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Celebrity Stories

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Wood Guy

What celebrities have you met or do you have juicy stories about?

 
Nov 24, 20 10:10 am
Wood Guy

(posted previously in Thread Central)
My stock celebrity worship story I have to share when the opportunity arises (I might have shared here before): my favorite rock star in the 1990s was Kim Deal, a grunge artist from the Pixies in the 80s and with her band The Breeders in the 90s. Total rock star, beautiful, cool, badass, the whole nine yards. In the late 90s I was working on Nantucket as a carpenter, and my housemate/friend met a woman at a bar... she came over for dinner, we went out and played Foosball, got pulled over by the cops and let go because they knew her... she actually wasn't that great in person, and made me realize just how silly celebrity worship is. I still love her music, though. Time to go put on some Pixies...

Nov 24, 20 10:11 am  · 
5  · 
geniusceleb

interesting story there

Sep 5, 22 1:27 am  · 
1  · 
Wood Guy

In the late 90's I also worked as a carpentry contractor in Cambridge, MA. A carpenter who helped me on the job went to church with and was friends with the inventor of the internet. (Bob Kahn, not Al Gore, though he did help secure funding.)

A few years ago near Woodstock, NY, the panelized Passive House company I worked for put up a house next door to David Bowie's house, which the GC we worked under was also working on. I never saw him but the carpenters on our site said he was decent to them. My wife is/was a huge Bowie fan and was jealous.

Back to Nantucket in the late 90s--I renovated a house for William Randolph Hearst III (actually his wife, Margaret) who was in the top 20 on the Forbes list at the time. She complained about fees and I calculated that they were probably making about $1,000 per minute with their investments, and didn't feel too bad about my modest fee. 

Nov 24, 20 10:19 am  · 
2  · 

Ran into Quentin Tarantino  while riding in the gondola that connects Telluride to Mountain City in Colorado.  He told us not to look at him and if possible don't breath too loudly.  

I guess he was working on the Hateful Eight at the time and must of been stressed out. 


Nov 24, 20 10:31 am  · 
3  · 
archanonymous

What a douche. I would have stared at him mouthbreathing the whole time.

Nov 24, 20 11:12 am  · 
3  · 
SneakyPete

He's an odd dude. One of those people that I figured from the get go would be a strange and probably lousy person to meet. I guess that's why this doesn't bother me. I've met hundreds of NORMAL assholes in my life, why should that change just because some asshole gets rich or famous?

Nov 24, 20 11:50 am  · 
3  · 
Bench

Yeah there seems to be quite a few stories floating around that he's kind of an asshole. If you couldnt figure it out from his award speeches/general demeanor.

Nov 24, 20 2:38 pm  · 
1  · 
Almosthip

When I was 6 years old, I had thanksgiving dinner with the members of Helix.  I was not allowed to eat the stuffing because of the green stuff in it.

Nov 24, 20 10:34 am  · 
2  · 

Had to google Helix a bit. . . you're old! :P Just kidding!

Nov 24, 20 10:36 am  · 
 · 
Almosthip

ya i figured you Americans may not know who Helix is. Im not old, you're old! :p

Nov 24, 20 11:00 am  · 
 · 
geniusceleb

That must be the best time of your life.

Sep 5, 22 1:26 am  · 
 · 
Non Sequitur

I have nothing of worth to contribute.  The only celebrities I encounter up here are hockey players. Well, not so much celebrities, more like fucking royalty!

Carry on.

Nov 24, 20 10:39 am  · 
3  ·  1

You're Canadian and haven't met at least one member of Rush!? Pffft! Hand in your hockey stick and maple syrup sir!

Nov 24, 20 10:57 am  · 
4  · 
Almosthip

Not a hockey player but I got to pet Big Ben and talk to Ian Miller "Captain Canada"

Nov 24, 20 11:48 am  · 
 · 
apscoradiales

Frank Stronach. Dunno who he is? Google the name. Very nice man.

Did a bunch of industrial buildings back in the 70's for him up in Markham, Ontario. NS should be aware of him. No?

Nov 24, 20 10:45 am  · 
1  · 
Non Sequitur

^ I am aware of him, but only slight. I was not alive in the 70s.

Nov 24, 20 10:55 am  · 
 · 
randomised

The only celebrities I meet are architecture related :-( was at Bjarke's 33rd birthday party, that's all...

Nov 24, 20 11:07 am  · 
4  · 
SneakyPete

Met a couple of cute doggos on the street once. One of the owners was kind of odd and standoffish. We figured out as we walked away it was Matt Lucas. He probably thought we had known it was him and were going to be annoying. It was late in the evening and he was out for a stroll with his partner. 


Nov 24, 20 11:16 am  · 
2  · 
atelier nobody

I gave Kate Micucci's Frenchy a scritch at a cafe I used to frequent in DTLA.

Nov 24, 20 1:42 pm  · 
2  · 
citizen

I gave Kate Micucci's Frenchy a scritch   looks like graffiti you'd see in a pub bathroom.

