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30 People Recall Encounters They Had With Celebrities Who Were Surprisingly Kind
Interview With Expert
The stars: they’re just like us! Sure, they might earn ten times our annual salaries in one month and be bombarded with fans everywhere they go. But even with fame and fortune, it’s possible for some to maintain genuinely kind hearts.
Quora users have been sharing stories of celebrity encounters they’ve had with surprisingly friendly stars, so we’ve gathered their most wholesome stories below. Enjoy scrolling through these tales that might make you an even bigger fan of these celebs, and keep reading to find a conversation with Jackie Zebrowski, host of the Page 7 podcast!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
My bike had a flat tire a few years ago when I was living in West Hollywood. I didn’t have an air pump to fix it, so I was walking with my neighbor, Anass, to the gas station a few blocks away to pump some air into the tire.
As we are walking up to the gas station, I see a vehicle resembling something along the lines of a spaceship… this was no ordinary car! (I later learned that it was a Hennessey Venom GT Super Car, WOW!)
There was a person standing next to the car with wild, crazy hair exuding alot of energy and so much wow-ness. I slowly began to realize I was walking up to the Rockstar of My Dreams, I couldn’t believe it, it was Steven Tyler, standing right in front of me. At. The. Gas. Station. (Unleaded was $3.89 on that day at that particular Chevron.)
We made eye contact and he said, “What’s up girl? What’s going on? How you doin?”
My brain was melting, but I managed to croak out,
“What’s up? Are you going to take a picture with me?”
(I wasn’t going to ask him for an autograph but I definitely wasn’t going to NOT ask him for a picture!)
He was so gorgeous and electric and rockstarry and down to earth at the same time.
And as if we had known each other for a million years, he said to me,
“Girl, you better take a picture with me! Get over here! Let’s do this!”
My legs felt like Jell-O and I was losing the grip on my bike.
Thank G-d my neighbor was with me, for moral support and also, to take the picture of us.
He walked around his Hennessey Venom GT Super Car (it was SexyBlack) and basically put himself at my disposal.
He asked me how I wanted the picture, did I want to hop in his car for a picture, and of course, as I am continuously searching for the funky, irreplaceable, and unique, and I also wanted to surprise him… I grew some balls and asked,
“Ok, how about you get on My Bike with me?”
He loved the idea and said, “Yes! Ok, do you want me to jump on in the front and you get on my back?”
I was dazzled, I was in Love.
Me: “No, you get on My Back, I’m giving YOU a ride!”
He hopped on my back and gave me the best hug, I was trying to smile for the picture and play it cool and freeze the moment and remember it forever at the same time. He put his RockStar arms around me and I was floating.
There is no one like Steven, he is extra special and made me feel like a Zillion Bitcoins that day.
I Love You, Steven!
Special thanks to Anass for helping me capture this magical moment!
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#2
James Earl Jones.
I was working as an extra in a TV show he was doing in the Seattle area.
Now, in on-set hierarchy, extras are considered ‘walking furniture’, In fact, sometimes, we’re held below actual furniture. They set up a separate table away from the cast when we have lunch, separate areas for us to wait when we’re not being used, that sort of thing.
So, we were having lunch over at our separate little ‘extras table’ and Mr. Jones came over to talk to us. He sat with us for about half an hour, telling stories about his years as an actor, about the other members of the cast, asking about what other shows we’d done.
When he got up to go, he leaned over the table and said, “Look, right now I’ve got the power. These guys running this show, they don’t treat you right, you come and let me know. I’ll do something about it.” And there was no doubt he meant it.
He really didn’t have to do that. On that set, we really were lowest of the low. And he went out of his way to make us feel like we were real contributors to the project we were all committed to.
Top of the pack mensch, Mr. Jones is.
Data1001 4 months ago
Now that's class. Making an effort to talk to the background actors, or getting to know the crew, and not being a diva (divo) will insure you are remembered fondly by many people long after you are gone, and will probably give a lot of people a memory that they will pass along to their grandchildren.
#3
When she was a little girl and to this day I suppose, my daughter loved Dolly Parton. We were in Nashville visiting my parents and decided to drive her out to show her Dolly’s house. The big butterfly gates were closed to her estate but my little girl, 6 at the time, wrote Dolly a note and stuck it in the gate. A few weeks later we received a letter from Dolly with an autographed picture made out to my daughter. I’ll never know how she got our address from just a note from a 6 year old, but she did. My daughter is almost 40 now and still cherishes that letter and picture. Dolly rocks.
To learn more about celebrity encounters, we reached out to Jackie Zebrowski, one of the hosts of Page 7, a podcast all about celebrity gossip. Jackie was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and spill the tea about some of our favorite celebrities.
"I have no proof that Jennifer Lopez gets rid of her linens after every use, but that fact CERTAINLY pops up a lot in the blind items!" she shared. "I know that supposedly Jojo Siwa is very difficult to work with, but I met her while working on a Nickelodeon show and she was nothing but kind. I mean, she showed up in a bus covered in her own face, but she was very sweet to anyone she interacted with on the show and behind the scenes."
#4
Elizabeth Taylor. She was a patient in my hospital, and we were responsible for her security while she was with us. We split the duty with her between myself and two of my police officers. She was an incredibly gracious lady to my officers, and all of the hospital staff. Very quiet, soft spoken, smiled and would chat with anyone from the housekeeper to the Chief of Surgery. Very much the image of a lady.
