Celebrity jerks?

[Moshrover]

a friend and i were suited up as tk's at wizard world chicago a person wanted a photo with us, we were standing right next to angie everharts booth. After the photo she began to talk with us, we chatted and laughed with her for a good 10-15 mins. She was very personable and talkative, not to mention beautiful!

 

[jason1976]

I'd figure what qualifies someone as a jerk is a situation where:

A) the celeb WILLINGLY placed themselves in the position of being accosted by fans (IE: a con) and was rude to people

B) the celeb was in a private setting, but their degree of irritation at the fan intrusion is WAY over the mark (IE: that story about Ryan Reynolds throwing someone's sharpie on the ground and bitching them out for asking for an autograph)

or

C) when the celeb is crappy and rude to people who are trying to facilitate their job (IE: the stories about Julie Benz being rude to convention workers who are just trying to be helpful)


Situation A there's just no excuse for. You're there at a con, being paid, and making money via autographs and photos, probably. Put on your ****ing party hat and at least ACT happy. Hell, you're an ACTOR, so start ACTING.

Situation B is a bit trickier. I mean, on the one hand, you're just a human being who probably would like their privacy. On the other hand, you also signed up to be a celebrity, so get used to dealing with "the public." If someone politely requests an autograph, there's no need to freak out on them. The amount of energy it just took you to flip out was probably more than just putting on a fake smile, signing the friggin' photo and going on about your business. Now, if you're SO famous that you'll get MOBBED as soon as you sign for one fan, I can understand, but in just about all of these stories, the stars haven't been so big that suddenly they'd be completely surrounded by screaming hordes of fans. Regardless, a simple "Sorry, I really don't have time" or "Not today, sorry" and a smile may be enough. If the person keeps pushing, ok, I can see getting less polite, but at least START polite and go from there instead of just going from zero to jerk in 6 seconds flat.

Situation C there is, again, NO excuse for. If you're crappy to the crew on your show/film, or the people working the con or whathaveyou when they're just doing their jobs (IE: NOT what happened in the Chris Lloyd story), you'd better have a DAMN good reason. Personally, I though Christian Bale had a legit reason to give the grip some grief when he helped kill the mood of an intense scene....albeit not to the degree we heard on the tape. So again, there's a question of degree and the crewperson's conduct. But that said, to treat people like peons...not cool. Not excusable, and it definitely makes you a jerk if you do that.

Did they sign up to be celebrities? Did they? Some, yes. Some no.

I mean, lets say you love painting, it's what you like to do, and you find you can make a living at it. Before you know it, your a well known painter, no folks are walking up to and acting like they own you, and you owe them something. All your doing is what you love, and now you have to deal with these idiots, ALL THE TIME, DAY IN, DAY OUT. Should you give up the job you love more then anything, just because other folks don't know how to act in public, or because others undeserved since of entitlement has led them to intrude on your life. (substitute, musician, actor, etc. etc. etc. whatever you like, for painter)

I've know a lot of folks that think celebrities owe them something. I think that's sad. I mean, yeah, yeah, I know, if we didn't buy there albums, or watch there shows, or go to there movies, "They wouldn't have a job". Here's the thing, would you want everyone on either telling you the same thing everyday at your job, because for most folks, the same is true. I mean, if you work in any part of a store, on any level, folks could say "If it wasn't for people like me shopping here your store would close". If you work in a factory (you live over seas. :lol) Folks could say "If we didn't buy yoru products, you wouldn't have a job". If you work at a bank folks could say "If I didn't put my money in your bank, you wouldn't have a job". So on, and so forth. would you like to go to work at even the most mundane job, and have folk walk up to all the time, telling them that you owe them everything, and that you should kiss there butts.

I agree some celebs are real jerks. No doubt about it. But some folk love the fame, and as such they chould act like it. Others hate it, and if they do, I don't blame them for hating it when folks act like they own them.

If you walk up to a celeb on the street and ask them for something and through a tantrum, that is crossing a line. If you ask for something, and they decline nicely, that is fine, they have that right. And, If you walk up, and act like a child, and give them a hard time about something, then they have a right, to tell you where to go, and how to get there.

 

[dbalschi]

Wait...you can't say the word honkie? since when? who is that suppose to offend? I'm lost here, and I'm pretty damn white. :confused

Well that and it's ***** Tonk Man:lol

wow and they edit it with a y too!!!!!!!! oops

 

[Zombie_61]

Situation B is a bit trickier. I mean, on the one hand, you're just a human being who probably would like their privacy.