Nov 24, 20 4:02 pm  · 
4  · 
archanonymous

I met Trey Parker and Matt Stone when I was like 12 years old and SP was on, I dunno, season 1 or 2. It was a pretty standard small-time celebrity interaction which now seems quaint as fuck. 

They had a table set up at a county fair in Colorado and were signing autographs/ giving away swag/ hustling for viewers. Were super friendly and I got their autograph. I also vividly remember the funnel cake I ate that day because it was the best funnel cake I've ever had. It's actually more memorable than meeting them.

Nov 24, 20 11:16 am  · 
4  · 
Wood Guy

That would have been cool. I was in my late teens when SP came out but I loved it. Funny, I've been to CO several times and have done a lot of fun things there, but eating a funnel cake is one of my most vivid memories. They do funnel cake right!

Nov 24, 20 6:33 pm  · 
1  · 
archanonymous

That's hilarious! I wonder if it is something to do with the altitude and lower atmospheric pressure making the funnel cake lighter and airier.

Nov 24, 20 6:48 pm  · 
 · 
shellarchitect

thats pretty awesome if you ask me

Nov 30, 20 10:31 am  · 
 · 
mightyaa

My little sister went to school and graduated with Trey. Ran across him at her bachelorette party in a bar downtown Denver several years later probably around season 3.. So my wife and sister got to hang out with him before he got true celebrity status.

Nov 30, 20 2:55 pm  · 
 · 

This may be a surprising story. I've never *met* Brad Pitt, but I shared space with him.

He was having dinner on the terrace at the Otesaga hotel in Cooperstown in May 1998, where he was being photographed by Annie Liebovitz for a Vanity Fair article. The staff had blocked off a side of the terrace, circled in pink above, with chairs so he could have dinner undisturbed. It just so happened to be the same night my husband and I, and husband's best man and girlfriend, were having dinner at the Otesaga to sample the food we would be getting for our wedding, which happened there that August. 

We walked out of the dining room onto the terrace - it's a glorious hotel site, you guys - and one of my companions said "That's Brad Pitt" so we all turned to look. Here's what is surprising: at the time, I just wasn't that into him. He was a big celebrity, but not one I cared about specifically. And he was having an after-dinner smoke, which repulsed me. I hate cigarettes.

I do know this: he saw me. My friend's girlfriend and I were both super dolled up in dresses for our dinner, and I was in fabulous shape because I was getting married in three months and was deliriously happy about it, so I was radiating love to the world - I'm confident that he saw me.  


Otherwise, I rode in an elevator with Vanna White and she complimented my toddler niece's pedicure. She was lovely.


Nov 24, 20 1:01 pm  · 
7  · 
citizen

^ And so it began...

Actually, I love that story, Donna.  Brad = no match for Fiancé.


Nov 24, 20 5:28 pm  · 
1  · 
liberty bell

Brad’s amazing. But he’s no match for my husband.

Nov 24, 20 6:21 pm  · 
2  · 
Wood Guy

Cool story, Donna!

Nov 24, 20 7:38 pm  · 
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BabbleBeautiful

One day about 6 years ago I sat across from Edward James Olmos while riding the tube. So say we all!

Nov 24, 20 1:06 pm  · 
2  · 
Wood Guy

So say we all. Probably my favorite TV series.

Nov 24, 20 7:38 pm  · 
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BabbleBeautiful

Do Bijoy Jain, Thomas Mayne and Joshua Prince Ramos count?

Nov 24, 20 1:18 pm  · 
2  · 
archanonymous

Thom Mayne, yes.

Nov 24, 20 1:21 pm  · 
 · 
archanonymous

I met Peter Eisenmann after a panel discussion one time. He spent the last 30 minutes of it sleeping on stage in front of like 200+ people. 

Nov 24, 20 1:20 pm  · 
2  · 
curtkram

those 30 minutes probably provided his best contribution of the evening

Nov 25, 20 2:35 pm  · 
2  ·  1
geniusceleb

these must be the best moment of your life right.

Sep 5, 22 1:24 am  · 
 · 

I have hardly anything to contribute to this thread. 

We talked to Peter Berg briefly when he was whisked to the front of the line at Splash Mountain in Disneyland. This was the same time he was directing "Friday Night Lights" and he was wearing a Dillon Panthers Football T-shirt. He was kind of a jerk about being recognized in public ... like, dude, you could try to blend in a little better if it bothers you. If you weren't acting like a celebrity, no one would treat you like one. You're not that recognizable. If it weren't for the T-shirt we probably wouldn't have figure out who you are.

Oh, and I once saw Penn Jillette waiting to board his flight. Teller wasn't around.

That is all.

Nov 24, 20 1:28 pm  · 
3  · 
Wood Guy

Penn seems like he's probably the same in person as his persona.

Nov 24, 20 7:39 pm  · 
 · 
atelier nobody

I have a handful of celebrity encounters (although not nearly as many as one might assume for someone who has lived in LA almost my entire life and has friends "in the industry").

