking for any attention. came in with what I assume was his family. He was really cool. Nice guy.
Ben Vereen -
Took an acting workshop with him when I was still in school. Real sweetheart of a guy. Would have his assistant buy all this food and snacks and emergen-C during the run of the show we did. was always encouraging to everyone and wanting everyone to be healthy.
Hulk Hogan - ATL Airport taking a leak next to him. I said what's up Hulk? and he just said back What's up brother?
Paul Teutul - Key West, FL - I said what up to him at a restaurant and he smiled and waved back.
I ran across James Toney (boxer) a few times growing up - we lived nearby in A2. He was nice although you could tell he was a bad ass.
I went to a Kid Rock concert right before they hit it big and hung out with Joe C (RIP) in the lobby at the Fox pre-concert.
I said 'hi' to Christina Aguilera at FAO Schwartz in Chicago. her bodygaurd was trying to keep people away and be low key but she was loving the attention.
Silva (MMA, first name escapes me) was on a flight with me to Rio back in January. My buddy took a pic with him and Silva jokingly (not really) said he didn't like taking pictures with people taller than him so my buddy was crouching in the pic.
I rode in an elevator with Diane English (the producer from Murphy Brown and others) and exchanged pleasantries. Had I known at the time who she was, I would've tried more to be "discovered".
Spoke with Dan Dierdorf and Coach Carr for a few minutes. Dan was nice and conversational, Carr really wasn't that interested.
Spoken with Bielema and Bo Ryan in Madison a couple times. Bielema surprises me with how nice has been - I always hear bad stories.
Back in the mid-80s, I was in an elevator at the New York Hilton waiting to go up to my room when Liberace and his "assistant" got on the elevator. I said nothing to him because he was the creepiest looking short dude I ever met and he was carrying on quite a conversation with his assistant.
I was with a VIP group at a Blackhawks game about 8 years ago and met Steve Larmer who left Chicago to go to the New York Rangers and win a Stanley Cup. He signed a hockey stick for me. Really enjoyed talking hockey with him.
At GenCon 2003 or 2004, Sean Astin and John Rhys-Davies (Sam and Gimli from the Lord of the Rings trilogy) were the guests of honor. I got in line to get their autographs like a good geek. My friend Betty's son Logan who was 11 at the time is a nerd's nerd and was all about dwarves, so when I'm in line I call up Betty and have her put Logan on so Rhys-Davies could talk to him. And Rhys-Davies motherf'n delivered - asking about the mighty dwarven warrior Logan in the Gimli voice. Apparently Logan went all catatonic with glee, so that was a fun encounter.
I wish I'd remembered to yell at Astin: 'DUDE - YOU DA BOMB IN RUDY'
(For the other geeks here, I've also met Felicia Day twice and am never washing my hand again.)
edit: missed rule 2 in the OP - sorry! :(
In Chicago a lot of people hang out in the bar after the events. He was a tiny ladies man. I think I preferred Lisa Marie Scott, tiny Playboy model who was there with one of the artists.
How could I forget about Rob Parker on an airplane? Oh yeah, it's Rob Parker.
Also met Tom Bosley on a train while traveling through Switzerland.
How could I forget about Rob Parker on an airplane? Oh yeah, it's Rob Parker.
Hmm.....sort of a rectangles and squares thing.....some celebrities are huge assholes, but not all huge assholes are celebrities.
Three of my favorites were:
1) Sat next to Ron Leflore enroute to the All Star Game while stationed in Philadelphia. We talked baseball and both being Tiger-fans for most of the flight before I realized who he was. He was great! Took my friend and I around at luggage claim and introduced us to every Detroit and KC Royal ball player that was on the plane and then sent us tickets to the game on Tuesday.
2) Was stationed down in Beaufort, SC during filming of “Prince of Tides” and met Blythe Danner (for you youngins, see Great Santini, and Gwyneth Paltrow’s mom) while visiting my girlfriend then in hospital post-op. She was just wonderful. Amazed me that she would take time out after filming each evening and walk around the military hospital visiting most every patient. My gf told me she sat with her the first time for almost an hour. (Am sorry I met Barbra Streisand as she on the other hand was biggest, arrogant B****. Saw her make some poor kid in an arm-sling move from a couple of clinic waiting room chairs because she wanted to sit and not be bothered.)
