I met him at the bar at the Long Island Marriott. Sent him over a beer and he invited us over to chat. He drinks his beer on ice. Super nice guy.
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Have you met any celebrities?
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I met him at the bar at the Long Island Marriott. Sent him over a beer and he invited us over to chat. He drinks his beer on ice. Super nice guy.
Here is my list
1. Matt Lauer (Today Show) @ movie screening in Providence, RI.
2. Petr Nedved (NHL Player) @ exhibition hockey game in Omaha, NE when he was a member of the Las Vegas Thunder.
3. Ben Affleck (actor) @ accidently walked into segment tapping for a PBS show he filmed.
4. America Young (actress)- we went to the same college.
5. Rodney Buford (NBA player) - we went to the same college.
6. Kyle Korver (NBA Player) - we went to the same college.
7. Michael Harper (former poet laureate of RI) - member of extended family.
8. Rick Pitino (Basketball coach) @ a basketball camp in Providence, RI.
9. Joe Paolino, Jr(former Mayor of Providence, RI) - PBS fundraiser.
10. Ahman Green (former NFL running back) - went to the same High shcool.
11. Richard Mulrroney (former MLS player) - we went to the same college. Had the same freshmen advisor.
1. Matt Lauer (Today Show) @ movie screening in Providence, RI.
2. Petr Nedved (NHL Player) @ exhibition hockey game in Omaha, NE when he was a member of the Las Vegas Thunder.
3. Ben Affleck (actor) @ accidently walked into segment tapping for a PBS show he filmed.
4. America Young (actress)- we went to the same college.
5. Rodney Buford (NBA player) - we went to the same college.
6. Kyle Korver (NBA Player) - we went to the same college.
7. Michael Harper (former poet laureate of RI) - member of extended family.
8. Rick Pitino (Basketball coach) @ a basketball camp in Providence, RI.
9. Joe Paolino, Jr(former Mayor of Providence, RI) - PBS fundraiser.
10. Ahman Green (former NFL running back) - went to the same High shcool.
11. Richard Mulrroney (former MLS player) - we went to the same college. Had the same freshmen advisor.
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Yes, I think I would agree with you.
I, too, have heard of (though have some slight difficulty putting a face to) No 3 .on that list and have never heard of any of the others.
How is the term 'celebrity' defined anyway? Is is someone who has done something, or someone who is famous for being famous within a fairly limited circle which obsesses on, or is enraptured by, this world?
I have met - and indeed, interviewed, come to that - Nobel Prize winners, but I doubt they would count as what is defined as 'celebrities' ...
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I think #8 Rick Pitino counts as a celebrity, since his University of Louisville team won the basketball championship a few years ago. Of course not everyone follow U.S. college basketball, or remembers who won in past years!
I did my best to answer that question here, and I think your Nobel Prize winners should count too.
No, basketball passes me by, completely, I'm afraid. Never heard of the gentleman in question.
And thanks for the (further) definition, (and reminder) as I seem to have raised this before.
Okay, quite some time ago, - very shortly after he left office - I met and chatted with Bill Clinton, who is beyond celebrity, and is simply famous, in the outright uncontested sense of the word.
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Who? Never heard of him. Was he a basketball player or something?
What is basketball?
If I said that he was one of the most attractive, charming, megawatt charismatic, (and wonderfully articulate, exceptionally intelligent) individuals I have met in my life - and I write this, (and experienced it) knowing exactly what he had been nearly impeached over - would you believe it?
Put it this way. If Dear Oul Bill - that day - had invited me to a dinner a deux, - knowing what I knew (which is what everyone knew) - I would have said 'yes, yes, yes', Molly Bloom style. And kicked myself afterwards.
The guy had charisma in the supernova league.
Oddly enough, a year or so earlier, I had also met George Mitchell, who impressed me enormously, - as a human being - as an attractive, urbane, formidably intelligent, and deeply impressive human being.
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Who? Never heard of him. Was he a basketball player or something?
That's like netball right?
That's like netball right?
I think it is one of these ball games.
Now, I am not entirely sure whether they throw the ball to or at one another, kick the ball, or hit it with some implement or other .. ...
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That does impress me Bill Clinton, a man who redeemed American prestige in Europe. For the first time since the Kennedy years a US president who the Europeans liked and trusted.
Also one of the defining people of the late 20th Century.
What did you chat about?
Politics - well, the Northern Ireland Peace Process, and a little about Bosnia.
When he was talking to you, his entire attention was focussed on you - and that is a lot rarer than you think.
I have met powerful individuals whose whole body language conveys the impression that they are doing you an enormous favour merely by acknowledging your existence. Others who are distracted, and who are just going through polite motions while chatting with you.
And I have met yet others, - served under - one or two of whom, unfortunately, my position required me to report to, who played busily with their iPads, making it clear that their attention and interest lay elsewhere to the (rather important) briefing that they were being given, and which their position required them to be briefed on. Indeed, one might have been forgiven for concluding that their exceedingly generous salary might have presupposed a slight interest in learning a bit more about the country - and its politics - to where they had been posted, and not demonstrating such manifest intellectual laziness.
