OT: Your Celebrity Encounter

[Nowucme]

I’ll define that as not just seeing a celebrity but actually exchanging words no matter how brief. I’m thinking mostly chance encounters, but “planned” ones, like going to an autograph signing count too. Oddly enough, since I’m starting this thread and I don’t have any celebrity encounters, I’ll also open it up to reliable sources you have who have related their encounter story to you. What impression were you (or your friend) left with?

Hers’s A reliable source one: one of my math teachers in high school was in the Army with Elvis Presley. He said Elvis was one of the nicest people he ever met. They were stationed in Germany and Elvis had a Cadillac shipped over and if you got a date with a local girl in town Elvis would let you use the car.

 

[RUforJERSEY]

Ran into and took a photo with Evander Holyfield at Disney years ago. Probably at least around 20. He was very friendly.

Edit: Also ran across the rapper Fat Joe at the Atlanta airport. I basically just did a hey is that so and so and kept it there but my ex went over and talked to him to confirm it was him.

Former NJ Governor Florio was at an event at the same time and place that my wedding reception was taking place. He happened by and threw out a couple of quips and his congratulations. Seemed like a nice guy.

 

[koleszar]

I’ll define that as not just seeing a celebrity but actually exchanging words no matter how brief. I’m thinking mostly chance encounters, but “planned” ones, like going to an autograph signing count too. Oddly enough, since I’m starting this thread and I don’t have any celebrity encounters, I’ll also open it up to reliable sources you have who have related their encounter story to you. What impression were you (or your friend) left with?

Hers’s A reliable source one: one of my math teachers in high school was in the Army with Elvis Presley. He said Elvis was one of the nicest people he ever met. They were stationed in Germany and Elvis had a Cadillac shipped over and if you got a date with a local girl in town Elvis would let you use the car.

Is, "here's your change Mr. Liotta, (he smiles) , Thanks kid for not asking for my autograph", considered having a conversation? This was right after the release of Goodfellas.

 

[REDRICH65]

Flying from St Louis to DC in 1999 after daughters college graduation, made Speaker of the House and wife move from our seats on plane. Don’t remember his name. Wish I had met Pelosi near emergency door

 

[m1ipabrams]

Had a conversation with Charles Barkley about the Beach house next to ours that was For Sale(he didn't buy it). Really nice and funny guy. HUGE.

Kirstie Alley crashed my daughter's Bat Mitzvah party. Actually, she asked if she could join us, so I guess that doens't actually count as "crashing". She apparently was staying the hotel where we were having the party and needed to record a video of a dance(she was doing some sort of 100 days of dance thing to support some weight loss product she was hawking). We said yes and they did about 10-15 mins of video of her(and the rest of the party goers) doing a polka, and she had my daughter talk a little on the video. After the video she hung out for 20-30 minutes taking pictures with folks and talking with us. She was very nice, gracious and apologized for disrupting our party.

Next morning she was on QVC hawking her product and talked about how much fun she had at our party. That night, the TV show "Extra" did a 30 second blurb about how Kirstie Alley crashed a Bat Mitzvah, and showing my daughter dancing with her. My daughter's 15 seconds of fame.

 

[mikebal9]

When I worked at Veterans Stadium, I had many short conversations with players during BP. A lot of them would ask about day games they didn't get to watch. The only one who ever left me starstruck was Greg Maddux. I always thought he was the best pitcher I'd ever seen, so when he engaged me in conversation, I went a little blank.
A fun one from earlier was Pedro Martinez. In 1997 while he was still in Montreal, I was getting his autograph and said something like, "Must be awesome to hear your name with Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz for the Cy Young." His response: "F#%& those guys. I'm there by myself." For the next decade, he was probably right.

 

[batts]

Sat next to Philip Seymour Hoffman at Keen's Steakhouse about 10 years ago. He gave me a friendly nod.

 

[superfan01]

Does arguing and talking rutgers sports with @zappaa count?

