Celebrity jerks?

I have a couple of Jerk Tales moments.

#1 - John de Lancie, aka ST:TNG's "Q" - He was signing autographs in Pittsburgh, PA in 1997. I heard from several people that he'd sign their item with a sharpie, then smear the signature with his thumb just before handing it back, all with a smile. I witnessed it first-hand on one instance. It was a Q action figure. He signed right across the plastic bubble, then very purposefully ran his thumb diagonally across it. I'm thinking he was just sick of being there.

I didn't bother to approach him.

#2 - David Prowse. Same convention as above. He was a pleasant fellow overall, but when I asked him questions about his work in Star Wars, he got very dismissive - to the point to tell me all about the other roles he's had (then concentrating on Clockwork Orange, specifically) and how it irks him that no one ever asks him about that. He also let me know that SW was more or less "just a job" where he got paid, and that he has zero interest in sci-fi.

I almost wanted to say something to the effect of "people know you for being Vader so you might want to just embrace that people know you at all" but decided not to get in his face over it.

#3 - Malcolm Young of AC/DC. Here's the quick and dirty scenario: 1991. AC/DC is on The Razor's Edge tour. My best friend has 2 tickets to the concert. The guy he was going to go with cancels at the last minute. I accept the invitation. My friend is a HUGE AC/DC fan. He gets a tip that they're staying in the hotel right near the arena. We decide to skip the opening act (LA Guns!) and loiter at the hotel lobby. His tip was CORRECT!

We got to hang out with AC/DC minus Malcolm for about 20 minutes and it was awesome. We got to talk to Angus, Brian, Cliff and Chris. They were all very awesome, signed autographs and posed for pictures (I wish I had my pic taken with them... since my friend was the huge fan I took all the pics for him!). Not Malcolm though... he saw us and literally did a sprint for the tour shuttle bus. He got in there and hid in the back. Even with Brian and Angus yelling into the bus, teasing him, he stayed put.
 
I dunno that I'd qualify that as being a jerk as much as, who knows, not wanting to mess with his pre-game vibe or just being shy or whatever. Maybe he thought you were a narc. :)
 
My grandmother has a photo of herself with Robert Downey Jr, She ran into him in New York somewhere. The story she tells of the encounter is totally positive:) She said he stopped and talked with her for some time. I can only imagine her giving him advice like, "its cold out, don't for get your jacket" and "You look thin, you should eat something" Maybe because thats what she does to me. Lol

As for my personal stories, I see some of these people at the cons. Lou Ferrigno is not very likable sadly. Joe DiMaggio(voice of bender is super cool) He did bender for me :) and Peter Mayhew is great guy. I went to see Billy West, I approached his table, and he was just leaving. He said he was sorry, and that he would be back later. Then as he walked by he leaned in close to me and said in a funny voice "They always give me $h1* to do" It was really funny, and I assumed he was talking about the con people giving him thing to do. I went back later, and we talked about his work from Doug to Futurama. I love that guy:)
People I've worked with, Magicians here may know of Jeff McBride. I was working for a theater, and he was coming to do a show. He doesn't drive, so I picked him up from the air port, and drove him every where he had to go that week. When we got lunch, he payed. He taught me magic. We went shopping in the down town area of my town. He was very... well... business oriented. I know a lot of people in the field of magic would kill to be in the position I was in, and I'm grateful for the time I had getting to know him. He is a very interesting person. I ran into him again two years later in South Carolina, he remembered me and we talked again about magic and the like. Nice guy:) I have meet lots of other magician guys that only other magicians know. But I wont bore everyone with all that now. :)
 
"Jerk" is probably too strong a term... by sadly, Edward James Olmos left me feeling a little empty. He wasn't rude or a jerk at all... he was very professional, very quiet and just somewhat... vacant.

I went to our local Motor City Comic Con and was already a little miffed at the price EJO was charging. $60 for a signature was outrageous. Stan Lee and Norman Reedus charged less (and had lengthy lines). But, I had to have "Admiral Adama's" autograph... even if it meant forgoing any other signatures at this show. I was there with my 8 year-old nephew and again, EJO wasn't rude - but barely acknowledged us and didn't make us feel welcome at all. Comparatively, (a few years ago) Michael "Col. Tigh" Hogan was just amazing - clowning around with the kid and overall just a lot of fun.

Maybe I caught EJO at a bad time? He had just returned from lunch; I never saw any sort of line near his table. Or maybe he's just not that much of a "people person." I was told that at his panel he said 'he doesn't go to cons to make money off his fans but to thank them' (thanks dbalschi) - but, I didn't get that feeling at all. Olmos charged more than anyone else at this con without any explanation for that high cost and just didn't seem all that friendly at all.

I still hesitate to call him a jerk. He wasn't rude or unprofessional - he just could've been a bit more friendly. His humanitarian efforts are numerous, too. So while he may not be a 'celebrity jerk' - he sure could be a bit more friendly.
 
