firesprite
Master Member
I don't feel they 'owe' me anything. If ANYONE is rude to me, celebrity or not, for no reason, I categorize them as a *******!
Celebrity jerks?
- Thread starter Frosteon
- Start date
I don't feel they 'owe' me anything. If ANYONE is rude to me, celebrity or not, for no reason, I categorize them as a *******!
AT-AT Luvah
Sr Member
Solo, I completely agree with you here. In a convention setting, the fans are not just paying the celeb for their autograph, but for that fleeting moment of 'personal' interaction. It will be instantly forgotten by the actor, but forever remembered by the fan. The exchange of money makes this a transaction. The fan should be courteous and respectful, but so should the celebrity.
If the person does not want to have their picture taken, he or she can certainly decline as long as it is done courteously and with basic manners.
But in the end, we are PAYING celebrities for that moment of their time and my feeling is that they should be gracious and reasonably accommodating for that payment.
Solo4114
Master Member
Yikes...sounds like she spent too much time hanging around Chuck Heston...
"YOU MANIACS!! YOU BLEW IT UP!!! I WAS ZIIIIRAAAA!!! DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!!!!!"
I've met numerous stars and never once experienced a bad moment. The closest exception would be Herb Jefferson Jr. (the original Boomer) during Mountaincon. He was there as a special guest, and to be honest, the convention was run very poorly that year. Lots of promises were made to the guests and not kept, so all of the them were a little touchy. Herb was no exception, but I still had a great time meeting him. Especially while I was watching an old episode of the original BSG and 'Boomer' came in and watched it with me. Just me and Herb watching the classic.
Ghadrack
Sr Member
This thread along with some others ove rthe years have always been pretty intersting to me, in terms of understanding where "celeb" hunters are coming from.
I grew up in SoCal, we lived outside of San Diego and then moved up to Pomona and spent quite a bit of time in the city and around at places like Disneyland places where you'd occasionally run into actors and actresses in their personal time. When I was about ten we went to Disneyland and the actress that played Ms. Tessmocker from Superman was in line with her family waiting to get on the jungle cruise when I recognized her and told my mom, look it's that lady from Superman!.
The response I got was a little swat on the behind and was told to mind my own business, my mom said she is just like everyone else and doesn't need you pestering her while she's out with her family.
Really from that time forward I guess I've always thought that it's just not polite to go hassle people about their work when they aren't at work. I've read and heard stories, and seen stupidity on TV where people go badger "celebrities" while they are going about their day, trying to get stuff done and then are suprised when they get a bad reaction. Personally, I take all of those stories with a grain of salt.
Sure if a famous person is paid to be someplace signing pictures of themselves, then I consider them working, and if they show up drunk, act rude, they deserve what they get in terms of bad press. Otherwise if your favorite actor tells you to go play in traffic as a response to someone pestering them while they are trying to buy contact solution at the pharmacy, well, tough. IMO
I grew up in SoCal, we lived outside of San Diego and then moved up to Pomona and spent quite a bit of time in the city and around at places like Disneyland places where you'd occasionally run into actors and actresses in their personal time. When I was about ten we went to Disneyland and the actress that played Ms. Tessmocker from Superman was in line with her family waiting to get on the jungle cruise when I recognized her and told my mom, look it's that lady from Superman!.
The response I got was a little swat on the behind and was told to mind my own business, my mom said she is just like everyone else and doesn't need you pestering her while she's out with her family.
Really from that time forward I guess I've always thought that it's just not polite to go hassle people about their work when they aren't at work. I've read and heard stories, and seen stupidity on TV where people go badger "celebrities" while they are going about their day, trying to get stuff done and then are suprised when they get a bad reaction. Personally, I take all of those stories with a grain of salt.
