quote: Christian Volpi

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no, if you brought your own camera to the club and wanted a picture after the show, you had to pay $10.

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Sounds alot like when I was in mexico and I had to pay $5 to get my picture taken with a monkey. If you didn't have your own camera it was $10. I just wanted to hold the monkey so I paid $5.
 

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 08-15-2006, 01:07 PM:
 
Best = Arthur Miller. Worst = Arthur Scargill.
 

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Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 08-15-2006, 01:14 PM:
 
BEST: James Whittemore, Darryl Hickman, and Noreen Nash.

Worst: ? The above 3 are all I've met!
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-15-2006, 03:48 PM:
 
Renee Zellweger

http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/wareview.php?id=1262&category=3

Folks that I met through my participation and leadership on the InterSociety Committee for the Enhancement of Cinema Presentation: John Fithian (Prez of NATO), Mary Ann Grasso-Anderson, etc.
 

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 08-15-2006, 04:31 PM:
 
A friend of mine worked with Ben Stiller on a recent film, said he's an asshole.
 

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Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 08-15-2006, 05:27 PM:
 
I have met a few:

The best was Larry Bird (although he is a sports celebrity) - was a regular at a theatre I ran in Naples, Florida. One hellva guy. He would give you the shirt off his back.

The worst was one of my childhood idols: Johnny Bench. When I wanted a moment to talk with him - he told me to F*ck off (after I told him I was from Cincinnati and he was a childhood idol!)

Let's see who else:
Joe Pesci (cool cat - his wife and daughter are both taller than him!)

Dennis Quaid (cool guy and awesome father - who son looks just like Meg Ryan)

Geddy Lee (from Rush) - really, really cool guy

Sylvester Stallone (this guy was short!)

Jake Gyllenhal (when he first got started)

Gallagher (this guy is even funny off stage)

Melanie Griffith's mom - Tippi Hedron (right?) - nice lady

The guy who played the father on the Waltons (another funny guy)

Sean Connery (wasn't in a good mood when I met him)

Michael Moore - who I mistakenly called Roger Moore and he forgave me.

Dan Marino (a-list a-hole - tried to get free popcorn at a theatre I worked at)

Vince Neil (of Motely Crue) - what a laid back kinda guy

That's all I can think of now.. I'll post with more later.
 

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Posted by Kelly Skaggs (Member # 1780) on 08-15-2006, 05:39 PM:
 
The best, Danny Glover, Vince Gill, Peter Frampton, Mike Piazza (his uncle was with him and was a ass).

The Worst, Oprah stuck up bitch, acted like who are you to talk to me all you do is manage a movie theater, Lorrie Morgan thought she should get in free because she was Lorrie Morgan, Johnny Bench is a MAJOR ASSHOLE.
 

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Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 08-15-2006, 05:45 PM:
 
Brad Pitt, Chow Yun-Fat, William Friedkin (director of Excorcist) and Rick McCallum (producer of Star Wars).Have been my best celebrity encounters, cannot think of a bad celebrity moment.

Brad Pitt at the Electric Cinema, Portabello Rd, London. Happily introduced himself and shook staffs hands when turning up at 6 in the morning to see Octopussy the final film in a James Bond all nighter.

Chow Yun-Fat at the closing weekend of the Scala cinema. Kings Cross, London. Being interviewed by MTV in the projection room as I did c/o's in the background, He even remembered my name and said hi the next day

William Fredkin signed an Excorcist poster "with much grattitude"
the pride of my poster collection!.

Rick McCallum discussing the digital future of cinema to me in my bio box for 40 minutes a few years ago at the Chauvel in Sydney. Australia

My worst celebrity moments have been when working on location and not a cinema experience! needless to say that the poor attitude is usually from there friends, not the celebrity themselves.
 

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Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 08-15-2006, 06:30 PM:
 

quote: Cameron Glendinning

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Chow Yun-Fat at the closing weekend of the Scala cinema

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I would trade all the celebs I met (except Geddy Lee) to be able to meet Chow Yun Fat. I love every one of his John Woo films - and have all of them on DVD!
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-15-2006, 07:01 PM:
 
Best:

Antonio Banderas, Directing Crazy In Alabama was hilarious working as a director.

John Candy, When working on "Uncle Buck"

James Cameron, When working on "True Lies"

McCauley Caulkin, Whom I caught playing with the projectors one day when I showed up to run dailies on the first "Home Alone".

Sir Richard Attenbourgh... who was more interested in watching the film fly through my VistaVision projector that he was in watching the dailies of Miracle On 34th St.

Bad.... I was never treated bad by any actor.... there was only one disagreeable D.P. and one editor out of over 40 films.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-15-2006, 07:46 PM:
 
Not really celebrities, but the producers of the movie Warriors of Virtue tipped me when I ran the show for them awhile before it came out. They were very polite. A few weeks later they wanted to watch it again and requested me by name to run it for them.