My favorite was seeing an actress I have a HUGE crush on, Amy Adams, at an art fair once, but with her hat pulled down and sunglasses, clearly hoping not to draw attention. It took a major effort of will to leave her alone.

The only celebrity I ever worked with (who shall remain nameless) had us do some speculative design for a charity project he was considering, then stiffed us when he decided not to go forward with it. I left that frim while this was going on, so I don't know whether it was ever resolved.

Nov 24, 20 1:39 pm  · 
3  · 
atelier nobody

Another interesting "LA kid" story was that for a couple years I lived right in the part of Downtown LA that gets used as a filming location whenever they need a "generic downtown", but they were really careful about keeping people in their trailers between shots, because they really didn't want the hassle of crowd control when they were trying to work. In the whole time I lived there we probably averaged 2-3 film shoots a month on my block, but I only ever saw one celebrity (Harrison Ford) pulling into a parking lot.

Nov 24, 20 1:50 pm  · 
1  · 
Wood Guy

Amy Adams is great, as is Harrison Ford--I've always liked him, since seeing Star Wars at the drive in when it first came out.

Nov 24, 20 7:40 pm  · 
 · 
Wood Guy

I've done a few video shoots for Fine Homebuilding and their videographer used to work in Hollywood. After a few beers he had some good stories--said Alan Alda was just a lovely person, and Harrison Ford was cool. And Hugh Jackman was very generous with the support staff. 

Nov 24, 20 7:42 pm  · 
 · 
apscoradiales

Do the following count; Colin Chapman, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Jacky Ickx, Mark Donohue, Roger Penske, Gordon Murray, Cosworth engineers.....?

Spent two days with the Lotus crew in the pits during an F1 race. Mr. Chapman was a real gentleman, "OK lads, you can stay with us, just don't get in the way of mechanics". Nowdays, you're lucky if you can get within 5 miles of any race team in F1.

Cossie engineers told me to never put heat wrap on exhaust manifolds (headers in American-speak) because of heat transfer - heat will break the bolts used to connect the manifold to the head. Wise...

I know, not much to do with "architecture", but all part-and-parcel of living. Any car nutters here?

Nov 24, 20 1:44 pm  · 
4  · 
archanonymous

Colin Chapman and Lauda hell yeah. And Penske I suppose. The rest probably only qualify as celebrities within the motorsport world. Would be like asking your random neighbor what they thought of David Adjaye.

Nov 24, 20 1:52 pm  · 
 · 
apscoradiales

How can I forget!

Met Emmylou Harris once.

Nov 24, 20 1:57 pm  · 
4  · 
atelier nobody

I dated a woman who worked at one of the major Country music clubs in our area, and she'd always ask me who I wanted her to comp me in for (and probably meet) - my answer was always Emmylou, but we had broken up before she came around...sigh.

Nov 24, 20 5:37 pm  · 
 · 
SneakyPete

Architecture famous people?

Hm. I met Peter Bohlin once. Nice guy.

Other famous types?

Brian Greene was cool.

Nov 24, 20 2:19 pm  · 
1  · 
∑ π ∓ √ ∞

Mostly musicians. Biggest one was Prince. At First Ave, Second Street Entry, was held up by his security team, so he could enter through the Entry.


Nov 24, 20 2:28 pm  · 
5  · 
archanonymous

its funny how going to a show to see Prince wouldn't register as a worthy story for this thread but seeing him outside of that narrow and expected setting instantly makes it interesting.

Nov 24, 20 5:29 pm  · 
2  · 
Bench

Accidentally walked into the Trailer Park Boys season-wrap party while out bar-hopping with some buddies after we had just passed our final undergrad classes/reviews. I was quickly shoo'ed out of that section of the bar by security, but we managed to get a table nearby with a few pitchers of beers and got chatting with some of the cast members as they were about to dip outside for a, uh, 'cigarette'. Funny guys but oh hell do they party. Got a photo with Ricky and he was leaning on us real hard to stand up for it.

Good times!

Architecture specific, the nature of our business means we have some pretty famous people coming and going fairly frequently. I presented to a billionaire in my first few months, that was pretty cool.

Nov 24, 20 2:45 pm  · 
6  · 
Wood Guy

I love those guys. I wondered if they partied in real life the way they do on screen, and had a feeling they did...

Nov 24, 20 7:48 pm  · 
 · 
Bench

Do they ever!

Nov 25, 20 8:06 am  · 
1  · 
Wilma Buttfit

I saw Will from Will and Grace on a hiking trail outside of LA. At least I think it was him, didn't talk to him.

Nov 24, 20 2:53 pm  · 
2  · 
archanonymous

I realized I have quite a few music stories too, but none that would actually qualify as celebrities to the general public.

Saw Agent Orange in concert like 12 years ago (when they were already really old) at a tiny club and after their set the guys just got beers at a table and sat there talking to people. They were so friendly. 

Harassed Ian McKaye outside a venue when he was touring with the Evens... I don't even remember what was said, but my friend and I were smashed and thought it would be funny to fuck with the straight edger. 