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"Jerk" is probably too strong a term... by sadly, Edward James Olmos left me feeling a little empty. He wasn't rude or a jerk at all... he was very professional, very quiet and just somewhat... vacant.

I went to our local Motor City Comic Con and was already a little miffed at the price EJO was charging. $60 for a signature was outrageous. Stan Lee and Norman Reedus charged less (and had lengthy lines). But, I had to have "Admiral Adama's" autograph... even if it meant forgoing any other signatures at this show. I was there with my 8 year-old nephew and again, EJO wasn't rude - but barely acknowledged us and didn't make us feel welcome at all. Comparatively, (a few years ago) Michael "Col. Tigh" Hogan was just amazing - clowning around with the kid and overall just a lot of fun.

Maybe I caught EJO at a bad time? He had just returned from lunch; I never saw any sort of line near his table. Or maybe he's just not that much of a "people person." I was told that at his panel he said 'he doesn't go to cons to make money off his fans but to thank them' (thanks @dbalschi) - but, I didn't get that feeling at all. Olmos charged more than anyone else at this con without any explanation for that high cost and just didn't seem all that friendly at all.

I still hesitate to call him a jerk. He wasn't rude or unprofessional - he just could've been a bit more friendly. His humanitarian efforts are numerous, too. So while he may not be a 'celebrity jerk' - he sure could be a bit more friendly.

Catching EJO on a good day is all a matter of timing. As I said earlier, I caught him before lunch with no line and conversed with him for a full hour before getting his autograph free. My friend cosplaying as Starbuck the next day couldn't even get his attention, much less a few words or an autograph. (Her dad was convinced he was on drugs though.) But I think the $60 comes from his handlers, who were very pushy and rude. You probably caught him after his handlers, which really sucks. Wish you could've had a better experience.
 
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But I think the $60 comes from his handlers, who were very pushy and rude.

His handler at this show was actually very nice and pleasant. I caught him earlier in the show and he was a lot more personable during that time. I was there when he signed for JD and he was much more different at that time.
 
David Prowse. Same convention as above. He was a pleasant fellow overall, but when I asked him questions about his work in Star Wars, he got very dismissive - to the point to tell me all about the other roles he's had (then concentrating on Clockwork Orange, specifically) and how it irks him that no one ever asks him about that.

I talked to Dave about working with Kubrick and he lit up like a Christmas tree. He just loved talking about it. I had a very pleasant experience with him.
 
Yeah, a lot of guys are like that.. not particularly fond of the roles that made them famous, preferring their other, more obscure work as examples of the art. Christopher Lloyd and Tom Wilson of BTTF are both like that (especially Tom).
 
I've always wanted to tell Tom that I think he has a surprisingly good singing voice. As evidenced on his Michael J. Fox song. :D

Christopher Lloyd was of Taxi before he was of BTTF. But I'm guessing most con-goers aren't chatting him up about that... Next time you see him, ask him what Jeff Conaway was like on set, and then go over to Bruce Boxleitner's table and ask HIM the same question. :)
 
Christopher Lloyd was of Taxi before he was of BTTF. But I'm guessing most con-goers aren't chatting him up about that... Next time you see him, ask him what Jeff Conaway was like on set, and then go over to Bruce Boxleitner's table and ask HIM the same question. :)

When I met him I asked him what the yellow light meant. ;) :lol
 
Lou Ferigno is a complete jerk on some-days and cool on others. He is a very moody guest at cons. Another one that is great to meet is Adam West... unfortunately if he is with his agent... you don't actually get to speak to Adam... you get to speak to the Agent... and he speaks to Adam. Then Adam only speaks to him.... Lame...

Sorry to hear your meeting with Adam West was not great. I met him three times at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment expo in 2012. I had my first 1/6scale batmobile signed and he was very plesant and I chatted with him about building model batmobiles, and he seemed quite nice. I came back and had my second 1/6 scale batmobile signed I mentioned that I was going to get a picture with him later. I was one of the last people at the photo op and he said I was wondering where you were. Very pleasant overall.
 
"Jerk" is probably too strong a term... by sadly, Edward James Olmos left me feeling a little empty. He wasn't rude or a jerk at all... he was very professional, very quiet and just somewhat... vacant.

I went to our local Motor City Comic Con and was already a little miffed at the price EJO was charging. $60 for a signature was outrageous. Stan Lee and Norman Reedus charged less (and had lengthy lines). But, I had to have "Admiral Adama's" autograph... even if it meant forgoing any other signatures at this show. I was there with my 8 year-old nephew and again, EJO wasn't rude - but barely acknowledged us and didn't make us feel welcome at all. Comparatively, (a few years ago) Michael "Col. Tigh" Hogan was just amazing - clowning around with the kid and overall just a lot of fun.

