A few come to mind. Ace Frehley back in the 80's, he lived in the same town as me in CT at the time, and he had a garage sale. I purchased a guitar and a banjo. He signed the banjo for me, and at the time...no face paint. A bit later in college in NY I met Al Lewis at his restaurant (Grandpa's). Walked in with a pal and he greeted us "Good evening boy's, smoking or non smoking". Smoking we said, and he looked at us and said "Smoking. Good, good!" ..and led us to a table. And, closer the hobby, I knew the infamous Tarlers, and Peter Heeshen, and Rolando and Alexandra Negoita. All really wonderful people.
The Famous or Infamous You have Met
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Where I worked we had a rule; it took ten "atta boys" to erase an "ah shit" letter.
Most memorable: I met Sun Ra in Washington Square Park (NYC) when I was 16. He put his hand on my head and said something that sounded like “ragu.” I’m pretty sure he wasn't referring to the tomato sauce.
I've been fortunate enough to have had friends and family who work in areas where they come into contact with musicians and actors all the time. Just meeting and shaking hands, my list includes Bob Dylan, John Prine, and lots of bands; but, I have also been fortunate enough to have actually spent time with Loretta Lynn back a decade or so. And, I actually stood in line for the bathroom with Michael Stipe where I brought up some cynical, ironic thing that I thought was funny, and he actually came back and sat at our table briefly. I didn't realize who he was, but when everyone's jaw hit the floor at my table, I knew something was up. Ha ha.
Serving on our Museum Board for a term, I could list a few artists that I personally am enthralled to have met, but it wouldn't mean much to most of you, if any. And, because of being on our local business association and willing to go to the state capital, I've met a fewcriminals elected officials in my state that you would know from such headlines as "Governor gets sentenced to 12 years federal prison," and "State official passes some audacious law that will quickly get smacked down by the SCOTUS." Ha ha.
Serving on our Museum Board for a term, I could list a few artists that I personally am enthralled to have met, but it wouldn't mean much to most of you, if any. And, because of being on our local business association and willing to go to the state capital, I've met a few
It seems that whenever I do meet someone famous, they're a lesser-famed individual of the same name. I met Jerry West in '69, no, not the basketball player but Jerry West the squaredance caller recording artist.
I've encountered a number of Sci-Fi actors at various conventions, but being a-social I don't tend to engage in conversations much. There was a Con in Boston once, where I lent my bat'leth (doing con security as a Klingon) to Armin Shimmerman during his bit on stage as he wanted to demonstrate what he had learned while filming a recent episode.
I am briefly in the first of the "Trekkers" videos at about 2m30s, the Klingon with the Dr. Crusher character.
I've encountered a number of Sci-Fi actors at various conventions, but being a-social I don't tend to engage in conversations much. There was a Con in Boston once, where I lent my bat'leth (doing con security as a Klingon) to Armin Shimmerman during his bit on stage as he wanted to demonstrate what he had learned while filming a recent episode.
I am briefly in the first of the "Trekkers" videos at about 2m30s, the Klingon with the Dr. Crusher character.
Sun Ra lived in Philadelphia when I was there, and we’d go see him at some run down banquet hall off in the hood somewhere. Cheap cans of beer, fantastic shows.
I had tea with the late Queen Elizabeth. She didn't say anything to me personally, but addressed the student body of my public school in Hertfordshire, all 600 of us.
But the two famous people I mentioned earlier did know who I was and recognized me in public and would stop and chat.
But the two famous people I mentioned earlier did know who I was and recognized me in public and would stop and chat.
My favorite Michael Stipe story:
Scott Ian of Anthrax (and married to Meatloaf's daughter) was drunk and ran into Michael at a party. Not knowing what to say and being a few sheets to the wind, Ian slugged Michael on the arm and said "Everybody hurts, Michael" and then walked away.
I've met several Bollywood stars as well as some minor European celebrities and diplomats. Most were pretty nice and were respectful regarding my assessment of their children's progress. I even had a famous composer and arranger offer that I could come and use his studio any time I liked.
I also met Chuck Norris and Garth Brooks. There are others who I've met but they're not coming to mind right now.
I also met Chuck Norris and Garth Brooks. There are others who I've met but they're not coming to mind right now.
British garage music guy The Streets, who I assume is no longer popular but was among a certain crowd 20 years ago.
Also Ralph Stanley II, a bluegrass guy who is on SiriusXM so I guess he has to be famous for bluegrass if that’s not an oxymoron . Went to a party at his house he throws every year for his friends and community.
Also Ralph Stanley II, a bluegrass guy who is on SiriusXM so I guess he has to be famous for bluegrass if that’s not an oxymoron . Went to a party at his house he throws every year for his friends and community.
My wife’s godfather is Gene Cernan (the last man to walk on the moon). I spent time with him on several occasions either at his home or at my in-laws house. He also spoke at my wedding. The only other notables I’ve met are Boutros Boutros-Ghali when he was Secretary General of the UN and a bunch of pro hockey players.
Boutros Boutros Ghali?
Community (2009) - S03E02 Geography of Global Conflict clip with quote Boutros Boutros Ghali? Yarn is the best search for video clips by quote. Find the exact moment in a TV show, movie, or music video you want to share. Easily move forward or backward to get to the perfect clip.
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Interesting. I’d never heard of Yarn before this.Boutros Boutros Ghali?
Community (2009) - S03E02 Geography of Global Conflict clip with quote Boutros Boutros Ghali? Yarn is the best search for video clips by quote. Find the exact moment in a TV show, movie, or music video you want to share. Easily move forward or backward to get to the perfect clip.