My LA story... was doing an internship in DTLA and walking down the street late one night I hear some raucous music coming from an alley... walk back, through some hallways, into a small warehouse and NOFX are playing a show for like 100-150 people. I ended up at the keg at the same time as the chubby guy... it was pretty anticlimactic. 

Nov 24, 20 3:39 pm  · 
1  · 
SneakyPete

Oh, just remembered. We met some crew from CSI at the airport a while back and talked a bit. I was happy to hear that William Petersen is a stand up guy who everyone liked.

Nov 24, 20 4:44 pm  · 
3  · 
citizen

I love hearing that people are nice.

Nov 24, 20 5:02 pm  · 
4  · 
∑ π ∓ √ ∞

Donna can tell the story of when we tried to catch Rem and return his glasses, it was cra. We also met Phil Freelon.

Nov 24, 20 4:45 pm  · 
3  · 
liberty bell

Rem was on a hoverboard. No catching up with him!

Nov 24, 20 6:28 pm  · 
4  · 
natematt

I met Phil. Seemed like a real nice guy. RIP. \

Apr 23, 21 11:02 am  · 
1  · 
citizen

I waited tables in a couple of swanky LA joints right out of architecture school in the '80s, and delivered expensive plates of nouvelle cuisine to rich folks.  (Then carried away the scraps, of course.  Also, I can still swap out a clean ashtray for a filthy one right under your nose while chatting you up, and you'll never know how it happened.  Durable skills!)

Favorites because they seemed genuinely nice: Dolly Parton, Henry Winkler, Linda Gray (Sue Ellen on Dallas), Barbara Eden.  My bestie at work was this amazing woman married to pre-SNL Phil Hartman, while he and Paul Reubens were writing PeeWee's Big Adventure.  Another waitress was dating Steve Martin.

Also: Mrs. Howell from Gilligan's Island, Madonna & Sean Penn (long time ago, kids), Elizabeth Taylor, Roger Moore, Larry Hagman, Philip Johnson.  I waited on David Hockney a handful of times and always wished I'd had the guts to ask him to forget the tip and sketch me something instead.  Ted Kennedy asked me for a vodka & tonic as soon as he walked in the door, before heading into a fundraiser.  Went to a couple of parties back then and met David Geffen, when he was still just a humble multi-millionaire.  Favorite restaurant story is turning a corner and almost bumping into Robert Wagner.  "Dad, what are you doing here?" I asked.  Their resemblance was uncanny, at least back then.

Holy crap, I'm old and full of tales!  I had no idea 'til I started writing and remembering.  

Nov 24, 20 4:53 pm  · 
6  · 
liberty bell

Aw, Phil Hartman. So much respect for him. What a tragic story.

Nov 24, 20 6:29 pm  · 
2  · 
Wood Guy

That's quite a list! Keep 'em coming. LOL about RW. 

Service work builds character. One of my work/study jobs in college was being a janitor. Cleaning toilets in the student center while your classmates come and go is one way to stay humble!

Nov 24, 20 7:45 pm  · 
1  · 
atelier nobody

Another funny one: I'm driving up behind a care and notice that it's a pretty recent model Jaguar - very nice car - but absolutely covered in road grime, like it hadn't been through a car wash since the day it came off the lot. Pull up beside it at the next light and look over to see Steve Jobs, and realize I am not even a little surprised that he would drive a very expensive car but be too absent-minded to ever get it cleaned.

Nov 24, 20 5:42 pm  · 
5  · 
Wood Guy

That does seem to fit! Though I could also see him being a neat freak.

Nov 24, 20 7:43 pm  · 
 · 
SneakyPete

I heard rumor he bought new cars all the time to avoid needing a license plate.

Nov 25, 20 12:08 am  · 
1  · 
x-jla

wouldn’t say “met” but I saw Courtney loves vagina from like 5 feet away when I was like 15.  Does that count?



Nov 24, 20 7:49 pm  · 
1  · 
Wood Guy

Oh yeah. I still play Live Through This on 11 a few times a year. Curious about the rest of the "Hole" story...

Nov 24, 20 8:12 pm  · 
3  · 
citizen

Capitalization and punctuation count, jla. What you wrote makes it sound like you watched a girl porno too close to the screen. Add a capital letter and apostrophe, then it's like you did some weird, fanboy ob-gyn internship in high school. Which is it?

Nov 26, 20 1:35 am  · 
 · 
x-jla

Was in front of crowd against the stage at a concert and she flashed the crowd. I wasn’t there to see Hole. Never liked
them.

Nov 26, 20 2:26 pm  · 
1  · 
tduds

"I wasn’t there to see Hole." and yet!

Apr 23, 21 12:33 pm  · 
1  · 
∑ π ∓ √ ∞

Oh crap, i forgot a couple. I kept Chocolate Thunder from going in the ladies room, and threw up on Norman Fells table at the local TGiF in NJ.