This. I live in southern California, and I've seen a lot of celebrities in various places that were not related to their career (i.e., simply enjoying their day or taking care of personal business) and I have never approached any of them for the simple reason that I respect them as a person and didn't want to bother them or disrupt their day.

 

[metrosonus]

Situation A there's just no excuse for. You're there at a con, being paid, and making money via autographs and photos, probably. Put on your ****ing party hat and at least ACT happy. Hell, you're an ACTOR, so start ACTING.

as I was just saying myself, going to the con may be part of their income. The person in question may not be william shanter or britney spears in income. Trying fitting in weekend cons around a busy shooting schedule, auditions etc.

Sure I agree, it's part of their job and they should be as professional as possible, but what you just said here is also part of the problem. Imagine being jetlagged, not even seeing your own kids or wife or something in a month, and then be pestered all day on 2 hours sleep by people that think you owe them something because they saw you on TV or in a movie.

It happens.. is all im saying.

Try seeing if you can some add celebs on face book and twitter. You'll get an idea of the stress they are under and the grief that fans can give them.

 

[Rotwang]

I'm happy to report that Fred Williamson is a pretty cool guy, saw him last weekend at a Con in Antwerp.

 

[Solo4114]

as I was just saying myself, going to the con may be part of their income. The person in question may not be william shanter or britney spears in income. Trying fitting in weekend cons around a busy shooting schedule, auditions etc.

Sure I agree, it's part of their job and they should be as professional as possible, but what you just said here is also part of the problem. Imagine being jetlagged, not even seeing your own kids or wife or something in a month, and then be pestered all day on 2 hours sleep by people that think you owe them something because they saw you on TV or in a movie.

It happens.. is all im saying.

Try seeing if you can some add celebs on face book and twitter. You'll get an idea of the stress they are under and the grief that fans can give them.

I hear you, and I certainly wouldn't excuse a fan being rude to the celeb and think it's justified if the fan gets the same thing back at them. But my issue is more the people who willingly go to cons. You're putting yourself in a situation where you KNOW you have to meet-n-greet folks all....day.....long. If that doesn't appeal to you or you don't think you can put on a happy face for it.....just don't go. Stay home.

I bet you Chris Eccleston knows that the cons are there for him to take advantage of...and he says "You know what? I'm gonna pass on that, thanks." Maybe he goes and does a stage play instead. Maybe he spends time with friends and family. Maybe he works in his garden. I have no idea, but whatever he's doing, he's probably a lot happier than he would be were he at a con, having to smile that goofy 9th Doctor smile all day long for photos and such.

Julie Benz (at least according to stories here) on the other hand, repeatedly subjects herself to the con grind, and repeatedly acts like a snob at best, and a ***** at worst. AGain, that's according to reports posted here. I've never met her, so I can't say.

But compare her to a star of similar calibre -- Nathan Fillion. Both are Whedon players, both have had limited film exposure, both have had pretty successful TV shows and are currently acting in shows on the air, and both are talented and good looking. But every story I've ever heard about Fillion makes him sound like a terrific guy who LOVES interacting with the fans in or out of the con setting, who always makes time for them, who never utters an unkind word or brushes them off or even just rolls his eyes at some goofy request (and you know he's gotta get 'em...) to say some line from the show or whatever.


So, what I'm getting at is that if you're signing up for a con, put on your party hat. I mean, I have bad days at work. Days I come in and I haven't slept, I'm pissed about something the girl I'm dating did, I'm stressed because the contractors haven't finished that job I hired 'em to do on time, etc. S**t does indeed happen. But you know what?

I'm NEVER rude to my clients.

 

[firesprite]

I hear you, and I certainly wouldn't excuse a fan being rude to the celeb and think it's justified if the fan gets the same thing back at them. But my issue is more the people who willingly go to cons. You're putting yourself in a situation where you KNOW you have to meet-n-greet folks all....day.....long. If that doesn't appeal to you or you don't think you can put on a happy face for it.....just don't go. Stay home.

I bet you Chris Eccleston knows that the cons are there for him to take advantage of...and he says "You know what? I'm gonna pass on that, thanks." Maybe he goes and does a stage play instead. Maybe he spends time with friends and family. Maybe he works in his garden. I have no idea, but whatever he's doing, he's probably a lot happier than he would be were he at a con, having to smile that goofy 9th Doctor smile all day long for photos and such.

Julie Benz (at least according to stories here) on the other hand, repeatedly subjects herself to the con grind, and repeatedly acts like a snob at best, and a ***** at worst. AGain, that's according to reports posted here. I've never met her, so I can't say.