Not so Bill Clinton. When he is talking to you (or you to him) his whole demeanour - completely engaged and utterly focused - makes clear that there is nothing else worth heeding in the world at that particular time, and that he is utterly absorbed and paying total attention to the interaction and exchange between you. You are made to feel that your words - and your presence behind those words - are the most important thing to him at that moment, and that nothing else matters. He makes you feel special, and as though you are the most important person in the room.
And it is not even an act - you'd know it, if it was; he genuinely was interested in what was being discussed, and his whole attention was brought to bear on this. And, as an extrovert - a powerfully intellectual but charismatic extrovert - he was energised by engaging with and meeting people.
It is an incredibly powerful feeling, to have someone like that pay such complete attention to what you are saying - and respond to it - and it does leave you somewhat star-struck. Megawatt charisma, - coupled with charm, and exceptional intelligence (both emotional and intellectual) and sheer - yes, I will say it - sex-appeal. In person, Clinton was an extraordinarily attractive man. Actually, I have never met anybody else with such charisma. And I write that with full knowledge of everything that had happened.
In fact, it reminded me a little of something David Remnick once wrote. David Remnick, (editor of New Yorker, and author of an excellent book on the Gorbachev era in the USSR called 'Lenin's Tomb') wrote about an interview he had had with Mikhail Gorbachev, and mentioned that Gorbachev, (too) had megawatt charisma, to the extent that, according to Remmnick, even if he was talking nonsense, you emerged shell-shocked and totally believing in everything that he said.
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I got to meet and have a conversation with actress Cloris Leachman.
On screen she's played characters both serious and silly. In person I found her to be more on the silly side. But perhaps she was just acting that way.
On screen she's played characters both serious and silly. In person I found her to be more on the silly side. But perhaps she was just acting that way.
Plenty. Bumped into Matt Damon a few times. Sat next to him at a bar and grill once. Chatted a bit and then bid each other adieu. Nice guy. In my experience, I treat them how they should be treated. I find they appreciate it and will make small talk.
Some of our neighbors in the area are celebrities of various grade and athletes. Generally very nice people. It's typical for houses here to have longish to long driveways with gates and foliage blocking the view of the house. Great for privacy.
I think the only celebrity I'd stare at like an idiot would probably be Dench. Fantastic stage, film and television actress. Absolutely hilarious and sentimental when need be.
Some of our neighbors in the area are celebrities of various grade and athletes. Generally very nice people. It's typical for houses here to have longish to long driveways with gates and foliage blocking the view of the house. Great for privacy.
I think the only celebrity I'd stare at like an idiot would probably be Dench. Fantastic stage, film and television actress. Absolutely hilarious and sentimental when need be.
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Years ago on a short city break we were staying in a Hilton (my partner and I). At least then, in European Hiltons, if you paid for a 'business' room, you got access to a business bar, which was basically an open bar with snacks. Considering we were in a Nordic country we worked out the extra cost was probably worthwhile (booze is expensive in most Nordic countries).
Anyway, one evening after a long day walking the streets, I love walking round cities, I was knackered, so decided to just chill in the business bar. There were two musician's talking loudly to each other about who they'd played with. It was kind of like a comedy sketch of annoying jazz musicians.
So, I go to the bar to pour myself a drink, and I hear one of these annoying Jazz muso's say "Oh, hi Lenny."
I have faded the dudes out to background noise now, so don't really pay attention.
I finished pouring my drink, whiskey I think, and there's some old dude next to me who kind of motions for the bottle. I'm looking down, so just see old man hands. I pass the bottle and as i look up and realise i am handing a bottle of whiskey to Leonard Cohen.
Leonard f******g Cohen.
(Sorry, but he's basically a hero of mine).
At that point I'm just to star struck to actually do anything but pass the bottle, stumble away in mute amazement. I never really understood the term star struck before.
Anyway, one evening after a long day walking the streets, I love walking round cities, I was knackered, so decided to just chill in the business bar. There were two musician's talking loudly to each other about who they'd played with. It was kind of like a comedy sketch of annoying jazz musicians.
So, I go to the bar to pour myself a drink, and I hear one of these annoying Jazz muso's say "Oh, hi Lenny."
I have faded the dudes out to background noise now, so don't really pay attention.
I finished pouring my drink, whiskey I think, and there's some old dude next to me who kind of motions for the bottle. I'm looking down, so just see old man hands. I pass the bottle and as i look up and realise i am handing a bottle of whiskey to Leonard Cohen.
Leonard f******g Cohen.
(Sorry, but he's basically a hero of mine).
At that point I'm just to star struck to actually do anything but pass the bottle, stumble away in mute amazement. I never really understood the term star struck before.