Sure if a famous person is paid to be someplace signing pictures of themselves, then I consider them working, and if they show up drunk, act rude, they deserve what they get in terms of bad press. Otherwise if your favorite actor tells you to go play in traffic as a response to someone pestering them while they are trying to buy contact solution at the pharmacy, well, tough. IMO
You have to remember - there are two things going on here. All of the ACTORS you meet would much rather still be doing movies than attending conventions - but that's not to say some don't like meeting their fans and talking with them. They are told from the time they make it they are better than other people - not in so many words, but by the way they are pampered and treated by the general public. Now they are in a position where the eye level is almost the same - some make the best of it, others simply HATE it. I don't think Shatner ever liked conventions, whereas Nimoy seemed to enjoy meeting people. William Katt really enjoys meeting kids - while Robert Culp would have rather been on Mars without a helmet. My father in law loves to meet others who like cars (not just his), while people like Evel Knevel HATED taking money from people for a picture - he used to have to look the other way when his agent would ask for cash (and he always tried to give kids stuff for free). Life sucks for all of us - but to rub elbows with the titans one day then be staring at a fat dude dressed in a firefly coat the next must be pretty smashing to the self worth department.
I've met lots of stars outside of work and I usually play it by ear depending on how they seem. For example, I ran into Mark Harmon at the store one night. The guy looked worn out from a long day of shooting (he was doing a film in Gilroy, California). We were both parked in front of the peanut butter and jam section of the store and I just smiled and said 'hi'. He gave me a 'hey' back and that was it. I walked a few isles down and found my roommate. I said, "Hey. Mark Harmon is in the store." My roommate went crazy nuts all at once and starts babbling about seeing him and getting an autograph, and I told him to 'leave the guy alone because he looked tired and worn from a long day'. I didn't realize that Mark was standing behind me as I said this and he gave me an appreciative nod.
But as far as jerks go...my friend Kent worked on the set of Maverick. He said that Foster was rude to everyone, and I do mean everyone. He said that she seemed to go out of her way to be rude to as many of the crew as she could, chewing people out for either looking at her too long or not 'sensing' her needs before she had to ask for something. It became a little galling and the crew wanted to tip over her trailer. Fortunately Mel Gibson was an absolute stand up guy to the crew. He'd stop to thank every single person from the gaffers on up and would play cards with some of the lighting and sound teams when they weren't filming.
But as far as jerks go...my friend Kent worked on the set of Maverick. He said that Foster was rude to everyone, and I do mean everyone. He said that she seemed to go out of her way to be rude to as many of the crew as she could, chewing people out for either looking at her too long or not 'sensing' her needs before she had to ask for something. It became a little galling and the crew wanted to tip over her trailer. Fortunately Mel Gibson was an absolute stand up guy to the crew. He'd stop to thank every single person from the gaffers on up and would play cards with some of the lighting and sound teams when they weren't filming.
Well, my list is 99% good, aside from a few bloops, so I guess I'm just lucky!
George Takei: Just plain amazing. Helped my girlfriend out of her wheelchair due to her broken foot, even though I was doing doing just fine. He was polite, engaging and very talkative!
Michael Ironside: Really polite and very happy to talk in depth about his past work. An awesome guy.
John-Rhys Davies: Really funny and polite too, asked what had happened to my girlfriend's foot and then suggested I'd thrown her down the stairs! He's laugh is incredible too. Class act.
Robert Englund: Really took the time to talk to us and make us feel special. Really great guy.
Robert Llewellyn: Very polite and funny guy. Cares about his liberal views and loves to discuss his Prius!
Edward Furlong: Seemed to be a little bit dazed but loved having his photo taken with my GF and made a real effort to make her happy! Nice guy.
Billy Dee Williams: Full of smiles and nice enough, although he seemed to be slightly 'off', as if he was ill or something. Still took the time to have photos taken though!
Katee Sackhoff: Amazingly polite and charming. Took the time to ask me if there were any questions I wanted to ask!
William Shatner: Full tactical security deployment around him and a hurried queue, but he was still polite and friendly to us both. Seemed like a really nice guy.
Russel Tovey: I went to school with him and he brought up that he remembered me, which was awesome as I didn't want to say anything through fear of looking like an idiot. Still a really nice guy.
Keely Hawes: Stunning looking girl and super-polite. Took the time to answer all the questions we had for her!
Tom Hanks: Really nice guy. Simple as that.