Sandra Bullock was at my theater for an unmarried print of "Hope Floats" and she was sitting in the room that lies between the booth and the auditorium and hallway. I almost tripped over her on my way into the booth to run the print and I barely even recognized her.

I don't really have any bad experiences that I can think of.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-15-2006, 07:56 PM:
 
Over the years I ran various screenings for celebrities at GCC Northpark, but I would have to really sit down and think through to try and compile a list. The list would include impressive people such as Jim Cameron all the way down to some stupid tough guy no-name actor...who was the only one who showed up for his big premiere!!! hahahahahaha (I wish now I could remember the name of the guy or the movie.)

Outside of Northpark, I ran dailies for Michael Bay for Pearl Harbor. Now you may THINK that was the most exciting thing to ever happen to anyone, but you would be wrong because I have also ran many of the check prints for the infamous Front Row Joe policy trailers to Lee Roy Mitchell!!!!! Oh yeah, nothing beat running that flat trailer in scope so he could decide that it was "good enough to run that way" so he wouldn't have to print scope copies.

Oh yeah, then there was a screening for this infamous guy!

 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-15-2006, 08:32 PM:
 
Best: Elliot Easton (lead guitarist for The Cars)
I was talking with an art school friend of mine outside of his day job at Sam Ash Music on 48th Street in Manhattan. We were talking guitar stuff out in front of the store. Elliot Easton was leaving the place, but stopped and chatted with us for what seemed like an hour. It may not have been nearly that long, but it was pretty damned cool nonetheless.


Worst: Dwight Yoakum
I like his music. Have a number of his CDs. But he was a complete dick at a concert put on at Fort Sill a few years ago (which also featured Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless and Willie Nelson). I got Patty Loveless to autograph a tee shirt for a beautiful red-headed lady I was dating at the time. Everyone who encoutered Yoakum came away with a really negative impression. Total prima-donna. Good actor and good musician though. Just don't want to spend any time around the fella.
 

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 08-15-2006, 08:57 PM:
 
Hey its Ron Jeremy!
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 08-15-2006, 09:18 PM:
 
Heh. I met Richard Anderson, who played Oscar Goldman alongside Lee Majors in "The Six Million Dollar Man". He was doing a corporate video for us. Seemed like a nice guy, also very focused on the job at hand.
 

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Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 08-15-2006, 10:51 PM:
 
When I was a tyke Harry Lange gave a lecture at the U of A. I remember blowing him off after the lecture so that I could go to the projection booth before the projectionist closed shop!

I am also a bowler, and attended many a televised PBA (ABC Broadcast) at Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson. Bo Burton Jr and the late sportscaster Chris Schenkel were great...along with pros like Carmen Salvino. But there were assholes like Marshall Holman and Earl Anthony. I actually saw Holman throw a shit fit at Golden Pin Lanes after having a bad series...was booed out of the bowling alley and cussed out the crowd! The one time I met Anthony he was a real stuck-up snob.

Vincint Price was a first class act and gentleman! As a kid I attended a lecture he gave at the U of A and Got to speak with him for quite some time!

Brooke Burke was a high school classmate and friend...one of the few people I had sign my yearbook. Rodney Peete was also a high school classmate.

Dick Dale (surf guitarist) and the members of the Safaris are great guys.

Pianist David Syme and clarinetist John Denman were/are class acts!

Bumped into Tim Allen at the Barrett Jackson classic car auction...really came off as a egotistical jerk!

If memory serves me right it was Lee Marvin who lived in Tucson. Fome friends of mine knew him. He was often drunk and could be seen going to a particular Circle K for booze...the one near where another celeb got busted!

And I guess for a while Farah Fawcett was a next door neighbor of a friend of mine. He did not really know her..but the impression I got was that she was a real DITZ!

When he was down and out Gary Coleman was living in Tucson and was an avid model railroader. He was a regular customer at a local hobby shop.
 

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Posted by Greg Anderson (Member # 235) on 08-16-2006, 12:21 AM:
 
A lot of celebrities were cranked through the Touched by an Angel production machine. The vast majority were very nice people... too many good ones to name here, really. I'd rather not name names when it comes to the rotten ones, but there weren't many anyway. They actually had to fire Kate Jackson (I'm not aware of them ever firing any other guest star after they'd actually shot stuff), but it was more a matter of her behaving really oddly than being a jerk.

I interviewed Dee Snider in Sturgis last week. Really cool guy! And, while I haven't met him yet, I keep hearing wonderful things about the one-and-only Donny Osmond from people who've worked with him.
 

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Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 08-16-2006, 12:52 AM:
 
Most of the famous people I've met are from bands/musicians,and most are from metal bands thanks to my backstage passes I get from one of the streetteams I'm on:
Every member of Slipknot (countless times), I made a total ASS out of myself infront of the singer of Lamb Of God. The singer of System of a Down was very nice and shy. Mudvayne is from my town so I've met them. All the members of Opeth. Please note I'm not really into metal, so I don't really care if I met any of these people or not (minus the SOAD singer)

Met Green Day about 5 years ago at one of the Warp Tour Stops (backstage pass woot woot). Drummer Tre Cool: GREAT goofy guy! Singer Billy Joe: JERK.