Nov 24, 20 8:44 pm  · 
6  · 
citizen

Your ralphed on Mr. Roper? Tell us more!

Nov 24, 20 11:57 pm  · 
3  · 
Wood Guy

I thought I recognized that name. I definitely want to hear more about that. I think.

Nov 25, 20 3:32 pm  · 
1  · 
atelier nobody

Another few funny stories - my own 15 minutes or so of fame (that's 15 minutes ± total, not each).

  1. A classmate's mom was in the advertising department of a now long defunkt department store chain. She usually used her own kid in commercials, but he chewed his nails, and for this commercial they needed purdy hands. So, if you watched TV during the Christmas season of '75 or '76, you might have seen a close-up of my hands writing a letter to Santa in a May Company commercial.
  2. As a teen, I worked in the education department of our local Planned Parenthood, the idea being that sex ed might work better coming from other teens than from grow'd-ups. Our local PBS station did a big special on teenage sex, and I was one of the panelists.
  3. ESPN was out covering a weird geeky sport I participate in. I was feeling "a little under the weather" (ie hungover) and didn't notice they were interviewing a buddy of mine who was seated on a bench, so right behind him you can see me from about knees to shoulders, hand in my pants, adjusting my male protective gear.

Anyone else have any goofy or embarrassing stories broadcast to the world?

Nov 25, 20 1:36 pm  · 
3  · 

Not really goofy nor embarrassing, but I was seen in a local TV news spot highlighting the accomplishments of my grandfather in connecting with the "troubled youth." Basically some friends getting interviewed about his helping us learn life lessons in civic engagement (I'm seen in the background of the B-roll, but no direct interview footage of me made it in the final piece).

Nov 25, 20 2:12 pm  · 
4  · 
Wood Guy

Not really celebrity but maybe an interesting story: post-college long-distance girlfriend. I lived in Boston, she was in San Francisco. I visited her at her office, pretty far up a skyscraper, where she was basically an executive assistant. The company was involved in the gas business. She had recently been promoted to set up satellite offices all over the southwest, fully functional offices, but repeatedly said it was weird that they didn't really staff them. I forget the details but it's like they were planning for massive, rapid expansion. She was getting spooked, couldn't talk about details. She left the company shortly before they got taken down--Enron. 

Nov 25, 20 3:41 pm  · 
 · 
Almosthip

Do Canadian Celebrities even count?  

My aunt was married to Oopsy Daisy The Clown (Bob Mcnea).  He never once dressed up for my birthday as a kid :/

Nov 25, 20 4:09 pm  · 
1  · 
Non Sequitur

Only hockey players count up here.

Nov 25, 20 4:33 pm  · 
2  · 
Almosthip

He was Bozo the clown on Detroit TV for the 'mericans

Nov 25, 20 4:44 pm  · 
 · 
citizen

Dan Aykroyd, Catherine O'Hara, Donald Sutherland, Neil Young, Martin Short, kd lang, Norm Macdonald... nah, no talent up there.

Nov 26, 20 1:24 am  · 
4  · 
Almosthip

ryan reynolds

Nov 26, 20 4:40 pm  · 
 · 
bowling_ball

Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Russell Peters, John Candy, Leslie Nielsen, Phil Hartman (yep), Tom Green, all of the Kids in the Hall, Samantha Bee, Will Arnett... and that's just a list of Canadian comics. There's so many more.

Dec 5, 20 2:32 am  · 
 · 
JLC-1

Orlando Bloom was standing behind me while I was sitting at a bar, he took the seat when I left, I've done work in houses that had belonged to Chevy Chase and Neil Diamond, Crossed the street with Kurt Russell; Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith walked by when we were sitting on a park bench. Aspen gets boring.

Nov 26, 20 3:44 pm  · 
1  · 
snooker-doodle-dandy

I  have to say I have bumped into a few people over the years. I was in a hotel room with a group of people with  George McGovern  the night he lost the election to Richard Nixon. I was had just turned 19 and was installing overhead garage doors at the time.

Ran into Mia Farrow at a Book Fair, where I bought a Luggage label of the  Imperial Hotel  in Tokyo  designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

I used to house sit for the Author William Styron's daughter. Never met him though. Daughter and Husband were good people.

I worked on a house belonging to the Actor Richard Whitmark. He stopped by one day to check out what we were doing.

I worked on a couple of projects for Cheryl Leech and her husband. You may know her as the Lady who gave us Barney the Purple Dinosaur. They  were great clients.

I did a country home  for Joan Rivers and she was on the job once a week during construction. She always let it be know she was paying for the project one joke at a time.  She was also a good client, even invited my wife and myself to lunch in the City.  She invited my wife and her mother to one of her shows in a night club in the City. Now that lady lived in style.

Most recent well know person I sat next to at lunch was  Sam Waterson. He lived down the road from a project I did and was invited to a sit down lunch with the people involved in the project and surrounding neighbor. Mrs. was over the moon about him.