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May: Jeremy ripped the **** out of me, in the politest way possible because my GF was the first woman to ever get 20/20 on the Top Gear Quiz when we went to see it being recorded. It was awesome. Richard Hammond apologised prefusely when he posed for a photo with us because my GF still had her broken foot. When she pointed out that it wasn't his fault he looked at me with a slight look of panic and said 'You never know around here! They're out to get us!'. James May appears to not know he's a celebrity and was just bumbling around being very, very English.
Jimmy Pop: My girlfriend went to see Bloodhound Gang at the Astoria. Whilst in the mosh a guy backflipped and kicked her square in the back of the head, knocking her out and giving her a concussion. Security dragged her out and took her backstage. Whilst they awaited an ambulance Jimmy Pop came over and apologised for what had happened. He then promptly vomited over her cleveage. This was due to his act moments before when he was drinking his own sick. He then got really upset that he'd done this ontop of what had already happened and made his runner go and get t-shirts, CDs, posters and his spare hat, got them all signed and gave them to my girlfriend as she was loaded into the ambulance. A really, really nice guy.
and finally:
Ronnie O'Sullivan: Was a jerk to my girlfriend and asked if she would sleep with him, as he was famous (as a joke, I would hope). When she said no he told her to **** off. Stay classy Ronnie.
George Takei: Just plain amazing. Helped my girlfriend out of her wheelchair due to her broken foot, even though I was doing doing just fine. He was polite, engaging and very talkative!
Michael Ironside: Really polite and very happy to talk in depth about his past work. An awesome guy.
John-Rhys Davies: Really funny and polite too, asked what had happened to my girlfriend's foot and then suggested I'd thrown her down the stairs! He's laugh is incredible too. Class act.
Robert Englund: Really took the time to talk to us and make us feel special. Really great guy.
Robert Llewellyn: Very polite and funny guy. Cares about his liberal views and loves to discuss his Prius!
Edward Furlong: Seemed to be a little bit dazed but loved having his photo taken with my GF and made a real effort to make her happy! Nice guy.
Billy Dee Williams: Full of smiles and nice enough, although he seemed to be slightly 'off', as if he was ill or something. Still took the time to have photos taken though!
Katee Sackhoff: Amazingly polite and charming. Took the time to ask me if there were any questions I wanted to ask!
William Shatner: Full tactical security deployment around him and a hurried queue, but he was still polite and friendly to us both. Seemed like a really nice guy.
Russel Tovey: I went to school with him and he brought up that he remembered me, which was awesome as I didn't want to say anything through fear of looking like an idiot. Still a really nice guy.
Keely Hawes: Stunning looking girl and super-polite. Took the time to answer all the questions we had for her!
Tom Hanks: Really nice guy. Simple as that.
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May: Jeremy ripped the **** out of me, in the politest way possible because my GF was the first woman to ever get 20/20 on the Top Gear Quiz when we went to see it being recorded. It was awesome. Richard Hammond apologised prefusely when he posed for a photo with us because my GF still had her broken foot. When she pointed out that it wasn't his fault he looked at me with a slight look of panic and said 'You never know around here! They're out to get us!'. James May appears to not know he's a celebrity and was just bumbling around being very, very English.
Jimmy Pop: My girlfriend went to see Bloodhound Gang at the Astoria. Whilst in the mosh a guy backflipped and kicked her square in the back of the head, knocking her out and giving her a concussion. Security dragged her out and took her backstage. Whilst they awaited an ambulance Jimmy Pop came over and apologised for what had happened. He then promptly vomited over her cleveage. This was due to his act moments before when he was drinking his own sick. He then got really upset that he'd done this ontop of what had already happened and made his runner go and get t-shirts, CDs, posters and his spare hat, got them all signed and gave them to my girlfriend as she was loaded into the ambulance. A really, really nice guy.
and finally:
Ronnie O'Sullivan: Was a jerk to my girlfriend and asked if she would sleep with him, as he was famous (as a joke, I would hope). When she said no he told her to **** off. Stay classy Ronnie.
Jayn
Sr Member
+2 about Dom Deloise -sweetest, funniest guy with the biggest heart!
Having worked on movies for many,many years, I've met & seen a lot of actors.
One of the biggest disappointments I had was a long time ago, getting to work on a show with Ackroyd. He was in a foul mood the whole time. I thought he was being an ass, but found out later that he was going through some personal problems at the time. Changed the way that I looked at celebrities back then.
