This week’s edition of The Friday Question comes to you courtesy of my wife, who thought it up and deserves all the credit.
It should be fun and interesting to see what the answers are.
The question is:
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
And you get EXTRA bonus points if you have a picture of said meeting.
For me, I really can’t pick one that is really famous. I did sports writing for awhile, so I’ve talked to a few NBA, NFL and MLB players. I did a phone interview with Tom Gugliotta, asked Shawn Marion a question and even had a quick conversation with Bill Russell. I think I remember he was asking for directions. Jake Plummer, Dave McGinnis, Al McCoy, etc.
All of those were sort of on the job though, so I don’t really think they count.
I think the best story of all was my wife and I going to see a taping of Celebrity Poker Showdown in Las Vegas with two friends of ours (Scotty Dub and wife!) and seeing Phil Gordon in the bathroom. Scotty talked to him more, but I think I got a word in edgewise.
Other than that, I can’t think of anything. I’m depending on you guys.
I have met a number of politicians over the years…Trent Lott, Newt and Cheney. The most famous was President Bush. I got to spend about a half hour with him and Laura when they were on the campaign trail in 2000. However, this was when I was working for Slade the Blade, so it was part of the job.
Outside of that, I met Shaq in the Vegas airport back when he was playing for Orlando. He was not doing any pictures, but I still took a pic of him sitting there. The man is a beast.
Jeff Speakman, The Perfect Weapon….
In studying martial arts, my instructor took several of us to Anaheim CA for a world wide martial Arts Expo. My instructor was actually good friends with Mr. Speakman, and i got tagged to be his escort for the day. this included being his ‘target dummy’ for demos he gave (ouch), and at the end of the day we went out to dinner with him and stayed at his house overnight (very cool time). I do have some pics of it…
I guess now I think of it at the same expo I also met Wesley Snipes (he was paying his taxes then), and a couple of other B-rated martial arts movies guys most havent heard of…
I’ve met the entire band of Queensryche on several occasions. That’s probably about it.
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Nobody too famous for me. I met the members of the Christian bands Audio Adrenaline and Caedmon’s Call and got to talk to most of them for a pretty long time. So, famous in certain circles, but not mainstream.
@ Ape – looks like your a ‘ryche fan. Nice! Just saw them again back in late February. I grew up in Tacoma so I have seen them numerous times.
Oh yeah – they used to be my favorite band…I wish they would retire.
I liked everything up to Promised Land – I think I’ve seen them in concert about 4 or 5 times and have been backstage 3 times to meet them and chat with them.
It is funny – it’s how my wife and I met – I had their tri-ryche as part of the rear window tint on my old black 4×4 truck. The future-wife saw it and hunted down who owned the truck because she was a fan of the band. The rest is history. I think I’ve told Geoff that story a couple of times – lol – I’m so lame.
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Well, I had a few classes with Terrell Suggs. He was pretty famous even during his college days. But one time I met Donkey Lips from the show Salute Your Shorts.
I met Al Gore once in a restaurant in Dearborn, MI. I’d have to dig up a picture as that was before things went digital. I’ve also met Connor Trinnear and Dominic Keating from Star Trek Enterprise, but those only famous to those watching Enterprise. Along the same lines is The Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager. Those three I met at a convention, so I’m not sure it counts because I technically paid to see them.
Adams last blog post..Lost: "Cabin Fever"
Eh, I tried embedding a picture but it didn’t take. Here’s a link: http://adamczar.net/images/comiccon07/adam&picardo.jpg
Adams last blog post..Lost: "Cabin Fever"
ditto on the classes with Terrell Suggs, he is hilarious too. i talked to Luis Gonzales on our autism walk, that was fun! i met lots of famous past suns players when i went to the grand opening party of america west arena. some peeps from christian bands… hey adrian, didn’t you get to go backstage at a dc talk concert once and meet everyone?
now i just have to find a way to meet christian bale someday and justin timberlake. i would seriously faint like those old school michael jackson fans!
nickys last blog post..Temporary Hiatus.
Oh – I forgot someone – Luke Longley, but it was before he was famous and just a local celeb. He was attending UNM (where I first attempted college) and I was working at the Taco Bell across the street from campus. He pulls up in this little tiny car, knees up by his ears and I handed him some tacos…
DC Talk would have been sweet – love those guys.
The Trousered Apes last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Parts 5 thru 10 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Oh yeah… I did meet DC Talk.
I met Bill Clinton when he was running the first time. Only in passing though, he was just shaking hands. I met Leo Decaprio, and Johnny Depp when they were filming What’s Eating Gilbert Grape here in my hometown. A friend of mine and I were at Leo’s (yeah, we’re on a first name basis) 18th birthday party. …well, more like birthday cake on the set between takes.
Also, Emmitt Smith and David Robinson bought movie tickets from me when I worked at a movie theater in high school. Robinson was wearing his Olympics shirt.
@ Adrian: I would LOVE to meet dc Talk! …if they ever get back together…
btw adrian, your gravatar pic still makes me feel all icky.
nickys last blog post..Temporary Hiatus.
Man those are some great meets you all have!!!
@Adam, great pic with Mr. Teague!
Well in addition to Phil Gordon. I met Charles Barkley a few times as he used to come into the original PF Changs when I worked there. He brought it Michael Jordon and Reggie Miller numerous times, but I never met them.
Last year I flew home from back east next to Reggie Jackson. He was one of my baseball heroes growing up, but ended up being kind of a dick. Basically bitching about being stuck in a middle seat. He even offered my $100 for my aisle seat. Needless to say I said no. Still I shook his hand when we landed so that was kinda cool.
Scotty Dubs last blog post..Casual Dress Friday: Dad & Chad’s Day Off
I’d likely have taken the cash.
Had it been an LA/PHX flight I would have too, but for a 5hr+ flight, no way…but maybe for $200. lol
Scotty Dubs last blog post..Casual Dress Friday: Dad & Chad’s Day Off
Jimmy Carter, way back in the 1970’s when he was running for governor of Georgia. Plains is only about 20 miles from my hometown and our town’s “Founder’s Day” celebration was one of his first publicity stops. Me and some other kids were a backdrop for him talking about education and so forth.
I kinda-sorta met a few semi-famous to famous musicians from time to time while doing some part-time auditorium and club security work back in the 80’s. The most memorable was Nancy Wilson of Heart.
Frank Cs last blog post..Mark Lind & The Unloved – New Year’s Day
I could name a lot of athletes from professional sports, many Arizona celebrities or musicians, but I’ll stick with the most famous person I’ve ever met.
Hugh Downs.
Hands down one of the nicest people I’ll ever meet. Down-to-earth and easy to talk with. Great experience(s).
Nice
Stacy Keach at Van Nuys high school, Kim Novak at a department store in Sherman Oaks, in the ’70s, Dick Smothers at a wedding, late ’60s. Don’t seem to be running into any newly famous people these days.