#5
Joni Mitchell, 1967. Her songs had been recorded by Tom Paxton, Buffy Ste Marie, Dave Van Ronk. Judy Collins had a huge hit with Both Sides Now. Joni’s first album had been produced by Dave Crosby and was great. So Joni was right up there. But she still had some contractual commitments to the smaller clubs where she started out. Like The Riverboat, in Toronto. Held maybe 100 people. Yours truly goes to see her - for the umpteenth time - and afterwards wangles his way backstage to ask Joni if she can give him guitar lessons.
In her dressing room was her manager, there was Bernie, who owned The Riverboat, a guy who looked like a lawyer, and a couple of reporters from the local papers. Everyone’s going “Joni!” “Joni!” “Joni!” She puts up her hand and says, “Wait. I need to show Max a couple of things.”
I’m a nobody, a 16 year old schmo who’s politely pushy, and she told all the movers and shakers to wait while she explained a couple of things. Can you spell ‘gracious’? ‘Kind’? ‘Patient’? She was magnificent.
For the musicians reading this, she checked that I knew the open G and open D tunings and could play the basic chords. She then showed me - she wrote it out on a napkin which of course I lost - a 2-note descending line against various pedals. She also said, “There are no rules. If you like it, it’s good.”
I thought then, and I think now, that Joni is the goddess reincarnate.
#6
I sat with Cary Grant several times at Dodger games in a private, enclosed box. I was 14–16 and he was in his 60s. We never talked about his career or his stature. Just baseball, and his newborn daughter. He was polite and self-effacing. His appearance was stunning and people who spotted him would almost faint.
The first time I sat with him, it was a hot day and I had a sport coat on. I stood up to take it off and we had a little closet in the box. He jumped up and reached to take my coat and hang it up. i said “Oh, no,, Mr. Grant, thank you, I’ll hang up my coat.” And in his inimitable voice he said “Nope! Hand it over! Already got the hanger here!” And that’s how he always was, very considerate and aware of everyone around him, asking you questions and not talking about himself.
Jackie noted that her bestie works closely with Kelly Clarkson and has only the nicest of things to say about her. "She is very kind and never talks down to anyone. She treats her staff and family very well," the host shared. "Apparently, they were setting up for a kid's party in her home and one of her songs came on the radio. Someone went over to turn it up, and they all sang it together, which is adorable."
Jackie also says she was shocked to hear that Selena Gomez is a lot nicer than she would have expected. "I never heard anything particularly rude about her, but I just assumed anyone that has been famous for most of their lives would be [rude]. She is reserved but very sweet to everyone around her," she told Bored Panda.
#7
Last March, my family was visiting Southern California. They wanted to check out Venice Beach. My daughter loves to work out as much as I do so I suggested we leave the others at the beach and walk over to the original Gold’s Gym, the Mecca of bodybuilding. For the next hour and a half we lifted weights, toured every inch of the place, stared at all the pictures of the famous bodybuilders on the walls, and generally had a great time. We stopped at the gift shop and bought a couple of things to commemorate the day. I finished paying and looked up and pointed near the entrance.
“It’s Arnold,” I said. Sure enough, it was the Terminator himself. My daughter gasped, “Let’s get a picture!”
By the time we got to him he was talking to two guys who were in the gym but came out to meet him. Standing next to them we overheard their entire conversation. He was encouraging them and complementing them on their strength and size. When they left, my daughter asked for a pic with us.
“Shu-uh”, he replied. We thanked him for his time and he wished us a good day before riding off on his electric bike. He honestly could not have been more gracious or down-to-earth.
#8
Sting: Super nice to everyone around him. Also rode his bike through the neighborhood behind the venue before the show, pausing to talk to people who were out walking their dogs and such.
#9
John Ritter. I was 23, just widowed with 3 children and a broken shoulder from our car accident in Austin. My in-laws brought us back to Burbank for a short reprieve. I needed our birth certificates to apply for his SS. Noone would drive me to downtown LA to pick them up so I took the buses. On the last bus transfer a man insisted I take his seat while he stood. When a seat opened next to me he sat and tried to converse. I was barely holding it together and afraid of missing my stop as I explained to him. He told me he'd watch for it to. Then he got off with me saying he'd see I found the records building and gentlemanly tucked my good arm into his and escorted me down the streets. I would have been flustered except I was beyond shock already. After seeing me to the door he left. I told my father-in-law the a man who looked like John Ritter from 3's Company helped me. Years later I read that he liked to ride the public buses around without a destination to talk to the other riders . I am sure it was him. His voice, demeanor, and body movements were also like his.
Lucky for fans of School of Rock and Nacho Libre, Jackie says Jack Black is just as amazing as you would hope he'd be. "I have known multiple people that have worked with him on various projects, and he shows up prepared and always gives 110%," she shared.
"On top of that, a friend of mine was in a movie with him at Sundance. My friend was obviously lower down on the call sheet than he was but was invited to a huge celebrity after party," the host revealed. "His name wasn't on the list, and he was turned away. He bumped into Jack Black who went out of his way to go up and talk the people into letting my friend in and he was successful! They partied all night together!"
#10
I was OBSESSED (can’t stress this enough - dressed and looked like him, listened to the Cure constantly, walls plastered with posters) with Robert Smith from the Cure when I was 18 (30 years ago), and met him after a concert once. He was absolutely wonderful - kind, gentle, patient, and beyond tolerant of an 18 year old little goth girl in full hysterics meeting the object of full-on teen obsession.
#11
George Kennedy lived at my mom’s retirement home. Every week, I’d go over to visit my mom, and bring my Golden Retriever, Chase. I’d usually spend 45 minutes doing pet therapy with any residents who were interested. It was love at first sight for George and Chase — they adored each other. So we had a standing order — any time that Chase was in the building, we’d go visit George. Even if he was taking a nap, we were to wake him up for a visit.
