Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

TODAY

Friday, March 29

Gapers Block
Search

Gapers Block on Facebook Gapers Block on Flickr Gapers Block on Twitter The Gapers Block Tumblr


Fuel

jdionesotes / September 22, 2005 6:51 AM

I met Thelonious Monk.

CVAL / September 22, 2005 7:40 AM

I met the The Greatest of all Time

Veronica / September 22, 2005 7:41 AM

I met Gary Sinise. I haven't met many famous people. As for who I'd like to meet...Bono. Or Jon Stewart. Or Ray Bradbury, obviously.

Kevin / September 22, 2005 8:28 AM

In terms of sheer knowability, Jesse Jackson would be the most famous. I got to work with him for a year. I've met Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz on the same movie set (Best Friends's Wedding). We worked with Michelle Pfieffer and Jessica Lange on some movie shot in rural Illinois which was a bomb as I recall (A Thousand Acres).

bam / September 22, 2005 8:43 AM

The legendary Jad Fair spent the night on our floor during a brief stop between recording in Scotland and playing in New Zealand. We ate lots of tacos -- when in Chicago, Jad eats tacos. He can really put 'em away.


madachode / September 22, 2005 8:48 AM

Unless they sign my paycheck I can care less.

redliner / September 22, 2005 9:03 AM

Julie Andrews. It was impressive, all these very powerful men were coming up and gushing while I was interviewing her. I never realized how much people love her.

waleeta / September 22, 2005 9:17 AM

We were front row center at the U2 concert 4 years ago. At around the 5th song or so, Bono stood in front of me, laid down, reached out his hand and held MY hand while singing to me. I am pretty sure I was crying like a little girl.

Yeah. Considering how much I love him, I can never go to another U2 concert again. It just wouldn't be the same.

jen / September 22, 2005 9:33 AM

when i moonlighted as a bookseller schlepping merchandise at the borders on michigan avenue, an occasional celebrity would stop by, either for book signings or just to browse. i spoke with bob costas and jamie lee curtis briefly, saw maria shriver in passing (sans makeup), and had a grand ol' time shooting the proverbial shit with david sedaris. supposedly bono had made an appearance or two, but never on my shift.

LEEBEY / September 22, 2005 9:43 AM

Maybe Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali? Hillary Clinton, when she was first lady, let me follow her around for a day when she visited Chicago while I was architecture critic for the Sun-Times. At a function at the Chess Records building, she introduced me to Chuck Berry. A few seconds later, Chuck Berry pulled me aside: "A black architecture critic? Get down!" Who I'd like to met: Oprah, Louis Farrakhan, Sidney Poitier.

Bill.N / September 22, 2005 9:55 AM

I was on a flight to Brussels with the Empire Carpet guy.

Victoria / September 22, 2005 9:57 AM

I met Dustin Hoffman while he was filming at the UIC campus in the spring. That's a little man.

daruma / September 22, 2005 9:58 AM

Prince Charles, the Future King of England, came to visit my high school. OK, so I didn't really meet him, but I got a lot closer than you chumps!

Angela / September 22, 2005 10:04 AM

I've met Tori Amos a couple times, but my most recent brushes with fame were with David Schwimmer and Brooke Shields after 2 different plays in London.

David told me to check out Lookinglass Theather and I think I replied with, "Oh I've TOTALLY been there!"

Yeah, I'm not so good at hiding my excitment when it comes to celebrities.

jennifer / September 22, 2005 10:20 AM

i met keri russell, of felicity fame, in union sqaure in nyc. she was really nice.

jen / September 22, 2005 10:22 AM

mo rocca. no no no, robert smigel.
or maybe mike doughty?
on a plane out to CA once, i got on with dude from Hour of Power, Robert Schuller

i would most LIKE to meet Conan O'Brien, or maybe Bill Murray or Steve Martin. i don't need anyone super famous of hot at the moment, just the old favorites. :)

john / September 22, 2005 10:25 AM

I met Spider Stacy, the tin whistle player for the Pogues, on a red-eye train from NYC to Boston. We smoked cigarettes in the vestibule between train cars.

sky / September 22, 2005 10:25 AM

Dennis Rodman once hit on me at the Sharper Image at Water Tower. Well, he probably wasn't hitting on me...i think i've developed that over the years. A couple of weeks ago we saw Cuba Gooding Jr. at Melvin B's. I love me some Cuba.

april / September 22, 2005 10:31 AM

It's a toss up between Johnny Cash [he called me DARLIN'!!!] and Carol Burnett. Both were wonderfully nice.

P.S.
Jen~I also worked at that same Borders and met [i.e. rang up or got a quick glance of] quite a few celebs...Bono was indeed there. To add to your list: Maya Angelou, Billy Corgan, David Crosby, and Elvis Costello.

Naz / September 22, 2005 10:33 AM

In the states, I've only seen celebrities, but never met them. Most recent would be John Mahoney outside the Steppenwolf for some gala event. He looks so lively, especially after you've seen Frasier for a while.

My most cherished celebrity meeting would be that I got to meet Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) when I was a little kid. My family lived in London at the time, and Star Wars was at its peak then (the 80's) and Harrods had made their entire toy section a Star Wars display of sorts and Anhony Daniels was the guest speaker. I got to shake his hand and pose with a picture with him later. He wears rouge/blush and had a white suit on.

I also got to meet Stephanie Powers of Hart to Hart fame, when my parents had dinner with her and some mutual friends once.

The one I didn't get to meet but was so so close was Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger. They lived in the same flats as my family (44 Wynstay Gardens, off High Street Kensington for any buffs) and my sister spotted them walking into their set of flats (sort of courtyard-ish these flats). She promptly asked if she could get an autograph. She went home, got a pen and paper and Jerry Hall was still out there waiting for her but Jagger had gone in -- she did however go up and get Mick's autograph so she now has both.

And, my family passed David Hasselhoff outside a famous fish n' chips restaurant in London. Being a kid in love with Knight Rider at the time, I was audibly asking, "Where's KITT?!" in my excitement.

Leah / September 22, 2005 10:34 AM

I've met Weird Al, Dr. Drew Pinksy, Ralph Nader and went to a karoke bar with Jello Biafra in Colorado. Celebs I want to meet are Conan O'Brien and John Cusak (15 years ago).

