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36 Netizens Spill The Tea About Famous People They’ve Met And What They Were Like
Avoiding news about celebrities or any other type of famous people online is almost an impossible task. At the same time, depending on where you live, meeting anyone famous in real life is quite a rare occasion that only some people get to experience.
Plenty of people have run into celebrities over their lifetimes. For some, the experience was nice and lovely to remember for a long time, while for others it was the other way around. What these people also like to do is share these experiences online. So, let’s take a look at a few of them and see whether it changes our perception of certain celebs or not.
More info: Reddit
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#1
Used to be a Triangle Messenger (bicycle messenger in Pittsburgh) and would deliver scripts to WQED the local broadcast channel. One day Im inside delivering a package and none other than Fred Rodgers walks up and introduces himself, HE introduced himself to ME. Not only that he was very engaging asking questions, a true kind individual. The rub of it about a month later I am back at the studios delivering another package, and Mr Rogers yells across the lobby 'Hey (my name)' Im floored. Here is this guy totally IN the moment, being a human being, he was authentic and truly wishing to engage with me on a personal level. I will never forget the heart that guy had. From what I have been told he was this way 100%. True human.
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#2
Keanu. Twice. Once in 2000 as an intern on his movie, Hardball. And then again in 2023 when I got to interview him. The rumours are true - he really is the nicest guy on the planet.
Many people want to become famous. Being admired by strangers, not having to “win over” every single person you meet, because they already know (and possibly like) you, getting other benefits like wealth… The list of what is so good about fame is a long one.
Also, the fame itself comes in different shapes and sizes. A person might be known in their local community, in their country, or internationally. The reasons why they are famous can be various too – from doing good deeds, being an entertainer, a criminal or anything else. Yes, even criminals, since, as Nadine DeCero put it, sometimes we like to make the wrong people famous.
#4
Johnny Cash. He was mountainous...dignified...genuinely humble.
Didn't hurt that I got to meet Waylon Jennings, June Carter Cash, and Jesse Colter at the same time.
Ed: June had mesmerizingly beautiful eyes.
#5
I was teaching and took my class to Ellis island and the 9/11 museum. A kid said Kareem Abdul Jabar is on our ferry coming back from the island. It was actually him. I took a deep breath and went over to him and his agent and said I had 50 students that would absolutely love to meet you if you can. Dude stood out in the rain and said hello and took pictures with all my students. He walked down the street afterwards and was high-fiving people who recognized him. Class act.
Scott Rackley 6 days ago
I have also met Kareem. He is genuinely nice. Very soft spoken. It's hard to describe just how big he is too.
#6
I screwed up Ron Howard’s lunch order one time. Him and his family were golfing and I worked in the golf club bar and they came in for a quick bite to eat. Not a single thing went right but they were all extremely nice and understanding. 10/10 would embarrass myself in front of them again.
While for many fame looks appealing, it has plenty of downsides too. As we mentioned before, being famous means you’re admired by strangers, but from time to time it goes out of hand.
What we mean is that sometimes an obsession with a celebrity can turn into a parasocial relationship. A person might imagine that their bond with a famous person is way more serious than it actually is and they might not even realize that in reality, it is only one-sided – the famous person doesn’t know them. A borderline case might even lead to stalking or violence against the adored person.
#7
Rosa Parks. A few members of my high school band got to play a little concert for her. I have no idea how the school arranged that, but it was very cool.
#8
I met Snoop Dogg and he signed an album I bought from him. He called me “Young Tiger Woods” and then told me that he would see me at top. Said he would be there waiting for me. As a musician I was over the moon.
and yes, he smelled like straight GAS.
Child of the Stars 6 days ago
He's done a series of kids music that's on YouTube. It's learning stuff-ABCs and colors and the like-but it's exactly his rap style.
#9
My first job was working for Steve Irwin at his zoo. Got to meet him many times before he died
Edit: yes, I get it, haha good I met him before he died. I wrote originally I worked at his zoo before he died, then added in extra words and left that in, probably should not have.
As an example, we can take the murder at the hands of a fan of famous singer Selena in 1995 and Christina Grimmie in 2016, and these are just two cases.
No wonder celebrities like Chappell Roan are setting boundaries with fans between their personal and work lives — not only do they want to have some work-life balance, but want to stay as safe as possible too.
