Celebrities - Nice Or Not!

[2BNTV]

I thought it might be fun to see what experiences you have had with celebrities, and whether or not they match their on screen personna.

Also, other people who are famous and are thought to be wonderful, and are not.

I also would like to hear if some people who played stinkers on the screen, were genuinely nice people in real life.

My son met Kirste Alley and said, she was a very nice person. Down to earth.

[philnpat]

We were attending my niece's wedding reception in Schenectady, NY.
While the photographer was taking pictures in the lobby, Red Skelton happened by. He was performing at Proctor's theater that weekend. He walked up, introduced himself to the couple and had his picture taken with them. He gave them advice and a hug and wished them the best. What a great guy!

[redwitch]

One of my classmates was Edward G. Robinson's granddaughter. Our school had a dance and he attended. He danced with many of the girls. He was so kind, gentle and had a wonderful sense of humor. A true gentleman in every sense of the word.

My favorite Clint Eastwood story: he was walking on the pier in Monterey with his first wife. He stopped and gave a few folks his autograph. One boy around nine or ten kept following him around and stridently demanding his autograph. Eastwood kept growling at him to stop. Of course, people began glaring at him for denying this cute kid. Finally, the kid all but screamed for the autograph. Eastwood stopped cold and in his best Dirty Harry voice told the boy to shut up. We all gasped. "But, Dad, you give it to everyone else!" Nice guy.

[Uptown Girl]

After watching her rehearsal in Vegas ( you could do that in the 70's), I was invited to coffee with Connie Stevens- we spent about an hour together. She showed me pictures of her daughters, who were babies at the time. I met a number of performers that way.

I attended to a number of celebrities (over the years) in a barber shop I first worked in. They would come in when visiting or performing in Chicago:
My favorites:

Cesar Romero was a most gracious man- quite charismatic!
Ann Margaret and her husband, Roger Smith were warm and friendly. Roger has Myasthenia Gravis- I had experience cutting hair for those who suffered that affliction.
An old vaudevillian named Gimpy Gaits was a hoot- he was the uncle of David Brenner and still performing in clubs at age 70.

There was one who was difficult. A famous (La Scala) operatic diva - who has now passed away. The woman was a nightmare.

Once, while traveling to a Wisconsin summer rental cabin, hubby and I drove into a downpour. We stopped at a little log cabin restaurant/bar to wait it out.
The place was empty, save for the owner, 2 fellows playing guitar on a little stage and a couple more guys at one table.
One of the guys was Bill Medley (Righteous Brothers) who was there for the weekend, to visit a buddy.
With the weather so bad, no one else came in- we all ended up at one table together, eating, listening to stories and guitar, singing and making the best of the storm.
What a beautiful voice that man has.

I met a number of celebrities as a youngster- some of my family were in the production end of the Movie/Television Industry in California. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were neighbors when they lived in Hollywood during their early years.
Lucy invited me in for milk and cookies when I was a kid, (visiting family)
They were always ready with a big smile and wave.

My family knew Jackie Gleason too. He took me to lunch lunch at his favorite diner once, when I was a kid. (It was a real railroad car diner) He wore a white coat and white fedora and read the racing forms, while i ate. He never said much, but treated me as he would an elegant lady and gave me a wink of approval for my manners.

[TheVillageChicken]

I used to work for former NATO commander and Presidential hopeful, Gen Wesley Clark. He appears to be a jerk to the public. The reason for that is that he is a jerk.

[Patty55]

I used to work for former NATO commander and Presidential hopeful, Gen Wesley Clark. He appears to be a jerk to the public. The reason for that is that he is a jerk.

I always love your posts. :bowdown:

[tippyclubb]

I was standing next to Red Fox in Las Vegas and asked for his autograph he was rude and cursed at me. He wins the **shole award.

Again, in Vegas I saw Dan Tana filming his hit show in a parking lot casino. He autographed a dollar bill and gave me a big hug and kiss on the check. I was young and cute back then, lol. He was very friendly and cordial to everyone in the crowd.