George would often sneak Chase some leftover bacon from breakfast; normally in pet therapy, I forbade residents from feeding Chase — but I never could bring myself to say that to George — he took so much joy in Chase.
George was a force of nature — big and still powerful, yet so gentle and fun to be around. He had so many great stories. I still remember him talking about how all the guys (himself included) on the set of Charade were in awe of Audrey Hepburn, and would sit and listen to anything she would say during breaks from filming. He had just published a book while staying at the retirement home, and autographed a special copy for my mom, with a sweet inscription.
I’m sorry I never got a picture of him with Chase, though my mom and I got a photo with him one day in the living room.
I’ll still miss George — a great guy
#12
One day my ex-wife and I had a layover overnight in LA coming back from the Cook Islands.
We went to a mid to upscale Mexican restaurant. We were chatting, and then I looked to the table beside us and Adam Sandler (American actor/comedian) and his wife Jackie were at the next table with another guy. Seemed like an agent or something.
Anyways, we had a great dinner, got up to leave and they ended up leaving a few seconds after we got up. We walked outside and called a cab and were waiting when the three of them came out and were saying their goodbyes beside us.
We are Canadian and generally feel it is rude to say anything to someone if they are famous or whatever and they are not in a work environment.
They broke the ice with us. Sandler made a joke about the beans not doing anything for foreplay later with his wife. We all laughed and it seemed they were waiting for a few mins for a ride too.
We started chatting a bit and they were honestly the nicest, most down to earth couple.
My wife said something like “it seems so weird that it feels like I know you because of the movies" and Jackie chimed in totally laughing “ I know, right!!! I do that all the time when I meet these famous people" as she was giggling.
Jackie said hey do you guys want a picture with Adam? Your friends won't believe your story.
We said sure but not wanting to be rude or weird.
So Adam grabbed us and pulled us in for a hug and Jackie grabbed our camera and took a picture.
We said goodbye and the cab came.
Honestly the nicest people.
"A friend of mine worked with Margot Robbie in a film and said you could not have met a nicer person who did NOT act as hot as she is!" Jackie spilled.
"Jeremy Allen White frequents the coffee shop my friend works for, and he certainly flies under the radar. He is always very reserved but tips very well and is very courteous," the host says. "The day of the Emmys, he even went in and grabbed all the coffees for him and all the people who were working to help him get ready, which is surprising! Guess he needed some air?!"
#13
Bradley Cooper sat behind my family at a local restaurant where we quietly celebrated our at the time college age daughter’s birthday. While leaving, he stopped by our table to wish my daughter a happy birthday. The other celebrity in the restaurant, who will remain nameless, ignored our table.
Upstaged75 4 months ago
Celebrities are by no means required to interact with anyone. Don't be a jerk.
#14
On my 40th birthday I was walking to work in San Francisco down Market street. It was dark and early. I noticed they were filming a commercial with Mr. T on the street. I went past to the coffee place where I always bought my morning coffee. As I walked back to my office I noticed a crowd had gathered around Mr. T. I stopped and he looked at me and said hello. I blurted out that it was my birthday! He asked if he could give me a hug? I said yes and he gave me the best bear hug! We both smiled and I went on my way. What a great guy.
Dread Pirate Roberts 4 months ago
That's what I've heard about him :> that outside of the usual tough guy persona he has on TV, he's a big teddy bear who loves people and loves Jesus!
#15
I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Ms. Angelina Jolie when she came to Pakistan while enroute to visit the refugee camps in the west for Afghan refugees back in the early 2000s to provide assistance as part of the UNHCR mission.
I found her nothing but graceful, kind and patient in her quick interaction with me which may have lasted only 1–2 minutes (I must have come across as quite shy and awkward) while she was in between meetings with the government officials of the Musharraf era. I also heard about her later visits to Pakistan from friends in the government and the press.
While Ms. Jolie’s movies like Girl, Interrupted and Mr. and Mrs. Smith tend to portray a very racy kind image, in person, she is an epitome of class, grace, dignity, intelligence and of course, beauty.
Her interactions with the destitute Afghan refugees eking a living in poverty stricken camps were so heartfelt and full of genuine warmth.
These camps are not very nice places to be and the refugees living in them suffer from heat, poor hygienic conditions, smells and so on. Yet Ms. Jolie walked around in them and greeted the refugees without any hesitation or concern.
What was even more impressive was how she conducted herself when interacting with the government emissaries of the Pakistani State, as part of her mission back in the early 2000s to get Pakistani state cooperation for assisting Afghan refugees. She did not seem the least bit intimidated by all the big, uniformed men around her (this was back in the days of the Musharraf regime, when the military controlled the country). Even among all the medals and military peacockry she had a quiet kind of magnetism that set her apart.
She navigated her way diplomatically in her interactions with the confusing apparatus that forms the Pakistani state to ensure she could assist the UN missions get the help they needed from the Pakistani government by interacting with a series of Pakistani leaders (starting from President Musharraf and going to Yusuf Raza Gilani after the military government was replaced). I can tell you, this is a skill set that career bureaucrats spend years learning.
She would return in later years as part of different missions, notably in the later 2000s when she came to the country as part of her mission to provide relief to so many of our citizens devastated by the 2009 flooding.
She betrayed no anger when Prime Minister Gilani flew over his family to meet her on state funds when she was there to meet him to request more assistance for flood victims and she seemed to have gritted her jaw and ignored the posh opulence rolled out to her by Pakistani politicians who were throwing lavish parties for her when she had seen the abject poverty of the nation and seen the heart wrenching stories of Pakistanis who had lost loved ones and homes in the flooding. Nor was she the least bit phased by the Pakistani media hounding her for photos, especially when she was with male politicians.
