Nice and Nasty Celebrities...

[TedShatner10]

Have you met any celebrities in person that you found a disappointing or nice event? Not just in conventions, but also in regular circumstances, which can make a difference. I can understand some reasonable celebrities ignoring annoying pestering for autographs in the shopping queue or politely saying "Sorry I'm in a hurry" if somebody calls at them in the street, since celebrities are people too and you can't just suddenly walk up to them in their free time (which is why I don't sympathise with members of the paparazzi getting assaulted). But celebrities being very rude to bystanders for no reason at all (I heard of a late female sports presenter flying into a tantrum at somebody in a shop because he crossed her path) and being unpleasant in formal gatherings (like fansignings where the celebrities are obligated to be polite) is a sure sign of them being genuine assholes.

 

[Captain Craig]

I was not impressed with Nicholas Brenden aka Xander from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He wasn't out right rude he was just very standoffish and showed no personality.

I've also found Billy Dee Williams to be very uncharismatic and not fan friendly.

Both were at conventions where you'd think they might try to fake it a bit better.

 

[Samurai8472]

I think I read somewhere that Avery Brooks shoed away some people when they asked for an autograph
"my hand hurts"

 

[nx1701g]

^ I have heard that story too - early in DS9's run. Avery Brooks didn't seem too happy by his Trek role. From what I read the DS9 cast was very standoffish at times and serious most of the time.

 

[OmahaStar]

Morgan Sheppard. Absolutely the nicest celebrity I have ever met, and I've met more than my share.

He is gracious, friendly, extremely approachable, has an incredibly memory, and genuinely makes you feel like you're the only person on the planet while you're in his presence.

I've had my share of "nasty" celebrities, but Mr. Sheppard tips the scales so far over onto the "Nice" side that he outweighs all of them.

Now, there's nice as in "pleasant" and then there's downright friendly "come have a drink, we're all friends here" nice. That second group includes John Kassir, Julie Benz, Jason Carter, Wil Wheaton, Jamie Bamber, Traci Lords (yes, that Traci, she's a sweetheart), Mickey Rooney, Keegan de Lancie, Stewart Moss, Robert Picardo, Carolyn Seymour, and Robin Curtis, among others.

 

[Mistral]

Jay Mohr. On my honeymoon in Laughlin I was playing roulette next to this real nice guy. We talked about Arizona(his parents lived there and I had for several years), football, basketball etc I didn't realize who he was for some time-when I did I casually mentioned seeing him on SNL, he said thanks and we moved on to who the Suns needed to pick up for the next season. A great guy.

 

[Dashopkinsfan]

I can only say nice things about Avery Brooks - I met him at a Trek con in NJ and he was great! Patrick Stewart was supposed to attend, but couldn't because he was filming one of the TNG movies so the people who registered got to meet one of the Trek captains. DS9 is my fav. show so I picked Avery. Well, some time prior to Avery's signing, the guy sitting next to me says he has to drive back to Pennsylvania and asked me to get Avery's auto for him - he even offered to pay me - so I said sure, no prob. I get on line for Avery and get up to him, and the person who was passing the photos to him got distracted by something so I was just standing in front of him, and he was waiting for something to sign... he reached his hand out to me and I shook it and I told him how much I appreciated his work on DS9, and how I looked at him as a surrogate father because my Dad worked so much - he said he appreciated that - then his helper passes my photo along and he signs it and pushed it towards me and said "Thanks" again. I stood there because I still had to get the other guy's photo and the helper got distracted again - so he's like "are you from around here?" and I said 'yeah' and it was a little uncomfortable so I said 'I put your ornament on my Christmas tree this year!' and he started laughing! It was pretty funny. Anyway, the next day I give the photo to the guy and he offered to pay me - I told him not to worry about it! Nicole de Boer on the other hand -- yikes! She couldn't be bothered to put her cell phone down let alone say anything to you...

 

[Velocity]

I was an extra in a movie with Ashton Kucher, Sela Ward, and Kevin Costner. AK couldn't be bothered to even be civil to people, but KC came into the room that they tried to contain us Extras in and talked to us and shook hands, gave autographs etc. Sela Ward was the only "star" who ate the evening (only) meal with the crew and us nobodies. I was craning my neck around some people to get a look at her and she just smiled really big at me when she caught me.

