Ever Meet a Famous Person

Quote: DRich

O.J. was before the murders. I would guess around 1992.

I didn't even recognize Cindy Crawford until the next night when she was on Johnny Carson (or maybe Jay Leno). She mentioned she just came from working in Las Vegas and just married Richard Gere the past weekend.

Very few people have been vilified like OJ has for losing an Ex Wife and trying to get his stuff back. And I still believe he didn’t know Mike was bringing a gun. And only he and CJ did time. But people still request to stay in 1203 at the Palace Station.


And still wondering why Cindy was hanging in the San Remo, lol.

Quote: Boz

Totally disagree. They have put many former wrestlers through rehab, including some multiple times. Most anyone who worked for them is eligible IF they admit they need help.

Most of the stories the public reads about were former or current junkies who blew all the money they made. Money amounts most can only dream off. You can’t make people save for later in life or have the common sense to realize the money won’t keep coming in.

But some liberal F@@@ goes on HBO and says Vince is screwing wrestlers over and it becomes a story.

Well, I don't know... I'll admit I haven't done a lot of research into it; I just hear news stories and interviews every once in a while about former wrestlers addicted to opiates living in the poor house. And I've seen a few interviews with Vince over the years and he comes across like a total a-hole whenever the topic comes up. Maybe there's some bias in those stories, but I honestly don't care that much about wrestling anymore to really go too in-depth on the subject.

I don't know what the "liberal F@@@" on HBO is in reference to, so I can't speak to that.

Quote: TigerWu

Well, I don't know... I'll admit I haven't done a lot of research into it; I just hear news stories and interviews every once in a while about former wrestlers addicted to opiates living in the poor house. And I've seen a few interviews with Vince over the years and he comes across like a total a-hole whenever the topic comes up. Maybe there's some bias in those stories, but I honestly don't care that much about wrestling anymore to really go too in-depth on the subject.

There seems to be a few guys he liked and took care of. Many he had to let go during his periodic bust cycles. He did turn a blind eye to Pat Patterson raping jobbers and ring boys. Closest I can say is I worked with a guy said he knew "Virgil" who said the guy was a jerk.

Quote: Mission146

That's a shame, almost makes me wish I bought one. I honestly wouldn't call it, "Hustling," except it was an extremely strong sell.

Thanks for the link Boz. It's kind of sad, but maybe the photos are out of context and taken when the events haven't opened or are winding down...

In any case, I can't fault the guy for his hustle. It beats slinging steroids or cocaine.

I see the same pathos when I come across a Pete Rose, or other celebrity "greeter" ad. It's tough when your 15 minutes are up and the spotlight moves on to the next big thing.

Hmmm.

Met (or worked with) Michelle Obama, Buzz Aldrin, General Wes Clark, Strom Thurmond, Fritz Hollings, Richard Nixon, Fritz Mondale, John Travolta, Chuck Yeager, Mick Jagger, Nelson Rockefeller, Gerald Ford, John Lindsay, Patti LuPone, Mickey Rooney, Ann Miller, Nathan Lane, Val Kilmer, Ron Wood, Leonard Nimoy, Peter Marshall, Hubert Humphrey, Clyde Drexler, Julius Irving, Doc Rivers, Mark Martin, John Glenn, Carl Hiaisson, Sully Sullenberger, Norm Mineta, Leo Kottke. Maybe some others. I'll have to think about it.

Spoke to Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart, Dale Earnhardt, every NASCAR driver who piloted from 1997 to 2009, 6 presidents worth of Air Force 1, dozens of celebrities' aircraft including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Roseanne Barr, Steven Spielberg, Paul Allen, Bill Gates; more dozens of pro team aircrafts, 2 kings, and 1 Emperor.

Danced to Prince and the Revolution live, before he was famous, back in Minneapolis.

Quote: Mission146

I forgot two:

Stephen Pearcy-Lead singer of Ratt.

.

Does that count?