3) After being stationed in Japan, I was transiting back stateside on PanAm. As I checked in, I was told I been moved up from coach to “clipper class”, Cool! Even better though, after boarding the airplane, I find various pieces of clothing and luggage strewn around me, as it was a “thru-flight”. Just before departure as these gorgeous, slim, model-type women start seating themselves all around me as I am seated in the center. Turns out the flight originated in like Singapore, and I was flying home with the entire Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders after a USO tour in the Indian Ocean. It was petty much just them and I. No, I didn’t get into the “mile-high” club that day, but I did get lots of cuddling, kisses and attention after they found out I had been overseas for almost 2 years. Also, since it was a long, “sleeper” flight, I can honestly say I slept with the entire Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. /s
1. I was in Hollywood at a diner late at night. In walks Miley Cyrus and sits in a booth next to our with her friends. People obviously noticed her, but nobody bothered her for her autograph or pictures. At the same diner was the Indian guy from Super Troopers.
2. Lloyd from the Entourage was on the same flight back from Vegas. He must dye his hair during the season because his hair was really turning grey.
3. I had a club house pass for the NISSAN Open at Riviera Country club. I was in the club house bathroom washing my hands when David Duval walks in and uses the sink next to me. I just told him, "good luck" and he said, "thanks" and went on his way. The same day I was walking, but looked behind me because my friend was yelling at me. When that happened I bumped into Ernie Els who was walking to the practice green. I apologized and he just smiled and said, "it's alight" and kept walking. You don't realize how tall he is on TV, but he is pretty tall.
Met him in Charlotte at the airport. I said "Turtle Man!" He said "Ooohlooolooolooo!"
I don't know if this counts as celebrities, but they are pro athletes so I am thinking yes.
Back in 2004, I was down in Indianapolis visiting my buddy and going to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs the Pacers. I got there the night before the game, and we decided to head downtown for dinner. We put our names in for dinner and were walking around the circle mall when we passed a Victoria's Secret and did a double take, as Corliss Williamson was walking around in there, by himself. We decided to go in as well and try to talk to him; after a bit of hesitation, we approached him and made some small talk, shook his hand, and left. He was very nice & polite. Then not 30 seconds after we left the store, we see Joe Dumars walking down the mall concourse. We yelled his name and told him "Go Pistons", he nodded at us and pumped his fist, but continued walking on his way.
I can't emphasize enough how big of Pistons fans we were back then, we all got League Pass and watched every single game we could, probably at least 70+ during the regular season, so to say we were excited was an understatement.
It got better after dinner, we ended up at Jillian's, which is a bar, sort of like a Chuck E Cheese for adults. Darvin Ham was at the entrance, we shook his hand. That dude's hands are enormous. I'm a fairly tall guy (6'6") and I swear has hand came up to my elbow, it was ridiculous, must be nice for palming a basketball.
Anyway, we got inside and walk by a pool room, and pretty much the entire team was in there playing pool. The bar had closed the room off to give them some privacy, but we could see in the window. 'Sheed was in there wearing enormous sweat pants, laughing his ass off, clowning on pretty much everyone. I think the missing teammates who were not playing pool were Rip, Chauncey, and Ben. We were super excited but didn't want to be stalkers, so we left, and on the way out, Ben Wallace was walking up the stairs. I had had a few beers, so without missing a beat I said, "BIG BEN!" and he said "What up", then we did a two-step hand shake/half hug/back pat, then kept going on our ways. Ben was easily my favorite player then, and is probably my fave player of all time, so that was pretty awesome.
Cool story, bro, I know, but I will always remember that night fondly.
Meeting Corliss in a Victoria Secrets?
Haha, actually it was a little bit. Part of our hesitation to go up and talk to him was because of that. He was quietly browsing lingerie, by himself.
That's his story and he's sticking to it.
Met Okafur at a dim sum restaurant in Charlotte. Wife and I got to talk to him while we were on the way out and a got pic snapped with him.
Forgot to add this to my previous post, but a couple years ago I was with my brother-in-law at Lucky Strike (Lucky's?) in Novi, meeting some friends, and we were waiting in line to play the pop-a-shot type basketball game. The guy in front of us looked very familiar, and sure enough it was Braylon Edwards. This was when he was on the Jets, he was back in Detroit during the Jets' bye week. He was way shorter than I expected and, despite some ugly shooting form, was dominating the game by banking everything in off the soft backboards. I know he takes a lot of heat on this board, but he talked with us for a bit took a pic with us. He was hanging out and playing all kinds of games, and later we noticed lots of people were going up to him. He could not have been nicer handling all the attention. Very classy.