 

[John Picard]

I was an extra in a movie with Ashton Kucher, Sela Ward, and Kevin Costner. AK couldn't be bothered to even be civil to people, but KC came into the room that they tried to contain us Extras in and talked to us and shook hands, gave autographs etc. Sela Ward was the only "star" who ate the evening (only) meal with the crew and us nobodies. I was craning my neck around some people to get a look at her and she just smiled really big at me when she caught me.

Sela Ward. Oh man would I LOVE to hit that. Oh yes, I wood

 

[od0_ital]

Outside of scifi / horror cons, I'd say some of the nicest celebs I've met (usually through my work in hotels) would include Olivia Newton-John (she was a sweetie, but her assistant was a homo prick), Larry Hagman (very polite guy), Spike Lee (got up & shook my hand when he thanked me for doin' my job), Elizabeth Berkley (flighty as all get out, but very sweet) and Gina Gershon (she asked me to be in her home movie!).

I wasn't too impressed with Steven Seagal (dude was like a whale gettin' out of the limo) or Beyonce Knowles (chick didn't even flush her toilet when she left the hotel).

Secondhand, and from a con, I heard that Aaron Douglas is a cool guy. When I was at All-Con a couple of weeks ago, one of the 501st types I was hangin' out with told me that the night before, he was havin' drinks in Douglas's hotel room. I said to him, "Sounds cool...did Douglas know ya were in his room?" And he says, "Dude, Aaron was the one makin' the drinks!" He was pretty cool to talk to at the con, too, so I don't doubt that he's a cool guy in real life, too.

As for meetin' celebs at cons, I'd say that John Wesley Shipp, Ray Park, Wil Wheaton, James Hampton, Alan Ruck, Doug Jones, Sarah Douglas, Michael Gross, Richard Kiel, Margot Kidder, Temuera Morrison, Jeremy Bulloch, Ron Glass, and Marina Sirtis are some of the best folks out there to provide a good experience when ya meet 'em.

 

[J.T.B.]

Sela Ward. Oh man would I LOVE to hit that. Oh yes, I wood

You can't do that, she's the cattle baron's daughter!

 

[TGTheodore]

I was an extra in a few scenes of Touch and Go with Michael Keaton. He came and sat down with we masses for lunch and dinner. Super friendly when not shooting. Totally professional while shooting.

And everyone respected the lines drawn. Just a really nice guy. (The child lead, however, was a royal brat. I don't think he's done anything since that movie.)

--Ted

 

[Timby]

(The child lead, however, was a royal brat. I don't think he's done anything since that movie.)

Oh, I don't know ... it looks as though he's doing pretty well for himself.

 

[Sagart]

Burt Reynolds is one of the nicest celebs I've ever met. Totally focused on you while speaking, a warm handshake and very chatty; a really nice guy.

Although he gets a lot of bad press for his beliefs, when I met Tom Cruise he couldn't have been nicer. He'd been doing the crowd at a premiere for over two hours and I was the last person he met. He signed my photo, stood for a photograph, shook my hand and thanked me for waiting so long to see him.

On top of that, I've had great encounters with Brandon Routh, Nathan Fillion, Ray Park, Tom Baker, John Rhys-Davies, Bob Picardo, Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Billy Boyd, Sam Jones - Outside of Movies/TV, Reba McIntire and Keith Urban were both very friendly when I met them.

 

[gh4chiefs]

Wow, I can't compete wiht these all these stories. Can't say I've really "met" any celebrities. I've shook hands with a couple of political celebs, but that's about it.

But the thread did remind of one minor encounter. In December of 2000 I was on my first cruise and one of the entertainers was Juice Newton (country singer from the 80's, pretty popular in her day). Any way, the day after her show, I was walking around the deck and I come around the bow and she was there with some of her guys. I just said something to the effect that I really liked her show last night, I didn't ask for an autograph or anything. She wasn't hateful or anything, she politely said "Thank you" but I wouldn't describe her as being friendly that's for sure. As I walked on, I thought damn gal, you're not THAT big of a star.