Archie FlorCruzz / September 22, 2005 10:35 AM

I met Ron Jeremy last year at High Voltage Software's Leisure Suit Larry wrap up party. He was a character in the computer game. I even took a photo with him, everytime i look at that photo and see his hand resting on my shoulder I think about all the great places that hand has probably been in :)

ivy / September 22, 2005 10:35 AM

I haven't talked to any celebrities in person.

But when I was six years old, George Burns was eating breakfast in the same restaurant as my mom and me. I remember looking over at a booth to see him, but I didn't know which person he was (hey, I was 6).

More recently, I gave Joan Cusack a dirty look. She had pulled her car into the crosswalk and was signaling a right turn on red, and I had to walk around her car. She was obviously distracted and eating a muffin, and looked back at me like "what the hell." Only after crossing did I realize:
1) who it was, and
2) that she probably thought I was glaring at her because she was, err, "famous," and not because I was trying to catch her eye so she didn't make a right turn over my body.

Anyway, I would love to meet David Bowie.

Steve / September 22, 2005 10:36 AM

I came thisclose to literally getting bumped into by Bjork in a shop in SoHo back in '97 or so -- I knew it was her by the accented "'scuse me." I miss her, but I haven't met her yet -- figured since it was NYC, I was supposed to be among the famous and not make a big whoop out of it.

I've also handed 50 bucks worth of Chinese carryout to Steve Dahl, walked across the lawn of Jim Peterik (of Survivor: the band) twice a week for many years when I had a paper route, and witnessed a very drunk Daryl Hannah at the Pump Room on my prom night.

Oh yeah -- I also may be responsible for Tom Paciorek quitting the Sox broadcast booth years ago after drunkenly accosting him in the Bullpen Sports Bar, on the same night that I told a very young Paul Konerko that he'd better have a good year because he was on my fantasy team.

And a few weeks ago, I watched Ron Magers walk into the Potbelly's at State & Lake, only to walk back out two seconds later, perhaps because the line was so long. But only in Chicago do we consider our newspeople to be celebs, eh?

Andrew / September 22, 2005 10:37 AM

In college, I interviewed Henry Kissinger -- three questions. Being an upstart journalism student, I tried to ask serious questions, and he blew off two of them in favor of discussing our football team (I went to Ohio State).

Also in college, I passed up the opportunity to meet Douglas Adams. I really regret that.

matt / September 22, 2005 10:50 AM

I have met Bono. I was going through passport control in Frankfurt Germany, and he was right in front of me. I told him that I like his music, etc. and asked for a picture. He was very agreeable.

Paul / September 22, 2005 10:52 AM

I saw Naz in person a few weeks ago, he said hi to me.

marge / September 22, 2005 10:53 AM

i met robin williams on the set of patch adams and he was really short and really nice.

Eamon / September 22, 2005 11:05 AM

One night, after watching midget Mexican wrestlers and hot burlesque, I did tequila shots with Spongebob Squarepants.

No, really.

MikeH / September 22, 2005 11:24 AM

I once bummed a cigarette from Danny Bonaduce (Danny Partridge) in the VIP room of The China Club. My buddy who was with me asked if he remembered smoking pot with him in Daytona during Spring Break ('89, maybe?). He didn't, but he did remember that was right about the time he got busted in Daytona for smoking crack, so the three of us had a good laugh about it...

Naz / September 22, 2005 11:25 AM

I met Paul a few weekends ago. He said hi but didn't even stop! Ah, these celebs I tell ya.

Oh, I want to meet Henry Rollins. That's it.

Alice / September 22, 2005 11:30 AM

Although not the most famous, my favorite story is meeting British actor/comedian Eddie Izzard, because it was so random. I had just seen his sold-out one-man show, Circle, a few days before at the Royal George Theater, when I walked into the Barnes and Noble on Rush Street becasue I had a very old gift certificate I wanted to use before it expired. As soon as I walked in the door, I see Eddie Izzard browsing the new books table. I thought I was hallucinating at first because nobody else in the store seemed to have any idea who he was. So, I walked up and introduced myself, told him how much I had enjoyed his show, etc. and got his autograph. He was very nice and very cool and the meeting totally made my day.

Kevin / September 22, 2005 11:33 AM

I thought I'd like to meet Rollins too, Naz. After reading this, I'm not so sure.

leebayfan / September 22, 2005 11:34 AM

I wanna meet Lee Bey, former architecture critic for the SunTimes!

mark / September 22, 2005 12:08 PM

tom fredricks....they dont come any bigger...oh and my folks once meet paul lynde and got his autograph

Onid / September 22, 2005 12:14 PM

I met Julia Roberts when they were filming Flatliners at Loyola University. Man, does that make me feel old.
Everyone else I met are Greek pop stars.

amyc / September 22, 2005 12:14 PM

When I worked at a Barnes & Noble in Michigan, I sold books to Aretha Franklin, Jack Van Impe and Isiah Thomas (not all at the same time) and wrapped a bunch of holiday gifts for former governor Jim Blanchard.

I was grateful that Aretha paid in cash, because she was on our bad check list and I would have hated to call the manager over. She always showed up in a ginormous white limo, but usually wore flip-flops and ill-fitting shorts.

Moon / September 22, 2005 12:14 PM

I was on a flight to Brussels with the Empire Carpet guy.

W-H-O-A!!!

There is a downside, though. The whole trip, you would have the "588-2300, EmPIRRRRRE" earworm going on.

Carrie / September 22, 2005 12:24 PM

You ready to be jealous? Joey McIntyre and Jordan Knight. Yessss, from New Kids on the Block. The best part is that these are recent meetings. Recent as in the past couple of years. See, if you wait long enough all of your dreams will come true.

I also met the first host of TalkSoup. John Somethingorother, right?

Sarah / September 22, 2005 12:25 PM

I've met a bunch of nerd celebrities: Salman Rushdie, Zadie Smith, Tony Kushner, Nicholas Wright (current director of the National Theater in London), William Kennedy, Arthur Miller, John Guare, Edward Albee, and Kurt Vonnegut Jr, and a ton of poets: John Ashbury, Kenneth Koch, Donald Hall, Yusef Kommunyakaa, Richard Howard, and lord knows who else. My poetry professor used to think that I had some talent so he introduced me to a lot of people, which meant that I got kissed by an awful lot of sweaty old gay men in college. But really, no one really gives a crap if you get to meet a famous poet. I would have much rather have done tequila shots with Spongebob Squarepants.