Early 2000's wife and I wound up with Matthew Lillard(played Shaggy in Scooby Doo) at our table at the Wynn. He was losing and being a total a** to the dealer. I have met tons of politicians and famous people in the military. I think the most unique there was Oliver North and Fawn Hall.
Newt Gingrich was probably one of the most interesting people I had contact with and I think he's an exceptional person. I also came in contact with and spent quite a bit of time with one of the most feared and notorious criminals on the East Coast. No relation to DarkOz.😀

Science: Glenn Seaborg (discovered Plutonium). Edward Teller (Invented Hydrogen Bomb). Hans Bethe (Nobel Prize in Physics)

Sports: I met Muhammed Ali in the Albuquerque airport. (I think that tops Ted Williams.)

Music: Michael Jackson - stood next to him in the Miami airport and said hello.

Broadway: When I was 16: Mary Martin (Peter Pan).

Film (and broadway): Julie Andrews (Of everyone I have ever met, the one person with the most 'presence' - who most electrifies a room just by being in it.)

NBA: Chris Mullins and Bill Wennington went to a party in my parent's home when I was young. They were friends of my sister, at St. John's Univ.

Poker: I've played with Tony Dunst and Vince Van Patten. (okay, not at all impressive.) Vince busted me out of a tournament with an 8-5.

Government: James Schlesinger gave me an award. He had been CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Secretary of Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (under Nixon.)

I have met and talked with many senators and congressman and military Generals and a few presidential cabinet members. Some I have briefed in their offices, ridden in their cars, etc.

Lived and worked in Entertainment industry in Hollywood Hills in my 20's. Basically lived the life of the show 'Entourage'. 4 guys living in mansion overlooking LA. Party at our house after long nite at the Sky Bar every other week. Playmates running around topless, actors/actresses smoking it up, and private hang outs in my room away from the crowd house. Flew out to Vegas every month and ripped it up at Bellagio and Hard Rock. Many great friends and former girlfriends are celebs.

The two greatest moments however were hanging out and smoking it up with Val Kilmer at my house in HH, and the other time was shooting craps with Michael Jordan with Sixers cheerleaders, one of whom I was dating.... the others all got banged by MJ... perhaps even the one I was dating.

Celebs are people too... just like you and I. When you hear someone bash a celeb, whom they have never even met, chances are they are suffering from Malignant Envy.

Quote: WatchMeWin

Lived and worked in Entertainment industry in Hollywood Hills in my 20's. Basically lived the life of the show 'Entourage'. 4 guys living in mansion overlooking LA. Party at our house after long nite at the Sky Bar every other week. Playmates running around topless, actors/actresses smoking it up, and private hang outs in my room away from the crowd house. Flew out to Vegas every month and ripped it up at Bellagio and Hard Rock. Many great friends and former girlfriends are celebs.

The two greatest moments however were hanging out and smoking it up with Val Kilmer at my house in HH, and the other time was shooting craps with Michael Jordan with Sixers cheerleaders, one of whom I was dating.... the others all got banged by MJ... perhaps even the one I was dating.

Celebs are people too... just like you and I. When you hear someone bash a celeb, whom they have never even met, chances are they are suffering from Malignant Envy.

What the heck, dude... you need to write a book or something... haha...

Quote: TigerWu

What the heck, dude... you need to write a book or something... haha...

Thanks man... Im actually having fun in some spare time writing a script for a movie. I characterize it as Rounders meets Wall Street meets The Hangover in a Romantic Comedy.

Quote: gordonm888

Science: Glenn Seaborg (discovered Plutonium). Edward Teller (Invented Hydrogen Bomb). Hans Bethe (Nobel Prize in Physics)

Sports: I met Muhammed Ali in the Albuquerque airport. (I think that tops Ted Williams.)

Music: Michael Jackson - stood next to him in the Miami airport and said hello.

Broadway: When I was 16: Mary Martin (Peter Pan).

Film (and broadway): Julie Andrews (Of everyone I have ever met, the one person with the most 'presence' - who most electrifies a room just by being in it.)