 

[LETSGORU91_]

During the 1994 NHL strike, I was at a mountain bike race in Jefferson and raced against Mike Richter. Kicked his butt on the trails. Afterwards talked about the NHL strike a little with him and explained that although I was a Devils fan, I liked him as a goalie. He had thighs like tree trunks. I've run into Yogi, met Chico Resch, and went to multiple signing events with the Devils around the 2010 years. Also Ken Daneyko's son played roller hockey on my son's team, so I had some chats with him. Most not high profile names, but regular, cool people without a stick in their ***.

 

[ouchmyknee]

Once sat next to Charles Barkley at a Phillies game. I was young at that time so didn’t really know who he was. My dad didn’t know either and asked the usher if he could make him move since all the autograph seekers were blocking his view of the game.

I also had a string of 3 consecutive days running into Jay Z in various places. By the third day he just laughed when we saw each other.

I’ve also spent time with Mark Cuban, Shawn White, Mindy Kaling, and once had a conversation with Steve Jobs.

and have spoken to Springsteen and Bon Jovi more times than I can remember.

 

[Nowucme]

Does arguing and talking rutgers sports with @zappaa count?

It most certainly does! And if Mr. Zappaa if you’re looking at this thread since you would have had many encounters, would you give us your top 3?

 

[ru_upstate]

On a flight between Tokyo and Shanghai about 8 years ago, the only two people in the business class section were Hugh Grant and me.

Me: You dropped your boarding pass.
Hugh: Cheers

We remain close to this day

 

[RUPete]

Sat next to Philip Seymour Hoffman at Keen's Steakhouse about 10 years ago. He gave me a friendly nod.

Such a great actor. Such a huge loss- way too young. I wonder about some of the different roles he would have tackled over the years. Just a shame.

 

[srru86]

Got to shake Pete Conrad's hand and exchange a few pleasantries at a corporate event. That hand touched the Moon I remember thinking at the time.

 

[hankee18]

I'm walking down the street in Manhattan about 2008. I'm nervously checking my phone for the address I was supposed to meet my coworker. This amazing set of legs comes into view and I suddenly stop as I realize I'm about to crash headfirst into this woman. I look up and its Ivanka Trump. We both looked at each other and chuckled and carried on. Politics aside she truly is a knockout in person

 

[Jackson206:)]

Took a leak next to Phil McConkey at McConkey’s in Flemington lol.

 

[RU Mike73]

In FAO Schwartz in circa 1980 looking at something on counter. Didn't realize was standing next to Robin Williams (then of Mork and Mindy fame). I looked up and he looked at me and said his "Nanu, Nanu" thing with fingers. Pretty cool.

PS always had a big crush on Mindy!

 

[hankee18]

One more...went to a New Years Eve party and unexpectedly had a one night stand with a very lovely older woman.

Found out months later she was a member of an 80s girl group I grew up listening to on the radio. She never mentioned word of it....

 

[cicero grimes]

I have had a few brief ones.
1. When Planet Hollywood was opening at Caesars in AC I was down for the weekend. Waiting for one of my buddies, Sly Stallone stepped off the elevator on his way to the festivities. I said Yo Rock. He said Yo.
2. Met Claude Lemieux, my favorite Devil at the Gate House in West Orange during the strike. This was after his divorce and he was talking to a couple of lookers. Went up to him, bought him a drink and he actually talked hockey with me for about 20 mins ignoring the gals. Not sure I could have torn myself away from the ladies but he loves talking off the ice as much as on it.
3. Met both Wendell Clark and Marty McSorley. Clark at a Devils / Leafs game where he was hurt but actually sitting in the stands. McSorley at Las Vegas Airport when he was coaching roller hockey. These two had one of the great fights in NHL history during the Western Conf finals. I don't know how they did not kill each other. Big, bad dudes but both friendly.
4. Sat behind Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara in NYC at a play. Very nice and down to earth folks.
5. Did not meet him but sat one section over from Mike Piazza when he was still a Dodger in some corporate seats at the Garden during a Rangers game. Funny story Piazza comes in late in the first period with a friend. Sitting in the row in front are two young guys with a couple of lookers for dates they were probably trying to impress. People start recognizing Piazza and coming up to him. By the third period, the two guys are gone and the girls are sitting with Mike and his buddy.

