"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.
But I think the $60 comes from his handlers, who were very pushy and rude.
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.
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.
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...
"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.
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.
...
When I met him I asked him what the yellow light meant. :lol
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.
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.