Star struck

ejgorman

For whatever reason, i thought about one of my celebrity encounters tonight. It was totally random and I think that's what made it memorable so I figured I'd share it with you.

Late one night during undergrad at UW Madison, I'm walking down State Street to get some late night eats. In the distance I see an imposing figure and, for whatever reason, I cannot look away. He seems familiar. He was wearing heather grey sweatpants with a corduroy jacket complete with elbow patches, huge reddish mutton chops, thick black frame glasses and a side-part. We lock eyes for several steps. I spotted him more than a block away and couldn't stop staring. The whole time I'm wondering why this guy looks familiar. I could not place him. Suddenly he points right at me and shouts, "You! Shut the fvck up!"

Once I heard his voice the recognition was immediate. "Hey Chris! What's up!"

An awkward chuckle and the wave of a hand. "How ya doin."

And that's my Chris Farley story. He once told me to shut the fvck up. Who knew he would have so much in common with my wife! Anyone else have any random celebrity encounters worth sharing?

First_Warrior

I was in Great Lakes Navy Hospital in Chicago in June 1967. I had just been medevaced from a month long stay in a hospital in Japan recooperating from being wounded in Vietnam. I was walking again but had to use crutches. A bunch of civilans came into the ward with cameras. I saw a woman i thought I recognized. She started singing "over the rainbow" and it was Judy Garland. I dropped my crutches and grabbed her and swung her around. Her naval officer escorts grabbed me, seperated us and shoved me back into my rack. I got read the riot act but was excused as a knot head Jarhead who hadn't seen a round eyed woman in more than a year. She smelled nice.

CharlieHeis

Both good stories. Mine is lame. Kansas coach Bill Self sat down next to me at a high school basketball game. We talked a little bit. He was actively recruiting one kid and observing a few others. Told you it was lame.

wahooschock

Awesome stories. Willy Nelson offered to get me a snack at the airport when I was about 8 lol didnt realize who it was until he was walking away. I said no thank you sir and he laughed and walked away. Thats when I saw his braids. Lol I screeched like a lil girl. Funny part is no one in my family is into country.

onestrangeone

I was snubbed by Hershel Walker at the Summit hotel in 86 or 87, does that count?

D_Fresh

Probably my favorite athlete/celebrity conversation would be when I met Rocky Bleier. It was at an event and we ended up chatting for quite a while. I also got to wear his 4 super bowl rings. That was pretty sweet.

SM0K3Y

Did a show in Kansas, opening for Drowning Pool, after party goin down, ended up barred in a tiny bathroom, holding the door shut with my foot (line all the through the bar) while me and the late singer (Dave RIP my man) and two cousins(?) that looked suspiciously like stripper/groupies had an extremely illegal after party of our own....Does that count as a celebrity story? ;p

jlmarta

Back in the mid-60's I had the chance to be an extra in the movie "The Russians are coming, The Russians are coming" as a Russian sailor. Does that count?

I got to rub elbows with a number of the actors and actresses such as Jonathon Winters, Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, Ben Blue, etc. I even got to play Scrabble with Brian Keith, Jonathon Winters, and Ben Blue between takes. It was a fun time in my life and I thought I wanted to be an actor. But after being around those folks for the length of time it took to shoot the movie I changed my mind. I decided I wanted no part of their lifestyle. It was an interesting experience, though, and I'm glad I did it.

SM0K3Y

jlmarta:

Back in the mid-60's I had the chance to be an extra in the movie "The Russians are coming, The Russians are coming" as a Russian sailor. Does that count?

I got to rub elbows with a number of the actors and actresses such as Jonathon Winters, Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, Ben Blue, etc. I even got to play Scrabble with Brian Keith, Jonathon Winters, and Ben Blue between takes. It was a fun time in my life and I thought I wanted to be an actor. But after being around those folks for the length of time it took to shoot the movie I changed my mind. I decided I wanted no part of their lifestyle. It was an interesting experience, though, and I'm glad I did it.

Thats awesome! I always wanted to get into acting, but music took center stage

jlmarta

SM0K3Y:

jlmarta:

Back in the mid-60's I had the chance to be an extra in the movie "The Russians are coming, The Russians are coming" as a Russian sailor. Does that count?

I got to rub elbows with a number of the actors and actresses such as Jonathon Winters, Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, Ben Blue, etc. I even got to play Scrabble with Brian Keith, Jonathon Winters, and Ben Blue between takes. It was a fun time in my life and I thought I wanted to be an actor. But after being around those folks for the length of time it took to shoot the movie I changed my mind. I decided I wanted no part of their lifestyle. It was an interesting experience, though, and I'm glad I did it.

Thats awesome! I always wanted to get into acting, but music took center stage

Yeah. If you get a chance to rent the movie, my little 'bit' part has me with the .50 cal machine gun up on the conning tower of the submarine. I'm also part of the human pyramid that forms to rescue the kid. Whoop-dee-doo, huh?? ??

blutattoo

The closest thing I've got is I've given track driving instruction to Olympic Gold Medal Sprinter Michael Johnson. For as fast as he runs he drives just the opposite. I'll cut him a little slack since it was his first time on the track with his new McLaren. Super nice guy and a genuine car nut. For a time there he was the most dominant sprinter on the planet, but he is humble as can be.