After all, celebs are no less people than any of us are. This online thread where Redditors shared stories of their encounters with famous people proves just that.
#10
I smoked a cigarette with Joan Jett back in the day. She's a rad lady.
ILoveMySon 6 days ago
She is definitely one of the most talented musicians and definitely paved the way for female performers.
#11
Dave Gilmore from Pink Floyd … he flew into my small hometown to buy my mother’s ex boyfriend’s Mustang airplane..
I honestly didn’t know who he was.. my best friend was a big fan and thought I was pulling a joke on him till he saw him..
it was the end of November and he actually joined my mother’s family for Thanksgiving dinner..
For your convenience, we combined the best of these replies into this list. In it, you can read stories of people working in Steve Irwin’s zoo, taking Pedro Pascal out for drinks, and getting ice cream bought for them by John Wayne. You’ll have to read (and upvote) the rest of the list yourself, we don’t want to spoil too much!
As we said before, this list shows that famous folks are simply people, who live, work, go out, and do other human activities, only while being more noticeable in public and usually having more money than others.
Have you ever met someone famous? Share your story with us in the comments!
#13
Levar Burton. I’ve never met a more calming and kind person. He instantly puts you at ease. He’s from another world.
#14
Cher. Val Kilmer is my mom’s step brother, and when he dated Cher she and my grandma became friends and still are to this day!
Katie Allen 1 week ago
A friend of mine used to work in a jewelry store Cher shopped at. Apparently she's very down to earth and funny.
#15
I met Barack Obama. Even more charming and charismatic in person, if you can believe it.
#17
Bea Arthur. Super gracious, shy, soft spoken. Lovely woman. I was so sad when she died.
#18
Met?
Matt Damon.
Had a brief conversation with him while he was getting his wig glued on during the production of a film.
Spent real time with?
Took Pedro Pascal out for drinks and dinner in Beijing.
Dude is the nicest guy ever.
Edit: Well s**t, this blew up.
I've added a link to an audio clip he sent my friend back in the states.
The woman's voice is his manager, the guy drunkenly going "oh my god" in the background is me.
#19
Wanda Sykes. 2016. She came to the cosmetic counter I worked at. Told me she lost all of her makeup on her last trip and needed all new stuff. She was going on The Ellen Show that Friday. Sold her over $700 worth of new makeup. She was very down to earth and kind to all who stopped to say hello. She’s a tiny little thing. I made a joke as she left and had her laughing. Great experience.
Geoffrey Scott 6 days ago
Lewis Black, at a meet and greet my casino- working daughter arranged. "So...Jon Stewart really torched Jim Cramer eh?" (Unforgettable interview on TDS, Stewart had Cramer admitting he would move markets to his benefit).."Don't wanna p**s him off, do ya, heh,heh,."
#20
Tom Hanks. He had a lot of questions about the owl I had on my arm.
#21
When John Wayne went to the local drugstore, he would buy all the kids an ice cream cone. One time, I asked for a triple scoop. He handed it to me, and I promptly dropped it. He looked down at me, shook his head a little, smiled, and said, "Sorry, little lady, now you only get two scoops," and bought me another cone.
John Wayne called me "little lady"!
#22
Seth Rogen - girlfriend and I were walking through Central Park. A couple with a dog were walking towards us and my girlfriend, a mad dog person, complimented their dog. They stopped so she could pat it and I started making conversation with the guy. He had sunglasses and a hat on, so I couldn’t make him out. But once he laughed, it clicked and I accidentally blurted out “Holy s**t, you’re Seth Rogen”. He was charming, friendly, and amused that it was his dog that got the initial attention and not him.
We got a photo with him and the dog and then went about our day.
#24
Once went to a friend's family BBQ and Stephen hawking was there didn't realise and went a stood out side as them wheelchairs take up a fair bit of space. Turns out their mum was his nurse.
#25
Simone Biles came into my job this past Halloween! Short interaction but she was nice and even prettier in person.
#26
I met Linkin Park a while back, Chester was such a kind and gentle guy.
#27
I filled Jerry Springer’s water glass once when I was a bus boy in a small northern michigan town.
As luck would have it, I am not my brother’s father.
#28
Paul McCartney!! I thought it was a dream.
Katie Allen 1 week ago
I am the biggest Beatle fan on the planet, I probably would have freaked out.
