Ever Met a Celebrity at Work?

[Momvic5]

I was waitress at a small town cafe while in high school, and one night George Strait and his family came in to eat. I was the waitress for his table. It was so busy that night that I didn't even realize it was him until I went to place his food in front of him...

Four years ago, my family and I ran into Chuck Norris and Barbara Bush while visiting Texas A&M campus. Mrs. Bush was walking her dog and talking to people when she ran into Chuck Norris. They both were very friendly and kind.

 

[design_mom]

I've met Bill Clinton and Arnold Swartzenegger (sp?). The company I worked for had a large plaza that was sometimes used for political speeches. That's why both of them were there (separate occasions). My department shared a floor of the office building with the Security department and we got to meet them there before their big speeches.

The funniest one did not involve me directly. My best friend in high school worked at the seafood counter of a local grocery store. Rick Ocasek (from the band, The Cars) would come in and do his grocery shopping. He knew my friend by name. Just funny to think of a rock star buying his fish from my friend in the middle of Ohio. It was the 80s when he was considerably more famous than he is now.

But, really, I'm so clueless that I probably wouldn't notice a celebrity unless someone else pointed him/her out to me.

 

[jenlynn0808]

Working at the Indy 500 every year, I've been around a number of celebrities... probably the best experience is some of the nice "chit-chat" sessions I had with Paul Newman when he co-owned a race team in Indycar. We talked to each other as fans of the sport, not about him or who he was.

My Dad had tickets to a race years ago (like in the 80's) at MIS and took my Uncle along. Both obviously huge NASCAR fans as well as 'car guys.' My Uncle worked as a Mechanic, until he retired and both him and my Dad have classic cars. Anyway, they were at the race chit-chatting when an older guy sitting behind them jumps into the conversation. They spent the whole race talking NASCAR, racing, and cars in general with the guy. Race ends, they all go their separate ways. Dad goes to work on Monday, everyone is asking him "What is he like?" Dad had no idea they had been talking to Paul Newman the entire time.

I would like to add that my Dad and Uncle have seen plenty of Paul Newman movies. To this day though, they swear he looked liked a normal fan...was wearing jeans, baseball cap, and sunglasses. My Mom tells him, that Paul probably enjoyed the fact that they were just a couple of guys talking about cars with no agenda.

 

[design_mom]

I also hung out in a small pub where the members of Glass Tiger would hang out when they were home...the lead singer Alan Frew was an a&&....one of those jerks who dumped his high-school sweetheart wife after he got famous...the rest of the guys in the band were nice...

My former boss knew Glass Tiger, too... and she would agree with your assessment!

 

[Styx Fan]

I worked at a movie theatre for most of the '80's. Our theatre was right at the border of a very wealthy suburb. Since this was before/just at the beginning of the home video revolution, pretty much everybody went to the movies.

We had many of the local news and sports celebrities. Most of the time we were so busy I could barely even notice they were there. One of the most famous long-term tv anchors was a huge A**. He stood at an un-manned section of the concession stand and demanded service...while there were long lines a the other side. It has been publicly acknowledged he had a very bad alcohol addiction, so I assumed he was drinking. One of the silly young girls was actually impressed he was there and went over and waited on him

When I sold tickets the ushers would come over and tell me which sports stars I had missed. Of course, I usually figured out who the basketball players were...I came up to there belts, LOL. Bob Seger had a home nearby and was in quite often when not on tour. He usually had someone else buy the tickets while he wandered toward the theatre. He just wanted to be not noticed and we obliged.

Marie Osmond came in once. So tiny! Very, very nice. I know there were others, but I just can't remember right now.

 

[roscoepc1]

My former boss knew Glass Tiger, too... and she would agree with your assessment!

Lol...I knew I wasn't the only one who thought so! He used to walk into the pub, and walk around with his arms out waiting for girls to snuggle in under them....EWWWW! The funniest thing ever was one night when he did it, and all us girls just looked at him like he had three heads, then turned and said "Hi!" to the rest of the band!

 

[snarlingcoyote]

And I think if you aren't into sports it's even harder to remember them. I met a whole bunch of guys that played for the Redskins. It was years ago and I couldn't remember one of their names if my life depended on it.

Oh yeah. I met a bunch of athelets who were on whatever the Houston sports teams are when I worked at the casino, but I have no clue what their names were. . . I can tell you the football players were invariably huge, like tree trunks and the basketball players were invariably tall like. . .well, trees, and that they all dressed very well.