Some of the faves I've met were not actors, but the artists who do all of the behind the scene creations. I was in 'hog heaven' when I got to work for Colleen Atwood. An absolutely amazing designer!
I wish more conventions would invite the other artists who create the shows. I would be more interested in hearing writers and directors and propmakers talk than seeing the actors.
Having worked on movies for many,many years, I've met & seen a lot of actors.
One of the biggest disappointments I had was a long time ago, getting to work on a show with Ackroyd. He was in a foul mood the whole time. I thought he was being an ass, but found out later that he was going through some personal problems at the time. Changed the way that I looked at celebrities back then.
Some of the faves I've met were not actors, but the artists who do all of the behind the scene creations. I was in 'hog heaven' when I got to work for Colleen Atwood. An absolutely amazing designer!
I wish more conventions would invite the other artists who create the shows. I would be more interested in hearing writers and directors and propmakers talk than seeing the actors.
Satxer
Sr Member
That is what it comes down to. You don't need to be impolite to anyone who is a fan of your work. That's what it is, we are fans of their JOB as actors/celebs. We are the ones who go out and see their movies, watch their shows, buy their toys and whatnot, and just want to get the chance to meet the person that they have been so admiring. What is so tough about that? Being polite, it is one of the easiest things to do, yet the hardest to go through with. Force your smile if you must, or bite your tongue, but don't disrespect the people who keep you popular.
Jimmy Pop: My girlfriend went to see Bloodhound Gang at the Astoria. Whilst in the mosh a guy backflipped and kicked her square in the back of the head, knocking her out and giving her a concussion. Security dragged her out and took her backstage. Whilst they awaited an ambulance Jimmy Pop came over and apologised for what had happened. He then promptly vomited over her cleveage. This was due to his act moments before when he was drinking his own sick. He then got really upset that he'd done this ontop of what had already happened and made his runner go and get t-shirts, CDs, posters and his spare hat, got them all signed and gave them to my girlfriend as she was loaded into the ambulance. A really, really nice guy.
Not only did she get all that cool stuff, but she can say that he puke on her boobs!
Another encounter I recall from a Horror convention. They had the cast of Dawn of the Dead(original) there. Everyone was awesome, however Ken Forcee, he was quite full of himself. He acted like he was the most important cast member there. Must of been because of his being in Devils Rejects or whatever. As I said, rather full of himself, but he was still being nice to the fans.
The only celeb I've met I have a problem with is Anthony Daniels.
One Con I attended, he demanded lighting be just "so" and that his table be raise on a small stage so that folks couldn't easily look him in the eye.
Other than that, never had an issue with anyone I've met at cons or after cons at bars or weird circumstance.
George Kolias sp?! of Nile is an extremely nice guy though I haven't met him, he's called my little brother a few times and always takes him backstage when he goes to a show.
Bret Michels is a nice guy, never met him but had a nice phone call with him one night when a co-worker drunk dialed him, they've been friends a long time.
Peter and Angie Mayhew are get people, we talked more about living in the country and animals than Star Wars.
Jake Lloyd nice kid, talked about video games for hours
Ray Park bought me a shot for my 23rd birthday so he's always alright in my book.
Ernie Hudson was a really polite guy, when he was at Steel City Con he complimented the hotel staff constantly and left a stack of autographs for all of them.
Matthew Woods is a great guy, his brother does a job similar to mine so we spent a lot of time just chit-chatting.
I don't remember much of Daniel Logan though, mostly due to aforementioned shots with Ray Park lol :lol
One Con I attended, he demanded lighting be just "so" and that his table be raise on a small stage so that folks couldn't easily look him in the eye.
Other than that, never had an issue with anyone I've met at cons or after cons at bars or weird circumstance.
George Kolias sp?! of Nile is an extremely nice guy though I haven't met him, he's called my little brother a few times and always takes him backstage when he goes to a show.
Bret Michels is a nice guy, never met him but had a nice phone call with him one night when a co-worker drunk dialed him, they've been friends a long time.
Peter and Angie Mayhew are get people, we talked more about living in the country and animals than Star Wars.