 

[cicero grimes]

As a

One more...went to a New Years Eve party and unexpectedly had a one night stand with a very lovely older woman.

Found out months later she was a member of an 80s girl group I grew up listening to on the radio. She never mentioned word of it....

As a fan of 80's girls bands can you give me a hint. If it was Suzanna Hoff of the Bangles you will have my undying admiration and envy.

 

[RutgersRockies]

So, sometime near Thanksgiving, I was hanging out around Sandy Hook drinking some Patron with a bunch of buddies. This older guy pulls up on a motorcycle and says "Hey, can I get a shot?" I had no idea who he was, but my buddies were freaking out, calling him a boss of some sort (I'm guessing famous CEO? Maybe Richard Branson?). We're not really Wall Street types, so it was a bit confusing. Maybe he was an actor or a singer.

Anyway, we obliged. A park ranger flagged the dude down moments later and looked real intense, so we hightailed it out of there.

 

[RUPete]

Took a leak next to Phil McConkey at McConkey’s in Flemington lol.

Hey, that's cheating!

 

[RUPete]

I rode the shuttle bus over to the stadium one time with Skip from Elizabeth- famous WCTC Rutgers sports caller.

 

[hankee18]

As a

As a fan of 80's girls bands can you give me a hint. If it was Suzanna Hoff of the Bangles you will have my undying admiration and envy.

Ha ha no not THAT good but it was a very popular trio.

I found out who she was a few months later when I picked up my friend and his gf from the airport. They were flying back from a wedding out west and on the ride home my buddy's gf casually mentions my ladyfriend sang a song at the wedding. I'm like ok...she goes oh you didnt know she was in (blank) and I'm like what? Google search and boom it was def her.

 

[theRU]

Kobe Bryant - Bumped into him in Nordstroms said excuse me
Jenna Jameson - At dave and Busters "i loved you everyday when I was a teen" She laughed
Tito Ortiz - Also at dave and busters - He frowned - I said sorry "i still like them under 30"
Metta World Peace - At my bachelor party in vegas - "yoooooooooo - METAAAAAAAAAA arghhhhhhhhhh!" Response: " Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

greg schiano - "Heres some pizza" 2006- Nuff said

 

[cicero grimes]

Ha ha no not THAT good but it was a very popular trio.

I found out who she was a few months later when I picked up my friend and his gf from the airport. They were flying back from a wedding out west and on the ride home my buddy's gf casually mentions my ladyfriend sang a song. I'm like ok...she goes oh you didnt know she was in (blank) and I'm like what? Google search and boom it was def her.

I respect you for being a gentleman and not revealing her identity.

 

[RUPete]

For me, it was November 14, 2020 and I'm at the Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook drinking some tequila. This guy in his late 60s, early 70s pulls up and well you know the rest of the story...

 

[Rokodesh]

I met Ron Jeremy at a hotel and smoked cigars with Flava Flav at the hotel after a wedding reception

saw Norm McDonald at a bar in NYC but didn't say anything to him.

 

[BigWill]

Hey, that's cheating!

Did you ask Phil if he, like you, thought the urinal water was too cold ?

 

[RU85inFla]

Met Bruce in a locker room at a gym in Florida the evening before a concert. I was coming out of the bathroom. I said thanks for coming to town. He was only wearing his socks so I made it quick.

 

[BigWill]

As a

As a fan of 80's girls bands can you give me a hint. If it was Suzanna Hoff of the Bangles you will have my undying admiration and envy.

Is this from the 1980's or a group of women singers in their 80's ?

 

[Scarlet16e2]

In 1996 I shared an elevator, at the Baltimore Renaissance Hotel, with Mike Krzyzewski and First Lady Barbara Bush.
They were there for some event in the ballroom. I was a guest at the hotel.