Nov 26, 20 6:21 pm  · 
4  · 
Wood Guy

Sam Waterson seems like a very decent person. Or at least he's very good at playing that role! Being in the same room as McGovern when he lost must have been interesting. Or awkward.

Nov 27, 20 11:19 am  · 
1  · 
bowling_ball

Those are really great stories, citizen! Thanks for sharing


Nov 27, 20 8:00 pm  · 
 · 
Wood Guy

My brother is a carpenter and redid the interior of a yacht a few years ago, for new owners who bought it from Billy Joel. He kept the large mirror that was attached to the ceiling over the bed. 

Nov 27, 20 11:16 am  · 
2  · 
citizen

ewwwwww

Nov 27, 20 5:43 pm  · 
 · 
citizen

Can't believe I forgot: one of our friends and fellow waiters was Steve Tracy, who'd acted in the last couple of seasons of Little House on the Prairie.  A sweeter, funnier guy never existed.  I went with him once to visit his friend Katherine who played the shrewish Mrs. Oleson on the show.  I was surprised by how nice she was; later met Melissa Gilbert (meh) and the actress who played the bratty Nellie (also funny and nice).  

Nov 28, 20 7:27 pm  · 
1  · 
shellarchitect

A couple very minor encounters...

  1. Chris Webber toured my very first project, didn't seem very impressed.
  2. Bought our house from the brother of Brian Ritchie, of the Violent Femmes.  They stopped by a couple years ago to see the house again, seemed like nice people.  I guess one of their kids was in a music competition nearby.
  3. Ran into Jerome Bettis in the lobby of the Guardian Building, seemed pretty nice, built like a refrigerator!
  4. Best friends grandpa was U of M's hockey coach in the 60s, used to tailgate at his house before games.  Awesome guy, probably could have been a stand-up comedian.  Also gave us tons of free tickets.
Nov 30, 20 10:52 am  · 
1  · 
atelier nobody

Oooh, ooh, I totally forgot my absolute best brush with celebrity. One year, my mom won the California English Teacher of the Year, and part of the prize were tickets to the premier of Zeffirelli's Hamlet. At the intermission, I got the middle urinal between Patrick Swayze and Robert Downey, Jr.

Nov 30, 20 12:53 pm  · 
3  · 
citizen

In that story, your mom is the most significant person mentioned ;o]

Nov 30, 20 12:56 pm  · 
3  · 
tduds

I waited tables / bartended in DC for a while during the recession, and our bar attracted its fair share of VIPs - a mix of Hollywood type celebs and DC type big names. I think he most famous person I served personally was Jessica Alba. Total class act, really polite and tipped quite well. I also had a few interactions with Kal Penn (AKA "Kumar" of Harold & Kumar fame) while he was working in Obama's admin. I taught him a lot about craft beer and he was always a humble & gracious guest. Best celeb I've met.

I've also got a bunch of acquaintances and friends-of-friends who are big deals in the tech scene. Between undergrad at MIT and couch-surfing around the Bay Area in the early 2010s, I accumulated a bunch of "before-they-were-famous" connections, but those are boring.

Nov 30, 20 1:55 pm  · 
1  · 
tduds

Not a celebrity, but my wife (a "former" actor) once received a glowing New York Times review. Once.

Nov 30, 20 1:56 pm  · 
4  · 
tduds

She was just on The Mandalorian and I remembered - I also waited on Rosario Dawson at this bar. She was nice, but I don't think anyone's ever told her about last call, and our manager specifically told us not to rush her. We had all but vacuumed the floors before her table (the only one left in the restaurant by a good 45 mintues) went on their way.

Dec 4, 20 6:11 pm  · 
2  · 
sameolddoctor

Living in LA, got to see a few celebrities, here are the noteworthy ones...

1. Brad Pitt & Koolhaas - this was back in the day, at Rem Koolhaas' lecture. After the lecture I went near the stage to get my copy of S,M,L,XL autographed (corny, yeah), and suddenly found myself face to face with Brad Pitt in the front row. More people had gathered for his autograph...but yeah cool story. Sorry liberty bell hope you were here...

2. Drew Barrymore - saw her at a Rite Aid in Hollywood, in completely trashy clothes, buying board games .. weird

3. Marilyn Manson - saw him briefly getting into his limo after a movie premiere

4. Anne Hathaway - wife's office was being used for filming with her in it..

5. Slash's Mom - Slash (of GNR) - his mom was at my dining table once as he was my wife's client... guess my wife is the actual celebrity...

Dec 4, 20 5:57 pm  · 
3  · 
Non Sequitur

You should have had Brad sign your SMLXL.

Dec 5, 20 9:09 am  · 
 · 
sameolddoctor
Oh in terms of interesting self-exposures - a couple of friends and I visited Lebowskifest few years ago (in full costume and I was the dude). We were super surprised to see our photos in the Guardian newspaper website the next morning. Apparently the person asking us questions was a reporter, we were just too drunk to notice it!
Dec 5, 20 11:29 am  · 
2  · 
Wood Guy

The recent news of Bernie Madoff's death reminded me that I've had two close relatives of 1980s insider trader Ivan Boesky as clients. Neither were particularly good clients. I know that's pushing the definition of fame... 