Carrie / September 22, 2005 12:28 PM

Oh wait, and for who I'd like to meet- Queen Noor of Jordan; Harriette Tubman. Even though he's a cheater, cheater pumpkin eater, I certainly wouldn't pass up a chance to meet Jude Law. I want to meet Barack Obama, too.

mike / September 22, 2005 12:28 PM

I didn't meet him, but in 1987 I saw Tony Hawk skate the keyhole at the famous Del Mar Skate Ranch in southern California. He was hanging out in the parking lot afterwards, but we were too in awe of him to actually approach him. It was totally rad.

Sarah / September 22, 2005 12:36 PM

Oh wait, I forgot, I one met Ira Glass and sent him on a wild goose chase. He ran around waving his arms in the air like a muppet. It was very funny.

MmHmm / September 22, 2005 12:49 PM

i met steve jones - sex pistol - on sunset blvd in hollywood, 1995.

robin williams laughed at a joke i made about him farting in a bookstore, we chatted for a bit and then he bought me an aretha franklin double live album i'd been hem-hawwing over.

i met bobo from moonstruck on a chinatown streetcorner in san francisco. he and his wife were shocked i recognized him. she went into a long story about how hume cronyn beat him out for a tony one year. "he was betta than heeeeuuuumm cronyn!" she told me. i nodded and hailed them a cab (they had been struggling), sorry to see them go.

morrisey said a flat bored hello when we met at the hammerstein ballroom thanksgiving weekend 1997, but he still shook my hand like a gentleman.

tom waits used to park in front of my house in santa rosa all the time, i think his doctor was on my street. we never met, but there were nods of recognition (he's handsomer in person).

the first thing ira glass said to me when we met was "shut up shut up SHUT up". it was uphill from there.

MmHmm / September 22, 2005 12:50 PM

i would love to have met Harold Washington

Sarah2 / September 22, 2005 12:51 PM

I met John Updike when I was in college.

And I've been within reach-out-and-touch distance of Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves, and Vince Vaughn, but I didn't actually meet any of them.

The list of people I'd like to meet is way too long...but Johnny Depp and David Bowie are right up there at the top.

Veronica / September 22, 2005 1:05 PM

waleeta and matt -- I'm just going to pretend you haven't met Bono. Nope. No one I know of. My concert experience, inner circle to the left, was the best U2 concert experience ever. Uh huh. This is what I'm telling myself. (I am also telling myself that they are not here right now!)

hench / September 22, 2005 1:13 PM

hmm... i've actually met & briefly chatted with bob moog, tommy lee, david cross, nick hornby...

stood between rod stewart & ice-t at a private spinal tap show... that was odd.

i've been *this* close to a slew of them...
including sinbad! sinbad had a larger posse of hangers-on than all of the above dudes & their respective posses combined.
and this was in 2002. strange stuff.

Nuxrs / September 22, 2005 1:18 PM

I met Rosa Parks in Detroit at a reunion. Evidently she goes to the same church some of my family goes to......

I saw (didn't meet) Keanu Reeves at Estelle's! That was weird. He spent the whole time making out with some chick......

I met Walter Payton in a barber shop in Texas. I was probably five.

Attrill / September 22, 2005 1:23 PM

I went to high school with Uma Thurman, I'm not sure if that counts since she wasn't famous yet. My favorite was meeting Hunter S. Thompson in the late 80's, I only understood about half of what he said but the other half was worth it. I used to work doing corporate report photo shoots in the 90's and met probably half of the future Bush administration (Rumsfeld was the biggest one). If I had 10 minutes with them now the conversations would be VERY different, and not friendly at all.

DCE / September 22, 2005 1:48 PM

President Bill Clinton. In 1996 he made a campaign stop in Iowa and I volunteered to help out with organizing some of the events, blowing up balloons, etc. He spent a few minutes with the volunteers after his keynote speech and actually asked me what I was studying, what I wanted to do after college, etc.

I also once ran into Louis Farrakhan at the guitar center on Halsted. He was shopping for a new amplifier and went around the store plugging in his electric violin. I nodded hello as he was playing and he nodded back. I chatted with one of his bodyguards for a few minutes too. He was immaculately dressed (as most of his bodyguards are) and very pleasant to talk to.

And, of course, I've spent some quality time with Lee Bey. He and I go way back.

But my most memorable celebrity sighting? Andrew Huff. He was actually in my home! I haven't washed the place since!

Ms. Broodwich / September 22, 2005 2:00 PM

In 1986, I met the Today Show cast. Jane Pauley was in a rush to get home to her kids. Bryant Gumbel was predictably arrogant. John Palmer had great charisma and impressed me the most.

In October 1997, I was at the JFK Library and met Caroline Kennedy, who signed a couple of her books for me. No one else recognized her, but it wasn't very busy there that day. She kindly, if coolly, accepted my compliments on her first book.

Two weeks later, I was on the same early a.m. flight from London to Hamburg as Sean Lennon. On the plane, I was reading a UK tabloid that had a spread about him in it...and later, during deboarding, there he was, standing in the aisle!

The stewardess encouraged me to say hi, which I did at the baggage carousel. He was very gracious, despite my stuttering, trembling excitement to meet John's younger son.

I'd love to meet certain celebrities but after that last encounter, I'm too scared that I'd embarrass myself even further.

Baldeesh / September 22, 2005 2:15 PM

I met Dr. Demento once. And I'm totally going to meet Alan Alda at Borders tonight.

Asa Nathannael Hunt / September 22, 2005 2:15 PM

I "met" Arnold Schwartzenegger when he was town in the early 90s doing a book signing for his childrens fitness books.
I met our very own Andrew Bird in American Apparel,
also Daniel Stern on the filming set of "Rookie of the Year"—about the kid who breaks his arm and then signs as a Cub pitcher.

roderick / September 22, 2005 2:24 PM

I saw a whole bunch of celebs on a family vacation in LA when I was 10 - we were there for the red carpet opening of City Slickers. Well, at least behind a barricade. The cast of City Slickers plus a lot of other celebs.