#29
Kissed on the cheek by Donnie Wahlberg peak NKOTB years.
Weird Al let my daughter touch his hair. She says it's softer than a kitten 😊.
#31
I met Post Malone once. Dude was exactly like you’d imagine—chill, wearing a hoodie, and covered in tattoos. I tried to ask for a picture but got too nervous and just ended up awkwardly nodding at him. He nodded back. That’s basically a vibe exchange, right?
#32
Former US President Harry S. Truman in 1962.
Geoffrey Scott 6 days ago
Sorry, forgot this one. West Key bar, early afternoon, nighttime strip joint. Old dude and I (Coast Guard) were talking, having a beer. He made a crack about "6 foot sailors" my standard reply of "at least the Village People didn't make a song about MY service branch" we both laughed. He went on about having to wear uniforms. Several months later I am on the mess deck and (Ed Bradley?) is interviewing this old dude. "Hey! I had a beer with that guy" that guy being Hyman G Rickover, father of the nuclear navy. Of course no one believed me.
#33
I met Mike Tyson at the airport and shook his hand. His hand wrapped fully around mine with some room to spare, and I got the sense just from the strength in his grip and handshake that he could’ve easily flung me over his head with just one hand and not thought twice about it. It was the most power I’ve ever come in contact with. He was a nice dude though.
#34
Rode in an elevator with Jeff Beck and Brian Wilson. I didn’t say a word but it was pretty rad either way.
LaserBrain 1 week ago (edited)
Jeff Beck- one of the greatest guitarists of all time, in my opinion. His instrumental album Wired is legendary.
#35
Macho Man Randy Savage, is what I think.
I also met George Bush and Cher one time.
However Macho Man for the win.
#36
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. They lived in the same building as my grandma in the 90s. They got on the elevator my friend and I were on. He and I looked at each other like “OMFG!” Before we got out I said to Whitney “We really like your music” and she said “Thank you.” Bobby was just standing there the whole time with shades on.
What do you think ?
Carole G. 1 week ago (edited)
Late 50's or so at an outside art show in Carmel Valley,it was hot & Vincent Price took a drink of my Coke. He then bought me a new one, it was served in a cup & I kept that cup for years. At a Crosby Golf Tourn, in Pebble Beach, I was under 10 & my dad introduced us to Johnny Weismullar, the original Tarzan, scored a kiss on the cheek.
Kombatbunni 1 week ago
Wow that’s awesome! I bet it was a real treat to meet the original Tarzan :) And Vincent Price! I would have been speechless
Load More Replies...
Apatheist Account2 1 week ago
Not counting those I met on TV shows...Princess Diana. She was smiling but, looking back, I can see that it was a professional, forced smile for the event (opening a shopping centre) and there was sadness inside. On a lighter note - snooker world champion Ray Reardon. Absolute perfect gentleman, with such a warm, kind smile for a nervous 13 year old when I got his autograph.
Cara Vinson 1 week ago
I met some tool from Godsmack at a gambling table in Vegas. It was about 7 am and he (we) were drunk. He was acting like an a*s and kept saying "Don't you know I'm in Godsmack?!?!?:" Security was unimpressed.
BookFanatic 6 days ago
Mine's a bit different. My mother met U.S. Senator Paul Simon in the lingerie department of a Famous Barr department store. We were shopping for my first b-r-a and my elder cousin came along for moral support. Mom marched right up to him--with a fistful of trainers--and starting talking, then waved me over to say hello. My cousin hid. So supportive. Lol
Sven Horlemann 6 days ago
While studying musicology, I was in my hometown working "artist contact" or what it is in English. Met and cared for Svjatoslav Richter. What. A. Legend. Pure class act. Hm, and years later, already in mgt, I rode the elevator with Ian Gillan in a Berlin hotel. You could feel he just wanted to be left alone, so I ignored him. Still feels right to me.
Kombatbunni 1 week ago
I got to meet Tony Todd many years ago at a pop culture con here in Australia. He’d come outside for a smoke and I just happened to look over and spot him just as he lit up. Went total fangirl and was like OMG it’s him! He noticed me looking and said hello and we did a weird kind of “air handshake” as we couldn’t meet up due to a security barrier. Best celeb interaction ever :)
Roberta Surprenant 5 days ago
Met James Doohan (Scotty from Star Trek) at a small cast party for a play he was in. Very nice man.