Braylon is a cool guy. He took a picture with my wife and my sister-in-law when we met him at a bar in Pontiac. He was still with the Brownies at that point, wished him luck.
Weird thing was, the Lakers (minus Kobe) were in the bar that night. Playing the Pistons the next day. Luke Walton is a BIG dude!
Was it by any chance the Post Bar? Athletes seem to love the Post for some reason.
No Kid Rock stories from SE Michigan?
My wife and I were at Gameworks at Great Lakes Crossing on a Saturday night during the winter, having a drink, and she goes "what the HELL is that girl wearing?".
I turn around, short blond with a very large, enhanced chest spillout out of a VERY small tank top, on the arm of Kid Rock. Chris Chelios and some other girl rolled in next to them.
Said "hi" to Kid Rock, mumbled some stuff about the Wings to Chris Chelios, tried very hard not to stare at Kid Rock's companions chest.
Although I've met a few celebs, The night big Goerge stepped out of an elevator in his tuxedo as we were stepping in really stuck with me. It was the night of the Floyd Mayweather fight in GR and we had a private party at the amway grand. He had 2 bodyguards with him. God knows why, he was the biggest dude I've ever met and I've met a few "big" dudes. Goerge is friggin wide as a truck and his fist looks like 1/2 of a loaf of wonderbread. He was really nice and we skipped the elevator talking with him for a few minutes. He shook my hand and I felt like a 7yr old's hand. I would absolutely not want to be hit even by a 99 yr old Goerge Foreman.
I work in the entertainment industry on the hip hop side of the map I've met a lot of people:
Musicians: Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Ciara, Sean Kingston, T.I,, Ludacris, Jeezy etc
Pornstars/Strippers: Roxy Reynolds, Kelly Starr, Melrose Foxxx, Blac Chyna etc
Athletes: Melo, Shaq, Lavarr Arrington, Nolan Smith, Bradon Jennings, Steph Curry etc
Many of these were in music studios, some were at clubs/parties, some were at concerts and some were at peoples houses or whatnot. A lot of my stories don't qualify as they were in the person's natural setting but a lot of them were other places too.
One of my favorite stories is regarding country singer Mindy Mcready though. If you don't know her she's lived a colorful life that you can read about per the google. Anyway I was in Atlanta and although we primarily do hip hop she was mounting a comeback and looking for different producers to work with. She had flown private down to Atlanta with some male country star who she was with (dating I don't know) So we were working or whatever and her entourage was enjoying some Jaegar (sp)? Then the conversation turned to marijuana and her male friend wanted to roll a "J" so somebody gave him some and he tried and it was an awful job and everyone including Mindy was laughing. The festivities had continued. Anyway when we work with females we try to make the situation comfortable for them. This was especially the case with an older white lady so we had lit some candles around the room or whatever. Well at one point Mindy's innebriated firend leaned over to say something to someone and I guess didn't notice the candle. He also didn't notice that the bottom corner of his untucked white dress shirt had caught on fire. The fire proceeded up the shirt a little ways and people were shouting to alert him. Eventually some water was found and the flames were doused but it was a funny 15 seconds or so. They ended up leaving a while later flying out to some other city because someone needed some pills or something and never finished the song we were working on. It was dissapointing that they flew out with the work undone because we weren't going to get paid but then we heard they also flew out on Kanye a few days earlier. It was shortly thereafter that Mindy appeared on the show Celebrity Rehab. Cool Story Bro and super long I know and I even left out a lot. Anyway I ain't one to gossip so you ain't heard it from me.
I worked the pro shop one college summer at really nice golf course in metro Detroit. We had one golf outing and Al Kaline was playing in it, he came into the clubhouse and asked where to turn the scorecard in. I basically mumbled "right here" and stook my hand out and he handed it to me and walked away and I cried. Also, my boss at the same golf course was cousins with Derek Lowe. When the Red Sox were in town he came in and played a round and I met him for a brief second. He was extremely tall and kind of douchey.
I have a few. Back in '98- '99, I was working at Whole Foods in Rochester Hills while getting my masters degree. We had a few "celebrities" come in (at least as much of a celebrity any Detroit Lion could be).
I was working the deli counter and former Lion DT Marc Spindler came in. He was working talk radio at the time and ordered 3 lbs of Proccuito da Parma (someting like 20 bucks a pound). I had sliced it and put it on the scale. He asked me if I had it weighed. When I said I did, he looked around and grabbed a big handful and stuffed it in his mouth. He told me NOT to tell his wife, she would be p***ed off at him.