I was sitting next to Aretha Franklin in a restaurant in NYC and she was wonderful and a crowd pleaser. Someone asked if she would sing a few lines and she did. She jumped out of the chair and sang her signature song Respect. It was a great evening.

[TheVillageChicken]

I always love your posts. :bowdown:

Back at you. I love witty folk. Now, enough of these public displays of affection.

[marianne237]

Many years ago, I took my mother on a day of shopping and girls lunch out in Chicago on north State St. We were going to the 95th at Hancock for lunch, and in the elevator was Morey Amsterdam. He started a conversation with my mother asking about where we came from, then walked us into the restaurant, seated her, kissed her hand and said goodbye.

What a gentleman.

[drooney60@hotmail.com]

We were on a cruise to Mexico and ran into Micky Dolenz of the Monkeys. We were laying out getting some sun on the deck and looked over and saw him with his family. I waited until that night when he was scheduled to perform to try and talk to him. He was very much a gentleman and asked us where we were from and told us that Washington was his favorite place to play because of the people. I not only got an autograph, but we also got a photo taken of us with him. He gave me a big hug!

[Medtrans]

Robert Duvall -not nice. We were both outside valet at the Venetian in ?Las Vegas. My husband wanted to shake his hand. He was less than enthusiastic.

Kevin Costner at the AT&T Ebble Beach tournament. So gracious that the officials had to pull him away from signing autographs to continue playing golf. Same with a Ray Romano.

[Tobys Dad]

Worked with many over the years. Bob Hope USO shows, he was a jerk to us in the band. Danny Thomas was a saint. Barbara Mandrel was as annoying as a human being can be. Whitney Houston treated the musicians with respect. Some times the public persona is much different than back stage. Many, many more examples.

[DougB]

I thought it might be fun to see what experiences you have had with celebrities, and whether or not they match their on screen personna.

Also, other people who are famous and are thought to be wonderful, and are not.

I also would like to hear if some people who played stinkers on the screen, were genuinely nice people in real life.

My son met Kirste Alley and said, she was a very nice person. Down to earth.

Jackie Gleason once told me to get the hell out of his golf cart.

[Kahuna32162]

I've worked in radio for many years and I have to say that many of the major music performers were very gracious and happy to still be performing. I did run into a few who thought that they were far to important to lower themselves to the level of the "little people". One was Natalie Cole and the other was the Moody Blues. There's nothing worst than escorting excited contest winners backstage and being snubbed by the artist that they are beside themselves to meet.

Some really good people:

Paul McCartney - made sure to get a picture with everyone in our party
Kenny Rogers - recognized the winners from the stage during the concert
Gloria Estafan - great lady!
Michael Bolton - willing to pose with large groups and sign autographs

Johnny Rivers - contracted Johnny to play a 90 set at an outdoor riverfront venue, he played for 2 1/2 hours non stop

Tommy James - I worked with Tommy twice, once in Miami, during the dark years at Biscayne Baby in Coconut Grove. It was the night Ricky Nelson died and he took it very hard. A few years later, he was the headliner for a 4th of July show in Dayton, Ohio. After his show, he stayed by the side of the stage for over 2 hours, taking pictures, signing autographs and speaking to anyone who was in line.

My point is, it seems the older more established artistes are more apprecitive of the fans who are still willing to buy tickets to see them preform. Do you think in 30 or 40 years, will we want to see Justin Beiber, Britney Spears or Katy Perry performing in the villages? I'm scared!

[2BNTV]

Do you think in 30 or 40 years, will we want to see Justin Beiber, Britney Spears or Katy Perry performing in the villages? I'm scared!

The answer to your question is no, but I'll take 30 or 40 years!!! :D

Only singers who can really sing, and are ingratiating.

Many of the old television performers were happy and thankful, that you let them into your living room, like Red Skelton.

[redwitch]

One I had the displeasure of meeting a few times -- Bing Crosby. My best friend in high school and I had the pleasure of working the host tent for the Crosby Pro-Am three years in a row. Crosby was not only rude to everyone but other major celebrities, he actually slapped his son, Gary, hard enough to knock him down for dropping a plate. Talk about someone who was the exact opposite of his image!