I used to dry down the car of Channel 7 news person Joel Daily when I worked at Turtle Wax in Countryside. He drove a maroon 1997 El Dorado. Tipped okay.

Had drinks with OkGo and Lucky Boys Confusion, not to mention a whole bunch of other bands when I was doing the whole photojournalism thing in Champaign.

Alpana Singh was on the Brown Line after the first night of Lollapalooza. She was no-so-skillfully hiding behind her newspaper, or she really needs glasses.

I work in the same building that Fox news is taped, so I often see the morning people there. I also saw Tamron Hall at my church.

David Sedaris. Cool guy.

I'd love to meet Tori Amos. I'm not into her music as I was in high school, but I think that a conversation with her would be interesting, to say the least.

Jeff / September 22, 2005 2:29 PM

Shook hands and said hello to Bill & Hillary in DC -- not that rare, all things considered. Chatted with Newt G., and well, and saw Janet Reno briefly.

Had several conversations with and got a hug from Barack before he became Senator Obama.

While living in Lakeview I stopped off at Uncommon Ground one morning and ate eggs while sitting next to Billy Corrigan. He had Uncommon Huevos, no cheese. Nice Kanga hat.

I once ate dinner next to Joan Cusack at Deleece in Wrigleyville. One of her kids would not stop grabbing the back of my chair and using it to balance himself on his skateboard.

One of my favorites, however, has to be Mike Nussbaum. Chatted with him for a couple of minutes after watching him in "American Buffalo" at the American Theater Company on North Lincoln. He is a sweet human being and a fine, fine actor.

-JW

CarrieD / September 22, 2005 2:31 PM

I haven't met anyone famous yet, but I figure I'm nearly thirty and just about due. Any day now....

Also, I've never met Lee Bey, but I love checking out his amazing photos on Flickr! Look for ChicagoEye.

shechemist / September 22, 2005 2:34 PM

I meet Marilyn Manson twice. Once in El Paso, Texas (early 1997 I think), and once in Seattle.

I taught college organic chemistry to Wimpy Queer, former drummer of the Queers. His real name is Jack and once he was out of my class, once in a while we would go out drinking.

I have also met Alice Cooper, Neil Gaiman, and Jill Thompson.

loir / September 22, 2005 2:50 PM


He's not so famous, but I used to listen to Johnny Mars the DJ going on about his wheat grass colonics when I was a server at the old Healing Earth Cafe on Lincoln.

every time I hear his voice now on that new radio station, I picture him getting all juiced out, and now you will too!

jen*nee / September 22, 2005 3:10 PM

I generally prefer the company of the INfamous to the just plain famous. To that end, I've collected a wide array of criminals, pimps, and petty dirtbags to call my crew. Each one of us equally infamous in our own way and according to our own rap sheets.

Flynn / September 22, 2005 3:10 PM

I used to work at Record City in Northbrook. Since the Berto Center was where the Bulls used to work out, they came in all the time. His Airness did, but he came on off hours. One night, while I was putting albums back I was wearing a pair of granny glasses we sold. It was late, and Michael was the only one in the store. He was across the aisle from me as I was putting stuff away. On the edge of my vision, I saw him look up, shake his head at me, and go back to shopping.

So, I've been dissed by MJ. He don't like the hippie fashions.

Erica / September 22, 2005 3:14 PM

My fave celeb meet-n-greet was The Reverend Horton Heat at Double Door. Drank booze with The Rev, Jimbo (greatest guy ever) and their drummer .. whatzhisname? Scott? He was sorta lame.

Greg Attonito from the Bouncing Souls was cool.

Met a bunch of local musicians, indie bands, etc. They're so normal I can't get too nervous around them anymore. And there's really no need to -- they're mostly down to earth.

Sightings:
Introduced myself to who I thought was Butch Vig (Garbage) at Metro ... it was Duke Erikson -- the ugly old one. UGH.

Ate next to the dad from Family Ties (Michael Gross) at Logan Square Father and Son of all places.

Saw Janet Davies of 190 North walking downtown. She is way prettier in person.

Saw Emmy award winning Cheryl Burton from ABC News at State Street Fields ... or should I say Macy's. She's a diva!

Saw John Malkovich at Navy Pier in the 90s w/his family. Strange to see an actor like him in a normal setting doing normal family guy things.


em / September 22, 2005 3:15 PM

A friend of mine worked there too when she was in H.S. She met Scotty as well and if I remember correctly, he was a jerk.

e_five / September 22, 2005 3:18 PM

I had a message on my phone from Ira Glass today. Does that count?

Fame is in the eye of the beholder. You pick who's more famous or meaningful to you: Michael Jordan, Bill Murray, Oprah, Dick Clark, The Clash, Howard Stern, Cary Grant, Ernie Banks, Stephen Colbert, Tommy Lasorda, Paul Harvey, Devo, Whoopi Goldberg, Lou Boudreau, Mia Hamm (two weeks ago), Doc Severensen, Richard Lewis, Harry Caray, and Casey Kasem.

Benjy / September 22, 2005 3:28 PM

On Mothers' Day, we went to Ditka's and we were in this little dining room between the two bigger ones with only two tables -- our's and one with Dustin Hoffman and his family.

Steve / September 22, 2005 3:41 PM

Erica -- not too surprised that you saw Michael Gross in Logan Square. He grew up in that general area (as did my father), and still grabs dinner with my uncle sometimes when he's in town.

jen / September 22, 2005 3:45 PM

oh!!!
better than any of the previous ones i listed:
michel gondry!!!
at this DJ thing my friend's promotions company was putting on at the knitting factory last time i was in nyc, back in may. we were all trying not to stare and asking each other "is that really him?"
then my promo company friend kim asked for his pic for their site, and he said to her "only if you pretend to be my girlfriend." and my friend joel snapped the pic. he was quite nice and very adorable.

kelly / September 22, 2005 3:45 PM

Bill Clinton...I shook hands with him at the Taste of Chicago back when life was good when our president could speak and the Taste still sold Bob Chins Mai Tai's. Needless to say, I was seeing double from all the rum and didn't even know what was going on when Secret Service men started roping off the crowd. They put a rope right in front of me and before I knew it Bill was shaking my hand.

jen / September 22, 2005 3:51 PM

oh, and malkovich malkovich malkovich on state street just north of my building this back in april. he was with his rather tall teenage daughter and pre-teen son.