Have also met Leonard Cohen, Art Bell's replacement George Nory, Henry Rollins (SUPER FREAKING NICE DUDE), Courtney Hansen from TLC's Overhaulin' show. Had a nice long chat with her since both of our dad's were in the SCCA. Countless authors from my trips to the Book Expo America's in the past 4 years.

No one too many great ones. Can say I've never met an actor/actress that I can remember. Did see Robert Duvull up close and personal but I was too tired to meet him (at one of the Book Expo's).
 

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Posted by Christopher Crouch (Member # 3784) on 08-16-2006, 01:24 AM:
 

quote: Christian Volpi

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The worst, in order starting with the absolute worst:
1. Dustin Diamond a.k.a Screech

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quote: Pete Naples

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From the silent darkness, where picture and sound had been seconds before, Mel Gibson was heard to comment 'the projectionist must be an Englishman'! Brilliant!

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quote:

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Some years back, some colleagues were involvved with the premiere of Braveheart, which was not without it's tribulations. From the silent darkness, where picture and sound had been seconds before, Mel Gibson was heard to comment 'the projectionist must be an Englishman'! Brilliant!

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Humm, I never lost picture or sound or both at once when I ran dailies for the Melster on Payback... I wonder if it was because I am short and he was still shorter than I that he never complained that things went right. He's got to be about 5'2" or there abouts and I did a double take when I first saw him .

After reading Bobby's comment it jogged my mind and I will add one asshole to the list.....

Willie Nelson who went beserk at a concert near Twin Falls when a lighting system didn't go quite as planned .
 

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Posted by Greg Anderson (Member # 235) on 08-16-2006, 08:39 AM:
 
I ought to mention Faith Hill specifically, because she was really nice and breathtakingly gorgeous! Granted, it was eight years ago but I have no doubt she's still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen... just simply, naturally beautiful.
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-16-2006, 09:04 AM:
 
I ran dailies for Fred Durst about a month ago. He didn't say a word to me, but I guess he was happy with the screening. I liked his DP, though...really nice guy.

Most aren't really "celebrities," but I have met quite a few small-time directors on the film festival circuit. Greg Pak ("Robot Stories" director) was the best--very smart, very friendly, and seemed to enjoy himself. Vanessa Parise (director of "Kiss the Bride") and Jem Cohen ("Chain" director) were total jerks.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-16-2006, 09:46 AM:
 
Leonard Nimoy at Lucas' ranch years ago. Great guy; ate with us at our table. Spent 2 days with us during the original THX/TAP orientation. A true intellectual. Might be the smartest man in Hollywood. Very impressive. Many conversations with Nimoy and a screen writer about what can be done within the Star Trek framework. Louis
 

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Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 08-16-2006, 10:27 AM:
 
I used to go to church with both Martina McBride & Faith Hill when I lived in Nashville. My oldest son was actually in the nursery classes with both their kids. I never recognized either one of them until my wife pointed them out. Never spoke with them, but I guess it was a "brush with greatness".

I used to live next door to Tanya Tucker and her parents. Nice folks. Came home from work one afternoon to find a huge "Black Velvet" tour bus parked in my driveway. Note taped to my front door said, "Bus won't go down driveway in ice and snow... will pick it up in the morning."

Had several of the Tennessee Titans and their families show up at our theatre for Spiderman 2. I'm not a big football fan, so I didn't know their names, but my employees sure did.

Jason Meadows (from "NASHVILLE STAR" TV show) showed up at the drive-in last summer. The concession girls about went APE .

I met Garth Brooks one night backstage at the Grand Ole Opry... BIG 'ing asshole. I like his music... but as a person he leaves alot to be desired.
 

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Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 08-16-2006, 12:30 PM:
 
Best would be Leonard Maltin. Had a nice quick chat with him about the "Wilhelm Scream" during the intermission of Charge At Feather River at Jeff's first 3D Expo.

Worst would have to be Al Franken. While working at the Republican Convention in Philly in 2000, my job was to direct folks getting off the subway towards the convention festivities. Mr Franken got off the train and wanted to get past me to go to Veterans Stadium, even though we told him that the convention was across the parking lot at the First Union Center. He showed us his credentials and really wanted to get past, swearing we were trying to keep him out. Eventually, I guess when he noticed that everyone else was going to The Center, he huffed off a bit aggitated. The next day, he got off the same train, and did the exact same thing, and again got aggitated. Maybe it was a clone the second day or something, but I doubt it.
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 08-16-2006, 03:17 PM:
 
Adam Martin and Todd Parr met me. It was a great experience for them both. I'm kind of big deal. People know me.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-16-2006, 03:19 PM:
 
I've never met any celebrities...

BUTT! I have to agree with:

quote: Christopher Crouch

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I have noticed those lower on the studio food chain and/or wanabees tend to be the most obnoxious.