It seemed that no matter what challenge was thrown at her (dealing with the opaque military government, dealing with crass civilian politicians more interested in a photo op with her than aid for their own people, dealing with a media with 0 boundary sense), she dealed with it with grace and diplomatic skill to stay on track for her objective: To help the Afghan refugees fleeing war and to help Pakistanis devastated by flooding. The US State Department should seriously consider hiring her.
I don’t know what life experiences she has had that have transformed her into such an amazingly caring, intelligent and graceful person. She didn’t have to leave the glamour of California to come to Pakistan’s harshest territories to provide help to refugees and flood victims forgotten by so many. But she did. And a lot of refugees and people in our little corner of the world are grateful to her for doing so.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 4 months ago
This really surprised me. I just assumed she was pretending compassion for publicity. I didn't realize it was the other way around!
Jackie also revealed that she's had the opportunity to meet Steve Martin and Martin Short, two of her biggest inspirations as comedians. "I was insanely nervous to be in the tiiiiiiniest scene with them. Some comedians create quite a 'YOU AREN'T AS FUNNY AS ME' boundary and that was NOT the case with either one of them," she explained.
"Steve Martin reminds me of the grandfather every person wants — very sincere and caring. Martin Short was everything I had hoped he would be! What a delightful human. Always singing and making people laugh but also NOT obnoxiously," she continued. "He could tell I was nervous, so he went out of his way to throw his aside jokes to me. What a sweetheart."
#16
I met Paul Newman twice. Once in 1968 while he was campaigning for Eugene McCarthy who was running for President and the other time in 1984 or 85 when I was an extra on the set of Color of Money at Navy Pier in Chicago. The first time we actually chatted for a few minutes and he was extremely approachable and kind. On the second occasion he was working, and was focused on his job. Brilliant. What an opportunity to see Newman, Cruise and Scorsese working together. I’m an old man now but will always be a fan of Paul Newman. He was a brilliant example of a truly grand actor and genuinely nice man.
#17
30+ years ago was walking in the Scottish hills. Came down the less travelled route and caught up with another guy. He knew the area better than me and explained we might meet the gamekeeper on our route but the owner only came up in August so should be OK (it was May).
We climbed over a gate and the Queen Mother (ie Charles IIIs granny) came up and said hello and asked where we'd come from. My new friend found his voice faster than me but eventually we explained we'd only just met to which she replied she approved of talking to strangers and invited us to stay for a picnic tea.
I really don't like egg but when the Queen Mum offers you a sandwich from a tupperware box it's hard to say may I have the chocolate cake instead.
On the way out we passed the one security guy in his Range Rover reading his Sunday Times. His only question “did you manage to get past them at the house?”.
#18
A few years ago, Ryan Gosling was directing a movie in Michigan. A friend of mine was working on the movie and at the end of it he was able to bring a friend to the wrap party.
I'm not sure what I expected. I didn't expect him to be a jerk by any means but he was certainly kinder than expected. Smiling and laughing with us for a bit before we got a pic. He was busy, busy as it was his event so I didn't spend too much time with him but he was definitely a cool person.
D. Pitbull 4 months ago
YES!! That's right. Canada is home to the two best Ryans (so far)! Yaaaay!
"I know someone who works with Jason Momoa, and I have met him a couple of times. I thiiiiiiirsted for him for such a long time, and I am happy to report that I still support my past thirst! He works insanely hard and truly loves/respects his kids as much as the environment," Jackie shared. "You hear a lot of celebrities that promote products for reasons that will help the Earth, but Momoa genuinely lives by a plastic-less principle. (He is a big supporter of no plastics and has a company that encourages no single use plastic bottles.)"
And if you'd like to hear even more celebrity gossip, be sure to turn into Page 7 wherever you get your podcasts!
#19
Several years ago I attended the national Human Rights Campaign dinner in Washington, D.C. I was walking back to my table when a gentleman stood up from his table and turned directly toward me, it was John Lewis.
I was somewhat stunned as he was one of keynote speakers for the event, he was not backstage but having dinner at one of the tables amongst all of us. I was a bit intimidated and wasn’t sure if I should interrupt him from whatever he was about to do.
He looked me right in the eye with a welcoming glance. I gained my composure and plunged ahead by blurting out, “You’re one of my heroes. Thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made to make our country more just and fair.” He smiled and thanked me in the most modest, kind fashion.
Then, rather than moving on with his business, he surprised me by asking, “Tell me about you. What do you do and why are you here?” I don't remember exactly how I responded but assured him that he was part of the reason, I was a volunteer for human rights and specifically the rights of another historically neglected community, the LGBT community. We had a short, but wonderful conversation that seemed improbable in the midst of a big dinner with thousands in attendance.
I was reluctant to ask him for permission to take a photo with him, but I wanted to remember the moment. He smiled and said, “Absolutely.”
He was a humble warrior who inspired a generation and changed America, by bending the arc Martin Luther King, Jr spoke of, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends, toward justice.”
When I saw this question pop up, I immediately thought of my moment with this kind soul and American hero. A true privilege.
#20
Yes, Mike Tyson.While it was just a brief encounter, I was surprised at how polite he was.
He held the door open for me at the gym.
You have to understand the dynamics of this particular gym to understand why this made an impression. Men at this workout locale generally refuse to get out of each other’s way, with the largest men having right-of-way, like ships at sea. There is a sense that each man is trying to intimidate the others.