Former Lion WR Johnny Morton would come in all the time and we'ed talk often. He always had a great looking woman with him. After a very bad effort in a preseason game, he told me Ross tried to put them through their paces, but it wasn't as bad as it could've been. Very outgoing guy, always said hi and had a small conversation when he came in.
Barry Sanders would come in all the time as well. Always said hi to him and he said hi back, but that was the extent of the conversation.
Talked to Herman Moore after a preseason game one night at TGIFriday's in Aubern Hills. My buddy from high school had come down to visit and he was pretty tanked. Herman sat down and talked to my buddy and I for about 15 minutes about playing football until his food came. Very nice guy.
Former Lion CB Bryan Westbrook (not the old Eagle RB) was there that night as well. He was celebrating his birthday and was very tanked. Talked to him as well.
was filmed in the lobby of my office building. The elevators opened at the doors of the "set", so when I stepped out I bumped into James Wood (instead of dad's dreamgirl Dolly Parton). I said 'scuse me as he brushed me back, apparently annoyed at touching the great unwashed. Does that count as a conversation? Also rode up the elevator to the pressbox with Steve Fisher, who was exceedingly kind, and met Hoss and Bob Griese. I guess my life peaked in the early 90's.
One more I forgot. Mike Singletary was the Sunday school teacher for my 3 year old daughter.
1) I danced with Robin Williams at a New York club back in the late 80's. He pulled me on to the dance floor. It was Latin night, and the place was crazy. He was fun, and most likely totally coked up.
2) I went on a blind date with Rahm Emanuel. Nothing happened.
3)I was driving my Alfa Romeo Graduate in downtown Chicago many years ago and as I was turning left on to Michigan Avenue, who walked into the crosswalk but Dustin Hoffman. He stopped and stared at me - the moment was great because I was in the exact car he drove in "The Graduate."
4) I sneaked backstage after Robert Palmer's concert at Radio City back when I was in college. I told the guy at the door I was "a secretary with the label." I then went to the after party. Fun.
5) In my 20's and 30's, I was an advertising copywriter and worked with some celebrities. I recorded some music with Skunk Baxter (from Steely Dan and the Doobie Bros), shot a commercial with Tracey Ullman, Jason Alexander and Chris Elliott, and another with Destiny's Child (although we were not allowed to get close to Beyonce).
That you kept the alfa? That's probably the coolest encounter on this thread
Every day, I wish I kept the Alfa. Best car I ever had.
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/picture-room/13663-1989-alfa-romeo-spider-graduate.html
This was mine - a 1989 black Alfa Graduate with no door locks. I regularly did unintentional 360's in the snow.
Yes, that's exactly what he did! And Jon Voight was with him.
Michigan alum and former astronaut Jack Lousma was in Spokane last year giving a siminar on aircraft safety to the Moody Aviation students. A lot of the Moody Aviation flight instructors and staff go to my church and he agreed to come and give the sermon. After the service he was in the lobby greeting and talking to people, I talked to him for a moment then ended our conversation with 'Go Blue'. He then asked how I felt about the Hoke hire, he expressed a lot of optimism and was hoping for good things in the upcoming season. Looks like he was right! The next day I was driving my father to the airport and who should we run into, Mr. Lousma. He was unloading at the same area. I had a Michigan hat on and he said 'Go Blue' then recognized me from church the day before. We taked for another couple of minutes, I wished him safe travels and he was on his way. What a neat guy, he's now what I think of when the term 'Michigan Man' is thrown around. It only took a few minutes being around him to know that he loves God, his family, his country and his school.
I got 3 random encounters with celebrities. The first was back when I was in 7th grade my class took a summer trip to disney world. We where in the park maybe 15 minutes and still taking it all in. I heard some lady say "you can tell this is your first time here". I turned around to see Florence from the Jefferson ( Marla Gibbs)
I took my kids to the Sea World on San diego 2 years ago. We had just left the penguin building and my son had to pee. I waited by the sinks when this guy came in with his little boy also. I remember thinking he really needed to wash his hair. The guy started to wash his hands and I noticed it was Kevin sorbo from the Hercules TV show. I chose not to say hi since we where in a bathroom and it just didn't seem right.