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 08-16-2006, 04:24 PM:
 
Does your apartment smell of mahogany? And do you own many leather bound books?
 

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Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 08-16-2006, 04:31 PM:
 
and Brad says I want to marry Will Ferrell....
 

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Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 08-16-2006, 05:28 PM:
 
Best: Cher
She was very nice, signing autographs for everyone.

Worst: Bob Hope
It wasn't that he wasn't nice or anything, but he didn't let anyone "meet" him, I was in the Brown Derby restaurant in Disney World and he had a whole section roped off for him and three other guys.
 

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Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 08-16-2006, 08:57 PM:
 
Me and my glamorous celebrity friends



Cam & Sam McMurray (one very funny guy) aka Herman Munster 1996
 

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Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 08-16-2006, 09:06 PM:
 
Al Gore during the '92 Campaign before he refined his PowerPoint presentation. Firm handshake. That important to me when I meet new people.

My wife's best friend partied with Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Ward and Jerome Bettis (just after retirement). Both were A-Class guys. My step son has some cool pictures from that night.

quote: Kelly Skaggs

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Johnny Bench is a MAJOR ASSHOLE.

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Don't suppose you gentlemen would be interested in the rookie card I have then . . .
 

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Posted by John Stewart (Member # 989) on 08-17-2006, 02:37 AM:
 
I guess the first celib encounter was Robert Redford while showing location dailies for GREAT WALDO PEPPER. He was friendly at that time and we talked about this area. He had relatives here. They had just finished THE STING and were pretty happy. Best encounter on that show was Frank Tallman who flew stunts. It was a treat to get to talk to him. He also flew stunts in MAD,MAD,WORLD.I believe he was the one who went thru the coka cola sign with the beechcraft.

The best was meeting Debra Winger and her husband Arliss Howard. We were doing a screening of BIG BAD LOVE which Arliss directed. She wanted to meet the projectionist. Guess she wanted to be sure I wasn't just a popcorn slinger.

This last season, Debbie Reynolds did a one woman show on stage at our theater. Seemed to be friendly to the production staff. I got a guarded hello. Also that season Marvin Hamlish was here. Very funny and friendly with the crew. Willy Nelson is nice to the crew here. I guess Austin is too much in his back yard for blow ups. Vince Vaughn was here with a traveling comedian show. Peter (you'll put your eye out Ralphie)Billingsley was his stage mgr. Vaughn was the most frienly of the two. Got to talk to Billingsley about CHRISTMAS STORY a little bit.

Another really nice guy was Sam Elliot. A film of his (OFF THE MAP) was screened that night and after the Q&A he shook hands with all of us in a very warm manner. In spite of a bad cold, he was very good to us.

Asses??? I don't remember any. They don't deserve to be remembered.

John
 

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Posted by Anslem Rayburn (Member # 1267) on 08-17-2006, 05:29 AM:
 

quote:

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Don't suppose you gentlemen would be interested in the rookie card I have then . . . [Razz]

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Nope. You would be more than welcome to take that card, turn it sideways, and should it up your ass. I collect cards, but not from butt-chunks. I have Elway and Marinos. I have Favres and Youngs. They are class guys... and my collection has many, many autographs. Benchs is a D I C K. He's not worth my time as a collector. He would be lucky to meet me. He might be the greatest catcher of all time, but an asshole will always be an asshole...and an asshole is only an inch away from a dick...
 

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Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 08-17-2006, 09:47 AM:
 
Best: Moose Skowron. When I was 12 years old, we were peeing at adjacent urinals, and he took the opportunity to lecture me on the importance of staying in school.

Worst: John DeLancie, who wouldn't even acknowledge my presence when signing a STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION LaserDisc for me.

I have a great way of finding out how cool celebrities are. Instead of having my picture taken with them, I have my picture taken by them. It's really funny to see their reactions. Some of them completely get it and don't even bat an eye. Others spend a few minutes wrapping their head around the fact that someone wants them to take a picture. But sooner or later, they all relent. I haven't been turned down yet.

I've only been doing it for about a year, so most of the people are comic creators who the general public haven't been exposed to. But I've had my picture taken by Jason Mewes, and my soon-to-be member photo is by Frank Miller. All of the pictures can be seen here.

[ 08-17-2006, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: Mike Schindler ]
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-17-2006, 12:31 PM:
 
Some celebrities are stuck up jerks 100% of the time. Perhaps some get that way from being surrounded by kiss-ass types who want their money or attention all day long. Some have probably been that way their whole life.

Others may just be having a bad day or something and leave fans and other regular people with a negative impression that may not be accurate.

I can definitely see that potential with sports celebrities having to autograph tons of shit at some convention. That would wear me out. For all I know, Johnny Bench could indeed be a complete jerk; I've never met him. He grew up nearby in Binger, OK. Our company did some sign work for the high school he attended (they have a big display case showing off all sorts of Johnny Bench memorabilia). The principal there told me Bench still comes back to Binger once in awhile and seemed like a nice enough guy.