I kind of did, I once got in a conversation with Fuzzy Zoeller (Professional Golfer) at the now defunct Buick Open in Michigan. A friend and I were walking around the golf course we went to hole 5 (I can't remember the exact number of hole) and watch Zoeller play that hole then went on to other holes. Then decided to double back and came to hole 5 only to see Fuzzy Zoeller in the middle of the fairway smoking a cigarette waiting to hit his golfball. I said loudly to him that didn't you already play that hole (I knew what he did I just felt like having fun) and his reply was something like "Yeah, I enjoyed so much that I decided to play it again". That got a big laugh from the crowd I talk some more to Fuzzy (I can't remember the rest of the conversation) while he waited to hit and I know my friend quietly said to me that I shouldn't be talking so loud to Fuzzy. I said I wasn't bothering any other golfer(s) and besides Fuzzy would tell me to shut up if I was.
I met Terence Stamp (General Zoe in Superman). He was going into Starbucks in Oxford Street, London.
I met Jamie Ball (Griffin, in the film Jumper), while I was in New Orleans.
I met LisaRaye McCoy (The Players Club), at Atlanta airport. She was just walking to a gate, for a flight.
Naughty By Nature - while I was working at a nightclub
Jodeci - while I was working at a nightclub
Father MC - while I was working at a nightclub
Buju Banton - working
I met Jamie Ball (Griffin, in the film Jumper), while I was in New Orleans.
I met LisaRaye McCoy (The Players Club), at Atlanta airport. She was just walking to a gate, for a flight.
Naughty By Nature - while I was working at a nightclub
Jodeci - while I was working at a nightclub
Father MC - while I was working at a nightclub
Buju Banton - working
Numerous! I sometimes work in the tv and movie industry as a contributing and research writer.... I’ve given talks to rooms full of actors and directors too. Thing is I don’t care much for tv or film and don’t watch a lot so I don’t get star struck. One time as a teen I got to meet the chuckle brothers when I moved to the UK. Now then I was star struck! Lol
I live in a town full of football/soccer stars as well but as I don’t care for that either I don’t know who these people are!
I live in a town full of football/soccer stars as well but as I don’t care for that either I don’t know who these people are!
I don't like to revive threads usually, but this is one of those long-running ones so I'll go for it. Lots of interesting stuff in here.
I've met some famous people throughout the years, but most of them aren't really celebrities.
Otto von Habsburg, last Crown Prince of Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia. I had the great honor of lunching with him in the late 80s, and had a nice conversation.
My uncle (who was over 50 years older than me) was a fairly close relative to the Wittelsbach family, he was close friends with Crown Prince Rupprecht until he died, and had met Ludwig III a few times in his youth.
Bill Gates, I met him quite a few times, met a lot of the other top MS guys, Ballmer, Allchin, etc.
Gil Amelio, CEO of Apple before Jobs
Justin Trudeau
Rob Halford, great guy
Met all of REO Speedwagon in the 1970s twice
Peter Hammill
Tommy Jordan, famous for shooting his daughter's laptop over Facebook post 10 or so years ago, he was a good friend of my brother's
There's more but I didn't actually talk to them so I won't include them.
I've met some famous people throughout the years, but most of them aren't really celebrities.
Otto von Habsburg, last Crown Prince of Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia. I had the great honor of lunching with him in the late 80s, and had a nice conversation.
My uncle (who was over 50 years older than me) was a fairly close relative to the Wittelsbach family, he was close friends with Crown Prince Rupprecht until he died, and had met Ludwig III a few times in his youth.
Bill Gates, I met him quite a few times, met a lot of the other top MS guys, Ballmer, Allchin, etc.
Gil Amelio, CEO of Apple before Jobs
Justin Trudeau
Rob Halford, great guy
Met all of REO Speedwagon in the 1970s twice
Peter Hammill
Tommy Jordan, famous for shooting his daughter's laptop over Facebook post 10 or so years ago, he was a good friend of my brother's
There's more but I didn't actually talk to them so I won't include them.
In person, including conversations:
Mark Hamill (Yes, he’s as funny and down-to-earth as he seems).
Sam Raimi (Very nice).
Bruce Campbell (Hilarious. He was so much fun).
Accidental...
Nearly collided with Colm Meanie near Radio City Music Hall.🙄 > Not as fun as nearly walking into the Radio City Christmas Camels though. I was so dumbfounded seeing camels.😋
In my cranky metalhead phase,
I sniped at Donny Osmond and Scott Ian.
Mark Hamill (Yes, he’s as funny and down-to-earth as he seems).
Sam Raimi (Very nice).
Bruce Campbell (Hilarious. He was so much fun).
Accidental...
Nearly collided with Colm Meanie near Radio City Music Hall.🙄 > Not as fun as nearly walking into the Radio City Christmas Camels though. I was so dumbfounded seeing camels.😋
In my cranky metalhead phase,
I sniped at Donny Osmond and Scott Ian.
I had lunch with journalist and movie historian Aljean Harmetz. (No, it wasn't in a gin joint.) She was very interesting to talk to!
Here is one of her interviews:
Here is one of her interviews: