Most Famous Person You Have Met

[Wild Bill]

My non-work or basketball related encounters.

I went to school with Janet Jackson in kindergarten. (That means she turns 50 this month)
I lived next door to Ron Kittle as a kid.
My Dad was friends with Alex Karras since high school
In the 90's I got to hangout at my health club bar w/ Ozzie, Bo and Frank Thomas (way cool)
OK two offbeat basketball related stories:
Got into a parking lot scuffle at the '97 Final Four because some drunk Kentucky fans kept getting in my buddies face telling him, "You suck Ricky Roe! You sucked in Blue Chips!" When i told them they had the wrong guy and to beat it, poor guy took a swing. Turned out they were right, it was Ricky Roe. Thankfully it was in Indy, Cops let us go and hauled the other guys in.
Chris Carter and I were on the same summer camp team for two years in a row in HS. He was the best HS basketball player in the country in '84. Would have been in the HOF either way.
.

I know the karras family. Ted karras played at northwestern and briefly with the redskins. He's the most intense man I've even seen on a football field. He coached me and taught me how to play the game right. Great guy. His father played for the bears and recently passed away. He was a character. His son, Ted jr, just got drafted by the patriots - no surprise. I never met Alex but I assume he was cut from the same cloth.

 

[Tejas]

Rafael Palmeiro: "Achoo!!"

me: "Bless you"

Rafael Palmeiro: "Thanks."

 

[nico7980]

I know Tim Duncan. Swam against him in high school. Meet him again when my uncle's band played at David Robinsons birthday.

 

[BobbyMac]

I know the karras family. Ted karras played at northwestern and briefly with the redskins. He's the most intense man I've even seen on a football field. He coached me and taught me how to play the game right. Great guy. His father played for the bears and recently passed away. He was a character. His son, Ted jr, just got drafted by the patriots - no surprise. I never met Alex but I assume he was cut from the same cloth.

I've met Ted. He went to Hobart and graduated a year ahead of me. They were in our conference and the Brickies were an absolute machine in those days. I dated his HS coach's daughter when I was at Valpo and Ted coached my buddy's kid at Marian U. He was at Walsh in Ohio the last time I saw on Facebook.

Ted Sr. was a O lineman on the 'I did see his obit on Facebook a few months ago as you said.

My memories of Alex were of a very nice, funny guy but I bet he was just as intense as the rest of them. My Dad told me some crazy stories of their escapades up in the Harbor in the early 50's. Apparently the Greeks & Serbs didn't get along so well with the Croatians back then.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

I work at Phoenix Children's Hospital so basically most of the Suns, Cardinals, Diamonbacks and Coyote stars.
Also met and talked with theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss.

Played football at North Fort Myers High School and Dion Sanders dropped by for a visit once.

 

[ACamp1900]

Always loved telling how my father lined up against Ronnie Lott in high school and got destroyed, I lined up (sort of, his son was an option QB) against his son and returned the favor.

 

[johnnycando]

Met Dickie V at ND's pep rally for Michigan in 2011.

He's way cool.

Smoking hot daughter.

Glen Campbell was a distant relative. I met him.

 

[twig21]

Met Dickie V at ND's pep rally for Michigan in 2011.

He's way cool.

Smoking hot daughter.

Glen Campbell was a distant relative. I met him.

Glen Campbell? Delight, Arkansas correct?

Great, great talent. He made country cool before it was. Outstanding musician.

 

[CraigKrenzel]

I've told this story on here before: I met Rey Maualuga and Taylor Mays at a bar after a Reds game downtown.

My friend, who is not a sports fan and didn't recognize the pair, told Maualuga that my seat was taken when Maualuga asked. We talked about Golden Tate some after I got back from the bathroom. Mays remembered playing against him vividly.

I, uh, also stood next to Anthony Standifer after the Syracuse win in 2012.

 

[woolybug25]

Always loved telling how my father lined up against Ronnie Lott in high school and got destroyed, I lined up (sort of, his son was an option QB) against his son and returned the favor.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Got drunk with the cast from Law and order and Oz
Drank with Ron Harper in AC
James Gandolfini
Drank with David Cone
Drank with the whole cast of Rescue Me
Michael Rapaport and Fyfe dog at Cubs vs Yankees in Chicago
Met Bono and U2 at Letterman
Drew Bledsoe
Peyton Manning
Michael Strahan
Regis
Tony Danza and Alyssa Milano
Billy Batz from Goodfellas
Steve Buscemi
John Voight

 

[IrishinTN]

Stan Lee twice. I bought a ton of comic books back in the mid 90's and the store owner had him in town a couple times. Arranged for personal time for his best buyers. Stan is a pretty cool dude, but intense and intimidating.