In eighth grade band, drum section, I managed to be one of 25 young drummers from across Austin to attend a 3 hour drum clinic with Buddy Rich and Ed Shaughnessy.
By the end of the clinic they both easily engaged and knew everybody’s name, even mine.
I still choke up…..
By the end of the clinic they both easily engaged and knew everybody’s name, even mine.
I still choke up…..
Probably the two most famous people I've met were Sarah Palin and Jerry Clower. I also wrote a traffic ticket to a Florida Marlin baseball player back in 1991 or 1992. I didn't know who he was when I gave him the ticket. My supervisor just happened to recognize his name when I turned my tickets and reports in for the week. We also lived near Dan Marino back then and we'd see him at the local grocery store and movie theater regularly.
I have been introduced to or at least shaken hands with a number of celebrities during my Coast Guard career as a Public Affairs Specialist/Photojournalist. I was assigned duties to work as a Coast Guard liaison on several episode of Miami Vice in 1984 & 85 so I met a number of the supporting cast members (but not Don Johnson or Philip Michael Thomas.) Later on I met a few of the cast members filming Undercover Blues, (the 1993 Dennis Quaid/Kathleen Turner) like Larry Miller and Tom Arnold.
In 1986, I was stationed on Governors Island in NY Harbor during the rededication of the Statue of Liberty and Tall Ship Parade. Part of my duties during that week was serving as liaison to CBS and CNN which both had sets built on top of the apartment building we lived in. In addition to many of the on air personalities and guests. Maria Shriver, Henry Winkler, Penn & Teller and a number of others. I also escorted Kenny Rogers from the set to the ground level.
One of the highlights for me was being given a ride from the south end of the island to the ferry terminal with Kirk Douglas. I've lost track of the many other celebrities I met that week.
In 1988, I got to spend about 5 hours escorting Alex Haley around Governors Island. Before he became famous for writing Roots, Alex Haley served 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was the first Chief Petty Officer in the journalist rating in the Coast Guard.
In 1986, I was stationed on Governors Island in NY Harbor during the rededication of the Statue of Liberty and Tall Ship Parade. Part of my duties during that week was serving as liaison to CBS and CNN which both had sets built on top of the apartment building we lived in. In addition to many of the on air personalities and guests. Maria Shriver, Henry Winkler, Penn & Teller and a number of others. I also escorted Kenny Rogers from the set to the ground level.
One of the highlights for me was being given a ride from the south end of the island to the ferry terminal with Kirk Douglas. I've lost track of the many other celebrities I met that week.
In 1988, I got to spend about 5 hours escorting Alex Haley around Governors Island. Before he became famous for writing Roots, Alex Haley served 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was the first Chief Petty Officer in the journalist rating in the Coast Guard.
I had forgotten this, but I met the band Creed around ‘99. I was at an underground rave in Atlanta. Nice guys.
I met Bono and The Edge in Seattle in '97. Edge gave my wife a guitar pick which we have framed.
In 2016 I met David Gilmour and his wife, Polly, in LA. We have a nice signed pic of the two.
But my favorites, by far, have been some of the various Apollo Moon Walkers I have met in my youth. My dad, who was in the aerospace industry, would take me to meet them anytime they were in town doing a book signing or seminar. One of my favorites was the late Gene Cernan, The Last Man on the Moon. It's hard to believe he still holds that title. I mean, I remember thinking we would have people on Mars by 2020... I also remember asking him what moon dust smelled and tasted like. He told me it smelled and tasted like gun powder. The dude literally had moondust in his body and that always blew my mind as a kid. Still does. Only 4 original moonwalkers are still alive as of this post. If you have a chance to meet one, do yourself a favor and go! Just don't get into a fist fight with Buzz because he'll whoop your ass.
In 2016 I met David Gilmour and his wife, Polly, in LA. We have a nice signed pic of the two.
But my favorites, by far, have been some of the various Apollo Moon Walkers I have met in my youth. My dad, who was in the aerospace industry, would take me to meet them anytime they were in town doing a book signing or seminar. One of my favorites was the late Gene Cernan, The Last Man on the Moon. It's hard to believe he still holds that title. I mean, I remember thinking we would have people on Mars by 2020... I also remember asking him what moon dust smelled and tasted like. He told me it smelled and tasted like gun powder. The dude literally had moondust in his body and that always blew my mind as a kid. Still does. Only 4 original moonwalkers are still alive as of this post. If you have a chance to meet one, do yourself a favor and go! Just don't get into a fist fight with Buzz because he'll whoop your ass.
Not many from either category. Jackie Gleason, Pres. & Mrs. Carter, Ned Beatty, and Dr.'s Francis Schussler Fiorenza, Brevard Child, and Lamin Sanneh.
At church, several times- Sen.'s Strom Thurmond, Charles Grassley, and Dr. Carl F.H. Henry.
Talked a bunch to the great Shane Ireland
And I had lunch several times with the ever-present wino on Captol Hill, WWII vet Mr. "Alfonzo" (famous in the late 1970's for telling ladies walking by during lunchtime weekday hustle and bustle "...Your knees have dimples and the dimples are smiling!")
kindly,
mike
At church, several times- Sen.'s Strom Thurmond, Charles Grassley, and Dr. Carl F.H. Henry.
Talked a bunch to the great Shane Ireland
And I had lunch several times with the ever-present wino on Captol Hill, WWII vet Mr. "Alfonzo" (famous in the late 1970's for telling ladies walking by during lunchtime weekday hustle and bustle "...Your knees have dimples and the dimples are smiling!")
kindly,
mike