 

[siskokid888]

Living in and near NYC, I have seen and interacted with a number of celebs, and I've found that like everyone else, some are cordial and some are nasty. Most actually seem to like NOT being made a fuss over. One story I remember - about 20 years ago I was eating at the Hard Rock when it was on 57th st, and behind me the Stone's guitarist Ron Wood was having a meal with his family. It was one of his kid's birthdays, and they had balloons and cake and what not. Believe it or not, people kept going to his table and bugging him for autographs and pictures. He graciously signed and took pictures, taking time from his family. I was getting pissed watching this go on, thinking the man is with his family, leave him alone for goodness sakes. He actually took it much better then I did.

 

[propita]

Well, not me, but my bro-in-law and nephew.

Bruce Campbell was up here, signing for his book--which my nephew & bro-in-law went for. Long line, but I'm told he was very nice, talking with everyone and staying late.

Gene Simmons was also here one time, promoting his perfume line. He stayed until everyone who wanted a autograph got it. I've heard that about him. Love his show!

 

[JoeZhang]

Although he gets a lot of bad press for his beliefs, when I met Tom Cruise he couldn't have been nicer. He'd been doing the crowd at a premiere for over two hours and I was the last person he met. He signed my photo, stood for a photograph, shook my hand and thanked me for waiting so long to see him.

TC gets a lot of stick but he spends a lot of time working crowds when he's promoting a movie, sure it's all great PR but he doesn't have to spend the time doing it and the people who get a photo and an autograph appreciate it.

As for my own story, I shared a train journey with Pete Postlewaite, nice fella.


Oh and here's one I literally just got in a newsletter I receive:

I can confirm that David Tennant is indeed the nicest man in the world. I work in a post-production house and Tennant was recently in to record a voice-over for a new documentary. He took a break in the coffee bar, where he was approached by a member of the sales team who works with disadvantaged kids in his spare time. The man explained that the kids were massive Dr Who fans. Tennant then spent his break doing an improvised skit in Dr Who character while being filmed on a phone camera for these kids. Pure class

 

[Mistral]

I was running film for a lousy movie called TROUBLEBOUND. Michael Madsen and Patricia Arquette starred in it. They were shooting in Sedona AZ and I was waiting around one afternoon for them to finish. Patricia's toddler(about 3ys) was on set with her nanny and the kid was running wild(as bored little boys do). The nanny was near tears and he had blown several takes. I started talking to him about his toy car, etc and when he tried to run into the take they were doing I talked him out of it. Patricia(a CLASS act) came over afterwards and asked who I was, etc. She then asked if I would mind keeping an eye on him while they finished since he seemed to be responding to me-I said sure, y'know? I love kids so it was no big. She sent the nanny back to the hotel in town and I played with her kid for the next hour or so. When they broke for the day she came over, gave me a hug(yes, those breasts are the real deal!), thanked me profusely and slipped a $50 bill into my back pocket.

A few days later I was waiting outside the production office and Mike Madsen came by demanding his check-he'd heard the movie was running out of money. When they refused to cut one for him right there and then he tore the door off of its hinges and threw it into the room. I was out in the hall. He went stomping by me, stopped and turned around and came right at me. I thought "He's going to hit me or something-oh, crap!" He stopped in front of me and pointed at the cigs in my shirt, asked for one and as we both lit up he advised me to get my $ while I could-"these guys are cheap little weasels"-then he chatted about the problems we'd had on the shoot, thanked me and left. Nice guy? I thought so-I never got paid for my last week of the film either-I kinda appreciate what he did.

 

[M'Sharak]

Have you met any celebrities in person that you found a disappointing or nice event? Not just in conventions, but also in regular circumstances, which can make a difference.

I remember spotting McLean Stevenson and Bobby McFerrin in airports and getting the distinct impression that they wished they could be invisible -- very uncomfortable about being recognized. I've met Richard Thompson and (Fairport and Jethro Tull bassist) Dave Pegg in informal situations and they were great guys. Other Fairport Daves Swarb and Mattacks were pretty cool, too.