But compare her to a star of similar calibre -- Nathan Fillion. Both are Whedon players, both have had limited film exposure, both have had pretty successful TV shows and are currently acting in shows on the air, and both are talented and good looking. But every story I've ever heard about Fillion makes him sound like a terrific guy who LOVES interacting with the fans in or out of the con setting, who always makes time for them, who never utters an unkind word or brushes them off or even just rolls his eyes at some goofy request (and you know he's gotta get 'em...) to say some line from the show or whatever.


So, what I'm getting at is that if you're signing up for a con, put on your party hat. I mean, I have bad days at work. Days I come in and I haven't slept, I'm pissed about something the girl I'm dating did, I'm stressed because the contractors haven't finished that job I hired 'em to do on time, etc. S**t does indeed happen. But you know what?

I'm NEVER rude to my clients.

I just wanted to quote this for emphasis.

No one MAKES people go to the conventions and deal with fans. The fact is, it's a good chunk of income for what SHOULD be a simple gig for an actor: simply smile and be polite.

I've worked ECCC for a few years now and seen a variety of attitudes from the very good (Wheaton, the BSG boys, Jewel Staite, Ray Park among others) and the horrible (Julie Benz, Nicholas Brendan). Thankfully, the good FAR outweigh the bad, but, to me, there is NO excuse for expecting fans to pay for the priviledge of you being a b**tard to them.

 

[Jeyl]

Anyone ever heard of Half In The Bag? It's a new web series done by the man who did the Star Wars Prequel reviews last year. Here, the two guys talk about the Toronto Comic Con and which celebrities they met who turned out to be total jerks.

LINK

The celebrity stuff happens at 19:08.

 

[metrosonus]

I'm just saying everyone is allowed a bad day every now and then.

I run pro audio for a living for everyone from rock bands to comedians. And and I agree with you, for the most part, most of them are really cool people. And for the record, I've seen cool people have bad days.

I'm just trying to say that much like life, there's jerks, there's people that can smile like sunshine in the worst of circumstances and there's all sorts of people in between. That's you and me, and that's every one of them too. I don't think it's black and white.

Here's the other side of the coin that you may not like either. These convention promoters decided to hire a certain actor / actress because their name generates ticket sales. The fact that the name brings in sales is all the convention cares about. There's no obligation for them to be nice to you. Obviously, that shows on some peoples faces. Others make the best out of it and come out rainbows. Sometimes the occasional bad day happens.

If you've had repeated bad experiences with a guest, take it up the convention promoters and demand they stop hiring them. If you feel it's that strong of an issue, you need to speak with your wallet and not arm chair ethics.

And honestly, I'm on your side here. I wouldn't get an autograph from someone I thought was a jerk and I'd be here complaining about it too.

 

[jason1976]

But compare her to a star of similar calibre -- Nathan Fillion. Both are Whedon players, both have had limited film exposure, both have had pretty successful TV shows and are currently acting in shows on the air, and both are talented and good looking. But every story I've ever heard about Fillion makes him sound like a terrific guy who LOVES interacting with the fans in or out of the con setting, who always makes time for them, who never utters an unkind word or brushes them off or even just rolls his eyes at some goofy request (and you know he's gotta get 'em...) to say some line from the show or whatever. .

Ok, that's not fair, I LOVE Nathan, and I think he is one of the best actors of my generation. I will watch anything he is in. However, in real life the guy is a HAM. A very charming, lovable one, but a HAM non the less. Everyone I have ever met, that has met him, says he would come to the opening of an envelope if you asked him, and he would do a tap dance wall you opened it. :lol (I'm sure that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but not much.) Either he got way too much attention as a kid, or not enough. :lol

It is a shame about Julie Benz , because I always wanted to meat here, and she always seemed nice in interviews (at least to me) so I hate to hear, that she is so.......Um.... unpleasant to fan.

 

[Treadwell]

These convention promoters decided to hire a certain actor / actress because their name generates ticket sales. The fact that the name brings in sales is all the convention cares about. There's no obligation for them to be nice to you.

Yes, there is. They are on the clock. Their job? Be nice to fans.

 

[jason1976]

Yes, there is. They are on the clock. Their job? Be nice to fans.

Ok, then make ever casher at the store, act like they mean it when (or if they say) "have a nice day". Make every greater at Wal*mart act like they are not staring death in the face, and say, Hi with a smile. Make ev ereyone, act the way they are supposed to act to get their pay check.

It's really sad, but showing up for a job, is often all that's required anymore. Niceness cost extra, I guess.

 

[Jedi2016]

I'd personally love to meet Milla Jovovich. Just don't get her last name wrong as it tends to annoy her lol

I was always under the impression that it sounded just like it was spelled..