 

[charliem24]

Jay Z, Beyoncé, and Barry Bonds were at a table next to ours at Chef Villa’s in Atlantic City, it was the weekend of the grand opening of Bond’s 40/40 Club. Didn’t have any interaction but they left an unopened bottle of red wine on the table when they left (Chef Vollas is byob). I looked at the waiter and he nodded so I grabbed the bottle. Don’t remember the name but it was very good, I looked it up online and it was $80/bottle.

Was at an event for all the 300 game winners, that was run by my wife who worked for a sports memorabilia company. Tom Seaver who was not known for mingling with fans, walks in and he looks over at me and it was obvious he thinks he recognizes me. He shakes my hand and asks how I’ve been, I replied, “ Doing well, how are Nancy and the kids?” He just nodded and moved on.
After the event, Warren Spahn hung out at the bar and as long as you bought him drinks, he’d explain how he threw a curve. Fun night!

 

[rubaseball78_rivals]

Sat on a plane next to Tim McCarver. Great conversation.

Remember the Harry Chapin concerts at th barn. Forget which year in the 70s but I was walking on Busch. Car pull next to me and the driver is lost. He is looking to go to the RU gym for the concert that night. Turns out it was Tom Chapin, Harry's brother (who was also a very good bball player). I told him I was going to the concert and would show him if he gave me a ride. He said OK and I hopped in.

Dick Vitale was my 6th grade teacher and HS bball coach. He spent many a days in my living and dining rooms back then regarding Cage Club (bball booster club) activities.

 

[Mr_Twister]

In the very late 60’s (maybe 1970?), sitting in a college fraternity’s large living room with others making small talk with Muhammad Ali (who had two bodyguards in the wings nearby packing heat) who was relaxing before speaking in front of a large audience that night. He was a conscientious objector at the time. Two lasting impressions - how large and square-shouldered and handsome he was, and what an amazing off-the-cuff talk he delivered that night without notes. He was no Chuck Schumer reading staff-prepared material.

 

[RU Golfer]

1 - Sat next to the Iron Sheik flying from EWR to LAX
2 - Used to routinely hang With William Roberts at the Crows Nest in Hasbrouck Heights....He lived in the same townhouse community as my GF. He actually came to a party at her house and brought Maurice Carthon.
3- Talked to LT at LT's on Rt 17 a few times and hit golf balls at the driving range with him at the Honda Classic in Florida
4 - Had a conversation with Dan Marino at the same golf event
5 - Had drinks with John Daly in Hooters in Union after the US open
6 - As a kid was an extra in Turk 182 and got to meet Timothy Hutton in Giants Stadium
7 - Sat at the bar in EWR with JR Richards
8 - Went to Robert Deleo's (Stone Temple Pilots) met his brother Dean as well as Eric Kretz. Patrick Dempsey was sitting at my table as well....

Probably have a few more I can't remember right now.

 

[29PAS]

Muhammed Ali, waiting for an elevator on our floor at the Ican'trememberthename Hotel in Manhattan on St Patty's Day in 1969. A friend I was with yelled out "Cassius" - Ali said "the name's Muhammed, son". With a VERY large hand, he shook hands with all of us.

Also took a piss next to Ed Koch in the bathroom of the Angelica Theater in Manhattan.

 

[NickRU714]

Does arguing and talking rutgers sports with @zappaa count?

I'd have to agree.
@zappaa is definately my closest celebrity encounter as well.

 

[RUevolution36]

Meet Bernie Williams at a private event. Kind of an awkward dude to have a conversation with. Plays a kick *** guitar though.

 

[rcube1994]

Sat next to Jon Stewart in first class many years ago (he was on the phone with his wife talking about their new puppy the whole time). Also sat across the aisle from Larry Holmes (he slept the whole time), and sat in front of Penny Hardaway. Didnt say one word to any of them. Figure they get enough interruptions so probably appreciate being left alone.

Stepped into an elevator at AC a couple years ago and Dr. J was standing in there. Some people it takes you a second to realize they are actually the celebrity you think they are. Not him, big guy, very recognizable. His wife was also in there, thought it was his daughter until i googled her, he's doing alright.