Baltimore / September 22, 2005 3:52 PM

Two years ago in Park Slope Brooklyn, I asked a very looking Italian man from the back at a distance, darker skin, ,slumped over, wavy dark hair, long heavy coat reading the horse racing page out side of a bodega, if he knew where a good Italian restaurant was. He turned around and it was Robert DeNiro. He seemed very amused that I was NY enough not to "recognized" him even after I recognized him and he recommended a place called Sams. To ice the cake, I asked him if it was good and he said of "course its good, I'm Italian!" He was right, Sam's a dusty mom and pop walk down restaurant was also very cheap. DeNiro's picture hang prominently.Of course I told Sam who sent me.

I'd love to meet Nelson Mandela

sarah jrd / September 22, 2005 4:15 PM

i met george takei (sulu from star trek) at some asian american performance on navy pier once...

e_five, speaking of ira glass...my husband and i were eating at a thai restaurant on milwaukee once, and i noticed this couple whose table was rather close to our table...the man looked slightly familiar, but it wasn't until i heard him speak that i realized he was none other than The Ira...i think i flushed pink and hid my face in my menu!

red / September 22, 2005 4:26 PM

Back in the 90's I met Peter Garret (formerly of Midnight Oil), it was a dream come true. Oh, and that lead singer of Live.

My Mom met Rob Lowe the morning after his sexcapade in Atlanta, they were waiting for the same flight to LA.

Eamon / September 22, 2005 4:28 PM

Hey, Baldeesh: tell Alan he was fantastic on The Daily Show! Normally, I find celeb interviews unbelievably tedious, but my wife and I laughed out loud at his chatter.

Eamon / September 22, 2005 4:31 PM

Also, I have a Bacon number of 3. Peter McCarthy is a friend of my family's, and he was in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka with David Alan Grier, who was in The Woodsman with Kevin Bacon.

Ramsin / September 22, 2005 4:49 PM

I've met a bunch of politicians--a slew of local alderman, much of the State House and State Senate. I tried to talk to Emil Jones about steppin' once. I'm pretty sure I tolk St. Senator Kay Wojcik to "take it easy." I met Barack Obama when he was just a State Senator (in fact somewhere I have his business card from those days--that'll probably be valuable at some point, huh?). I finally met The Mayor. I met Rod at his victory party, and Jesse Jackson somewhere. I got to meet John Kerry at Union Station. Politicians are boring though.

Real famous people? I bumped into Roger Ebert in a bathroom and Richard Roeper in an elevator on the same day. I met Jenna Van Oy (Six from Blossom) on a train from Boston to Chicago. I made Al Franken laugh when I told him I shoplifted his book. I chased Salman Rushdie's limo down a street waving a copy of Satanic Verses over my head like a lunatic. I made fun of Vince Vaughan at the California Clipper (I didn't recognize him). Milo from the Descenents count? Hmm. I think that's it. Some people from *ER* were hanging out outside my apartment once, but I didn't know who they were.

I've met Dick Mell, but I'd like to hang out with him. Also, I'd like to meet Kool (and the associated "Gang").

Ramsin / September 22, 2005 4:51 PM

HOW DID I FORGET that I own a chair once owned by Frank Thomas, White Sox DH, because a neighbor of mine was banging his wife. I'm not sure if they were doing that while the two were married or not.

hau / September 22, 2005 4:52 PM

all relative, but ... howard stern, david sedaris, jasper johns, courtney love, that dumb band live (was even at the bassist's engagement party back in '92), the gracie jiu-jitsu boys, had a spaghetti dinner with the boys of slayer and biohazard, was a paid extra in a clint eastwood/renee russo movie and met both (anyone remember "in the line of fire?"), literally ran into claudia schiffer in the stairwell of the louvre in paris spring fashion week 1995. and bono came to my work a few weeks ago when they were in town.

Yet Another Jen / September 22, 2005 4:55 PM

I partied with Michael Jordan a million years ago, back when the Bears were bigger than the Bulls (All the Bears were out too, my roommate had a little thing with Otis Wilson who left messages calling himself "the Big-O", but I digress).

I had a meeting with Bob Dole that got him bad press and I like to believe helped sink his presidential bid.

I met Ray Bradbury. He was pretty charming and drinking margaritas in the middle of the afternoon, so that had to help.

And I've met many of the feminist icons, Gloria Steinim & I attended a small conference in LA with Betty Friedan. She'd nod off, wake up and say the smartest thing in the room.

I narrowly avoided bumping into David Schwimmer coming out of city hall earlier this year. He was very much better looking in person than he is on film. D'ya think Angela?

Ok, looove this question!

emily / September 22, 2005 5:11 PM

No exciting stories here...except that in the 8th grade I briefly dated a boy who is now a soap actor on Guiding Light.

andrew / September 22, 2005 5:15 PM

I once sat next to Ralph Reed, the president of the Christian Coalition, on a flight from Atlanta to DC. I kept talking loudly about Jesus' socialist teachings with my fiance, but he never awknowledged us. I think he was going to a meeting with President Bush because he changed into his "cowboy" belt on the flight.

Oh, I also met Jim Jarmusch once.

Dunl / September 22, 2005 5:20 PM

I shook Pele's hand. If shaking hands counts as meeting, he'd certainly be the most famous...

Jason / September 22, 2005 5:28 PM

Alan Trammell. I was 12. He was very impressed by my Alan Trammell basebal card collection. I was too start struck to talk.

Leah / September 22, 2005 5:36 PM

Once when we were having this conversation at the lunch table in my old office, one of my co-workers talked about meeting an actor from Good Times on the streets of New York.

Another piped in, "Man, I've never met anyone famous." A few minutes later she revealed that on a field trip in High School she met the Dahli Lama (or maybe Ghandi) but that wasn't as cool as meeting someone from TV.