 

[BillyIrish]

My top 4 would have to be Jack Nicklaus, Dickie V, Sarah Jean Underwood, and Jack Hannah.

I met Nicklaus when he was doing a re design of the bunkers and greens at Scioto Country Club

Dickie V on a game day way back

My mom worked in a dental office that Jack Hannah went to. We had a group at the zoo and he actually came and met up with us. He took the time to chat with everyone and then showed us around for a bit. That was pretty sweet.

Ive got a photo on an old phone with sarah underwood from back in the college days. She was at a bar doing an appearance. Smoke Show.

 

[JTLA]

I used to work for a talent agency in Los Angeles. Some of my highlights from my tenure include...

A screening of Fahrenheit 911 hosted by Harvey Weinstein and Leonardo DiCaprio a few weeks before it came out. Everyone was there. Everyone.

The premiere of Sin City was another loaded event I remember. Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Benecio Del Toro. We represented director Robert Rodriguez, so it was easy to make conversation.

Mike Tyson - it was wild, he is one of the few people I can say had an intimidating aura about him. Like you knew he was someone without even seeing him. Or maybe it was just the face tattoo and the entourage.

Robert Downey Jr. - back when we couldn't get him a job because he was uninsurable for most productions and studios. He was always a character - but an unmistakable talent.

Britney Spears. Made the mistake of calling her once before noon. Once. We represented her for her movie career. LOL. We also represented Nick Lachey (Jessica Simpson) during the Newlyweds show - hilarious stories, but I'm not sure anyone cares now.

Someday I'll tell you the story of when we got our hands on the Paris Hilton sex tape before everyone else... and how I unwittingly contributed to it getting into the hands of an underage starlet who later had a very public meltdown.

My favorite story from my tenure started on my first day moving up from the mailroom. I worked for a young agent on the team representing John Ritter. She had just fired the last assistant because, although he worked incredibly hard, the clients just didn't get a warm feeling when they called in. John Ritter called in, I warmly greeted him and told him I was new. The next time he called in, he remembered my name and asked me how I was doing. THAT WAS IT! I can do this! I can make it in Hollywood!!! He was a good friend and generous man throughout my time working for that agent. Years later, when he died tragically, there was a memorial held at the El Capitan theatre (same night as the Cubs playoffs meltdown vs. Marlins). There was an overwhelming show of respect and affection SO many people had for him. One repeated refrain was, "John Ritter always made YOU feel like the biggest star in the room." Now I knew! I didn't have some magic phone personality, John Ritter just knew how to make me feel great whenever I spoke to him.

We hosted a Hollywood Stars game at Dodger Stadium. Billy Crystal, Tony Danza, Gene Simmons, Kevin James, Keanu Reeves, etc... I was most excited though because the Dodgers and Cubs came out to watch (it was before their game) and I got to meet Rickey Henderson. I told him that when I was in little league (1982), I would look in the paper every morning to check the box scores to see if Rickey Henderson stole a base, and I have loved baseball ever since. He said it was his honor to meet me and thanked me for sharing that story with him. I share that because he sometimes has a bad reputation with media and fans.

I also worked for a director with a production deal at Dreamworks. We met Steven Spielberg on a couple of occasions during and around the time Indy 4 came out. I got to screen the original Raiders of the Lost Ark with him and others in his screening room. I also got to see Rosebud hanging in his conference room. Yes, the Rosebud.

 

[NDBoiler]

My top 4 would have to be Jack Nicklaus, Dickie V, Sarah Jean Underwood, and Jack Hannah.

I met Nicklaus when he was doing a re design of the bunkers and greens at Scioto Country Club

Dickie V on a game day way back

My mom worked in a dental office that Jack Hannah went to. We had a group at the zoo and he actually came and met up with us. He took the time to chat with everyone and then showed us around for a bit. That was pretty sweet.

Ive got a photo on an old phone with sarah underwood from back in the college days. She was at a bar doing an appearance. Smoke Show.