[redwitch]

Katy Perry maybe. Justin probably not. Britney is a question mark. I'm trying to imagine The Red Hot Chili Peppers here.

[John_W]

I saw Bob Crane in 1977, about six months before he died at the Showboat Dinner Theater in St. Petersburg. It was in a play he had performed many times all over the country, in fact he was performing the play in Arizona when he died. "Beginner's Luck" was a cast of two guys and two girls, Bob's partner was very buxom lady. After the play he came out and sat on the edge of the stage and talked and answered questions for along time and then went to the lobby for autographs and photos. This probably went on six days a week for months.

http://worthopedia.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumbnails2/1/1008/05/1_bafb591d39113a1cf4246b96f282afab.jpg

[DougB]

Went to see Vanilla Fudge last night in Melbourne, Vince Martell, Carmine Appice, and Mark Stein were very gracious. They came out front of the venue and shook hands and signed autographs, talking to everyone.

[slipcovers]

Jackie Gleason once told me to get the hell out of his golf cart.

LOL. YOU ARE JUST TOO FUNNY!!!! Jackie Gleason? How old are you?

[John_W]

Went to see Vanilla Fudge last night in Melbourne, Vince Martell, Carmine Appice, and Mark Stein were very gracious. They came out front of the venue and shook hands and signed autographs, talking to everyone.

I wish I was there. The first real concert I ever went to was VF at the St. Petersburg Armory circa 1967. Fantastic show then, I remember I never saw a drummer with two kick drums before. I hope there is nothing wrong with Tim Bogert.

I picked up a new release of theirs about 2002, can't remember the name of the album, they had a different singer but he was good. Just like in the beginning when they broke out covering the Supremes, on this newer one they did an NSYC cover, although I had never heard the song before and thought this is a really good song. They also did Rod Stewart "Do you think I'm Sexy', pretty good version of that as well.

[2newyorkers]

My dad knew a few well known people. He was in a wedding party where Errol Flynn was also a guest. Errol came with a woman on each arm. He was charming to everyone.

[Markam]

Once saw Fred Rogers in a restaurant and had the waiter as him if it would be OK if my young (at the time) son came over to meet him. He couldn't have been nicer and even came to our table to say 'good bye' as he was leaving.

[dalecrenshaw]

My husband and I were at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, CA years ago. We were in the hotel's restaurant/cocktail lounge and Warren Beatty (before he got married) was sitting in the next booth. He acted like a jerk. He didn't talk to his date at all. He ordered the waiter to bring the phone (before cell phones) to his table. The waiter brought the phone to the table and it just sat there all evening. No one called.

Jill St. John was also at the hotel...and when we went out to have the Valet bring our car around, she was standing next to us, wearing a fur coat. We exhanged words..."Nice day isn't it" "wonderful hotel isn't it" etc. and she was very pleasant. I told my husband that Jill St. John was standing next to us and chatting with us and he didn't believe me...he said " just how do you know that!". When the Valet brought down her Mercedes, the plate said "St. John".

[jblum315]

Living in NYC in olden times I saw many, many celebrities. I would never have had the temerity to approach them when they were going about their own business. Just seeing them was enough. But I did once have lunch with Ricky Nelson once when we were both about 6 years old.

[collie1228]

I was flying home from a business trip through Chicago O'Hare and was sitting at the bar in the American Airlines Admiral Club when Glenn Campbell sat next down to me. We watched the Cubs vs. Mets on the TV and talked baseball for about 15 minutes. Great guy. He had on a light blue western suit that must have cost $2-3K. On another occasion my wife (now ex) and I were in Chicago, flying to Hawaii via Los Angeles and were waiting for the cabin door to close for takeoff when I heard a very familiar laugh coming down the jet way. Ed McMahon and his wife came on board and took the two seats right in front of us in First Class. After takeoff he got up and talked to just about every person within earshot - he is probably the most gregarious person I've ever met. He wanted to know what we did for a living, and had all kinds of questions about our lives. He seemed really interested. His wife, an attractive blonde woman about 20 years younger then him, spent the entire flight working on financial spreadsheets, never talking to anyone. Apparently old Ed just needed someone to talk to . . . . .