Maybe I caught EJO at a bad time? He had just returned from lunch; I never saw any sort of line near his table. Or maybe he's just not that much of a "people person." I was told that at his panel he said 'he doesn't go to cons to make money off his fans but to thank them' (thanks @dbalschi) - but, I didn't get that feeling at all. Olmos charged more than anyone else at this con without any explanation for that high cost and just didn't seem all that friendly at all.

I still hesitate to call him a jerk. He wasn't rude or unprofessional - he just could've been a bit more friendly. His humanitarian efforts are numerous, too. So while he may not be a 'celebrity jerk' - he sure could be a bit more friendly.

He may have just been tired. I was a vendor at the 2010 Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo and had my photo op with him. He was very friendly shook his hand and had a nice photo op. At the end of the Con he was leaving through the vendor doors, walked out and as he was leaving waved and thanked everyone for coming to the Con. He was quite nice at that time.
 
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I have a couple of Jerk Tales moments.

#1 - John de Lancie, aka ST:TNG's "Q" - He was signing autographs in Pittsburgh, PA in 1997. I heard from several people that he'd sign their item with a sharpie, then smear the signature with his thumb just before handing it back, all with a smile. I witnessed it first-hand on one instance. It was a Q action figure. He signed right across the plastic bubble, then very purposefully ran his thumb diagonally across it. I'm thinking he was just sick of being there.

I didn't bother to approach him.

#2 - David Prowse. Same convention as above. He was a pleasant fellow overall, but when I asked him questions about his work in Star Wars, he got very dismissive - to the point to tell me all about the other roles he's had (then concentrating on Clockwork Orange, specifically) and how it irks him that no one ever asks him about that. He also let me know that SW was more or less "just a job" where he got paid, and that he has zero interest in sci-fi.

I almost wanted to say something to the effect of "people know you for being Vader so you might want to just embrace that people know you at all" but decided not to get in his face over it.
...

I met John de Lancie at an after party when he was in town for a performance of Star Trek Symphonies (something like that) where he reads dialogue to introduce the Calgary orchestra's rendition of a Star Trek musical score or theme. Anyways, he was there with Robert Picardo, and at the after party mix and mingler he refused to have his picture taken with guests. Picardo did this as well. My spouse and I paid about $100.00 to be at the after party. After that experience, I have no desire to get his autograph or Picardo's.

David Prowse on the other hand was a completely different story. I met him at the 2012 Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo at a photo op. He was friendly enough, I shook his hand, and I had a chance to say that I although I knew he was a nice guy, I was hoping he would do a mean darth vader type pose with me. He was happy to comply (He did the Darth Vader choking gesture) and the picture turned out great. I had him sign it later and he said it looked great.

Sorry your meeting with him wasn't positive.
 
I work at the airport (TSA Explosives Specialist). Seen a few "celebrities", not always under the best cirunstances, so its a test of their fortitude.

Marty (aka WWE Boogeyman) Wright was a very cool, friendly guy. I had no idea who he was until I was told.

Paula Poundstone (comedian)... Doesn't like to play the TSA game. I'll leave it at that.

I missed Michael Rooker but was told he was very cool.

I usually hear about them coming through after the fact but never heard of anyone being a jerk.
Kim and Kanye were friendly/cooperative.
Bradley Cooper was quiet and low profile but gave and acknowledging "Yeah... I'm that guy" smile. It took a lot for some of the females I work with to keep from jumping him.

I'm hoping to spot some coming/going from the Wizard World convention coming up. Wondering which airlines would be the best to stake out.
 
When I was in the Army I worked presidential protective details and saw Tommy Lee Jones around the time his Batman came out. All the cops were like "hey it's Two-Face". He was very cool. Walked up and shook everyone's hands and asked how everyone was doing.

Saw Tom Hanks at an event and when he saw me and the star struck look on my face he gave me a nod. That was all I needed.

I'm sure there were others but those stand out in my head the most after almost 17 years.
 
When I was in the Army I worked presidential protective details and saw Tommy Lee Jones around the time his Batman came out. All the cops were like "hey it's Two-Face". He was very cool. Walked up and shook everyone's hands and asked how everyone was doing.

Tommy Lee Jones is a class act. The man has been described as an "anti-star" in that he distances himself from Hollywood when he doesn't have to be there. Last I heard, he doesn't even own a home in LA or NY. When he's home in Texas, he dresses like a typical cowboy, with the boot, hat, jeans, and snap button shirt. It's not the "affected" cowboy look, either. Everything is well used, because he actually works his ranches when he's there. Once, when I was visiting my mother in San Saba (she and her boyfriend had a pecan orchard near Tommy Lee Jones' ranch), I actually saw him, horse tied to a fence post, fixing a barbed wire fence.

The man goes out of his way to remain anonymous, and when he goes to his favorite restaurants or out to have a beer, everyone knows that he wants to be treated like a normal person. He doesn't make any demands (other than privacy), and in turn, they treat him like any other person.

The man truly is a class act, and when people claim that he's cantankerous, it's because he wants his privacy when not dealing with Hollywood business.
 

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