You are my hero, sir.

Met Wayne Static after a Static X concert back in my metal head days. Real nice guy. Sadly, he passed away recently.

 

[Quinntastic]

Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Flight of the Conchords, Mario Batali, Jeff Ross

 

[GoldenDome]

Off the top of my head:

Bill Clinton golfing in Vegas
Magic Johnson
Mayweather at Niketown in Vegas
Kim Kardashian in Vegas
Marshawn Lynch in Vegas Cosmopolitan just walking around
Mark Walhberg shopping in Beverly Hills
Coach K at Wynn in the elevator
Larry King at Brooklyn Bagel Co (he is co owner) repping St Louis Cardinals jacket
Jessica Alba at Urasawa in Beverly Hills
Derek Jeter at PF Changs in Newport Beach
Kobe Bryant walking his dog at Fashion Island Newport Beach
Mike Tyson in Vegas
Dennis Rodman in Vegas, sat next to him while he was eating with his agent
Jerry Rice walking around at Venetian Las Vegas
Shaq gambling at Palazzo, he was leaning over on the craps table and he still towered over his huge body guards.

But my favorite moment was meeting Pat Morita drunk as hell in Vegas gambling. That guy was one crude mofo. lol

Talking with Coach K is a close second, really nice guy. I think he was there for USA basketball because Wynn is affiliated with it.

Mark Walhberg was sort of funny too, that guy had a huge beer belly. Not exactly the Marky Mark days.

Jessica Alba is really nice and was surprised at her knowledge of Japanese cuisine.

 

[MNIrishman]

Oh yeah, I got to welcome BK at his introductory press conference too. That was kinda fun.

 

[connor_in]

I think the most famous person I ever met was Mercury 7 astronaut Scott Carpenter. I got to not just meet, but spend the whole day with him.

 

[ulukinatme]

My top 4 would have to be Jack Nicklaus, Dickie V, Sarah Jean Underwood, and Jack Hannah.

Ive got a photo on an old phone with sarah underwood from back in the college days. She was at a bar doing an appearance. Smoke Show.

You are my hero, sir.

This. Among all the celebrities in this thread, I'm most jealous you got to meet her. I think we need proof.

 

[Bishop2b5]

I met Bear Bryant, Ken Stabler, and Joe Namath when I was a kid.

I worked on George Wallace's campaign in the 80's (yes, I voted for a Dem once), so got to talk with him a few times.

Pat Benatar, the guys from Alabama, Chuck Leavell & Dickey Betts (very cool to hang out one-on-one drinking beer with one of my guitar heros and talking about guitars & Duane), Ace Frehley, Bo Jackson, Bill Curry, and Pat Dye.

I've been friends with former women's world chess champion Susan Polgar for years. Coolest person I met was Buzz Aldrin. I was his bodyguard when he was attending an event in Huntsville in the 90's. Heady stuff to be riding around in the back of a limo with him drinking beer and sightseeing. Met Alan Shepherd and Fred Haise that day too.

 

[EddytoNow]

Met Briefly/No Conversation - Irish Activist, Bernadette Devlin McAliskey
Had a Conversation - Bluegrass Banjo Player, Ralph Stanley

 

[Irishnuke]

Living in SoCal I've seen a lot but have only met a few. Met Mike Myers. He was very down to earth and friendly. Also ran into Fieldy, the bass player from Korn, at the mall. Also a very nice guy. Gave me a guitar pick. I guess he carries a bunch around to give to people who approach him. My wife was at the beach and Bieber walked five feet in front of her. She is NOT a fan otherwise she could have met him.

 

[Prof K]

In 1991 I met Nelson Mandela at an ANC rally. My host was the SACP leaders for the Port Elizabeth region and brought me up to meet him after the event. I shook his hand and had about a five minute conversation.

In the same year I spend a day with Bishop Desmond Tutu.

In 2004 both State Representative Obama and Allan Keyes came to my then University. I drove both to various engagements.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Rackem's mom is by far the BIGGEST porn star I have "met".

 

[gkIrish]

My top 4 would have to be Jack Nicklaus, Dickie V, Sarah Jean Underwood, and Jack Hannah.

I met Nicklaus when he was doing a re design of the bunkers and greens at Scioto Country Club .

This reminds of couple people I forgot.

