Story Time: Famous People You Found Yourself With

I was assigned to the 773rd Radar Squadron during the "Montauk Project". I may or may not have met Aliens and Time Travelers while exploring the tunnels in the old WWII coastal gun emplacements. Does that count? That rotating antenna weighs 73 Tons.
 

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I'm at the half century mark now and I've met a small handful of celebrities.

Being from Pittsburgh, a big small town, I've met a lot of athletes, a bunch of Pittsburgh guys, Neil Walker, Sean Casey, and 20 more, but probably the most memorable was Walter Payton. He was very genuine and kind.

I have friends that work in politics and my job has a political bend to it so I've met a few famous politicians, and a few who may be in the future. I've met George W. Bush, Arlen Specter, Rick Santorum, Tim Murphy, Mike Doyle, Samuel Alito, but more recently I spent about an hour or so with Conor Lamb. Almost all were positive experiences. Conor was probably my favorite of the list. He was a Major in the Marine Corps and went to Penn for law. He's young, so he still has hope for the future. He's a smart, interesting guy, who seems to really care.

I also met a handful of musicians. I once stayed at the same hotel as the Moody Blues. We had beers by the pool, I was 21 and they were well past their prime, but chill and good guys. They even still had groupies (though most were my mom's age). :)
 
Sweetness was a gem of a man. I went to the Bears/Rams playoff game in 85 at Soldier Field. It was cold of course and when it started snowing the crowd went nuts.

I ended up in the NFL Films video of the game. I think that makes me famous.
 
This wasn’t an actual up-close-and-personal encounter, but what the heck: My high-school marching band was chosen to appear in “The Right Stuff” movie back in the ’80s. I was a drummer, but due to a sprained ankle, I was on crutches and relegated to being an extra.

The scene was the giant BBQ event at the Astrodome, with the Seven riding into the stadium atop convertibles while the band played “Yellow Rose of Texas.”

At one point, the cameras turned to the “crowd” to film their excitement and awe. The director told us to say “ooh” and “ahh” as the Seven rode in. Easy enough, right? Except when he called “Action!” the crowd started saying “ooh...ahh...ooh...ahh...” in perfect unison and synchronization. It sounded as phony as could be. The director had us do it a few more times, but the crowd never got the hang of it. So he finally said, “Let’s just clap naturally.” We were able to pull that off.

I wonder if Dennis Quaid, Ed Harris and Scott Glenn were sitting out there, rolling their eyes, during this little episode. Welcome to show biz!
 
My brush with fame is quite mundane. I was at a now-famous Midwest club watching a band and between sets I was in the ally answering nature’s call because the line for the bathroom was too long and because, well, I’m a guy. As I stood there, facing the brick wall and contemplating the forces of a benign Mother Nature, a guy steps next to me and does likewise. We glanced over at each other, being mindful of the upper Midwest rule to always stair off at a fictitious point on the horizon. The guy starts making the typical small talk, “Gettin’ cold. Winter’s coming,” he says. This guy understands upper Midwest small-talk etiquette.“Yep,”. I says, being the talkative guy I am. By now, I recognize it’s Bob Dylan. “What you up to, Bob?” I ask, like we’ve known each other all our lives. “Lookin’ at these guys for an upcoming tour,” he replies. I nod, knowingly. “Son in law says I should check ‘em out.” Then we parted, flowing along on our own tributaries into vast darkness of the future. He, into a side entrance and I, back into the sweaty throng of humanity.
 
ders_dad said:
My brush with fame is quite mundane. I was at a now-famous Midwest club watching a band and between sets I was in the ally answering nature’s call because the line for the bathroom was too long and because, well, I’m a guy. As I stood there, facing the brick wall and contemplating the forces of a benign Mother Nature, a guy steps next to me and does likewise. We glanced over at each other, being mindful of the upper Midwest rule to always stair off at a fictitious point on the horizon. The guy starts making the typical small talk, “Gettin’ cold. Winter’s coming,” he says. This guy understands upper Midwest small-talk etiquette.“Yep,”. I says, being the talkative guy I am. By now, I recognize it’s Bob Dylan. “What you up to, Bob?” I ask, like we’ve known each other all our lives. “Lookin’ at these guys for an upcoming tour,” he replies. I nod, knowingly. “Son in law says I should check ‘em out.” Then we parted, flowing along on our own tributaries into vast darkness of the future. He, into a side entrance and I, back into the sweaty throng of humanity.
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Epic.
 
Multiple encounters with Olympians and world record holders over the years due to DDs' athletic pursuits.

Also bagged groceries for Pat Benatar during the height of her popularity. Didn't walk her groceries out to her car, though.

Was taught equestrian disciplines by the 1976 Olympic bronze medalist in dressage.
 
Christopher Plummer, who passed yesterday, graced my stage once. He was still incredibly handsome at that time.

Oh man, Maya Angelou vs. Bob Dylan? Ummm, I just can't decide now!
 
Devil Doc said:
Sweetness was a gem of a man. I went to the Bears/Rams playoff game in 85 at Soldier Field. It was cold of course and when it started snowing the crowd went nuts.

I ended up in the NFL Films video of the game. I think that makes me famous.
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I bumped into him at the front desk while checking in at the Brown Palace in Denver. Was shocked that he was shorter than me and I'm only 5-9. But his suit couldn't hide how large his thighs still were. My other Bears brush was sitting next to Refrigerator Perry on a flight to Chicago - in coach! Unfortunately, he didn't appear to be doing very well physically.
 
kinnem said:
I have to add Adm Grace Hopper to my list. She came and spoke to the Comp Sci majors a couple times. I got to hear her tale of how , back in the day, when something went wrong with the computers it was literally a bug (insect) that caused the problem.
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I met ADM Grace Hopper around 1984 in Harrisburg, PA when she was the guest speaker for a corporate event (I was in sales for Sperry/Unisys at the time). She was amazing and I'll never forget her discussion about it being easier to apologize afterwards than ask permission before. Afterwards, I met her in the Ladies Room and had a great conversation with her. She had ramrod straight posture, was articulate, witty and was just downright amazing.
 
azmilmom said:
I met ADM Grace Hopper around 1984 in Harrisburg, PA when she was the guest speaker for a corporate event (I was in sales for Sperry/Unisys at the time). She was amazing and I'll never forget her discussion about it being easier to apologize afterwards than ask permission before. Afterwards, I met her in the Ladies Room and had a great conversation with her. She had ramrod straight posture, was articulate, witty and was just downright amazing.
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Yes indeed.
 
THParent said:
@raimius

Alan Tudyk is in the TV show Resident Alien. I have seen the first episode and thought it was funny.
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yes i enjoy the show also and him. He is always good in whatever he does. He is "Steve the pirate" in Dodgeball. Small role but he made it his own
 
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