But people of all types, celebrity or not, put up different "fronts" at different times.
 

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Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 08-17-2006, 12:45 PM:
 
To Mike,
 

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Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 08-17-2006, 06:00 PM:
 
Chris, I get that a lot. Essentially what it boils down to is that my theory on why most people like to have their picture taken with celebrities is that they want proof that they met this person. That way, when they go back and tell their friends that they met So-and-So, their friends will know that they're not full of shit. What I don't understand is why most people don't realize that no one cares. Is anyone here impressed by the fact that I met Frank Miller? I'm guessing the answer is no. I know I wouldn't be. The only person who got anything out of that encounter was me.

So here's a collection of a bunch of pictures, all essentially the same, that serve as mememtos for when I met these particular people. But there's absolutely no evidence that they were taken by these celebrities. And that's funny.

Secondly, especially for filmmakers, I see it as sort of a photographic equivalent of a quick sketch. That's something that a lot of artists do for people at book signings and such. Maybe Miller will draw a two-minute sketch of Batman or something. So here I have a photo of myself by Miller, who's a great filmmaker. Something about that is cool to me.

And finally, it's a great conversation piece when meeting these people. How many times in a row can someone hear "I love your work." And how awkward would it be to respond to that? "Oh. Thanks." This breaks up the monotony. Gives them something to do. I have stories for every one of these people, and they're all funny. Miller just didn't get it at all, and I think he finally did it just to shut me up. But then he couldn't figure out how to use my camera. Keith Giffen called me a mental patient. Jason Mewes wanted to take more pictures of me. And Brian Michael Bendis, not surprisingly, just absolutely got it, without question.

So yeah, I don't know. The explanation probably just makes it more confusing. Sorry. But you asked.
 

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Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 08-17-2006, 06:05 PM:
 
ok, I kinda get it now. When I read "get my picture taken by them," I thought you meant in proximity to them. Not as lame as I originally thought.
 

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Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 08-17-2006, 07:31 PM:
 

quote: Chris Hipp

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Not as lame as I originally thought.

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quote: Mike Schindler

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But I'll admit it's still kinda lame.

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Well I like it very original.
"yes this is the shot william shatner took of me",
I think its worth $60.
Cam
 

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Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 08-17-2006, 10:36 PM:
 
Does he TAKE the picture or is it taken WITH him? If he takes it, then whats the point?? I'd love to meet him, and cant wait to see the Celebrity Roast. "When the Shat hits the fan". Should be funny.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-17-2006, 11:33 PM:
 

quote: Aaron Mehocic

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Al Gore during the '92 Campaign before he refined his PowerPoint presentation. Firm handshake. That important to me when I meet new people.

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Hey, I thought this thread was about celebrities ??????
 

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 08-18-2006, 12:10 AM:
 
Some of the other folks mentioned in this thread can hardly be considered celebrities either.

As for the picture taking thing, it's an interesting spin on things though I didn't get it at first. There's a photographer I heard who takes pictures of tourists in foreign countries, rather than the monuments and such, so it's kind of in the same vein, a new spin on the old pictures.
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 08-18-2006, 12:45 AM:
 

quote:

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ce·leb·ri·ty
n. pl. ce·leb·ri·ties

1. A famous person.
2. Renown; fame.

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quote: Frank Dubrois

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Does he TAKE the picture or is it taken WITH him? If he takes it, then whats the point??

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quote: Mark J. Marshall

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Best would be Leonard Maltin.

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Somehow, I knew he'd be like this. It comes through. He's a brilliant man, I've always had a great deal of respect for him.

[STORY OF WORST] Several years ago, when we lived in IL, the hosts for the "This Old House" show came to State Farm Headquarters in Bloomington (where my wife worked), to secure funding for another year of shows or some such. To express their gratitude, the show set up a table in the foyer, so all the employees could come by and meet the "stars", chat, get autographs/photos, etc.

I liked Abraham's show and had read some of his books, so I figured it might be fun. We waited in line for well over two hours. When it was my turn at Abraham's position, I warmly extended my hand and told him how much I honestly enjoyed and learned from his book, and I thought he was a fine craftsman, yada, yada, yada.

Well, friends, this man did not say one word or even acknowledge me. From the moment I walked up and offered my praise, he turned his attention towards the chick standing downline from me and engaged her in conversation - WHILE I WAS TALKING!! I couldn't believe the utter rudeness!!

After having waded through that incredible crowd, only to be ignored by him, I felt so foolish! Since then, I have not watched him, his show, or read his books again. (I told this story recently on the Howie Carr show in Boston, so I hope it got back to Abrahams. Howie sure got a kick out of it.)

Somewhere, we have a picture my wife took, showing me smiling warmly, talking, and shaking Abraham's hand... while his head is turned 45 degrees away talking to this girl.

And the real kicker is the girl wasn't even hot! I was better-looking than she was!