I once got to go up to the announcer's booth at the Memorial Tournament and Jim Nance, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus were doing a live segment. After it was done, some waiter came up and served them and everyone in the booth these delicious milkshakes. The guys waved to us and Jack raised his milkshake to "cheers" us. So I guess I have met 2 of the 4 guys on the Mt. Rushmore of Living Athletes (Jack + Willie Mays). Just need MJ and Gretzky now.

 

[Praytorian]

In boy scouts Igot to meet S Spielburg at a jamboree , in hs I met Bush Sr. While he was still vp.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Most Famous Person You Have Met

Let's see here, my list is a little random:

-As a kid, I saw Kenny Rogers in a shopping mall, went up and talked to him, shook his hand, and got a picture. I had no idea who he was, my parents made me do it.

-Also as a kid, shared an elevator with Otto Graham. I had no idea who he was, and he kept pulling my ear, making faces, and messing with me. My dad had a nice conversation with him. Really cool old man.

-Speaking of old men: Ran into Sparky Anderson in downtown Chicago as a teenager. Got to shake his hand, talk to him, etc.

-Shook Michael Jordan's hand at a casino. Didn't really "meet" him since he had about 8 security guards and is a total prick, but he at least let me shake hands with him.

-Ran into former Bulls President Jerry Krause at a Bass Pro Shops. I like this one because I stared at him for a minute wondering if it was him, and my wife yelled "stop staring, that's so mean" (dude is a hideous troll if you've never seen him). He looked over because she was so loud, so I had to go up and ask him if he was JK, and he gave me a puzzled look and answered "I used to be!!!!!" Funny guy. We had a good convo about baseball and the Bulls, but mostly baseball for obvious reasons.

-In college, I drank a few times with Drew Brees. We had some mutual friends. My highlight in those encounters was pissing next to him in a fraternity's front yard on the way home from the bars one night. No, we didn't play swords......

-Went to a live sports radio taping that Dave Duerson was at. Talked to him for about 20 minutes after, got to try on his super bowl ring, and got a pic. Awesome guy.


-Was at the same bar as Bob Kuchenberg, Terry Hanratty, and Bob Gladieux the night before the title game in Miami. Kuch invited us to his table after we talked to him at the bar and asked for a pic. He bought us a few drinks, and told us pretty much any story we wanted to hear. Those guys were so fucking awesome.......They were with with a former scUM and State player they were all friends with, but I forget if they were anybody big or not.


-Mentioned this on here after it happened a while back. Was eating dinner at a restaurant and Jack Swarbrick walked in to meet his family that was already there. Got to talk for awhile. Cool dude.

-I've been to dozens of autograph signings, sports shows, etc and shook hands/talked to many different HOFers there, but those don't fit the mold, so I'll omit them

 

[MyBrothersSchool]

Politicians: (liberal use of the word here)
Richard Nixon - pre-president. My mother lost his autograph.
Jimmy Carter - after president. Very nice man.
Donald Trump - total dick.
Actors:
Jack Lemon - one of my first jobs in television. I was so nervous and he was so nice to a young kid.
George Kennedy - very nice man.
Perry Como - another nice guy. He would stop and introduce himself to the crew and ask about you, and mean it.
Sports:
Kareem Abdul Jabbar - could be very intimidating.
O.J. - before the "incident"
Muhammad Ali - one of my childhood idols

 

[GoIrish41]

Politicians: (liberal use of the word here)
Richard Nixon - pre-president. My mother lost his autograph.
Jimmy Carter - after president. Very nice man.
Donald Trump - total dick.
Actors:
Jack Lemon - one of my first jobs in television. I was so nervous and he was so nice to a young kid.
George Kennedy - very nice man.
Perry Como - another nice guy. He would stop and introduce himself to the crew and ask about you, and mean it.
Sports:
Kareem Abdul Jabbar - could be very intimidating.
O.J. - before the "incident"
Muhammad Ali - one of my childhood idols

My uncle's buddy is friends with Richard Nixon's nephew. We were at a cookout some years ago and my daughter and the nephew (yep, he goes by Dick Nixon) were having a conversation about which desert at the cookout was better. My uncle filmed the conversation and years later sent me a CD in the mail. You should know my last name is Kennedy ... and the CD was labeled the "Nixon-Kennedy Debate." Very funny when I played the CD. Not exactly on topic, but when I saw your Nixon reference, I thought I'd share.