Leelah / September 22, 2005 6:07 PM

Kurt Vonnegut. TWICE! I have this great picture with him. I have an enormous grin on my face because as far as I was concerned, that was the high point of my life. The picture hangs in my classroom and the kids all ask if he's my dad.

I've met lots of indie bands, a couple of authors at book signings, and I ran into TV and movie celebrities all the time when I worked for a music agency in LA. (I used to deliver packages to Brad Pitt's house.)

I think I'd like to meet Jim Reid from the Jesus and Mary Chain. I used to see him all over the place in London 15 years ago, but I never got up the courage to speak to him.

printdude / September 22, 2005 6:09 PM

I introduced Harry Caray to Y A J when we was young and barely 21. She says he was lecherous, I say we was bombed.

I talked to loads of ball players, but a long conversation with Leon Durham sticks in my head because he was wearing nothing but a jock strap and kept me bouncing from foot to foot, as I was uncomfortable talking to a large man with little on and I was fully clothed.

I met Ozzy Osbourne between entrance exams at UIC and bummed a Pepsi from him.

I drank with Lars and Kirk of Metallica for hours and hours while we played pool and they called me "sunshine" all night as I made them pay for game after game, them being the losers and all.

I have plans to use Lisa Madigan's canoe - if I can get my wife up near there.

Ferguson Jenkins has delivered pizza to my brother as a lark.

I pissed off my wife while we dated in college by drinking into the wee hours with Greg Maddux, Bobby Denier and Dante Bichette - Most often me getting the ride in the way back of Denier's then RX-7. Then he got a porsche, so I'm gld I didn't have to ride in that trunk!

I would most like to meet Bill Clinton, David Bowie and Tim Robbins for a few cocktails and lively discussion. That would be a good party.

elena / September 22, 2005 6:40 PM

Bikini Kill stayed at my house when I was in college. My insane roomate, who was dating the son of the Chilean ambassador, invited them over without telling the rest of us. They ate up all our spaghetti. Darned riot grrrls.

And when I was working in Tucson, I met Cormac McCarthy. Anyone who's ever worked in a used bookstore has met Larry McMurtry, so I've met him, too.

I saw Bob Geldorf in Dogon country in Mali, and I wish I could have bought the man a beer. I would like to meet Nelson Mandela, too, but only if Bono weren't there. So annoying.

As for the nature of fame itself: I once visited Miami, and a cab driver told me and a friend that we should go to the News Cafe, because "There are lots of famous peple there. You might see Madonna!" to which my friend replied, "Or Madonna might see us -- we're much rarer!"

maureen / September 22, 2005 8:09 PM

Last month, my boyfriend met Snoop Dogg at the State Street OTB.

sarah / September 22, 2005 10:25 PM

i met kim deal, who was very nice. i didn't meet him, but john hughes was at a crappy little rock show in the suburbs where his son's band was playing. there was barely anyone there, which made it feel more like a close encounter. i also ate dinner about 10 feet from cindy crawford. i had bizarre hair at the time, and must have looked out of place at the relatively fancy restaurant, so i kept thinking that cindy crawford was probably staring at me. oh yeah, and mark slaughter. he was a freak.

Mister C / September 23, 2005 12:00 AM

jdionesotes, you met Thelonious Monk? Damn! That's like saying you met Mozart or Beethoven, please elaborate if you're still out there.

I met Johny Griffin (who played with Monk) after I wrote I poem about him and slipped it under the door of the Jazz Showcase. He called me a couple weeks later and I used to see him when he came to Chicago every year. He hasn't been back to Chicago in the last several years (bummer), but I still get a kick knowing that my poem hangs above the mantle at his home in France.

Other celebs: A buddy went to high school with Gordon Gano, so I hung out with The Violent Femmes a couple times back when they were just starting to hit in '82. Oh, and the guy from Timbuk 3 (remember them?) got all up in my grille at a drunken after-bar back in Madison WI because his girlfriend (also in TB3) was flirting with me in a blatant (and successful) attempt to make him jealous (they'd obviously been spatting and I just happened to be handy).

When I was a stand-up I worked with and met so many famous and semi-famous folks (Jay Leno, Sam Kinison, Emo Phillips & Judy Tenuda, Bob Odenkirk etc.) that I pretty much started to see celebrities as just people who were successful in a certain business, but I would probably have a hard time not getting all gushy if I ran into: Tom Waits, John Sayles, Margaret Atwood, Peter Garrett, Jim Jarmusch and a few other various people (more about respect for a body of work than actual level of fame, I guess).

Mister C / September 23, 2005 12:31 AM

Oh, and I met the guy from the Victory Auto Wreckers commercial! How could I have forgotten to mention that?

ivy / September 23, 2005 8:40 AM

Is Gapers Block thinking of having a Gawker section? ;-)

Ask Again / September 23, 2005 9:29 AM

Met Jesus many times, he lives within you and me.

Pete / September 23, 2005 9:44 AM

Haven't really met anyone truly famous, but I'd love to meet Studs Terkel or Kurt Vonnegut. Nelson Mandela, Lech Walesa and Vaclav Havel too.

thomas / September 23, 2005 10:01 AM

I stumbled into Bijan around eleven at night and ran into Keanu Reeve and John Malkovich sitting at the same table. What an odd couple.

Our waitress says that Bijan late night is regular celeb siting opp.

Brandy / September 23, 2005 10:04 AM

Spotted a few celebs, but never met 'em. BUT when I was a tiny little Brandy, I saw a production of Babes in Toyland. The performers stayed in costume after the show and met with the kids. I got to SHAKE the MOUSE'S HAND!! OMG!!! I was in _heaven_.

Andrew / September 23, 2005 10:19 AM

I smoked in a semi-circle with Juliette Lewis once. She has a long neck.

I've also been hugged by Max Cleland, the former Senator from Georgia, though the details surrounding that are cloudy.

When I was in college, a friend and I staked out a Starbucks on North Michigan for a week straight because we thought we'd spotted Malkovich there a day before. No luck, but a lot of nasty coffee.