NBA: Chris Mullins and Bill Wennington went to a party in my parent's home when I was young. They were friends of my sister, at St. John's Univ.

Poker: I've played with Tony Dunst and Vince Van Patten. (okay, not at all impressive.) Vince busted me out of a tournament with an 8-5.

Government: James Schlesinger gave me an award. He had been CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Secretary of Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (under Nixon.)

I have met and talked with many senators and congressman and military Generals and a few presidential cabinet members. Some I have briefed in their offices, ridden in their cars, etc.

I have a funny Tony Dunst story. Last year before game 4 of the western conference finals my friend and I were playing 5/10 short handed at Aria getting the game going. A young guy sat down while we were 5 handed. We played for a few hours until we had to leave for the hockey game. When I stood up I looked at the young guy at the full table and asked if anyone has ever told him that he looks like the reporter from poker on tv. He said no he’s never gotten that. At this point the Asian guy to my right looked at me and said “that’s Tony Dunst”, Tony smiles and I had a good laugh.

In the Fall of 1994, I was opening my first big club. I'd worked in much bigger ones, but this one was mine, or would be as soon as I ponied up the money my investors put into it. About a month out, I'm contacted by Laura Brannigan's manager. She was originally from Jackson Heights, or had some connection and wanted to do a show in her backyard. We went back and forth and finally agreed on a date that was a week after my original scheduled opening. Now the plan is to do a soft opening a few days before her show and market it as the Grand Opening Party.
One thing after another goes wrong and we miss our soft opening completely. In fact, my crew and I did an overnite on Friday just to get the place close to being ready. The sound system is out of whack, the bathrooms still have wet paint on them and an hour before our scheduled opening, one of my partners pushes a huge glass door instead of pulling it and it shatters into a billion pieces. We now have no door to keep out street noise and the train that runs directly overhead. Ms. Brannigan arrives and my Manager and I discuss things with her. We tell her the sound system isn't ready and offer to pay her money without performing. She insists on going on and the sound is horrible. People are booing and the crowd is restless. Laura stops performing and goes into a lengthy spiel about growing up and having to go into Manhattan to go clubbing and how great this place will be after the kinks get straightened out. Her sound guy does heroic work and gets the sound system to work a bit better but it was strictly amateur night. Ms Brannigan finishes her set and leaves, sending her assistant to pick up her things. The night as a whole was just this side of a disaster but within a few weeks, we had long lines outside most nights.
In the Spring, there is a huge celebration at Flushing Meadow Park. Queens Day can attract a half a million people to the park and the music stage can attract upwards of fifty thousand to see a performer. I'm working as a volunteer and run into Laura backstage. I sheepishly ask if she remembers me and we have a laugh about how badly everything was. She asks me the name of the club and what street it is on. She goes on ,right after Otis Day and the Knights and just before the headliners, one of Tony Morans girl groups.
Ms. Brannigan puts on a terrific show, and ends the performance with an incredible reggae/ soca/acoustic Gloria that had the crowd going nuts. She comes out for an encore but before performing tells the crowd that after the show, she will be hanging out at my club and she just might perform a song or two.
She never did show up to perform, but many people did, and for months afterward, people would come in and ask if she was going to be around. Somehow, a rumor that she was a partner in the club got started.
Not long afterward, her boyfriend got very sick and she pretty much retired to take care of him. He passed away and she died not that long afterward. She was a real class act.

Quote: TigerWu

What the heck, dude... you need to write a book or something... haha...

I have a boat load of stories... the memories are coming back. Ill post a few more. The following are the coolest sports celeb and the biggest D^&head Ive ever met.

Coolest- Junior Seau! Circa 2000, I met him at a celebrity golf outing and played in his foursome. Super cool and super down to earth. We partied all night and late night went back to hotel lobby where are we ordered tons of food. He was talking about several players that were at the tournament and starting laughing when Antonio Langham pulled up in his Bentley. He said that he wasn't surprised that Antonio was always broke since he was making close to league minimum and driving a Bentley. Joking...but not really. At the end of the night when the check came, he signed the bill to Antonio's room. He said if that &/!! Can afford a Bentley, then he can pay for our meal. LOL.