Jake Lloyd nice kid, talked about video games for hours
Ray Park bought me a shot for my 23rd birthday so he's always alright in my book.
Ernie Hudson was a really polite guy, when he was at Steel City Con he complimented the hotel staff constantly and left a stack of autographs for all of them.
Matthew Woods is a great guy, his brother does a job similar to mine so we spent a lot of time just chit-chatting.
I don't remember much of Daniel Logan though, mostly due to aforementioned shots with Ray Park lol :lol
I can totally back up what you said about Foster. She's NOT a nice person - in fact I've had three run ins with her and each time she's made it a point to somehow belittle the people working for her.
TymerDC
Sr Member
Jet,
I honestly don't remember who it was. I'm trying to remember something that happened 8-10 years ago. I even went thru years of photos and couldn't find a pic. All I remember is observing the way this person was acting toward everyone like he was full of herself...don't really remember the details.
My feelings is if you hate people taking your picture then stay home and don't go to conventions. Being photographed goes with the territory if you choose to do so.
I honestly don't remember who it was. I'm trying to remember something that happened 8-10 years ago. I even went thru years of photos and couldn't find a pic. All I remember is observing the way this person was acting toward everyone like he was full of herself...don't really remember the details.
My feelings is if you hate people taking your picture then stay home and don't go to conventions. Being photographed goes with the territory if you choose to do so.
Solo4114
Master Member
I think ultimately it's a balancing act. I mean, yeah, the stars/celebs are human after all. They all have bad days, off moments, whatever. I do too. But ultimately I think it comes down to the individual. Some people will respond poorly to the fame, the attention, etc. They'll expect/demand special treatment, assume they're better than you, act like talking to a "regular" person is a burden. Others will recognize that without the fans, they wouldn't HAVE a job, so they take the time to be friendly.
The way I see it, fame doesn't give you license to be a dick (although some people come by that naturally, even without the fame...), and you wouldn't have a job were it not for the fans. That said, the fans have to realize that they neither know nor own these actors, nor are they OWED anything by the actor. Yes, they wouldn't have a job without you, but that doesn't give you license to treat them as property or to assume familiarity with them. Just as being famous doesn't give them license to be jerks, neither does it give us license to pester them and then demand polite treatment when they're in the middle of something else. They should expect that, sure, but we should also have the decency to do what Yellowjacket did with Mark Harmon, or if we do say anything, just keep it brief, polite, and appreciative, rather than demanding.
Basically, both sides of the transaction should recognize that they're dealing with another human being, and therefore are due a certain minimum level of respect and consideration.
Solo4114
Master Member
Yeah, as has been said, the convention setting is TOTALLY different, and I think the "stars" there need to have a different perspective. The whole point there is a commercial transaction AS WELL AS a personal one. You go to press the flesh for the day and get paid for it, you better put on your party hat. (Generally speaking.) I can sympathize with how it can be a drag to do that, but hey, nobody's forcing you to go.
firesprite
Master Member
Interesting perspective... unrealistic, but interesting. The vast majority of celebrities charge for their autographs. It supplements what would otherwise be a very spotty income for most. Unless they're currently starring in a show or are fortunate enough to have something in syndication, most actors don't get a steady income. Even so, Wil Wheaton posted a photo of his last residual check from Next Gen... for 4 cents.
The fact of the matter is that most of the 'celebs behaving badly' are those who just don't care. Most of them have a guarantee when they come to a convention; that is, money they'll receive just for showing up regardless of what they bring in from autographs. In Julie Benz's case with ECCC, it was $10,000. Needless to say, with her ****-poor attitude, she didn't come CLOSE to making that much from sales, but that's what she walked away with. I guess that might explain why the boys who run the con haven't shown any interest in having her back.
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Dave Ward
Sr Member
I think the definition of celebrity is the point here! Of course, the reality is that this economy runs on the principle that there is a society of actors who most people wouldn't recognise but a few people obsess over. Those actors then have to make a living charging the few for whatever they can!
Difference was, back when i used to go to conventions, the ticket fee covered the actors time and expenses. I suppose part of that is that the actor is expected to be part of a panel discussion, but at this point, what new things do Prowse and Mayhew et al have to add?
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