Meeting Your Hollywood Heroes - What did you say?

[iycis]

When I met Ewan McGregor in Scotland in 2001 I told him how my best friend and I just graduated from high school and were backpacking around the UK. He apologized for the crummy weather but thanked us for stopping by the highland games in his hometown. He gave us both kisses on the cheek and hugs...

and then I about died and we took a photo together. :love

 

[Xenuprime]

I've gotta agree about Brent Spiners dry sense of humor. When we met him he had just asked the people in front of us if they were buying an autograph or just wasting his time. They didn't take it as a joke. I walked up and said "hello, I'm here to wast your time.). He laughed and really appreciated that I got it. We talked about his series fresh hell, and he talked to my kids a lot. My daughter asked him how they put those wires on his head (as Data) & he said that's how he got the job, because he was the only one with wires in his head.

 

[firesprite]

I've gotta agree about Brent Spiners dry sense of humor. When we met him he had just asked the people in front of us if they were buying an autograph or just wasting his time. They didn't take it as a joke. I walked up and said "hello, I'm here to wast your time.). He laughed and really appreciated that I got it. We talked about his series fresh hell, and he talked to my kids a lot. My daughter asked him how they put those wires on his head (as Data) & he said that's how he got the job, because he was the only one with wires in his head.

Aww, that's a cute story and quintessential Brent.

 

[nwjedidave]

Really though, I'm curious - what did some of you actually say to your Hollywood heroes the first time you met them??

I usually say "Welcome to Seattle, I hope you enjoy your stay. Thank you, I enjoy your work."

Not nerdy or creepy in any way and it has done me well so far.

 

[Chevyh0tr0d]

The all time coolest celeb i have met has to be lance hendrickson super nice guy , just really interested in all of his fans . doug jones close second .

I Can attest to how cool Lance is. I met him for the Aliens 25th anniversary special at the new beverly cinema. He was cool the whole time even thanked me for being such a fan when he saw me in my MAA BDU's. He was the 1st to arrive and one of the last to leave. The whole time he was just sitting up on stage like he's in your house just relaxing having a beer with you. The guy I think is the nicest ever, I have never heard of anyone having a bad experience with him!

 

[Raza Crew]

I sat next to Cameron Crowe at a Pearl Jam concert in Toronto last year. Really laid back guy. Basically told him that I admired his work and how he was an influence on trying my hand at screenwriting.

 

[nightwind1]

I don't remember what I said, but back in the nineties, I went to an Archon SF convention in Collinsville, IL (across the river from St. Louis).

Among the guests of honor were Ray Bradbury, Ray Harryhausen, Forrest J. (Uncle Forry) Ackerman and Julius Schwartz.

My wife SWEARS my feet didn't touch the ground the entire weekend.

 

[JD]

I sat next to Cameron Crowe at a Pearl Jam concert in Toronto last year. Really laid back guy. Basically told him that I admired his work and how he was an influence on trying my hand at screenwriting.

Funny, I sat directly behind Francis Ford Coppola at a Metallica show (ok, not 'a' Metallica show - but the first night of the S&M concerts with Michael Kamen). Saw quite a few people go up to him, I just let him be...

 

[Zombie_61]

Hollywood heroes...I think we all probably have different definitions for that. That said, although I've met and spoken with quite a few celebrities there was only one I've met (so far) who I considered a personal "hero": Vincent Price. It was a brief meeting in a theater lobby, so I simply thanked him for the countless hours of enjoyment I've received from watching his movies. His response was something to the effect of, "Oh, I'm so pleased. Thank you for watching them." I have to add he was one of the most charismatic people I've ever met; even in a crowd of adoring fans, he made you feel as though you were the only person in the room he wanted to talk to at that moment.

 

[ne0ven0m]

I got into the hobby of meeting "famous" people back in '04 so I've become less and less star struck over time. Sure, there's a little bit of giddiness and excitement, but I can stay calm and say what I planned to say. For a huge majority of the cases I've been in, the experience has been positive, sometimes even exceedingly positive.

Some of the names I've seen on this thread (Olmos and BSG gang, Star Trek folk, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen), they really are kind, appreciative people from what I've witnessed.

The few instances that stand out are when that person will remember me, even by name (it helps to have a unique name I suppose).

Sometimes I try to bring a small gift or unique item for them to sign that will spark a conversation and if I see them again later, the really nice ones make an effort to come talk to you about it. Example: There's an indy Canadian singer named Lights that was out touring. The show in my state was actually sold out, so I drove a little extra to see the next closest one. Met her after the show and gave her a Starbucks giftcard. Nothing big, but I know pretty much any traveling musician needs coffee. She was very appreciative, tweeted me the next day saying she's going to use it in a few minutes. Later in the tour, I decide to go to the sold out show in my state anyways in case someone would sell me a ticket there. I see the artist before the show, she tells her managers "oh hey, this is the guy I mentioned that gave me the giftcard." A few minutes later, I'm told that I can enter the building as a guest and see the show!

Overall, I just try to be friendly, and always thank them for their time to chat with me, as well as how their work has affected my life. I try to add some creativity to the meeting when I can via a unique item to sign, certain topic of conversation, or small gift.