MmHmm / September 23, 2005 10:30 AM

oh yeah, and roger ebert gave me college advice when we were waiting in line together at sundance, 2001 (we saw a horrible movie, green dragon, for which i think he gave a good review).

nice lengthy chat, super nice guy.

jdionesotes / September 23, 2005 10:36 AM

Mr. C: I was maybe 19, and the Plugged Nickel ran Sunday afternoon sets for the underage fans. The joint was packed and Monk was a little out of sorts (at one point he abandoned the band to sit and smoke in the dark, until he reappeared to complain that "the 'breeze' is fucked." Back at the piano, he flung his little plastic backscratcher toy into the crowd, then set out to find it. It landed at my feet. I gave it back to him, and he actually spoke to me - three words: "Uh, thank you."
I also once walked Charles Mingus down Wells Street to find the place that was selling the giant cookies, but that's a story for another time.

Roni / September 23, 2005 11:12 AM

Yet Another Jen - I've been at events with Betty and I guess she's always nodding off, but somehow always says the most brilliant things.

Hillary & I chatter Cubs at one of her book signings. And many other big name feminists (Steinem, Smeal, Huerta, etc.)

Ate dinner with Sammy Sosa. He's just a big kid.

Literally ran into Richard Dent. BIG, BIG MAN.

Watched a Cubs game with John Cusak and Neve Campbell. Tiny woman.

The hubby has a longer list than me because of his work. *I* usually have the camera with me so I have proof!

waleeta / September 23, 2005 12:29 PM

I would like to spend an entire evening drinking and hanging out with:

Paul Rudd
Steve Carell
Amy Poehler
Greg Girardo (sp?)
Dane Cook
Bernie Mac
Michael's Showalter and Ian Black
and
Cedric.
Oh and Amy Sedaris.

What a f*&$ing night.

anna / September 23, 2005 1:51 PM

Waleeta -- Bono also grabbed my hand during one of the shows 4 years ago. It was during Until the End of the World, and my life hasn't been the same since due to my intense affection for that man. I've been to the shows since, but after that event they all seem slightly disappointing. So if you count that a meet, then that's who I've met.

Baltimore / September 23, 2005 2:10 PM

Sold crack to Jenna and Barbara Bush and man if those gurls didn't turn right around and tell their daddy! Next thing I know, I'm selling Dubya crack too.

Hummmmm I'd love to meet Dave Chappell cause I already meet Arron McGruder

leah / September 23, 2005 2:17 PM

I briefly met Drew Barrymore once. When we shook hands and I said, "hi, I'm leah" and she went, "hi, I'm drew" and smiled warmly. Awh.

Amy / September 24, 2005 5:07 PM

I spent my 21st b-day in NYC and ended up hanging out with Tommy Davidson, weird. But working at a hotel now I've met several - Russell Crowe who's exactly how he's portrayed, LL Cool J, Kristy Swanson, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Rob Zombie, etc. I've seen quite a few in the lobby too - Keanu Reeves (wasted and making out with some chick), Kevin Bacon, Kid Rock. Anyway the best was Bill Murray. He told me I looked great and asked if I was in love. I was too.

Rebecca / September 26, 2005 9:35 PM

Betty Dodson (the grandmother of mastrubation). She gave me dating advice. And after a couple of drinks she mooned everyone.

Patrick Haney / September 27, 2005 1:48 PM

At first I thought to myself, "I haven't really ever met anyone that famous." Then I remembered meeting Hillary Clinton back in 2001 while working for Student Government at the Rochester Institute of Technology. It was brief, as I only got to shake her hand and introduce myself, but that's the best I've got.

Rick Moore / September 27, 2005 1:50 PM

Rich Little.

He's a putz.

Dave Simon / September 27, 2005 3:57 PM

Well, if we eliminate the people with whom I had no conversation, just shook hands or got an autograph from, that leaves me with:

Bebe Neuwirth, Lilith from Cheers who was filming in my next door neighbor's house.

Dave McNally, Pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos. 20 game winner. Only pitcher to hit a grand slam in the World Series. Part of the best pitching staff ever. Dave was from my home town, and I saw him on a number of occasions. The most meaningful though, I got to wear his World Series ring. :)

George H.W. Bush, Wilt Chamberlain and a few other "brushes." But since I only shook their hands, they don't count.

Dave Simon / September 27, 2005 4:02 PM

As far as movie celebs and funny stories, I saw Michael Keaton walking down the street with his dog eating a doughnut. Nothing like seeing Batman eating a doughnut.

Batman has a house up here in Montana.

I also saw Louis Gossett, Jr. renting a movie. Made me wonder when he was asked for two forms of I.D. if he could have just grabbed Iron Eagle 1, 2 & 3 and said: "Here, there are three forms, ok?"

He was in Montana filming Lonesome Dove.

Kyle Jones / September 27, 2005 5:24 PM

I once saw Air Force One land with George Bush in it. Does that count?

Colly / September 27, 2005 6:29 PM

Michael Hutchence. Really nice guy. We threw a party for him at a bar I worked in in Leicester Square, London, about 9 years ago. He talked to us and not his hangers-on all night, bless him.

Eh, y'don't know who Michael Hutchence is? Pah.

Chip / September 28, 2005 4:52 AM

Most famous I ever met?

Nearly all the "famous" people I know or have met are professional skateboarders so I'd probably have to go with either Tony Hawk (since I've moved to San Diego), Bam Margera (whom I used to skate with quite often when I lived back east, before the Jackass/Viva La Bam days) or Bucky Lasek (grew up skating with him in Baltimore).

I also met Ned Beatty a while back while he was filming episodes of Homicide in Baltimore. He came into the convenience store I worked at and we had a nice conversation about the city (Baltimore).

printdude / September 28, 2005 9:41 AM

I spotted our own ANDREW on Monday the 26th of Sept @ Union Station, drinking Sctoch

Jeremy / September 28, 2005 11:20 AM

I've met Shirley Manson from Garbage (as well as the entire band, if we want to be specific) at a signing they did a few years back. And I've seen (but not met) Hulk Hogan at Walt Disney World a couple years ago as well (he was floating in a boat at the end of Splash Mountain and went under the bridge I was standing on.)

Good times.

Kim Siever / September 28, 2005 1:49 PM

Tim Bachman of BTO.

Kim Siever / September 28, 2005 1:51 PM

"y'don't know who Michael Hutchence is?"

Or rather, was.