Biggest D#/^head- Marcus Allen! We were at a restaurant in LA. My crew and I were hanging out at the bar having drinks. Marcus walked toward us and introduced himself to a couple of the hot chicks that were with us. No problem, I'm cool with that. I went to shake his hand and tell him I was a fan. I went in with the Bro Shake, which is not uncommon, and he took his hand back and said shake my hand like a white person. I couldn't believe it. Dudes got issues.

Quote: WatchMeWin

Biggest D#/^head- Marcus Allen! We were at a restaurant in LA. My crew and I were hanging out at the bar having drinks. Marcus walked toward us and introduced himself to a couple of the hot chicks that were with us. No problem, I'm cool with that. I went to shake his hand and tell him I was a fan. I went in with the Bro Shake, which is not uncommon, and he took his hand back and said shake my hand like a white person. I couldn't believe it. Dudes got issues.

Absolutely a huge D####ad. Banged his mentors wife, the guy who helped him through USC and in the NFL.

And abandoned him in his greatest time of need.

Saw Marcus in Tahoe in 2015 at the celebrity golf event and yelled while he walked through the ropes if he would be there for his friend when he got out. Got the look of death from him.

Piece of s###.

Met a fair amount of athletes when I was a kid, went to a lot of training camps, scrimmages and stuff where athletes tend to be more available.

Anyway, onto adulthood. Once upon a time way back when a forum member here and I were doing the spotter BP routine, he spots and calls me into a table Jason Kidd was playing at at Mandalay Bay. Asked him after I left why he spotted Kidd’s table as there might be more attention there, in typical fashion his response was “Who’s Jason Kidd?”

Quote: mcallister3200

“Who’s Jason Kidd?”

I just had to google Jason Kidd, Junior Seau, and Marcus Allen, so I'm in the same boat as your friend.

Quote: Boz

Absolutely a huge D####ad. Banged his mentors wife, the guy who helped him through USC and in the NFL.

And abandoned him in his greatest time of need.

Saw Marcus in Tahoe in 2015 at the celebrity golf event and yelled while he walked through the ropes if he would be there for his friend when he got out. Got the look of death from him.

Piece of s###.

Boz, when that "friend" and mentor is O.J. Simpson, it may not be a bad thing to get as far away from that situation as possible.

I had assumed his mentor was Micky Crimm.

Oh, I forgot about this one. I played poker with this guy at CP. He was nice and we chatted a little bit.

I was on his table the next day too and we chatted some more. Cool, laid back guy.

Near the end of the session, someone says, "hey, are you Mark Ingrham*?" Indeed it was. I probably shoulda recognized him since I root for Alabama. But they wear helmets.

He bought pizza for the whole table, and the pizza place at CP is a massive rip off. Probably cost him $80.

On the other hand, he correctly folded a pair of jacks as an overpair to me when I had a set. I was pretty frustrated. Rich guys aren't supposed to fold overpairs.

*To save Tiger Wu a google, he is a running back who won the heisman trophy at Alabama and then played for The Saints. I think he's on a new team now.

Quote: TigerWu

I just had to google Jason Kidd, Junior Seau, and Marcus Allen...

I just died a little on the inside...

I'll add my story. I've flown with a lot of famous people... Jerry Lewis, Pat Boone, Al Unser Jr., Tom Arnold.. .the list goes on... but never sat beside any of them... except one.

Back in 2002, I was flying from Philadelphia to Dallas and I was upgraded to first class. So I took my spot, and then a gentleman boarded and sat beside me. He said hello and I heard an accent... but I didn't know who he was. (I should mention this is before the days of wifi on planes, as well).

So there wasn't much spoken beyond the niceties between two strangers sitting together, but after the meal, I went to the rest room and the flight attendant said to me.."do you know who you're sitting beside?". I said no.. and she said that's James Sheridan, he's an Oscar winning director.

