posted 05-12- 05:14 PM               

I got to hang out with the Monkee's (Davy, Mike, Peter, and Mickey) at their backstage party after their last show of their "That Was Then, This Is Now" Tour at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. What an awesome experience! I also met Bill Zabka that night too, the blond haired bully from "The Karate Kid" movies. He actually thought I was an actor and he wanted to hang out with ME! (that was trippy).

Also, when I worked at an Egghead Software in Sherman Oaks, California (on Ventura Blvd), I was honered to have met Tom Petty (and his lovely wife), Catherine "Daisy" Bach, Francis Ford Coppela and his family (which included the woman who was "Adrian" in the Rocky Movies). The drummer for Mr. Mr., Steve Vai's best friend (wish I could've met Steve instead), Ted Templeman (Van Halen's producer), Rush's producer who's name escapes me, Harry Anderson and John Laroquette of Night Court, Ronny Cox (the head cop of the "Beverly Hills Cop" movies with Eddie Murphy), Willian Devane ("From Here to Eternity" and "Knot's Landing") actually had me come his house to install a software program called "ScriptWriter" which was used in all the "Knots Landing" episodes. He was a very nice guy and physically huge! I'm 6'0" and had to look WAY up at him to talk to him.

Also got to meet Charleton Heston in Ohio, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Doug Henning (magician) where I was IN his magic show at my college, and lastly, Major Frank Burns (Larry Linville) of Mash.

The biggie though was meeting a girl the night of the Monkee's concert who I ended up dating. She was somehow family with Al Davis, and one morning she arrived at my apartment and told me to "Hurry up cause I'm taking you to the opening Raiders / Giants game, and if you don't hurry we'll miss the limo!" I ended up sitting with the family, got to ride to the game with her and her family, and during the game I looked behind me and there was OJ Simpson and Magic Johnson sitting together! OJ saw me gawking at him and gave me a big smile as if to say "I see you noticing who I am, Hi how are you." It was cool. (This was way before his troubled days of course).

Oh, one more, I also worked (at that Egghead store) with a tough looking biker guy. Turns out he was an actor, and he was shot and killed in the movie "Pale Rider" with Clint Eastwood. He was a very rough looking guy but really nice. I rented the movie after he told me about it

Ok, I'm done. Just thought I'd share some cool times in my life with you guys.

Just one last thing about a movie I was in...
if you ever rent the movie "TapeHeads" with Tim Robbins (Shawshank Redemption, Top Gun, many others), and John Cusak (in lots of good movies), I was an extra in it. We did two days of filming at a theatre in Pasadena, California and I got $25 a day and free meals. Of the celebrities around I was only able to meet Mary Crosby (a very pretty brunette who I "think" used to be on Dallas). Only trouble was, because I was so excited to be on a movie set I had the worst "migraine" type headache I've EVER had for the entire two days. I tried not to let it get me down though. I can be seen in the movie for about 4-5 seconds during a concert shot of the audience. I'm in the center of the screen, blonde hair and glasses, looking like I'm going "Hey! I'm looking right into that movie camera lens!" with a dorky smirk on my face (VERY amaturish but I was only 22)

posted 05-12- 05:53 PM               

I met and for about 20 minutes talked to Robert Morgan, pilot of the Memphis Belle, at an aviation equipment show here in Portland, OR about three years ago.

My wife rode on an elevator with Joe DiMaggio (sp?) once.

This could be a fun thread. Thanks for the start Pete.

posted 05-12- 05:56 PM               

I met that Nova chick from Planet of the Apes once... got an autograph. She's still really hot.

I'd like to meet William Shatner someday, but for the life of me I don't know why.

posted 05-12- 06:17 PM               

1. My mom worked for a dentist in Lake Placid (site of the 1980 Winter Olympics for those of you who remember-- Eric Heiden's 5 gold medals...the US hockey team winning against the USSR...). Anyways-- the dentist had Yohann Kriek (sp?) the pro tennis player- in every now and then and I got to meet him.

2. I, like Jerry, got to meet Robert Morgan and his wife. She talked to my wife for about 15 minutes and Morgan and I just stood looking at each other. I am such a dork-- I couldn't think of anything to say-- I was just in awe. Mrs. Morgan said my wife and I looked like a classic American couple...I have no idea what that means- but I thought it was cool!

3. Back in college (SUNY Oswego) around 1991, I went with my friend who was Student Association president to pick up Adam Sandler in Syracuse. He hadn't been on SNL for long- but was doing a show on campus. We didn't bug him too much- and he opened right up saying how cool he thought it was that we hadn't asked for his autograph or anything. I quietly dropped the envelope I had acquired just for that purpose.

4. I worked in Plattsburgh for FedEx for a couple years and one of the routes went daily to Shania Twain's cabin deep in the Adirondacks. And I mean DEEP...talk about bum f*ck Egypt... anyway-- one day the regular driver was sick so I got to cover. I am not sure who was better looking-- her or her assistant. Again-- it was pretty much a dorky encounter- me standing there while they signed the clipboard.

Guess I better work on my approach, eh?

