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OT: Your best celebrity encounters?

MtNittany

MtNittany

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I was thinking about it, and I've had some cool ones.

* Rod Stewart paying everyone's tab at ER Bradleys on Palm Beach on his birthday while Rachel danced on the bar in front of me. One of those had to see it to believe it times.

* Meeting Arnold Palmer at the urinals in the locker room at PGA and shaking hands immediately after. He told my boss he wanted me shuttling him around the property the rest of the day.

* Playing 9 holes not with, but in front of Jack (Michael was playing a practice round and it was slow. Jack didn't even have his clubs) and hitting the tee shot on #10 40 yards out of bounds to his "sigh". I did make birdie on the 2nd ball and played even from there. But he was miserable, and I had already known him.

* I think I'm meeting a property manager on Jup Island on a sales call. Nope the property manager and ONJ. She asked me if I'd mind following her to the backyard. I wanted to tell her I'd follow her into the Intracoastal Waterway.

* This was the best - played in a 3-some with Joe Namath and Bobby Murcer. There was a celebrity tour and they had a stop in WPB. On an off day Joe called and asked if they could come out (he lives in Tequesta). I told my boss. You can fire me this afternoon, but they are not playing as a 2-some. Not while I'm alive. It was great. I offered Bobby a chew, but he had long quit. Afterwards, Bobby drank iced tea, Joe a few beers. Bobby was a much better player.
 
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LionJim

LionJim

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Took me a minute to figure who ONJ was. I didn’t have to google! (You shouldn’t either.)
 
MtNittany

MtNittany

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LionJim said:
Took me a minute to figure who ONJ was. I didn’t have to google! (You shouldn’t either.)
Click to expand...
I kept thinking "black leather pants, black leather pants". She was strikingly beautiful though. Any picture of her probably didn't do justice to how pretty she was. She was in the process of selling the house.

Weird end to the story. I got the job. A week later while we were scheduling, another sub-contractor put a bullet in his head on her patio (she was in LA). Rosie O'Donnell was set to close on the house and backed out. Never heard from the property manager again.
 
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Binder74

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Nov 1, 2021
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MtNittany said:
I was thinking about it, and I've had some cool ones.

* Rod Stewart paying everyone's tab at ER Bradleys on Palm Beach on his birthday while Rachel danced on the bar in front of me. One of those had to see it to believe it times.

* Meeting Arnold Palmer at the urinals in the locker room at PGA and shaking hands immediately after. He told my boss he wanted me shuttling him around the property the rest of the day.

* Playing 9 holes not with, but in front of Jack (Michael was playing a practice round and it was slow. Jack didn't even have his clubs) and hitting the tee shot on #10 40 yards out of bounds to his "sigh". I did make birdie on the 2nd ball and played even from there. But he was miserable, and I had already known him.

* I think I'm meeting a property manager on Jup Island on a sales call. Nope the property manager and ONJ. She asked me if I'd mind following her to the backyard. I wanted to tell her I'd follow her into the Intracoastal Waterway.

* This was the best - played in a 3-some with Joe Namath and Bobby Murcer. There was a celebrity tour and they had a stop in WPB. On an off day Joe called and asked if they could come out (he lives in Tequesta). I told my boss. You can fire me this afternoon, but they are not playing as a 2-some. Not while I'm alive. It was great. I offered Bobby a chew, but he had long quit. Afterwards, Bobby drank iced tea, Joe a few beers. Bobby was a much better player.
Click to expand...
So is it true what Trump said about Arnold Palmer?
 
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Chumboshifko1

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Randolph Scott at Blaine Hill BBQ, Elizabeth, PA. Marvin Hagler at Nigros, Versailles PA. Patti Burns at multiple fatal accident, Port Vue, PA. Bill Hillgrove at Derby Lounge, Versailles PA, played ball with Mitch Lameroux, various places PA and Michigan.
 
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Ludd

Ludd

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Met Mike Ditka at a restaurant in Wheeling, WV (he was an a$$hole). Sat at a bar in Pittsburgh with Jack Lambert (he was very nice). Bob Feller came to my house when I was a kid with my dad for a work deal…I had no idea who he was at the time because I was young, so I didn’t really care.
 
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psuro

psuro

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
9,269
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When I was 13, we had a snow day (Blizzard of 78) and my friends and I were playing touch football on the street in front of the house in the snow. Along comes a 4 wheeler, and I recognize the adult driving it as Mike Schmidt. He had his son with him (kid must have been 3 or 4 at the time). They stopped and kid played football with the "big kids", which he enjoyed. Schmidt signed some autographs, took some photos (my friend Mike Dempsey still has the photo), and then went on his way. Schmidt had a reputation of being bristly, but he was very nice to us.