I don't watch much in the way of movies so I was unfamiliar with him.

So I head back to my seat, and he has to get up to let me into the window seat, so as I'm seated, I say.. ."so... I hear you're a movie director". What brings you to Dallas? He mentioned he was going to a premiere of his new movie. So we talked about that for a bit. I admitted that I wasn't much of a movie fan, but what other movies has he made that I might know. He mentioned "My Left Foot" and "The Boxer". I had not seen either of them (and admitted that to him) but recognized the titles.

So we ended up chatting about general things for the rest of the flight. As I stood at baggage claim with him, whoever was meeting up with him greeted him, and then he asked if I would be interested in coming to the premiere. I said absolutely yes! His assistant took my name and number.

We showed up the next night at the movie theater, and they had two seats reserved with my name on it, we watched the movie, and then afterwards James came in a did a Q&A with the audience. As he was answering one question, he spotted me in the audience, and literally stopped answering the question, waved and said "Hi rsactuary!", and then carried on and answered the question. It was so cool!

So that's probably my favorite "met a famous person" story.

On a Southwest flight I sat in a middle seat between football player Brian Urlacher and another player who I have no idea who he was. Both just listened to music and never said a word the whole flight.

Many years ago I was in First Class and sat next to golfer Tom Kite. He was enjoyable to talk to.

Dang... judging by all the sports celebrity encounters you guys are having, I've probably run into a few myself, but never realized it because I don't follow sports and have no idea who any of those people are.... haha...

I had a friend that tried hitting on an Olympic gymnast once (one of the more famous ones at the time; she had multiple medals), but she shut him down hard. He got a laugh out of it, though; I think he did it just to say he did it. He was one of those guys who would do things just to have a funny story to tell later on.

Quote: TigerWu

Dang... judging by all the sports celebrity encounters you guys are having, I've probably run into a few myself, but never realized it because I don't follow sports and have no idea who any of those people are.... haha...

I had a friend that tried hitting on an Olympic gymnast once (one of the more famous ones at the time; she had multiple medals), but she shut him down hard. He got a laugh out of it, though; I think he did it just to say he did it. He was one of those guys who would do things just to have a funny story to tell later on.

Did your friend speak Romanian? Nadia Comaneci seemed pretty aloof.

I've briefly met quite a few celebrities, but nothing more than a quick word, autograph, or picture together. The biggest would be George W Bush.

I can say I played chess and spoke with David Guterson for about two hours when we were stranded in port of a Washington State Ferry, due to bad weather.

A few years ago at G2E, I went to a reception where I saw Gene Simmons. A lady next to me asked if she could get a picture, and he said only if you get that drink away from me, so I offered to hold it for her. He said he had too many drinks spill on him and he had to pay the cleaning bill. After she got a picture, he walked up to me and started playing with my beard. When I asked if I could get a picture, he said “I’m standing here, aren’t I?” He seemed pretty cool. I think it was the same year I saw George Lopez, and he was a real jerk. I don’t go out of my way to see celebrities at G2E, but there are always several.

I have met Barry Gibb from The Bee Gees. :) Lovely man. :)
And his wife is is lovely too. :)

I met Lee Thompson Young, lovely man, :) but sadly RIP. :(

I met Kelly Rowland and Gabrielle Union, both lovely ladies. :)

I spent a fantastic evening with John Lennon, Yoko and Sean about two weeks before he was killed. I wrote about it last December if anyone wants to read the whole story. One of the best, most unexpected nights of my life.

Quote: billryan

I spent a fantastic evening with John Lennon, Yoko and Sean about two weeks before he was killed. I wrote about it last December if anyone wants to read the whole story. One of the best, most unexpected nights of my life.

Of course I want to read about it! Link, please?

Quote: Mission146

Of course I want to read about it! Link, please?