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posted 05-13- 06:19 AM               

If you are an aviation enthusiast down here on OZ, you might have heard of MOTHCAIR aviation. Run by two brothers, Nick and Greg, have their hanger across the airfield fro where we hanger our aeroplane. they regularly help out with any troubles we have on the plane and are pretty cool blokes.

posted 05-13- 09:40 AM               

Le Grand Finale:
Eric Clapton is a very likeable fellow. I noticed a guy once in very "streety" urban clothing and yellow sunglasses fit for a 20-year old wander aimlessly between gates in search of his flight. Later, a polite nudge on my shoulder and there as I turn stands a guy who after close scrutiny turns out to be Eric Clapton. Nice camouflage! He's wondering where his flight is departing from. Really futile effort, as this mom-and pop-operation of an airport only has four gates in this area. But anyways I got him sorted out and he thanked me and left.

A week later, he's back from his vacation and leaving for UK. Recognizes me in the ticket check booth and says "Oh its you! Thanks and cheers!" And heads off for home.
Nice guy.

posted 05-13- 04:50 PM               

Thought of some more...
I met "The Golden Bear" Jack Nicklaus when I was an employee (a score "runner") at the Muerfield Village Golf Tournament in Dublin, Ohio back in 1981. A friend told me I could work there with him and I said sure! Well, upon taking a quick lunch break I was sitting at a table, and a few feet away I notice this tall blonde guy walking past. I look and it was Jack. He said "Hi, how are you? Enjoying your day?" I said "I sure am Mr. Nickeaus!" I was 16 back then. (not sure if I'm spelling his name right or not)

My dad is an avid sailor on Lake Erie (northern Ohio) and has a large sailboat there. Well, back when I was in about 8th or 9th grade we went and saw the movie "Courageous" and then one of the stars of the movie was there, Gary Jobson, and spoke to everyone at the Ohio Theatre, about his travels around the world on "Courageous." After he spoke and we watched the awesome sailing movie, he signed his book for me and shook my hand. Really nice guy.

Ok, one more just came to mind. Remember that show "BJ and the Bear?" Well, the star of that show, Greg Evigan came to Columbus, Ohio one winter to make an appearance at a car show that I went to. I stood in line to meet him and got his autograph and he shook my hand. He was a nice guy. I was a big fan of his show as a young kid.

The only reason I talk about this stuff is because as a kid from Ohio (not the cornfields, but the suburbs of northwestern Columbus), the bright lights and glamour of Hollywood and just California in general always was a big fasination for me. In fact we almost moved to Los Angeles in the 70's but my Dad couldn't stand the smog (and that was THEN!) haha

posted 05-15- 01:50 PM               

My mom has met a lot of famous people. She used to work for a high dollar photographer. I know she's met Paul Newman. Through horses she's met Robert Wagner and Patrick Swayze. I think she's met Ross Perot, too. I'm sure many others that I don't know about.

posted 05-17- 10:30 AM               

Working security at Milwaukee's SUMMERFEST (huge music/food/beer bash) I got to chit-chat with Garth Brooks ...(very cool fellow!)

Working as a personal trainer with Bally's/Vic Tanny ... Met Cher (bitch).. Joe Piscapo (arrogant knob) ... and Heather Locklear (sweet lil thing!) ...

When being certified "as" a personal trainer met Tim Belknap (big ass body builder) in Chicago/NASM (National Acadamy of Sports Medicine)

Ummmm .... I know I'm forgeting someone ...

posted 05-17- 11:01 AM               

But I do shake hands often with many, many people how have many, many millions of dollars. Does this count? There is something strange about talking with a guy who takes in more money than your state budget each year

Also NH is at least cool for political guys. My wife worked with Elizabeth Dole on her float for the parade here. I got the meet Mr. Dole and G Bush Jr. There's not much going on here so, if you want, you can chat up a storm with these displaced fellows

Oh wait! I have one! Bob McGrath, yes, Bob of Sesame Street! We are working with him to push his new "Music for Fun!" music lesson books. He is funny and really into Sesame Street. He always puts stuff in his emails like "Oscar says 'have a roton day!'" and crap... too funny.
http://www.schoolmusic.com/printedmusic/general/d_detail.asp?printedmusic_id=325

posted 05-18- 09:48 PM               

Rik Emmett from Triumph...as any fan knows, he went solo about 10-12 years ago and has quite a few solo CD's out. I have seen him three times...but 8/31/96- we saw him in St. Claire, Quebec at Ron's Tavern-- we were about 10 feet from the stage and later went down and talked to him for about 20 minutes. I have a videotape of the whole thing-- it was the best out of all of these!!

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posted 05-19- 09:42 PM               

You may have seen Jimmy fly his black Waco biplane or his new red Waco with jet assist but did you know he is a great movie stunt pilot. Check out the movie "Choke Canyon" sometime and watch Jimmy drag the tail of the waco in the water while still flying. You may also have seen him on TV when his wing walker slipped and dangled by the safty rope while Jimmy flew low and slow over a speeding truck to save his life. He can do things with an airplane that look impossible and always look very dangerous.

I meet Jimmy at a banquet for the show flyers. He was going around the room shaking hands but not really talking with anyone untill he came to me. I shook his hand than said "Frank Tallman was the best and he was my idol and you look to be the heir apparent"
He stopped cold and knelt down beside my chair and we chatted for a short while. I was more excited talking to Jimmy thanif Tom Cruise would have come into the room and asked me to have a drink with him I would have to ask him to wait.

I asked him about some of his movies and then he was off. I still cherish that converstation and if you knew Jimmy you would understand why.

Jimmy Franklin http://www.airventure.org/2000/performers/jimmy_franklin.html

Jimmy's web site http://www.spava.com/franklin.htm