Apr 23, 21 10:46 am  · 
1  · 
thedoctorisin

I've had a few brief celebrity encounters. In college, I used to work the film screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It was always rampant with notable actors and familiar faces like Sharon Stone, Josh Brolin, and Chloe Grace Moretz. I once arranged a goodie basket with popcorn, candy and gifts for David and Victoria Beckham.

James Franco was a frequent guest as well. I would also arrange (and deliver) goodie baskets to him and his friends. He was always very nice and even shook my hand once.

I ran into Michael Urie on an airplane to New York. He was in one of my favorite shows, Ugly Betty. He seemed lost and gave me a puzzled look when I walked past him.

Lastly, I went to a half-empty film screening of "Teen Spirit" which was produced by Jamie Bell from King Kong and Billy Elliot. He gave a Q&A afterwards, and stayed later to take photos. He was so nice and conversational; he even thanked my brother and I for attending.

May 3, 21 2:41 pm  · 
1  · 
jaredo

ran into and had a nice convo with frank ocean 2 years ago, nyc

May 3, 21 11:24 pm  · 
2  · 
thedoctorisin

That's dope

May 4, 21 3:51 pm  · 
 · 

I met Kurt Vonnegut a few times, he encouraged me to write.

There is a well-respected actor who frequents my coffee house, always a pleasure to speak with him. He was on 'Ozark'.

My old man did a house for Alan Alda and his wife, they were absolutely insufferable and stiffed him on the fee. He also did a house for Bjorn Borg. My father was interviewed by DeNiro, didn't get the job, and described DeNiro as a cipher; he said it was like there was nobody there.

Marvin Isley of the Isley Brothers bought a Jaffe house in Westbury and asked my father to renovate. After tearing off the front to build out Isley decided to expand to one side. After that was opened up he wanted to expand to the other side, then to the rear. With all four sides of the house open for construction Isley was shut down by the IRS for tax evasion. The old man got a summary judgement but never saw a dime. We joked that one day the Sherrif would confiscate Marvin's wardrobe as payment.

My family once had lunch with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. Alec has a really short attention span, Kim is all southern charm.

Some celebs try to go incognito. Richard Gere wears a truckers cap and sunglasses. What's funny is seeing someone that you recogonize but can't place. I saw Jodie Foster in a local shop but couldn't remember how I knew her. I was racking my brain - how do I know this person - and was embarrassed when I realized who it was. Disconnected media familiarity is a weird experience.

Here in Paradise you can't walk down the street without tripping over Somebody, or worse - somebody who thinks that they are Somebody.

May 4, 21 9:38 am  · 
7  · 
Bench

Miles - can I ask the coffeeshop, assuming its in BH? I cycle across Long Island somewhat frequently, always curious where the good pit stops are located.

May 4, 21 1:18 pm  · 
 · 

Java Nation on Maple Lane. Down and dirty but fresh roast daily.

May 4, 21 1:37 pm  · 
 · 
Bench

Much appreciated!
Looks like they have decent taste in coffeeshop art as well...

May 4, 21 1:43 pm  · 
1  · 
SneakyPete

I remember next to nothing when I visited BH a number of years back. Worked on a house in Sag for a client with godlike amounts of money.

May 4, 21 3:00 pm  · 
 · 
Wood Guy

I'm surprised about Alan Alda. He seems very nice on screen, of course, but I've been "the talent" on a couple of video shoots with a former Hollywood camera guy and he liked to tell stories about the celebrities he met, and he gushed about Alda. Maybe a work vs. home thing? Good stories, anyway.

When I lived on Nantucket I was always trying to figure out if I knew someone or if they were famous. A friend and I were sitting on the patio at a coffee shop when he whispered, "Queen Amidala!" It was 20 years ago and Natalie Portman had just starred in one of the Star Wars sequels, and sat with her entourage at the table next to ours.

May 4, 21 4:11 pm  · 
1  · 
zonker

met Craig Dykers when a firm I was working for a firm in a team with Snohetta on a airport project for SFO

May 4, 21 1:43 pm  · 
1  · 
tduds

Craig & I shared a strange and funny moment over hors d'oeuvres' after a lecture he gave. I complimented him on the lecture and he immediately changed the subject to which finger foods would be easiest to shape into actual fingers. Weird dude, but in a good way.

May 4, 21 2:11 pm  · 
1  · 
tduds

If this thread extends to architectural celebrities I've got a few good ones. Mostly being an 19 year old know-it-all treating important people like nobodies because I didn't know who they were. They don't like that much.

May 4, 21 2:12 pm  · 
2  · 
SneakyPete

I drove Stefan Behnisch to the airport once. He was nice.

May 4, 21 2:37 pm  · 
1  · 

Isn’t this thread supposed to be about celebrities?