FWIW, Steve Thomas and the other principles were absolutely warm and gracious. I found Thomas to be a very personable man.

[Best Encounters]
I was Phyllis George's projectionist when she was First-Lady of KY. Well, it sort of worked out that way. I worked several theatres for the local at the time, and it seemed everywhere I was, she'd happen by. Well, one day I struck up a converstation with her, and it evolved into this "relationship". She began to ask for me whenever she rented a theatre for a special screening or something, invited me to the parties, etc. I sure felt special. Lovely woman, and very nice to me.

Glenn Beck. I ran a spotlight on the opening night of his "On Ice" show several months ago, for our own Richard Wolfe here at the Roxy. Glenn Beck is very approachable, and most-gracious. He actually took the time to stop and chat with me.. and he actually LISTENED! I've always found him to be inspirational on radio, and this just confirmed to me that he's genuine. Definitely a high point for me.

Becoming a celebrity, that I knew back when: Bradley Picklesimer, friend of the late Divine, and infamous cross-dresser, who's made quite a name for himself/herself these days as anOscar Party Planner. He used to hang out at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington, where I was chief projectionist for about 100 years. I don't know anyone who has been treated anything but stellar by Bradley. What a character!
 

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Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 08-18-2006, 02:43 PM:
 
My list is long, so here goes:

Movie/TV Celebs:

Francis Coppola: Twice! First time in 1985, when I was an intern with the late Larry Cavanaugh's SFX crew on the set of Peggy Sue Got Married... Everywhere you went, you would run into him. The second time was during a test screening of a unmarried workprint of The Virgin Suicides. He came up to the booth and asked a lot of questions. It was as if he had never seen a platter before (Maybe he really hadn't- he asked a lot about it). Really nice on all occasions, even let us get pics with him (in 1985)...

Sofia Coppola: Was also at the 'Suicides' screening. Very nice but also very quiet and shy...

Patrick Swayze: Met Patrick and his wife at a film festival, when he visited the booth. He was very cool, and even offered to write me a check to reimburse me for a shipping reel I donated to replace a totally shattered one that came with the print of his film!!! He also praised me on my presentation.

Kathleen Turner: while she has that awesome sexy voice and those LEGS... she was a stone cold BITCH: While on the PSGM set in 1985, a friend of mine was asked to get a pic of several crew members with Kathleen, she obliged and my friend took three pics with three different crew members' cameras. Then we asked if my friend and I could get a pic with her and the SFX guys, and it was like someone turned on the 'bitch switch'. she literally just turned around, and walked off without saying a word... My friend got his 'revenge' at the wrap party by 'paparazzi-ing' her the entire night with his camera.

Nicolas Cage: Once again at the PSGM set- Nick was incredibly cool. Let us take pics with him on several occasions, came up and hung with the SFX guys and my brother and friend at the wrap party, all-around cool dude.

Helen Hunt: I believe she was around 22 at the time of PSGM and still unknown, (but still cute), and I sat talking to her on several occasions during the filming...

Winona Ryder: Teenager 'Noni' Horowitz was a regular at the local dollar house I worked at. Even as her first several films started coming out and she was on her way to becoming a superstar she still was quite nice to me at least.

Elliott Gould: Briefly met him at a festival in 1987, he was nice.

Scott Baio: 'Chachi' is now directing indie films: Met him at one of the festivls I worked. He complimented me on my presentation and was quite cool to me in general, though he seemed to be a bit uppity when around the group he came to the theatre with...

Meredith Scott Lynn: really nice, a booth visitor, quite friendly and of course HOT! She is another festival regular.

Fionnula Flanagan: Was nice to me and asked a few questions about the booth when she got the tour during a festival.

Richard Harris(RIP): Briefly met him at a festival, he was with several others and had a little dog in tow for an outdoor screening. Shook my hand and asked how the festival was going for me.

Molly Ringwald: When my family and I met Molly she was all of 13-14 at the time (1982) and none of her feature films had been released yet. She was still quite nice, and signed autograhs for my brothers.

John Madden (the football one): Was not too bad either... He was in the same film that Molly was in. Played himself. In between takes he would go up to the stands (filming crowd scenes, My mom, bothers and I were extras) and work on 'pumping up' the crowd... He also did the announcing of the winners of a prize drawing that the producers had for the extras.

John Matuszak(RIP): Was also playing himself in the film that Molly and Madden were in. He was nice to us and signed autographs, had signed (along with Madden) a Raiders football that was one of the prizes at the drawing...

Esther Rolle(RIP): Absolutely FELL IN LOVE with my brothers (who are identical twins): she signed autographs and had my brothers sit to either side of her for some scenes she was filming! (the scenes with them on either side of her unfortunately never made it to the final cut of the film)

Richard Dreyfuss: Briefly introduced to me at a festival, he seemed fine if a little bit rushed.