 

[WDWBarb]

I had a comic book store in the early 90s and had two men and a teen come in. They had just pulled off the interstate in a convertible, so they were a bit windblown. I said good morning to them, 'let me know if I can help', all the normal stuff and continued about my work. All of a sudden, the taller of the 2 men starts getting excited about a certain book and I'm thinking "I know that voice." Turns out it was Harry Anderson (Night Court). He was very pleasant, we chatted for a couple of minutes, then he signed an autograph before he left. It was the highlight of the week.

I had a great encounter with Harry Anderson when I was a CM. Only I didn't know it was him until later!

 

[Cat0727]

When I worked at the library Sandra Bullock came in with her agent (I think) and used our machines for research for a movie she was filming. I even got an autograph

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Exactly. They are just people too. As a general blanket statement, I've found that the top tier people are the best, the ones in the middle can be horrible, and those starting out are terrific! It is sometimes shocking the ones that think they are better than anyone else because it sometimes doesn't fit their acting persona.

My favorites are the old school actors. I wish I could name names but one is my absolute favorite and when they are here, everyone is just happy.

Totally agree! The "has beens" or "soon to be has beens" are the worst of all because they are grasping for fame and are furious when they aren't catered to.

I agree. I've found that the BIGGER the star, the kinder they are. The fly by night ones are so full of themselves it's sickening. The ones who've been stars for decades realize that their fans are bigger than they are and they'd BETTER be nice to them.

I remember one time Elton John was coming up to the station and we were told NOT to bother him. Yeah, right. Well, he and his boyfriend walked past my office and I was AMAZED that they were about MY HEIGHT... and I'm SHORT!!!

We all stood next to each to find out who was the tallest and got to laughing like school children. "you're taller, no YOU'RE taller!" Note: I am 4feet 11" tall and those two guys were about MY height. HySTERical!

When I read (especially on this board) how much they HATE celebrities, I shake my head. They are just PEOPLE, with public jobs. Most of the time they are thrown into a world that they have no control over. Their PR people run how they're "seen". Also, putting them all in one group is a form of hypocrisy, because not one is like the other, like all of us.

That would have been a sight to see that height contest!

Public persona doesn't always match the personalities of a celebrity.

What is always most interesting to me is being backstage at the awards shows and seeing that the celebrity faces change from year to year but the real power players in the business (the industry executives) stay pretty much the same.

I do have a few favorites that I have met though - my top 5 would have to be Keith Urban, Dennis Quaid, Garth Brooks, Edwin McCain and Olivia Newton-John. They aren't necessarily the most famous people but they were all very down to earth and fun to interact with.

 

[MM27]

I worked at an Old Navy when I was in college and Bruce Springsteen came in a few times. I got to ring him up once.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Same here, well, not daily, but frequent. George Foreman. Dean Cain. Cruella Deville. Mickey Mouse. Minnie Mouse. Alison Arngrim. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Dr. Joyce Brothers........and going back in my career, Raymond Burr, Bob Hope, Tina Cole, Jay Leno,Juliet Prowse .

I personally know Minnie Mouse. Aren't you all impressed now?

 

[Squirlz]

My Dad had tickets to a race years ago (like in the 80's) at MIS and took my Uncle along. Both obviously huge NASCAR fans as well as 'car guys.' My Uncle worked as a Mechanic, until he retired and both him and my Dad have classic cars. Anyway, they were at the race chit-chatting when an older guy sitting behind them jumps into the conversation. They spent the whole race talking NASCAR, racing, and cars in general with the guy. Race ends, they all go their separate ways. Dad goes to work on Monday, everyone is asking him "What is he like?" Dad had no idea they had been talking to Paul Newman the entire time.

I would like to add that my Dad and Uncle have seen plenty of Paul Newman movies. To this day though, they swear he looked liked a normal fan...was wearing jeans, baseball cap, and sunglasses. My Mom tells him, that Paul probably enjoyed the fact that they were just a couple of guys talking about cars with no agenda.

I've talked to Paul several times at CART races (not at work!) He was quite an accomplished driver himself, and a pleasure to talk with as long as you approached him like a normal guy.

He offered us chips and salsa once from the table where he was grazing and I joked that it was Chi Chi's not Newman's own. He said "I know! And I own the damn team!"