I used to wash the car of 76er Darryl Dawkins. It was after he got drafted out of HS and he had a 1975 blue Ford Thunderbird. I have told the story of how he gave us money because he knew we wanted to go to a nearby arcade, and he gave us about $5 worth of quarters to go and play video games. Again, very nice guy.

Ran into Charles Barkley and his (I believe) now wife on South Street. He was a bit tipsy (as was she) but they were both nice.

Garry Maddox once cut in line in front of me, getting popcorn, at the movie theater. He realized what he had done and he apologized and let me and my mom get popcorn first.

Saw Tiger at Baltusrol the year Phil won it (PGA?). He was walking back to courtesy car, and one person in our group said "Holy crap, he is a bigger dude than he looks on TV". Tiger just smiled and did one of those bicep moves (this way to the beach) and kept on walking. At this time Tiger was in his late 20's or early 30's. He was built like an outside linebacker.

Ran into Joe in Dec 1986 outside Pattee. Almost walked directly into him as I was focussed on something else. I apologized and he asked me how my exams went - I said "OK" He said "Your parents are not going to be happy with OK". He was correct - they were not.

Saw Lauryn HIll at a drug store in Miami. She did not appear happy at that time, so I did not engage in conversation.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
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psuro said:
When I was 13, we had a snow day (Blizzard of 78) and my friends and I were playing touch football on the street in front of the house in the snow. Along comes a 4 wheeler, and I recognize the adult driving it as Mike Schmidt. He had his son with him (kid must have been 3 or 4 at the time). They stopped and kid played football with the "big kids", which he enjoyed. Schmidt signed some autographs, took some photos (my friend Mike Dempsey still has the photo), and then went on his way. Schmidt had a reputation of being bristly, but he was very nice to us.

I used to wash the car of 76er Darryl Dawkins. It was after he got drafted out of HS and he had a 1975 blue Ford Thunderbird. I have told the story of how he gave us money ontime, because he knew we wanted to go to a nearby arcade, and he gave us about $5 worth of quarters to go and play video games. Again, very nice guy.

Ran into Charles Barkley and his (I believe) now wife on South Street. He was a bit tips (as was she) but they were both nice.

Garry Maddox once cut in line in front of me, getting popcorn, at the movie theater. He realized what he had done and he apologized and let me and my mom get popcorn first.

Saw Tiger at Baltusrol the year Phil won it (PGA?). He was walking back to courtesy car, and one person in our group said "Holy crap, he is a bigger dude than he looks on TV". Tiger just smiled and did one of those bicep moves (this way to the beach) and kept on walking. At this time Tiger was in his late 20's or early 30's. He was built like an outside linebacker.

Ran into Joe in Dec 1986 outside Pattee. Almost walked directly into him as I was focussed on something else. I apologized and he asked me how my exams went - I said "OK" He said "Your parents are not going to be happy with OK". He was correct - they were not.

Saw Lauryn HIll at a drug store in Miami. She did not appear happy at that time, so I did not engage in conversation.
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Geez. Who are you, Forrest Gump?
 
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blast double

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i grew up in state college -- before there was an airport in sc the nearest was at Black Moshannon.
when i was a kid in the 1970s we drove there to pick up my dad from a trip and in the airport lobby saw the Hagar Brothers from Hee Haw.
doesnt sounds like much but our family watched HH every saturday -- so it was kind of a big deal :ROFLMAO:
 
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Bison13

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Walked past Joe while walking down Curtin to get to the library. He said hi, I was frozen and couldn’t even muster a hi back.

Met Jack Ham at some event my dad drug us to when I was about 10.

Between my own playing and my coaching experiences I’ve met quite a few big time players and coaches. Nothing crazy with any of them, just regular meet ups either on the field or them coming to the school to see one of our players. For baseball guys, Dante Bichette is a great dude. College basketball, nobody beats Bob Huggins. And I know he takes a lot of heat from some people, but Dabo in his coaching staff were great anytime I saw them.

Another college basketball guy when I met him, but also he’s done NBA coaching, is Billy Donovan. Good dude.
 
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s1uggo72

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I’ll cut my list down to these
JVP who spoke at my sisters college graduation, found him in the hall and introduced myself
Sharon Lawerence of NYPD Blue fame ( she was having drinks w Michelle Lee of Knots Landing) Sharon was the PADI spokesperson at the time, went up an had a relatively long conversation about diving. Michelle Lee said what’s this guy talking about. Sharon told her what she was up to
 
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psuro

psuro

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
9,269
20,293
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LB99 said:
Geez. Who are you, Forrest Gump?
Click to expand...
No, just lucky to have lived in an area and at a time when pro athletes/celebrities were around and somewhat accessible. And, meeting them is seared into my brain, because of the fact that they are celebrities and I was a kid (in most of these cases). What I did find out is that when you don't expect anything from them, they tend to be very nice.

Here are couple more:

Former Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Doug Pedersen was a member of my club for a while. He was in a foursome ahead of me and could just crush the ball off the tee - piked it 300+ yards each time. However, he was having trouble with his approach shots, and shanked more than a few of them. I found one of his balls in heavy rough (had his initials on it) since I had also shanked a ball into the rough. Caught up to him at the turn, and told him I found his golf ball. He was very nice (perhaps slightly inebriated since he does enjoy his tequila), and asked if there is anything he could do to return the favor. So, I asked if he would wish my mom a happy birthday (it was coming up soon), and he agreed. So, I have a video of a slightly inebriated Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles wishing my mom a happy 79th birthday. She loved it and still talks about it.

I used to deliver newspapers (back when that was a thing) - Doug Collins, former 76er and head coach of the Bulls was one of the homes I used to deliver to (when he played for the Sixers). His son was a "rambunctious" 3 or 4 year old. Whenver I see Northwestern Men's Hoops on TV and see Chris Collins, I just think of that rambunctious kid because that is what I think of him as. Doug Collins was nice enough. His wife could be a bit b*tchy though.
 
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MtNittany

MtNittany

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One of the funny ones was when I was working in the golf shop at PGA. Jim Thorpe (big, strong tour player) was doing an exhibition and somehow the locker room lost his golf shoes.

They send him to me and he was like a size 13 and the only thing we had to fit him was an old Soft Joy shoe with a kiltie.

He looks at me and says "You gonna send me out there with kilties on my shoes? I'll look like a damn fool!"

He took the shoes and muttered to himself for another minute or so, then accepted his fate.
 
bbrown

bbrown

Heisman
Jul 26, 2001
13,920
28,443
113
Bison13 said:
Walked past Joe while walking down Curtin to get to the library. He said hi, I was frozen and couldn’t even muster a hi back.

Met Jack Ham at some event my dad drug us to when I was about 10.

Between my own playing and my coaching experiences I’ve met quite a few big time players and coaches. Nothing crazy with any of them, just regular meet ups either on the field or them coming to the school to see one of our players. For baseball guys, Dante Bichette is a great dude. College basketball, nobody beats Bob Huggins. And I know he takes a lot of heat from some people, but Dabo in his coaching staff were great anytime I saw them.

Another college basketball guy when I met him, but also he’s done NBA coaching, is Billy Donovan. Good dude.
Click to expand...
I used to pass Joe every Tuesday and Thursday coming back from the Theatre Arts building and going back to Warnock for Lunch.
Joe used to walk that path past Beam hall. (it was a nice path and quiet). He always said hello.

Curt Warner I met a couple of times in Chambers building when I worked there in the metal arts room.

Only really movie start type I met was Lynda Carter in the elevator at the LBJ library. She was very statuesque and had broad shoulders and was stunning. Was also very friendly.
 
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psuro

psuro

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
9,269
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bbrown said:
Only really movie start type I met was Lynda Carter in the elevator at the LBJ library. She was very statuesque and had broad shoulders and was stunning. Was also very friendly.
Click to expand...
Heartbeat Throb GIF
 
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Chumboshifko1

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bbrown said:
I used to pass Joe every Tuesday and Thursday coming back from the Theatre Arts building and going back to Warnock for Lunch.
Joe used to walk that path past Beam hall. (it was a nice path and quiet). He always said hello.

Curt Warner I met a couple of times in Chambers building when I worked there in the metal arts room.

Only really movie start type I met was Lynda Carter in the elevator at the LBJ library. She was very statuesque and had broad shoulders and was stunning. Was also very friendly.
Click to expand...
Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw.
 
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bbrown

bbrown

Heisman
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psuro said:
Heartbeat Throb GIF
Click to expand...
The really funny thing is Lady Bird Johnson and here Secret Service guys were also on the elevator with us. It wasn't crowded only only about 6 of us. I really don't remember what she was doing, I didn't care, I was ogling Wonder Woman. :ROFLMAO:
 
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JVP_Yahweh

JVP_Yahweh

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Flew every week for years for business so had a lot of 1st class upgrades. Of note:

Kyle Chandler - sat right next to him on a flight from AUS to LAX. Didn't say a word (wish I had). Was reading a script the whole flight. Everyone on the plane knew who he was. Lots of pics at the gate with other passengers

John Bolton - sat right next to him on a regional jet flight from PIT to DCA. On his way to/from speaking at an NRA convention. Shorter than I imagined. Had a old leather briefcase. Was reading a book on the civil war the whole flight. Pilots got a pic with him after the flight

Seth Green - sat right next to him on a flight from PHL to LAX. Had sunglasses and headphones on from boarding to landing and was asleep/passed out. This was around the time the Austin Powers III was out so peak popularity. Very short and not really social

John Glenn - Sat right next to him on a regional jet flight from DCA to PIT. Wore an older classic Rolex. The flight crew knew who he was but I don't think anyone else did which was kinda sad. He boarded before everyone else and my seat was in the aisle next to his window seat. I regret not initiating a conversation but I thought at the time that it would have been awkward/intrusive

Eagles staff circa 1999 - Nearly empty late flight from PHL to ATL for Super Bowl XXXIV. Of the people I recognized: Reid, Childress, Shurmur, Castillo, John Harbaugh, Johnson, Rivera & Dowhower. None of them were seated together and once the seat belt sign went off there was a lot moving around and chatting in the aisle the entire flight. Harbaugh made a comment about my PSU hat

I am sure there were others along the way that I didn't recognize
 
F

Fac

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Got in the Penn Stater elevator bringing coffee back to my room. There was a guy in the elevator and I asked are you going to the game. He said yes. I said we'll be getting wet as rain had been in the forecast. He said that he was in a booth and said enjoy the game as I exited the elevator.
My brain starting thinking and as I got back to my room I said to my wife that I think I just rode the elevator with Jack Ham. She googled him as yes it was.
Fast forward to the bar at the Penn Stater after the game. Jack elbows next to me and my wife at the bar. So I said to him that I was the person in the elevator that morning asking him if was going to the game. He laughed and the three of us drank at the bar for some time then we sat down at a table and ate dinner together. Quite friendly.

Danced next to JoePa and SuePa at the NYE's media party in Arizona at the 1986 Fiesta Bowl. I didn't speak to them as I respected their space.

Stood in from of Robert Redford at the Aspen airport in 1984. Didn't know it until he got in the taxi I had just exited. My friend then told me.

Saw Robert Irvine at the Memphis airport. I passed him up as he was waiting for someone. I went back and said I like your show. He said thanks and I went my way.
 
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psuro

psuro

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
9,269
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JVP_Yahweh said:
Flew every week for years for business so had a lot of 1st class upgrades. Of note:

Kyle Chandler - sat right next to him on a flight from AUS to LAX. Didn't say a word (wish I had). Was reading a script the whole flight. Everyone on the plane knew who he was. Lots of pics at the gate with other passengers

John Bolton - sat right next to him on a regional jet flight from PIT to DCA. On his way to/from speaking at an NRA convention. Shorter than I imagined. Had a old leather briefcase. Was reading a book on the civil war the whole flight. Pilots got a pic with him after the flight

Seth Green - sat right next to him on a flight from PHL to LAX. Had sunglasses and headphones on from boarding to landing and was asleep/passed out. This was around the time the Austin Powers III was out so peak popularity. Very short and not really social

John Glenn - Sat right next to him on a regional jet flight from DCA to PIT. Wore an older classic Rolex. The flight crew knew who he was but I don't think anyone else did which was kinda sad. He boarded before everyone else and my seat was in the aisle next to his window seat. I regret not initiating a conversation but I thought at the time that it would have been awkward/intrusive

Eagles staff circa 1999 - Nearly empty late flight from PHL to ATL for Super Bowl XXXIV. Of the people I recognized: Reid, Childress, Shurmur, Castillo, John Harbaugh, Johnson, Rivera & Dowhower. None of them were seated together and once the seat belt sign went off there was a lot moving around and chatting in the aisle the entire flight. Harbaugh made a comment about my PSU hat

I am sure there were others along the way that I didn't recognize
Click to expand...
I had to look up Kyle Chandler.
 
E

Erial_Lion

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Nov 1, 2021
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My most coincidental one...early 2000s, I won a fantasy football league, and a big part of it was due to Marvin Harrison going nuts down the stretch. This was still in the age of getting a paper check for the winnings. When I went to the bank to deposit my check, who was in line ahead of me? Marvin Harrison.
 
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Woodpecker

Woodpecker

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May 29, 2001
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I don't travel in the same circles as many of you so all of mine are look-up obscure:
Victoria Jackson at an airport; I didn't interact with her but she seemed angry in general
Donny Most at a bar in Bethlehem; he was a dick
Dan Plesac at a sporting goods store in Brown Deer, WI; seemed like a genuine nice guy
 
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Achowalogan

Achowalogan

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Dec 12, 2014
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bbrown said:
I used to pass Joe every Tuesday and Thursday coming back from the Theatre Arts building and going back to Warnock for Lunch.
Joe used to walk that path past Beam hall. (it was a nice path and quiet). He always said hello.

Curt Warner I met a couple of times in Chambers building when I worked there in the metal arts room.

Only really movie start type I met was Lynda Carter in the elevator at the LBJ library. She was very statuesque and had broad shoulders and was stunning. Was also very friendly.
Click to expand...
I lived in Beam Hall, exchanged greetings with Joe regularly, as you noted….
 
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