G A 6 days ago (edited)
Met so many at various conventions etc. Burt Reynolds was a highlight. Couldn't stop talking, had a loose group of people just shooting the breeze as he signed autographs and had the most massive guy I've ever seen as his minder/bodyguard who joined in the banter. Mark Hamill was so chill, Thomas F Wilson from BTTF was very obliging when I missed his photoshoot and came back specially for me, Sara Douglas from Superman and Jacqueline Pearce from Blake's 7, classic sci fi villainesses and lovely chatty ladies, and Paul Darrow-had a chat with him about where to get a beer at the venue....very few poor memories to be honest.
WinterLady 4 days ago
Jeff Healey played a music festival I was volunteering at. After his show he signed one of his DVDs to give me. I also escorted him and his band to a local dive bar where his band took over the stage. Jeff just wanted to have a few drinks and relax, so I ran interference for him. He bought my drinks all night. Very nice guy. I was happy that I had this opportunity since he passed the following year.
Carole G. 1 week ago (edited)
Late 50's or so at an outside art show in Carmel Valley,it was hot & Vincent Price took a drink of my Coke. He then bought me a new one, it was served in a cup & I kept that cup for years. At a Crosby Golf Tourn, in Pebble Beach, I was under 10 & my dad introduced us to Johnny Weismullar, the original Tarzan, scored a kiss on the cheek.
Kombatbunni 1 week ago
Wow that’s awesome! I bet it was a real treat to meet the original Tarzan :) And Vincent Price! I would have been speechless
Load More Replies... Apatheist Account2 1 week ago
Not counting those I met on TV shows...Princess Diana. She was smiling but, looking back, I can see that it was a professional, forced smile for the event (opening a shopping centre) and there was sadness inside. On a lighter note - snooker world champion Ray Reardon. Absolute perfect gentleman, with such a warm, kind smile for a nervous 13 year old when I got his autograph.
Cara Vinson 1 week ago
I met some tool from Godsmack at a gambling table in Vegas. It was about 7 am and he (we) were drunk. He was acting like an a*s and kept saying "Don't you know I'm in Godsmack?!?!?:" Security was unimpressed.
BookFanatic 6 days ago
Mine's a bit different. My mother met U.S. Senator Paul Simon in the lingerie department of a Famous Barr department store. We were shopping for my first b-r-a and my elder cousin came along for moral support. Mom marched right up to him--with a fistful of trainers--and starting talking, then waved me over to say hello. My cousin hid. So supportive. Lol
Sven Horlemann 6 days ago
While studying musicology, I was in my hometown working "artist contact" or what it is in English. Met and cared for Svjatoslav Richter. What. A. Legend. Pure class act. Hm, and years later, already in mgt, I rode the elevator with Ian Gillan in a Berlin hotel. You could feel he just wanted to be left alone, so I ignored him. Still feels right to me.
Kombatbunni 1 week ago
I got to meet Tony Todd many years ago at a pop culture con here in Australia. He’d come outside for a smoke and I just happened to look over and spot him just as he lit up. Went total fangirl and was like OMG it’s him! He noticed me looking and said hello and we did a weird kind of “air handshake” as we couldn’t meet up due to a security barrier. Best celeb interaction ever :)
Roberta Surprenant 5 days ago
Met James Doohan (Scotty from Star Trek) at a small cast party for a play he was in. Very nice man.
G A 6 days ago (edited)
Met so many at various conventions etc. Burt Reynolds was a highlight. Couldn't stop talking, had a loose group of people just shooting the breeze as he signed autographs and had the most massive guy I've ever seen as his minder/bodyguard who joined in the banter. Mark Hamill was so chill, Thomas F Wilson from BTTF was very obliging when I missed his photoshoot and came back specially for me, Sara Douglas from Superman and Jacqueline Pearce from Blake's 7, classic sci fi villainesses and lovely chatty ladies, and Paul Darrow-had a chat with him about where to get a beer at the venue....very few poor memories to be honest.
WinterLady 4 days ago
Jeff Healey played a music festival I was volunteering at. After his show he signed one of his DVDs to give me. I also escorted him and his band to a local dive bar where his band took over the stage. Jeff just wanted to have a few drinks and relax, so I ran interference for him. He bought my drinks all night. Very nice guy. I was happy that I had this opportunity since he passed the following year.
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