Eulogy

I met Chuck Lidell at Disneyland. He didn't really look like he wanted to be there.

SM0K3Y

jlmarta:

SM0K3Y:

jlmarta:

Back in the mid-60's I had the chance to be an extra in the movie "The Russians are coming, The Russians are coming" as a Russian sailor. Does that count?

I got to rub elbows with a number of the actors and actresses such as Jonathon Winters, Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, Ben Blue, etc. I even got to play Scrabble with Brian Keith, Jonathon Winters, and Ben Blue between takes. It was a fun time in my life and I thought I wanted to be an actor. But after being around those folks for the length of time it took to shoot the movie I changed my mind. I decided I wanted no part of their lifestyle. It was an interesting experience, though, and I'm glad I did it.

Thats awesome! I always wanted to get into acting, but music took center stage

Yeah. If you get a chance to rent the movie, my little 'bit' part has me with the .50 cal machine gun up on the conning tower of the submarine. I'm also part of the human pyramid that forms to rescue the kid. Whoop-dee-doo, huh?? ??

Most folks dream of getting to be in a movie, you get to say you have, nice!

Rain

In 2012 I met the President in Afghanistan. Told everyone not on duty to form up late at night without our weapons, so we had an idea of what was going on...most of us would rather have just kept sleeping. Put us in a big building on lock down for a few hours, then he came out said some stuff and left. Meh.

Puff_Dougie

When I was in college, I got to be "roadie for a day" for a band called "A.D." which was formed by two ex-members of the band Kansas - Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope. We hung around backstage and played hackeysack. Every time I hear a classic from Kansas on the radio I get to say, "I played hackeysack with those guys!"

90+_Irishman

Talked to comedian and TV star Christopher Titus and drive with him on the 2006 Hot Rod Power Tour, but so did the other 5000+ people that did the entire 7 day Long Haul not to mention the 100,000+ people that participated in the Power Tour that way lol.

D_Fresh

Just met Pete Carroll at the Pacers game. Very nice guy.

bandyt09

D Fresh:

Just met Pete Carroll at the Pacers game. Very nice guy.

Nice, opportunity you wouldn't want to pass on.........................

Puff_Dougie

bandyt09:

D Fresh:

Just met Pete Carroll at the Pacers game. Very nice guy.

Nice, opportunity you wouldn't want to pass on.........................

Good thing Shizz wasn't there! LOL

D_Fresh

bandyt09:

D Fresh:

Just met Pete Carroll at the Pacers game. Very nice guy.

Nice, opportunity you wouldn't want to pass on.........................

Tried to ask why he didn't run the ball but the security guard intercepted me before I had a chance

twistedstem

Puff_Dougie:

When I was in college, I got to be "roadie for a day" for a band called "A.D." which was formed by two ex-members of the band Kansas - Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope. We hung around backstage and played hackeysack. Every time I hear a classic from Kansas on the radio I get to say, "I played hackeysack with those guys!"

I believe ihave there first album called prime mover!!

Puff_Dougie

twistedstem:

Puff_Dougie:

When I was in college, I got to be "roadie for a day" for a band called "A.D." which was formed by two ex-members of the band Kansas - Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope. We hung around backstage and played hackeysack. Every time I hear a classic from Kansas on the radio I get to say, "I played hackeysack with those guys!"

I believe ihave there first album called prime mover!!

That was actually their fourth album, but probably their best one. It has a re-make of the classic Kansas song "Portrait" called "Portrait II" that represents the new spiritual perspective of Kerry Livgren. Very cool guys and a memorable experience.

0patience

I had 2 trucks in the opening beach race scene of Goonies.
A 69 Blazer and 70 Chevy pickup.

Over the years I've gotten to meet quite a few celebrities in the automotive industry at SEMA/AAPEX conventions in Las Vegas, because I was pretty involved in the automotive aftermarket diagnostics.
Mario Andretti, Kenny Berenstein, mostly NHRA names. Got to meet Rick Dale, from Rick's Restoration, a couple years ago in Las Vegas. Years back got to meet Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose.

I miss going to the SEMA convention.

blutattoo

0patience:

I had 2 trucks in the opening beach race scene of Goonies.
A 69 Blazer and 70 Chevy pickup.

Over the years I've gotten to meet quite a few celebrities in the automotive industry at SEMA/AAPEX conventions in Las Vegas, because I was pretty involved in the automotive aftermarket diagnostics.
Mario Andretti, Kenny Berenstein, mostly NHRA names. Got to meet Rick Dale, from Rick's Restoration, a couple years ago in Las Vegas. Years back got to meet Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose.

I miss going to the SEMA convention.

My man's got Goonie cred. That's awesome.

D_Fresh

blutattoo:

0patience:

I had 2 trucks in the opening beach race scene of Goonies.
A 69 Blazer and 70 Chevy pickup.