As I was walking toward the gym entrance, I didn’t immediately notice that it was Mike Tyson holding the door open, patiently waiting. At first, I was just surprised that a man of his size would show an average joe such deference. Further, when I realized it was Mike Tyson holding the door so patiently, I was truly shocked!
It’s really interesting how a brief encounter like this can leave a huge impression. He has led a fascinating life life, which he describes in his best-selling book, Iron Ambition.
#21
Billy Joel on the eve of his 1987 The Bridge Tour, July 5th.
I waited outside the back of the venue, Birmingham NEC, and it was a very hot day. Security at the venue were snotty and constantly reminded me not to wait in the shade. In the meantime, I could hear the band doing a soundcheck, but no vocals.
About 2 hours later, Billy Joel and saxophonist Mark Rivera arrived in a taxi. I was the only fan waiting, and requested if Billy and Mark could sign my Bridge album cover. Billy said he had a hangover as he was partying with Carl Perkins the previous night as it was American Independence Day. He saw I also had 52nd Street, Streetlife Serenade and Turnstiles and he said “shall I sign these?”
He then asked what album I liked best. I replied 52nd Street as it was my introduction to his music. After signing he said “come and meet the band" and ushered me inside. He said to the security, “he's with me!”
I asked why was lead guitarist David Brown no longer in the band, Billy replied “we had a disagreement"
I met Liberty DeVito (drums) Doug Stegmeyer (bass) Russell Javors (guitar) who all signed and said they hoped I would enjoy the show. Mark Rivera introduced me to the other musicians, Dave LaBolt (synthesizer) Kevin Duke (lead guitar) who was the short term replacement for David Brown and the backing singer Peter Hewlett.
Billy told me to “get a drink" and I got a cold coke. He then disappeared backstage. There was no sign of Christy.
After that I wished them a great tour and left the venue.
The show, as expected, was brilliant.
Top professionals, and great people.
Data1001 4 months ago
Billy Joel is known for not selling tickets for the front row seats. Instead, he sends some of the crew outside the venue to look for enthusiastic fans, and has them upgraded to the front row, so they both benefit -- real fans get a front row seat, and Billy is able to play off of their energy and give a better performance. It's estimated he loses $20,000 per concert by doing this, but the payoff seems to more than make up for that.
#22
Many years ago at his book signing, I got to meet Meat Loaf. He was freaking awesome. At one point before meeting him, someone had tried telling all of his fans that he was only signing the book and he looked at her saying that he would sign any damn thing he pleased. When it came time to meet him, I was so nervous and he could tell. He asked if I was okay and I told him yes but that I had never met a celebrity before. He looked at me with his kind eyes and said “ I’m just a normal guy who mows the lawn and gets yelled at by my wife every now and then.” He even took the time to talk to me and my aunt for a couple of minutes and to take this picture. She has both autographs and I am okay with that. (The book she got for me to get signed was her’s.) I have this picture and the memory which is all I need.
#23
On a trip to Hawaii with my parents when I was 14, my mother spotted Red Skelton window shopping in our hotel. Red Skelton was a radio and movie star and had the top-rated TV show at that time, “The Red Skelton Hour.” He was dressed like one of his TV characters, San Fernando Red, in a fancy suit and panama hat. He was very impressive at six foot two but that never deterred my five foot nothing mother. She walked up to him and asked if he would mind us taking his picture.
He turned to her, doffed his hat revealing his bright red hair, and said to her in all seriousness, “Yes, ma’am, I would.” Before she could react, his face broke out in an impish smile and he finished, “This light in here is terrible. Let’s go outside.”
He talked to us like we were old friends as we walked down the hall. Outside, he asked a passer-by to take our picture with my mother’s camera, still talking like he’d known us forever.
All too soon, the encounter was over as others realized who he was. Everyone wanted to meet him. With the style and grace of a true gentleman, he shook hands, posed for pictures, and signed autographs until everyone was happy. From the look on his face, so was he.
#24
Back in 2003, Alice Cooper was playing a shown near Jim Thorpe, PA. It was sold out but I decided to try to find a ticket that day.
While walking by the only hotel in the downtown area, Alice's tour bus pulled into the parking lot. The band and then Alice himself got off and were just milling about chatting.
I stood at the edge of the lot debating about asking for an autograph. As I started to approach, Alice looked over, said hello and held out his hand. Nervously, I shook it while trying not to sputter like an idiot.
Alice was amazing. We started talking and he was asking me questions about the area, if I golfed (he's a huge golfer), how far I drove to be there. We started walking towards the hotel but he never broke the conversation. Even when Eric Singer (his drummer at the time) came up to tell Alice something, he motioned for me to hold on, answered Eric's question, then continued the conversation.
When we reached the hotel front, I asked for a picture (taken with a 35mm film camera.) He obliged, we shook hands, and he went into the hotel.
Later that night, I bought a ticket from someone in line who had a no show in their group.
Being as it was general admission, I made my way to right in front of the stage. I'd like to think he noticed me there and gave me a wink at one point, but who knows.
Alice Cooper, the person, is much different that Alice Cooper you see on stage.
#25
So most celebs I have met have been at events. Because it is an event like a comic con, I do expect them to at least be polite because they are getting paid to be there and meet people. The least they can do for paying customers blah blah.
I’ve only met a couple “out in the wild” so to speak. One was incredibly rude, so I won’t bother naming them or describing the event. The other was well, kind of stunningly normal and kind.