 

[donaldduck352]

Bieng in construction in Fl for over 25yrs.I have seen my fill of famous people.The ones that stands out the most is 2.Hulk Hogan,great person and very funny(loves his beer also)and John Travolta.Travolta is a great person,very down to earth.We must of had a hour conversatioun.I'm glad he lives in our community.He does so much for the needy and kids.You would think he would be a snob with the money he has,but no he is down to earth.We put a additioun on his mansiuon and he invited all that worked on it to a bbq.No pictures allowed tho.A great person!!!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Several it helped since I was managing gas station. For a little older crowd if you remember the kingston trio did not meet them but know there family and had thanksgiving with them two years ago. Dana carvey would stop in on his way to tahoe. Have met Rick springfield,. Eddie Murphys SIL. Alot of the Sacramento Kings. The guy named bird from Judge Judy, know him and his wife personally. Just to name a few.

 

[lajones81]

Weird story, my boyfriend and I are currently living in a small beach town in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia and two nights ago he was working at the restaurant he works at her and to his surprise, Kate Goslin (is that still her name anymore?) and her 8 kiddos and a couple other family members came in to eat! No one knew who they were, but there were whispers of a reality TV "star" at the restaurant... and low and behold he went outside to see who it was and there they were!

He was pretty excited about it, just because it was so random her being there, in a small little beach town in Oz!

So what about the rest of you, have you ever met a celebrity at work?!

Yes, Cindy Crawford did a fundraiser for our school.

 

[js]

Although I never met her personally, I did have to call Sarah Furgerson, The Dutchess of York, a few times on her cell phone.

Not a celeb, but I met the guy that Star Jones use to or still is married to.
When I shock his hand, he had on the biggest pink ring I have ever seen

I met Al Pachino (sp?) and I was very close to meeting Eli Weitzel (Author of Night) but he ended up canceling.

So, talking to Sara at work was my biggest meet and greet. I also saw/opened her personal Christmas card with her whole family on the front even though they were divorced. I've spoken to most congressmen from my state and actually was just hearing about a retired ones "gas pains" when he called my office last week (he thought it was cancer ), yes, we elected them LOL

 

[LisaR]

I worked at a movie theatre for most of the '80's. Our theatre was right at the border of a very wealthy suburb. Since this was before/just at the beginning of the home video revolution, pretty much everybody went to the movies.

We had many of the local news and sports celebrities. Most of the time we were so busy I could barely even notice they were there. One of the most famous long-term tv anchors was a huge A**. He stood at an un-manned section of the concession stand and demanded service...while there were long lines a the other side. It has been publicly acknowledged he had a very bad alcohol addiction, so I assumed he was drinking. One of the silly young girls was actually impressed he was there and went over and waited on him

When I sold tickets the ushers would come over and tell me which sports stars I had missed. Of course, I usually figured out who the basketball players were...I came up to there belts, LOL. Bob Seger had a home nearby and was in quite often when not on tour. He usually had someone else buy the tickets while he wandered toward the theatre. He just wanted to be not noticed and we obliged.

Marie Osmond came in once. So tiny! Very, very nice. I know there were others, but I just can't remember right now.

When I first started reading your post, I chuckled and thought it sounds like Bill Bonds. Once you mentioned Seger, that pretty much confirmed my suspicions.

I have met Bob Seger and he has always been down to earth and so incredibly nice. Huge fan!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I work for a non-profit and got to meet some Chicago athletes who posed for a calendar with our rescue dogs. During the White Sox photo shoot the Yankees were in town and Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher were playing catch then threw the ball to one of our dogs.

Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls was one of the nicest guys! He introduced himself to us, was asking a ton of questions about the dog he posed with, suggested places he thought would be cool to take pictures, and shook our hands and thanked us before he left!

Also, the dog he posed with was a pit bull mix who was unable to walk without assistance at the time. He had to wear a harness with a handle so that someone could support him while he learned to walk again. When we moved across the court and Derrick saw me putting the harness on (we had taken it off for the pictures), he came over and scooped him up and just carried him over to the other side of the gym!

Here is a picture:

 

[momof1princess]

i live in a small, alabama city, so my chances of meeting a celebrity are pretty much zero (although parts of "failure to launch" with matthew mcconaghey and sarah jessica parker were filmed here). while i was in college in the early 90s, i was working at a music store in the mall, and jeff cook, guitarist for the country group alabama came in. he was kind of gruff and anti-social. it could've been he was grumpy because his wife and daughter were shopping elsewhere in the mall. Lord only knows how long he'd been wandering the mall waiting on them.
in 1989, some friends and i attended a bon jovi concert in birmingham, al, and skid row as the opening act. after the concert, we were leaving the BJCC when this really tall guy just pretty much walked all over me. it was sebastian bach-WOW is he tall! i don't think he even saw me way down there, he just kept walking, lol.