Over the years I've gotten to meet quite a few celebrities in the automotive industry at SEMA/AAPEX conventions in Las Vegas, because I was pretty involved in the automotive aftermarket diagnostics.
Mario Andretti, Kenny Berenstein, mostly NHRA names. Got to meet Rick Dale, from Rick's Restoration, a couple years ago in Las Vegas. Years back got to meet Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose.

I miss going to the SEMA convention.

My man's got Goonie cred. That's awesome.

+1. That's so **** awesome...I grew up with that as my favorite movie. I just did the truffle shuffle in honor of 0patience

0patience

D Fresh:

blutattoo:

0patience:

I had 2 trucks in the opening beach race scene of Goonies.
A 69 Blazer and 70 Chevy pickup.

Over the years I've gotten to meet quite a few celebrities in the automotive industry at SEMA/AAPEX conventions in Las Vegas, because I was pretty involved in the automotive aftermarket diagnostics.
Mario Andretti, Kenny Berenstein, mostly NHRA names. Got to meet Rick Dale, from Rick's Restoration, a couple years ago in Las Vegas. Years back got to meet Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose.

I miss going to the SEMA convention.

My man's got Goonie cred. That's awesome.

+1. That's so **** awesome...I grew up with that as my favorite movie. I just did the truffle shuffle in honor of 0patience

Goonies, along with a ton of other movies were filmed in my home town.
Goonies used my gas station as a staging area for the chase scene. Mostly to use the parking lot and restrooms.
The log truck shown on Kindergarten Cop when they stop at the store is one that I built. The logging company I worked for supplied all of the log trucks for the movie. Mostly, the trucks sat all day, but the were paying for it.
They have Goonies celebrations here all the time.

D_Fresh

0patience:

D Fresh:

blutattoo:

0patience:

I had 2 trucks in the opening beach race scene of Goonies.
A 69 Blazer and 70 Chevy pickup.

Over the years I've gotten to meet quite a few celebrities in the automotive industry at SEMA/AAPEX conventions in Las Vegas, because I was pretty involved in the automotive aftermarket diagnostics.
Mario Andretti, Kenny Berenstein, mostly NHRA names. Got to meet Rick Dale, from Rick's Restoration, a couple years ago in Las Vegas. Years back got to meet Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose.

I miss going to the SEMA convention.

My man's got Goonie cred. That's awesome.

+1. That's so **** awesome...I grew up with that as my favorite movie. I just did the truffle shuffle in honor of 0patience

Goonies, along with a ton of other movies were filmed in my home town.
Goonies used my gas station as a staging area for the chase scene. Mostly to use the parking lot and restrooms.
The log truck shown on Kindergarten Cop when they stop at the store is one that I built. The logging company I worked for supplied all of the log trucks for the movie. Mostly, the trucks sat all day, but the were paying for it.
They have Goonies celebrations here all the time.

You have to stop...Goonies and Kindergarten Cop?! It's not a tumor..

brianetz1

The school i work at is a expensive school and draws some "celebrities" I talked for over an hour with Joe Buck and Bob Costas about how rude some fans can be while they are out and about. Spoke with Stan Musial several times before he died about life in general. Played floor hockey with Kieth Tkachuk. Talked with Chris Carpenter about the World Series experience and how people react to his many tattoos.

SM0K3Y

brianetz1:

The school i work at is a expensive school and draws some "celebrities" I talked for over an hour with Joe Buck and Bob Costas about how rude some fans can be while they are out and about. Spoke with Stan Musial several times before he died about life in general. Played floor hockey with Kieth Tkachuk. Talked with Chris Carpenter about the World Series experience and how people react to his many tattoos.

DUDE Costa Tkachuk Joe Buck AND Musial WOW

brianetz1

SM0K3Y:

brianetz1:

The school i work at is a expensive school and draws some "celebrities" I talked for over an hour with Joe Buck and Bob Costas about how rude some fans can be while they are out and about. Spoke with Stan Musial several times before he died about life in general. Played floor hockey with Kieth Tkachuk. Talked with Chris Carpenter about the World Series experience and how people react to his many tattoos.

DUDE Costa Tkachuk Joe Buck AND Musial WOW

Tkachuk is a really awesome dude......and also as fat as a house now. kinda sad this will be the last year he is at the school.

Hays

Well, I guess I´ve met a few, mostly because I grew up in a State capitol. Met Arnold Schwarzenegger at the California Capitol building once (just shook his hand), that was nifty... didn´t get to join in on the Capitol cigar tent however, THAT would´ve been WAY cool. Also met Kevin Johnson (former NBA All-Star) during a business seminar one time - learned I was at least tall enough to be a professional basketball player, if only missing all the requisite skill lol. Met a handful of the actors from Law & Order when they shot a film in my high-school town and I was a walk-on extra (TV movie from a book, ¨Gone, but not Forgotten¨). I don´t remember ever actually seeing myself in the movie though, so I guess I got cut out. My hotel in California hosted Lincoln Brewster and his family for a while (big name in Christian music), so that was nifty.

My wife is the one with the cool stories though, I think; she worked at a 5 star hotel when I first met her, and in the process had met Charlize Theron (VERY interesting story there), Anna Faris (very petite), Ben Kingsley ("such a nice guy, I really liked that guy"), and Sacha Baron Cohen.