 

[Monster Dave]

From your list, I met the Star Trek TNG crew (all of them, even the ones not listed) a few weeks ago here in Calgary. They are all nice, but get ready to chat it up with Brent and Marina - they talked the most. Marina still looks good.:love I didn't ask any of them stupid questions about Star Trek. The only thing I asked Brent Star Trek-related was about the upcoming Blu-Ray release of season 1 and if he's seen any of the conversion yet. These are just regular people. If you talk about regular things, they appreciate that. It's like when I talked with Aaron Douglas from BSG, he's from BC like me so we chatted about our home province, fishing, and hockey!:cool And most importantly, thank them for coming to the con! :cool

It must have been great to have the whole TNG cast together!! I saw that even John de Lancie was also there! It's good to know that about Brent and Maria - I had the biggest crush on Maria back when TNG was on - she's probably the one that I'm most nervous about meeting!! :lol

 

[BornKilr]

I wouldn't say he was exactly a 'hero', but I always liked David Carradine. So before DragonCon several years ago, I made a point to rewatch an older Ingmar Berman movie of his, "The Serpent's Egg", just in case I saw him. As luck would have it, I ended up in an elevator with him and one other person and was able to discuss that movie with him. He actually seemed rather interested. I figured that was better than "You were great in Kung Fu/Kill Bill/etc."
Plus, I was dressed like Pinhead, so that was cool too!

 

[Monster Dave]

Hey all!! Well my expectations were NOT let down and I had a great expierence meeting my heroes!!

This past weekend I meet, Brent Spiner, Marina Sirtis, Levar Burton, Michael Dorn, Will Wheaton, Lou Ferrigno, and the beautiful Dina Meyer!!! Though everyone was super nice, Dina Meyer was suprisingly chatty and easy to talk with. She kept chatting with me as long as I wanted to chat with her!

The big step was my first meeting of the TNG cast. I had no idea what I was going to say until it way my moment with them. Everyone was in a super good mood, Brent and Levar were hamming it up and being silly in their pictures, so when it was my turn, I threw my hands out to the side and (looking at them all) said "I've waiting 25 years for this moment" and they all laughed!! For the picture, I was set between them all with Brent standing behind me with his hands on my shoulders. After the picture was taken (which was literally 20-30 seconds later) Levar chimed in and jokingly asked me "so how was it"!! LOL!! I'll have the electronic copy of the pic next week, but trust me the print that I have is PERFECT!!

Lou was next, and the guy is still huge!! Putting my arm around him was like hugging a tree!! Look at this pic - his hand could snap my neck like a twig!! LOL!!

Next was Levar - such a nice guy. I had to get an autograph and thank him for Reading Rainbow!!!

After that was Dina Meyer - just an all around beautiful woman - both as a person and physically. So nice. So humble. I got a professional picture taken with her and then got an autograph from her.

Marina was my late 80s crush - so when I met her the first words out of my mouth were "Hello beautiful" to which she smiled, said thank you, and then told me "you can touch me"....(at which time I heard Joey Lawrence say "Whoa" in my head) ...but sadly she was only referring to my position with her in our picture together. LOL!!

It was an amazing day. I was absolutely exhausted by the time we got home. After meeting the 'heavies' of my heroes, the rest were easy to approach. It was just the whole initial excitement that was intimidating - but it worked out great!!

 

[Jediguy]

HAhaha this thread is great. I haven't met too many due to my geographical location but the 2 that really stick out in my head are Michael Biehn and Edward James Olmos. Both of them blew my mind. I usually try to bring something meaningful to get signed. Michael's case I brought the chest plate of my HALO ODST armor which I painted up with the heart and lock . He was really nice about it and was really friendly despite being jet lagged. I just chatted with him as and when over the weekend. Great guy.

Edward James Olmos was amazing. I'm a lucky owner of one of the BSG cast and crew books and he was shocked to see it in my possession. He was gracious enough to sign both the front and inside and even went through the book with me despite the long queue. He even took a phone call from a friend of mine back home who wasn't able to make it but is a big fan! Really awesome and one memory I will always cherish.

Torri Higginson is also another celeb i will never forget meeting. She was just really warm and friendly.

I've met Morena Baccarrin too and man she just left me tongue tied. She is so beautiful in person I was stunned. She looked better in person than on camera!

Summer Glau was way too skinny in person and I don't know if she was having a bad day but she was really in character as river or cameron. It was absolutely hilarious!

 

[cking]

When I met Sam Jones (Flash Gordon from the 1980 movie), I asked him if it was possible to have a pic taken with him. When he said "of course", I responded with "It's great to hear that Flash photography is permitted". He burst into laughter and thought it was great. :lol

 

[aeonpulse]

Dave, great to hear you had such an awesome time! And I'm happy to hear your meeting with Lou was as fun as it was. I've heard he can sometimes be very unpleasant.

 

[Probe Droid]

Glad it was everything you'd hoped for and more! That's wonderful.

 

[firesprite]

Glad to hear you had fun, Dave! That pic with Lou is actually pretty cool.

 

[Monster Dave]

Glad to hear you had fun, Dave! That pic with Lou is actually pretty cool.

Thanks everyone! It was a great day!!

I know I started this thread with personal curiosities, but I'm loving getting to read everyone's stories! Keep'em coming!!

 

[Chevyh0tr0d]

Thanks everyone! It was a great day!!

I know I started this thread with personal curiosities, but I'm loving getting to read everyone's stories! Keep'em coming!!

Was there not already a thread like this that had both good and bad stories of meeting celebs? I think it was called "Celebrity Jerks"