Several years ago I was hanging out with my actor friends in a Beverly Hills Coffee Shop. I noticed David Blaine walk-in with a hood on looking inconspicuous. I noticed him and asked him to join us. He sat with us for a while and I insisted that he do a trick for me. I was extremely attentive and was not going to let any trick get by my eyes.

He took out a deck of cards and proceeded to absolutely blow my mind with the tricks he did. To this day I still think he is but Devil in Disguise. There is no way it is humanly possible to do what he did. But after learning about Phil Ivey and Edge sorting, maybe there was something to it. He told me he and his buddy just got back from Vegas and took them for 500K.
Amazing guy!

Quote: Mission146

Of course I want to read about it! Link, please?

Sorry, clicked the wrong button on my last post. Meant to quick reply instead of quote.

Quote: WatchMeWin

Sorry, clicked the wrong button on my last post. Meant to quick reply instead of quote.

You can still edit. :)

This is from another forum I used to post on a lot more than I do these days. I recently wrote about it on another forum and decided to try and dig up the original post. Presented here, warts and all


It was Thanksgiving Eve, 1980.
I left Rochester, NY, with two of my fraternity brothers, armed with a thirty pack of Strohs,for the seven hour drive to Long Island. It was my senior year, and this time next year I anticipated being stationed in Korea as a newly commisioned Army Officer.
I got home just after dinner and after a quick bite and some time with my Mom was planning on hitting our local drinking establishment for what was then the busiest nite of the year when I was sucker-punched by the news that I had to drive into the city to drop off some turkeys for the poor at my Aunts convent on the upper West Side. It seems some salesman dropped off a turkey for each of the employees at our family business and we had about eight more than we needed.
No amount of pleading worked so there I was, driving in to NYC with a car loaded with turkeys while my friends were partying as only drunken college kids can do.
All the way in, I'm thinking get there by eight, out the door by eight-fifteen, I'm in McHebes by nine-thirty, ten at the latest.
Allow me to digress a moment and tell you something about my Aunt. My Dad left home in 1943 to join the Marines and never really went back. Not even for his Fathers funeral. She was my fathers sister and a bit flighty. In sixth grade, I recieved a German Shepard puppy for my confirmation and about three months later, she showed up and asked me if I would donate the dog to a poor family in her area that couldn't afford one. A year later, she suggested I give the dog up to be trained as a seeing eye dog. Needless to say, she wasn't all that high on my list of favorite Aunts.
So, I get to the Convent a few minutes behind schedule, and the novice who answers the door invites me in and tells me my Aunt is busy with someone but she'll be finished in a few minutes. I gave serious thought to just leaving the turkeys and going, but she was family and I was raised better than that.
About ten minutes goes by and she comes in. Everytime I've seen her since I was about twelve, she tells me I'm the spitting image of my now dead father and this is no exception. She asks about my mom and sisters and then tells me there is someone she wants me to meet. She says that there is couple in the next room and their son Sean just celebrated a birthday and had a huge party. It seems he was only allowed to keep three toys and the rest were being donated to the poor, which was why they were here. I walk into the room and see a chubby little boy with bangs, an older asian woman and John Lennon.
Holy mess, I think to myself- it's John Freaking Lennon!
To make an already long story a bit shorter, I spent the next three hours talking to Yoko Ono while John and Sean played together on the floor between us. I learned that she and my Aunt were friends since the early anti-war movement days, that my Aunt was featured in a Time article on the changing role of nuns in America and was shocked to know that Yoko knew I had been born in Japan, had a father that was career Army, and had just recently passed away. John himself didn't say much, but I was surprised how he kept referring to his wife as "Mother". Eventually, Sean got real tired and they decided it was time to go. I offered them a ride but John said they loved to walk in NYC and it was only a few blocks. We shook hands, Yoko kissed me on the cheek and they left. As they were walking down the steps, John turned, re-positioned his sleeping son, flashed us a peace sign and smiled.
Two weeks later he was dead. Shot on the streets he loved to walk.
Edited November 23, 2010 by shadroch

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Saw John Patrick, Tom McEvoy and Jesse May