My friend and I had traveled to a small town in upstate NY for a charity event hosted by a couple of celebrities there. Since we were in this small town we decided to visit a candy shop owned by Paul Rudd and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Just to see because, why not? As I was opening the candy shop door, I noticed a kid and his mom walking out so held it open for them. Just what you normally, I heard “Now say thank you to the lady for holding the door open for you” and looked up. To see it was Paul Rudd’s kid and wife I was holding the door open for. The kid said thank you, and I managed to get out “You’re very Welcome” before being stunned for a moment. Then I quickly stepped out of line to follow him, I asked if I could please get a selfie with him and he agreed. It is one of my fav selfies. My friend who also asked for and got a selfie with him was upset that he smiled in mine but not hers. The photobomb in the back of mine is just an added bit that makes it work even more. His whole family was kind and polite, as I stood by and chatted with his wife while my friend and a few others clustered around him. I did apologize to her for interrupting their outing. But the totally normal parenting (say thank you) and friendliness was a surprise considering it was in the wild and it was an interruption to their family outing to his small business.
#26
Yes! Some years ago, I was on a business trip in Singapore. One day I was having breakfast by myself and on the table next to me there were 4 guys, one of them look familiar.
So, when 2 of them went to the buffet and there was only two, I walked to them and said, I don't mean to interrupt you, but, are you Rod Stewart?
He said yes, and he was in an unexpected layover on his way to Australia for a concert. I asked him if after he had his breakfast would he mind taking a picture, and he said sure no problem.
I was on my table reading a book and sipping coffee, didn't realized they were leaving. He came to me and said, so, do you still want that picture? I said, absolutely an one of his crew took it with my phone.
Down to earth, approachable, simple and amiable is how I would describe him.
detective miller's hat 4 months ago
I met him one at a hotel bar beside the airport in Ireland. Very nice guy.
#27
My wife and I are HUGE fans of the show Rosanne. As such when we saw that she was going to be playing a one woman show at The Orleans casino by our house we were stoked! Rosanne live? Wow…bought tickets that very day! We looked forward to a stand up routine that would have us laughing out loud…
When the day came for the show we were there early, we went out for dinner and gambled a bit then went in the venue and as we were sitting there waiting for the show to start I was looking around and low and behold about 2 rows back there sat Kelsey Grammer! My wife is in a wheelchair so getting her up and into her chair to just go 2 rows for a meet and greet was kinda out of the question…after considerable effort on her part I went over, waited my turn to talk to him and told him the situation…he was so friendly and gracious! He got up and came over spent a good 5 minutes chatting then let me take a few pics of them together. Great guy!
#28
The Backstreet Boys: I played soccer with them. At least, that’s what I tell people. In fact, I stood near their tour bus while they played soccer with their kids, and the ball came my direction once, and I kicked it back to them. Thus, I played soccer with the Backstreet Boys. They were all nice guys. If not for the tour bus, you’d think they were just random family guys hanging out with their kids at a park.
#29
Aretha Franklin: First of all, they had a really, really cool system for her wardrobe changes. She basically went just off stage, raised her arms, and they put a new dress on her, right over the one she already had on. She must have finished the night with five layers of dresses on. The backstage guys said that she herself was nice, but had a huge posse with her and you couldn’t really get too close to her. She also seemed really tired, but she was an older woman by then. Her son, on the other hand, was a dick. He was lost in the venue and asked me for directions back stage. I walked him to the backstage gate, and the guys manning that gate didn’t recognize him. (To be honest, neither did I.) So they asked for his backstage credentials, and he made a scene.
#30
It was late December 2016. There was this huge wedding where the bride and groom ( I wont name them please ) both of them came from very wealthy well known families so obviously there were quite some known faces there. Famous politicians, industrialists and celebrities too. Somewhere there saw Abhishek bachchan with his small group of friends & acquaintances. Wow! This guy looks really cool and approachable by his demeanor so a rather hesistant me went upto him requesting him for a picture. I still remember his exact words : “ Sure, of course why not? “
That's the picture! My 2 cousin sisters are with me in the picture and oh yes! That guy is really very tall!! I consider myself quite tall at 6 feet but felt quite small then!! Ha ha!! ☺
A very cultured, polite and a friendly person in real life.
By the way that's how any person should always be. Name, Fame and Looks mostly fade away with the passage of time but an affable jolly and a caring nature shall always stand out.
Thanks a lot, Abhishek. You made my day that day.
What do you think ?
Jeremy James 4 months ago
One day in the early aughts, I was making coffee, and I called out, "I have a small café latte for... Julia?" I looked up and it was Julia freaking Roberts. She said, "Thank you. You know, you have really pretty eyes." I'm still flying high on that compliment.
ॐBoyGanesh 4 months ago (edited)
My job involves dealing with high-profile VIPs on a regular basis, which includes celebrities. My take away about the “nice or mean” discussion is that everyone can have a bad day & if you’re famous you can often be hounded by press or fans to a near breaking point. I believe it’s the arrogant & entitled ones that are the worst & the great thing about my job is that I’m often saving them for embarrassment or bad PR, putting them at my mercy so can shut down the attitude. Chevy Chase couldn’t have been nicer. Margaret Cho has been my favorite person to hang with. Jaguar is sweet. Lively/Reynolds suck repeatedly. Worked with 3 of 6 Kardashians & always nice, polite, accommodating & never made a scene. In 30 years, many celebs, Dolly & Post Malone are incredible people. Billy Ray is an a*s, Miley is a genuine sweetheart. Tyler Posey is a trip, but really kind. Hunter Schafer is sweet, as is Javon Walton. Screw the Apatows, particularly Maude. NPH is c**t, David embarrassed for him.
Lyoness 4 months ago
I am very unhappy to hear about Reynolds, especially as his whole shtick is nice guy. Anyone else have an encounter with him?
Load More Replies...
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 4 months ago (edited)
Years ago, in Hollywood to shoot a game show (didn't win 🫤) but ran into Adam West on the way to dinner. Absolutely one of the most gracious people I've ever met! Happy to take pics and talk with me for just a few minutes. RIP, Mayor West. 💔 Edit: also met Cyndi Lauper when she played a free concert at Music Millennium in Portland, Oregon. Just as gracious and kind, and gave an absolutely stellar performance ( I was sitting less than 5 feet from her!!).
Lyoness 4 months ago
As a Canadian I'm embarrassed to admit one of our own celebrities is a d*ck. At a high school reunion I looked up to see someone who looked exactly like the man who played the imam on Little Mosque on the Prairie, a show about a Muslim community in Saskatchewan. I turned to him and asked "Has anyone ever told you you look exactly like Amaar on Little Mosque on the Prarie?" He glared back and said "That's because I am, Lyoness." Then he snorted and walked away. It never occurred to me it could be the same person. I have no idea what prompted that reaction - maybe because I didn't recognise him? Or didn't remember him? He acted pretty much the same to everyone else at the reunion. I stopped watching the show after that. What's even worse is he's now Canada's Consul General in LA. I hope he treats diplomats better than I remember him treating us.
highwaycrossingfrog 4 months ago
I work in film & TV so meet a lot of celebs. Most are lovely and down-to-earth. Of the uber famous I have met, I particularly remember Willem Dafoe being lovely, we had a nice chat about the Victoria and Albert museum in London. Penelope Cruz is very quiet and sweet. Daisy Ridley is a hoot
Rayne OfSalt 4 months ago
I think the only celebs I've met that any non-aussies would recognise are Kirk Pengilly & Tim Fariss from INXS, and Henry Rollins. All of them are incredibly good, down-to-earth and friendly people.
JohninND 3 months ago
I worked for a mason when I was a young man and we knocked out & rebuilt a fireplace in the upstairs bedroom of Robert Vaughn. He was a real nice guy, had that same crisp diction when he spoke and the kids toys etc. about gave the impression of a pretty normal person. He was like, "There's cold cuts in the fridge if you want..." as he left .
Sven Horlemann 4 months ago (edited)
Reminds me of 2 elevator encounters. One being Svjatoslav Richter on his last concert tour, and me as a music science student doing artist duty (we had to take an elevator to get to the stage). Very polite and lovely he was. Another was on a Berlin trip in a 5 star hotel where I was part of an conference I shared the elevator with Ian Gillan. You could really feel he wanted to be left alone so I did just that. Still. I remember both occasions like yesterday.
FaceTime Audio 4 months ago
Met Paul Stanley of KISS in a grocery store when I was seven. I did not care (didn't know who KISS were) but my dad freaked out. Got a photo with him, he was super nice to me and my sister.
Keith Lancaster 4 months ago
I once met the artists Gilbert and George. I went over and said hello telling them that I really like their art. In reply they looked down their noses at me and acted as though a bad smell had just arrived.
D. Pitbull 4 months ago
This is nice to see - especially after being at conventions where, even though the celebrities are paid to be there... they STILL aren't pleasant... they ridicule the fans - even when the fans are following the rules. Peter Weller insisted everyone call him DOCTOR Weller (he has a PhD in Art History, I think?)... and had his own security posse... who liked to pick on and threaten small-statured people (like myself). He would insist that he'd likely charge any of us for taking pictures of him *while he was on stage, at an event he was paid to be at as a celebrity* ... and he also mocked/ridiculed some of the more awkward/stuttering fans that would try to ask him a question (it was a Q&A panel). Anthony Daniels scolded me for just asking him to mark his autograph (that I'd PAID for, mind you) to make it 'unique' - like a smiley face, a random word that popped into his head, anything - apparently this was 'unreasonable'.
Zephyr343 4 months ago
Met Paul Meany, lead singer of the band "Mutemath" twice, about 10 years apart. First time was a small concert in Madison, WI when they were relatively unknown. Got a picture of him and my brother in law (who was 12 years old at the time.) Next time I saw them in Madison the concert was a lot larger. Managed to get VIP tickets to meet them before the show. My brother in law brought the picture they took 10 years ago and showed it to Paul. He was stunned and said something like "wow, we were a lot younger back then!!!" It was a very positive experience. All the members were very down to earth.
James016 4 months ago
I met Gavin Harrison, the drummer for Porcupine Tree and some other bands. He happened to be visiting the drum shop we were in buying my son a drum kit. Really nice guy and took a pic with my son. He is not a huge celebrity but he is a really highly rated drummer. He is also very, very tall
Earthquake903 4 months ago
I met Geoff Tate, founding member and lead singer of the band Queensryche at a meet and greet in Tucson at the Rialto in 2017. I was very drunk and star struck, like pretty much everyone waiting to meet him. He was very gracious and kind enough to sign my arm which I promptly got tattooed, lol. Love him!
Jeremy James 4 months ago
One day in the early aughts, I was making coffee, and I called out, "I have a small café latte for... Julia?" I looked up and it was Julia freaking Roberts. She said, "Thank you. You know, you have really pretty eyes." I'm still flying high on that compliment.
ॐBoyGanesh 4 months ago (edited)
My job involves dealing with high-profile VIPs on a regular basis, which includes celebrities. My take away about the “nice or mean” discussion is that everyone can have a bad day & if you’re famous you can often be hounded by press or fans to a near breaking point. I believe it’s the arrogant & entitled ones that are the worst & the great thing about my job is that I’m often saving them for embarrassment or bad PR, putting them at my mercy so can shut down the attitude. Chevy Chase couldn’t have been nicer. Margaret Cho has been my favorite person to hang with. Jaguar is sweet. Lively/Reynolds suck repeatedly. Worked with 3 of 6 Kardashians & always nice, polite, accommodating & never made a scene. In 30 years, many celebs, Dolly & Post Malone are incredible people. Billy Ray is an a*s, Miley is a genuine sweetheart. Tyler Posey is a trip, but really kind. Hunter Schafer is sweet, as is Javon Walton. Screw the Apatows, particularly Maude. NPH is c**t, David embarrassed for him.
Lyoness 4 months ago
I am very unhappy to hear about Reynolds, especially as his whole shtick is nice guy. Anyone else have an encounter with him?
Load More Replies... LonelyLittleLeafSheep 4 months ago (edited)
Years ago, in Hollywood to shoot a game show (didn't win 🫤) but ran into Adam West on the way to dinner. Absolutely one of the most gracious people I've ever met! Happy to take pics and talk with me for just a few minutes. RIP, Mayor West. 💔 Edit: also met Cyndi Lauper when she played a free concert at Music Millennium in Portland, Oregon. Just as gracious and kind, and gave an absolutely stellar performance ( I was sitting less than 5 feet from her!!).
Lyoness 4 months ago
As a Canadian I'm embarrassed to admit one of our own celebrities is a d*ck. At a high school reunion I looked up to see someone who looked exactly like the man who played the imam on Little Mosque on the Prairie, a show about a Muslim community in Saskatchewan. I turned to him and asked "Has anyone ever told you you look exactly like Amaar on Little Mosque on the Prarie?" He glared back and said "That's because I am, Lyoness." Then he snorted and walked away. It never occurred to me it could be the same person. I have no idea what prompted that reaction - maybe because I didn't recognise him? Or didn't remember him? He acted pretty much the same to everyone else at the reunion. I stopped watching the show after that. What's even worse is he's now Canada's Consul General in LA. I hope he treats diplomats better than I remember him treating us.
highwaycrossingfrog 4 months ago
I work in film & TV so meet a lot of celebs. Most are lovely and down-to-earth. Of the uber famous I have met, I particularly remember Willem Dafoe being lovely, we had a nice chat about the Victoria and Albert museum in London. Penelope Cruz is very quiet and sweet. Daisy Ridley is a hoot
Rayne OfSalt 4 months ago
I think the only celebs I've met that any non-aussies would recognise are Kirk Pengilly & Tim Fariss from INXS, and Henry Rollins. All of them are incredibly good, down-to-earth and friendly people.
JohninND 3 months ago
I worked for a mason when I was a young man and we knocked out & rebuilt a fireplace in the upstairs bedroom of Robert Vaughn. He was a real nice guy, had that same crisp diction when he spoke and the kids toys etc. about gave the impression of a pretty normal person. He was like, "There's cold cuts in the fridge if you want..." as he left .
Sven Horlemann 4 months ago (edited)
Reminds me of 2 elevator encounters. One being Svjatoslav Richter on his last concert tour, and me as a music science student doing artist duty (we had to take an elevator to get to the stage). Very polite and lovely he was. Another was on a Berlin trip in a 5 star hotel where I was part of an conference I shared the elevator with Ian Gillan. You could really feel he wanted to be left alone so I did just that. Still. I remember both occasions like yesterday.
FaceTime Audio 4 months ago
Met Paul Stanley of KISS in a grocery store when I was seven. I did not care (didn't know who KISS were) but my dad freaked out. Got a photo with him, he was super nice to me and my sister.
Keith Lancaster 4 months ago
I once met the artists Gilbert and George. I went over and said hello telling them that I really like their art. In reply they looked down their noses at me and acted as though a bad smell had just arrived.
D. Pitbull 4 months ago
This is nice to see - especially after being at conventions where, even though the celebrities are paid to be there... they STILL aren't pleasant... they ridicule the fans - even when the fans are following the rules. Peter Weller insisted everyone call him DOCTOR Weller (he has a PhD in Art History, I think?)... and had his own security posse... who liked to pick on and threaten small-statured people (like myself). He would insist that he'd likely charge any of us for taking pictures of him *while he was on stage, at an event he was paid to be at as a celebrity* ... and he also mocked/ridiculed some of the more awkward/stuttering fans that would try to ask him a question (it was a Q&A panel). Anthony Daniels scolded me for just asking him to mark his autograph (that I'd PAID for, mind you) to make it 'unique' - like a smiley face, a random word that popped into his head, anything - apparently this was 'unreasonable'.
Zephyr343 4 months ago
Met Paul Meany, lead singer of the band "Mutemath" twice, about 10 years apart. First time was a small concert in Madison, WI when they were relatively unknown. Got a picture of him and my brother in law (who was 12 years old at the time.) Next time I saw them in Madison the concert was a lot larger. Managed to get VIP tickets to meet them before the show. My brother in law brought the picture they took 10 years ago and showed it to Paul. He was stunned and said something like "wow, we were a lot younger back then!!!" It was a very positive experience. All the members were very down to earth.
James016 4 months ago
I met Gavin Harrison, the drummer for Porcupine Tree and some other bands. He happened to be visiting the drum shop we were in buying my son a drum kit. Really nice guy and took a pic with my son. He is not a huge celebrity but he is a really highly rated drummer. He is also very, very tall
Earthquake903 4 months ago
I met Geoff Tate, founding member and lead singer of the band Queensryche at a meet and greet in Tucson at the Rialto in 2017. I was very drunk and star struck, like pretty much everyone waiting to meet him. He was very gracious and kind enough to sign my arm which I promptly got tattooed, lol. Love him!
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