John McKinzie / September 28, 2005 3:15 PM

Wayne Gretzky, the Great One. I met him at a So. Cal ice rink and had his undivided attention for 45 mintues. Very down to earth.

Ed / September 28, 2005 4:45 PM

I met Alan Ginsberg after a poetry reading in San Francisco in October, 1990. We chatted briefly, and he suggested some books to read for my studies. He signed my copy of his collected poems, that I happened to drag with me, and he dated it incorrectly. One day too soon or too late, I can't recall. Interesting person. Then he tried to hit on my friend, unsuccessfully.

I also met Tanikawa Shuntaro, who is very famous in Japan (poet). Had tea with him and discussed poetry translation, specifically my translation of one of his books. I had wanted to study his work in a graduate program, but at the time there were not enough courses around for that sort of thing. But over some tea in Tokyo, just before he gave a reading of some of his work, I learned everything I had wanted to know, and I learned it from the source.

I also met Gwendolyn Brooks, who liked a poem I had written (perhaps the peak of my "starving artist" "career"), as well as Denise Levertov. In case you were wondering, I studied poetry in school. It turned out to be far more useful than I'd ever expected, even as a web developer. Go figure!

I also met BIll Cosby at the Playboy Jazz Festival in 1986. Funny man. A few minutes later I met Kenny Kirkland, jazz pianist.

Robert / September 28, 2005 10:20 PM

Martha Quinn, the VJ. Someone at my university won some kind of contest and she hosted a dance there. I asked her to dance.

Audrey Pillow / September 29, 2005 4:41 PM

I've met: Jello Biafra at the 2000 Nader rally; Cibo Matto on the street in Detroit before their show; Jerry Springer at a taping of his TV show; Sandra Day O'Connor when I was in 10th grade at some "Future Lawyers of America" camp; Jennifer Tilly at the Chicago Film Critics awards; Nigella Lawson, my idol, at a book signing.

I want to meet: Bill Maher, Issac Mizrahi, Bjork, the Clintons, Jeff Koons, Morrissey, Dave Hickey.

amy / September 30, 2005 8:48 AM

I met Vince Vaughn at a movie premiere at Pipers Alley. He has a scary claw thumb.

IJH / September 30, 2005 8:57 AM

I had lunch 20 years ago with Ralph Steadman. What a refreshing joy. Lunch was three beers and three scotches. Thanks Ralph!

Jeff / September 30, 2005 9:28 AM

Bobby Darin. I waited on him when I worked in the Photo department of the May Co. in L.A.

He paid with a check and I asked to see his driver's license (although, I would have accepted his rendition of Mack the Knife).

gbs / October 2, 2005 10:26 PM

Very early 90's at a club in Tiajuana named Iguanas, I saw Primus and managed to get back stage after the show. Hung out with Les Claypool for a bit. He autographed the back of my driver's license. He wrote: "Don't trust a word this man says." A few weeks later I got pulled over by johnny law and first thing he does is look at the back of my license. Somehow got out of whatever it was I was pulled over for.

jm / October 3, 2005 11:35 AM

Hmm. Built a house with Julia Stiles in Costa Rica but had never heard of her before I got there. She's pleasant. Anne Lamott signed the back of my driver's license (as a witness to my organ donor thing) and actually checked out my age and weight! I had a two day long debate with Peter Senge at a conference who (in my world of OD consulting) is pretty well known. Ken Blanchard's dog peed on my foot when I was at his house for a cocktail reception in San Diego. I checked Tom Hanks into the Park Hyatt YEARS ago (and I actually have the naff naff jogging shirt that he left behind and didn't want back.) John Ritter helped my up from an ungraceful sprawl in front of a theater in NYC when I was going in to see "Noises Off". Mike Morgan asked me to dance at a club in Atlanta (when he was with the Dodgers) but I had no idea who he was. I ended up ditching him for the PR guy. And Fernando Valenzuela bought me a drink for last call that same night. Good times...

km / October 4, 2005 9:49 AM

i met robin williams while i was working at a store one time. he came in a bought dvd's. i've also met john waters (i live in baltimore, your bound to run into him on the street) and tori amos. thats about it

Sonja / October 5, 2005 2:02 PM

I met Barry Williams (Greg Brady) when I was sixteen. I asked for his number and he sheepishly grinned at me, but didn't give me his number.

I worked at a theater in New Hamphsire one summer, and ushered Meatloaf to his seat. He was with two really beautiful women (his daughters). It was a burlesque show.

I saw Dave Attell leaning against a meter on the street in NY. Boy, he looked like A** and did NOT want to be recognized. I left it at that and walked into a deli where I stood next to Moby and perused the bottled water section.

Erik van Ostaijen / October 6, 2005 4:19 PM

I met Max J. Molovich.

Brian / October 18, 2005 9:19 AM

I met Jerry Garcia when he was still thin before he went gray. Partied with him for three nights. What a brilliant man he was.

chet / October 27, 2005 4:06 PM

Spent a summer working for the Sundance summer film labs. I got to meet Robert Redford. I respect the man which made it even better.

Quest / November 18, 2005 1:54 PM

I met Steven Spielberg.

Foxy Love / March 3, 2006 4:07 PM

Ladies shouldn't tell, but hooked up with Dave Attell many times...A++ skills in that area.
umm..Jenna Jameson at a studio, some Backstreet Boys back in the day, a BSB's girlfriend(Leigh Ann?) shooting a movie in my town, very down to earth & cool all of them.

hillary / June 11, 2006 7:24 PM

I met Bebe Neuwirth in San Francisco last summer- actually, we spotted her in line at the same diner as we were in, and we wanted to tell her we enjoyed her roles on TV and the movies, but she cut me off and was inexcusibly RUDE to me and my husband. I have absolutely no respect now for this washed up used-to-be celebrity. I was very disappointed...

GB store

Recently on Fuel

Urban Ethos [26]
What is Chicago's "urban ethos"?

Cool Glass of... [16]
What're you drinking?

Supreme Decision [22]
What's your reaction to the Supreme Court's decision on the Affordable Care Act?

Taking it to the Streets [20]
Chicago Street Fairs: Revolting or Awesome?

I Can Be Cruel [9]
Be real: what is the meanest thing you've ever done?

View the complete archive

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50

GB T-Shirt $12

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15