Non-Movie Celebs:

All of the band Y&T: Not too bad, got to hang with them backstage after the show (1983)

All of the band Night Ranger: Got a flyer autographed, hung with them backstage (1983).

Johns Flansburgh and Linnell (They Might Be Giants): VERY cool, they seemed to be quite friendly with the crowd, signing autographs and talking with people, but by the time I got to the head of the line, they were apparently in a huge hurry to get somewhere and left rather abruptly.

Lane McCray (of the musical duo LaBouche): Met Lane at the 45th Anniversary reunion banquet for US Air Force Entertainment's TOPS IN BLUE. (Lane toured in 1988, 1990, and 1992, I toured in 1994). As with all TIB priors, he was very nice and gve Kat and I an autographed CD of his latest album.

Ice-T: Was pissing in the urinal next to me at a Body Count concert. Asked how I was doing and if I was enjoying the show...

Ray Charles(RIP): Met backstage in 1983. Very cordial.

All of X (Exene Cervenka's band): Hung with them backstage after a ca. 1983 show. All of them but John Doe (who was napping in the tour bus) signed a flyer for me, and Exene kissed me on the forehead.

Greg Kihn: Kihn and his band members signed a copy of BAM magazine for me after a 1983 show. Hung out briefly with them afterwards.

Dick Dale: Probably one of the coolest people in rock-n-roll! He makes it a point to greet his fans after a show, and he will sign anything you stick in front of him. If he has time he also will chat about the show and his band, gear, etc... Class act all around!

Seth Justman (Keyboardist/songwriter for the J. Geils Band): Met him during a charity screening of his brother Paul's film Standing In The Shadows Of Motown Talked with him awhile about the film, and about vintage keyboards.

-Aaron
 

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Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 08-19-2006, 12:01 AM:
 
I keep on remembering more celebrity encounters!

On my CV it still features

Spot light operator for "Spinal Tap" Smell the Glove Promotional Tour, Sydney circa 1992

Strangely they had a new drummer! They were fun and gave me an autographed CD

Another was Lachlan Murdock, son of Rupert (Mr 20th Century Fox) who asked for permission, came up to the bio box, shaked my hand and thank us for his preview screening of Independance Day, at Planet Hollywood Sydney. A real suprise, quite the gentleman.

[ 08-20-2006, 05:51 AM: Message edited by: Cameron Glendinning ]
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-19-2006, 12:40 AM:
 
I've never met any movie stars -- only musicians at concerts, usually.

My best was Alan Parsons, of The Alan Parsons Project. He and his whole band (many the same guys who played on all his classic albums) signed autographs and visited with about 30 of us fans for about an hour after a show in Seattle.

I've met George Winston (pianist) several times. He grew up in Montana and is always very nice and friendly.

We had Dan Seals (of the hit song "Bop" and "Meet Me In Montana") on stage here at the theatre and he was really nice too.

I guess I've never had a "worst," but my "least good" was Randy Bachman (of Bachman Turner Overdrive) He was just tired, having just played a show, and I can't blame him for wanting to get the hell out of there...it was a great show.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-19-2006, 01:36 AM:
 

quote: Mike Blakesley

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We had Dan Seals (of the hit song "Bop" and "Meet Me In Montana") on stage here at the theatre and he was really nice too.

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Mike, can I touch you? I absolutely love Dan Seals (fka, England Dan of John Ford Coley fame, and brother of Jim Seals of Seals and Crofts.) That's such good music.
 

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 08-19-2006, 01:46 AM:
 
Just thought of a few more

Robert Wagner - pretty nice guy, chatted iwth him for a while about Peter Sellers and Geoffrey Rush's movie, though he did naturally give more attention to the women that were at the screening, lol

Lars, Jason, James from Metallica - Used to belong to the Met. Fan Club back in mid 90s. 1 concert I got backstage and waited about 90 minutes and finally Lars came out and started signing stuff, he made a sarcastic remark about my membership # but it was all in fun, he seemed ok. Didn't hang around for the other guys if they came out at all. 3 years later, another concert... this time I got james and Jason, Jason was telling everyone no flashes because it effects his eyes or something, and one persons flash went off by accident, but he seemed cordial about it. James was cool guy... I was wearing a KISS shirt and we talked a little about them. Never did meet Kirk

Harry Belafonte - My grandma's friend were at some dinner benefit and Harry was there, and I guess they were at his table or he decided he wanted to sit where they were, and he gave them the old "dont you know who I am" routine

Bruce, Eric, Gene and Paul from KISS - Before they put the makeup back on. Was at the kiss convention, I talked a little to Bruce and Eric, both great guys, Gene seemed ok, and didn't get a photo with Paul, although he did ask me where I got the drum cover I was having them all sign

Jason Hervey - Came back from LA to Phx on a flight with him, he was busy chatting on his cell the whole time so I didn't both him. Really short guy

Brad Zutaut - A friend of a friend... I see him every now and then when I get out to LA, really cool guy. He was the blond guys best friend in Back to School, and also one of the leads in a sequel to an 80s t and a flick
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-20-2006, 01:16 PM:
 
A couple more good ones here, too...