May 4, 21 3:45 pm  · 
5  · 
SneakyPete

lol

May 4, 21 3:49 pm  · 
1  · 
tduds

Is Neri Oxman a celebrity, or was it just my entire studio who had a giant crush on her?

May 4, 21 3:52 pm  · 
1  · 
SneakyPete

"The Oxford English Dictionary defines celebrity as..."

May 4, 21 3:54 pm  · 
1  · 
Wood Guy

I think I set a new low with Boesky's ex DIL and niece...

May 4, 21 4:04 pm  · 
 · 
thedoctorisin

A successful architect is not a celebrity. Unless you're like Frank Gehry or Renzo Piano.

May 4, 21 4:16 pm  · 
 · 
randomised

The celebrity, that’s Behnisch Sr.!

May 4, 21 5:18 pm  · 
 · 
zonker

Saw Steven Holl at a book signing(Horizontal Skayscraper) at William Stout architecture book store in San Francisco - Steven Holl actually worked there in the 70's

May 4, 21 2:49 pm  · 
1  · 
SneakyPete

That bookstore is great.

May 4, 21 2:57 pm  · 
1  · 
tduds

About 10 years ago I lived on the same street as John Malkovich. Never saw him though, I hear he's a bit of a notorious recluse. 

But man, what a fun place to be. Seven-figure mansions older than the united states, and for some unknown reason my shoddy brick walk up apartment.

May 4, 21 3:51 pm  · 
4  · 
Wood Guy

I always wondered how accurately he portrayed himself in, "Being John Malkovitch." I guessed it was only slightly exaggerated--sounds like that's the case?

May 6, 21 12:32 pm  · 
 · 
lisanvenice

I will start by saying that I live in Venice CA, go to church in Holmby Hills and my kids have been in school in Brentwood, Santa Monica Canyon and the Pacific Palisades.  I run into celebrities regularly and for the most part they have been very nice.  Most of the time I have been with my kids and they have been unbelievably kind to my kids.

At the Century City Mall my then two year old ran up to a blond lady grabber her by the hand and said "COMMEAR" two year old speak for come here.  I looked at her and said "You don't have to" she smiled and said "It's fine". I realized it was Laura Dern.  My kid then spent the next ten minutes taking her on a tour of the pet store, proudly naming all of the animals.  She was appropriately interested, asking him questions and generally being a good sport.

In Santa Monica about ten years late with my younger son, we were visiting friends in a luxury building on Ocean Blvd (over looking beach).  Our toddlers were going to the beach with their buckets and shovels etc when Britany Spears and her entourage walked into the building.  Ms Spears stopped, sat on the floor to talk to the kids and was so sweet.

Don Cheedle was a dedicated parent volunteer, doing everything from hosting fundraising concerts to scut work like cleaning bathrooms and painting classrooms

Ray Liotta showed up everyday to do one on one acting coaching to all of the kids in school productions including my kid at the public high school in the Palisades

Lang Lang ( classical Pianist) when he was on Jay Leno had a bunch of kids playing piano with him.  My son was one of the kids, before the performance he worked one and one and then as a group with the kids and gave us parents tips on lessons etc

Several celebs have attended our church, all but one were helpful, accessible and rolled up their sleeves and helped regularly.

I've only had a couple of encounters with rude people.  While working at a place that built and sold custom furniture Paula Abdul and Emilio Estevez came in (back when they were an item).  He was very nice while she was just down right nasty, not only to us but to him as well.

On a plane from NYC to Boston in the 1980's I sat next to Mandy Potemkin.  I recognized him but didn't know from where and assumed he was an adult my parents had introduced me to at some event or something.  I asked if we had met and apologized that I did not remember the occasion.  He just said "You don't know me!" and read his book.  This was before the Princess bride back when he was on Broad way.  This is in DIRECT contrast to Burgess Meridith who I had a similar encounter with at a bar on the upper west side.  I was sitting next to himwaiting for a friend and recognized him but couldn't figure out from where.  Again I figured he was some political muckity muck that my parents had introduced me to,  He just laughed and said "no dear, I'm Burgess Meridith, nice to meet you."

Oh!  in NYC, my best friend and I were out pub crawling in Soho and decided to do cart wheels on the curb and I slammed into Cindy Lauper.  I apologized profusely and she just laughed and said "Sometimes you just have to do cartwheels"

There's lots more


Sep 5, 22 9:04 am  · 
2  · 
Wood Guy

Those are some good stories! "Sometimes you just have to do cartwheels" sounds like it could have been a Cindy Lauper song.

Sep 5, 22 9:44 am  · 
1  · 
citizen

Paula Abdul almost ran me over in her white Mercedes convertible when I was on a site visit thirty years ago... a narrow winding street in the Hollywood Hills, she doing 45 in a 25. Sweet lady.

Sep 5, 22 4:11 pm  · 
 · 
lisanvenice

OH!  I forgot!  I met Philip Johnson when I was in high school.  I interned for Moshe Safdie in the late 1970's and he had a cocktail party that I attended.  

Sep 5, 22 9:06 am  · 
2  · 

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