The last one had a lot of language I won't post on here. We had met some girls at a club in Columbus and went to the Waffle House out on 161 to get some food. We just left when this guy started trying to pick up this girl I had just met. The alpha genes kicked in and me and the guy exchanged some words and 2 of his boys started to pull him off to the side. The guy looked really familiar to me so I walked over and asked him where I know him from. He explained that he was Krazy bone from bone thugs ( explained lol). Things got a lot cooler after that and we ended up hanging out with them for the rest of the night.
Been on flights with Mike Tirico (Dallas) and Jason Richardson (Charlotte, NC) on separate occasions.
My best one was from just a couple of weeks ago. Went to Pittsburgh for Tigers games and after a night of baseball, drinking and the casino, my buddies and I ended up at the same bar as Verlander and Gerald Laird. My buddy and I beat Verlander and one of his boys at pool. Verlander closed the bar down and left with a very fine young lady. I'm sure she was a close friend from high school and his longtime girlfriend knows all about it.
Kind of late to this, but stood next to Kato Kailin (O.J. Simpson's house guest/moucher) at the airport in Las Vegas. Initially thought it was a drugged-out Ryan Seacrest. Tried to talk to him, but wouldn't make eye contact with anyone.
Also, was in a Detroit-area mall when Todd Jones and his family came in and bought some video games. I believe he was traded to Minnesota later that week. He was a nice guy, but looked about as white trash as you can when you make millions of dollars playing baseball. Kind of like Ricky Bobby.
Finally, this wasn't directly me, but my brother worked a grocery store in Royal Oak years ago and said Jack and Meg White came in and bought some food at his register. Said they were quiet but nice, and a bit pale.
Bill Frieder in the elevator at Camelback Esplanade. Takeaway: Elevator conversations are only slightly less awkward than urinal chats.
Dan Quayle - he and his partner came by, shilling for some skeezy investment firm, same building. Takeaway: he's short, and finally learned to let the smart guy do most of the talking
Did you tell Frieder "A Michigan Man will eat at McCormick & Schmicks"?
I worked in a dry cleaners and he brought in about 20 doubleknit suits at once, most of them had money in the pockets. I suppose we spoke enough to work out the transaction, but I really don't remember.
One of my girlfriends growing up lived across the street from Reggie Miller. He was a very nice guy. Even gave me 20 minutes and we played horse.
When I was in high school my family was flying out to Colorado for vacation. While waiting at the gate we started making small talk with a woman on our flight. About ten minutes later her husband arrives: The General. Robert Montgomery Knight.
I was initially terrified because well...it's Bob Knight. We talked to them for about 20 more minutes. He was more mellow than I anticpiated and had a pretty good sense of humor.
his game breakdowns/etc on ESPN. Seems like a mellower guy now than he did 40 years ago
for a Peter Gabriel concert in the early 80's.
Then hung out with him 4 hours later in adjoining emergency rooms. (Me concussion, him food poisoning)
I felt too awkward to ask him to sign my forehead between his bouts of vomiting.
My buddy and I were standing at a bar in Florida waiting to order a drink when Sergio Garcia comes up right next to us. While I had every intention of playing it cool and not giving him the standard celebrity treatment, the only thing that came out was "go get 'em, Sergio!"
Unofortunately, this was not during a tournament nor did he have one that upcoming weekend. I was rooting him on to nothing. He responded with "uh, thanks" then walked away.
My buddy: "Dude, you've had your entire life to think up something to say to Sergio Garcia and that's the best you could come up with?"
Fail.
I met John Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood, when he was probably 96 at a hotel in Downtown LA during my cousin's wedding. He was still sharp and had a really special aura about him; we chatted for a few minutes and I got a picture with him after. I also lived in the same neighborhood as Antawn Jamison, and had multiple encounters with him over the few years he lived near me. He is a really, really nice guy who was always willing to chat a little hoops.
This isn't really an encounter, but I used to give tennis lessons twice a week to Alan Greenspan and his wife, Andrea Mitchell, and I gave a couple lessons to Chief Justice John Roberts as well.
My wife and I were on Mackinac Island last summer for a wedding. Mike Rowe rode in the same carraige with us from the ferry all the way to the upper part of the island. He was very friendly, we talked a little about his show Dirty Jobs and had a fun ride up the island.
I served Loyd Carr dinner in Ann Arbor in 2003-ish. I was working at Andiamo (before they closed) and he was there on a quiet week night. I was told by my boss to not mention who he was or do anything embarrassing. He tipped well!