Lillian Gish. In the mid-80s, had a measure of spunk and was still vibrant. I was impressed by her.

Debbie Reynolds. Definitely on the A-list, so she was somewhat stand-offish... but at the same time, she came off to me like she'd be fun in a bar.
 

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Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 08-21-2006, 09:27 PM:
 

quote: Tim Reed

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Glenn Beck. I've always found him to be inspirational on radio, and this just confirmed to me that he's genuine. Definitely a high point for me.

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Absolutely agreed on that. Oh, my GOSH, how could I forget Glenn?! What a great guy. I've talked to him on the air once (for those that listen to his show, he once did a bracket bit on what people are most afraid of, and I called in and said "An Alien Invasion" ), and I met him in person a few times. He used to be in the Philly area, and lived not far from my apartment. Nice dude, and I agree one hundred percent on him being inspirational to listen to.

I also met Hannity a few times. Also an awesome guy, and "A Great American." He always does his best to hang around and say hello to everyone who shows up, which often makes him late for his next gig.
 

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Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 08-22-2006, 10:16 AM:
 
Dick Dale of Surf Guitar fame...a true class act...Just like Aaron said.

To make a long story short, a casual friend of mine ran the USAF/MWR rec-center/pool hall at Norton AFB in San Bernadino, Ca. Turns out that he was also a drummer for such groups as the Surfaris, Turtles and others.

Anyhow, I went to see Dick Dale and the Surfaris in concert at a little bar/restraunt in Redlands...and sure enough my friend was the drummer.

Was introduced to Dale...seemed to be a great guy. But I opted to listen to him from back stage instead of in front of him...for some reasons the accoustics behind him were much better!

Anyhow, I guess Dale has been using his same guitar and amp for decades and was getting concerned about not being able to find tubes and other parts. So I gave him contact info for several of the anntique radio/amp parts suppliers. He was under the impression that tubes were impossible to come by...and was rather shocked when I told him otherwise.

Kutler
 

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Posted by Mark Lippert (Member # 2573) on 08-23-2006, 01:50 PM:
 
Back in March, our theater showed Crispin Glover's movie What Is It? and he was there to do his slide show and a Q & A. I think he was the most polite person I ever met. When signing autographs in the lobby, he would chat with the people as long they wanted. I think I saw one guy talk to him for about 15 minutes.
 

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 08-23-2006, 02:19 PM:
 
Has anyone met a celebrity say at a bookstore or the mall, something not at a promotional appearance, and how did you find them to be? It'd be interesting if they're all shits and giggles at the promotional appearance, but if you run into them at Borders or at the gas station, how would they be there? I saw Dennis Farina at a Checker Auto one time buying a license plate frame, and some guy buying spark plugs was talking to him... he seemed like a cool guy and friendly.
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 08-23-2006, 07:37 PM:
 
I saw Dennis Weaver at a hardware store in the Calif. mountain resort town of Blue Jay. He was getting keys made. He seemed like a nice guy while explaining what he needed to the clerk, not demanding or anything. Though it's worth noting that all other activity in the store came to a halt and all the customers deferred to Weaver, who had the complete attention of the clerk. Everyone else became a spectator, by their choice.
 

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Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 08-24-2006, 01:30 PM:
 
I used to live across the street from John Mahoney and would see him walking around town rather frequently. I never said anything more than "Hi" in passing, but he seemed like a nice guy, and he has a reputation here for being very approachable.
 

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Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 08-25-2006, 07:57 PM:
 

quote: David Stambaugh

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I saw Dennis Weaver at a hardware store in the Calif. mountain resort town of Blue Jay.

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An autographed picture of Dennis Weaver hangs in the manager's office made out to the staff of our cinema. The downstairs kids come up to the office for whatever reason and look at that picture having no idea who it is. I tell them its just some local guy who autographed his picture for us (which is a total lie).
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 08-25-2006, 08:26 PM:
 
Refer them to this if they need to be educated about who Dennis Freaking Weaver is! (I mean, was )


 

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Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 08-27-2006, 09:14 PM:
 
Today I went to the Hollywood Blvd. Theater in Woodridge, IL to see KILL BILL in its entirety. Needless to say, it was the best movie-going experience of my life (seeing as how KILL BILL is the best movie ever made). But the day was slightly tainted by David Carradine and Michael Madsen, who were in attendence. They were in the lobby to "sign autographs, take pictures, and chit-chat," But when I got there, I found out that they were charging $20 for their signatures and not posing for pictures, let alone taking them. I was all set to add to my collection, but walked away empty-handed.
 

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Posted by Jason M Miller (Member # 2597) on 08-28-2006, 01:49 AM:
 
I don't think I have meet any movie/Tv stars. I have meet a couple of musicians.

Let's see, the big one that stands out is POD, they are great guys, very willing to come up and talk with us, got all there autographs. Also meet the band Pillar.
 

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