I'd imagine that most people would get her first name wrong.

 

[metrosonus]

It's really sad, but showing up for a job, is often all that's required anymore. Niceness cost extra, I guess.

It's definitely out of fashion. I agree with the above comment somewhere that said the older actors had more class. They also had more talent in that they viewed their jobs as passions and sought to develop themselves professionally. I'll take that any day over anyone from now just playing themselves in movie after movie.

 

[Laffo]

Billy Dee Williams - Jerk. I saw a 10 year old kid with an original Lando on the card - peg hole un-punched stand it line with a $10 (the going rate for autographs at the time) bill to get Williams to sign it. Refused unless the Kid bought his Cyber-Sci-Fi Novel and would only sign the book. After I offered to pay for a book, and he could keep it, I didn't want it, because the kid as crushed, Williams said, "I'm not here to sign ancient history."

Needless to say he wouldn't sign my Colt 45 sign with him on it either. Ironically Colt 45 has put out a retro sign with he and his autograph a foot tall on it recently.

Best-
Tura Satana
Sid Haig
Jack Hill
Rudy Ray Moore
Billy Mumy.

Our tours with Tenacious D were meh.
David Allan Coe - dick
Johnny Paycheck, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Wanda Jackson - dreamboats to work with.

Laffo.

 

[Amish Trooper]

Sid Haig was awesome when I met him as was Bill Moseley both seemed very humbled

Shocker that Coe was a dick but same kinda country rebel Hank III and Joe Buck have been some of the coolest guys I've ever drank with.

 

[Jeyl]

Billy Dee Williams - "I'm not here to sign ancient history."

Be careful Billy, or else ancient history will be the only place where good folks will have any fond memories of you.

 

[Nexus6]

Billy Dee Williams - Jerk. ...Williams said, "I'm not here to sign ancient history."

LOL, then what the hell WAS he there for? I'll bet not one person who attended that event gave a hot frak about ANYTHING ELSE he'd ever done. rolleyes

 

[Solo4114]

I'm just saying everyone is allowed a bad day every now and then.

I run pro audio for a living for everyone from rock bands to comedians. And and I agree with you, for the most part, most of them are really cool people. And for the record, I've seen cool people have bad days.

I'm just trying to say that much like life, there's jerks, there's people that can smile like sunshine in the worst of circumstances and there's all sorts of people in between. That's you and me, and that's every one of them too. I don't think it's black and white.

Here's the other side of the coin that you may not like either. These convention promoters decided to hire a certain actor / actress because their name generates ticket sales. The fact that the name brings in sales is all the convention cares about. There's no obligation for them to be nice to you. Obviously, that shows on some peoples faces. Others make the best out of it and come out rainbows. Sometimes the occasional bad day happens.

If you've had repeated bad experiences with a guest, take it up the convention promoters and demand they stop hiring them. If you feel it's that strong of an issue, you need to speak with your wallet and not arm chair ethics.

And honestly, I'm on your side here. I wouldn't get an autograph from someone I thought was a jerk and I'd be here complaining about it too.

Oh, I definitely hear you on that. Everyone's entitled to a bad day now and then, and there've been stories in this thread about how Actor XYZ was a jerk to one person, but a prince to another. I chalk that stuff up to the "Must've just been an off day" or somesuch.

As for voting with my wallet, my wallet doesn't speak much at cons as it is. I've only ever been to one (DragonCon '01 or '02) and didn't see any stars. I was more interested in the Macross toys.

Ok, that's not fair, I LOVE Nathan, and I think he is one of the best actors of my generation. I will watch anything he is in. However, in real life the guy is a HAM. A very charming, lovable one, but a HAM non the less. Everyone I have ever met, that has met him, says he would come to the opening of an envelope if you asked him, and he would do a tap dance wall you opened it. :lol (I'm sure that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but not much.) Either he got way too much attention as a kid, or not enough. :lol

Hey, if that's what drives him, then he's in the right business. The fans will always love him, and he'll always have a place at the cons if the acting work dries up.

It is a shame about Julie Benz , because I always wanted to meat here, and she always seemed nice in interviews (at least to me) so I hate to hear, that she is so.......Um.... unpleasant to fan.

Freudian slip? :love

Be careful Billy, or else ancient history will be the only place where good folks will have any fond memories of you.

And that's an excellent point. If your glory days are behind you and you're working the cons to pay the bills WHY would you be a ******* about it? Billy, nobody gives a wet fart about your scifi novel, and they ain't here for your performance in Number One With A Bullet. Sign the freakin' action figure and be glad you still have 10-year-old Lando fans.