Have you ever seen a famous person and had no idea who they were?

2014-11-25T20:46:55-05:00

Have you ever run into a celebrity not know who they were and had to have someone else tell you who they were or even worse asked them who they were?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2014 8:46 PM

2014-11-25T20:46:55-05:00

I about wrecked passing Jimmy Houston on my way to work the other day. Didn't recognize him until I was halfway past him. I then slammed on the breaks trying to rubber neck. Pretty much made a fool of myself. I sent him an apology on FB and he responded. Pretty cool.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 25 at 2014 9:37 PM

2014-11-25T21:37:27-05:00

I have the opposite problem. RI being as small as it is I often run into local news personalities and such, but feel embarrassed about approaching them.

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Nov 25 at 2014 11:19 PM

2014-11-25T23:19:46-05:00

I am not a football fan, I grew up playing hockey and always being involved with hockey year round. So on more than one occasion I have had to ask my wife who so & so was/is. Examples would be:

1. We are in Five Guys burger joint it happens to be pretty empty when an old guy walks in and two teenage boys run up to him and take pictures with him. I look at my wife and ask "Who is that old dude?" Wife tells me it is Mike Shanahan. Now I have to ask her "Who is Mike Shanahan?"

2. Years ago I'm in an airport at the luggage carousel standing near a guy with a big ring and a few guys come up and shake his hand. After he was standing alone again I walked up to him and said "I know you're someone famous but I don't know who. Will you tell me?" this stranger looks at me for a few seconds and tells me "I'm Bobby Knight." When I got home I asked my wife who that was.

3. The most embarrassing one yet was last night. I took my wife at to a nice restaurant for a last hoorah since she was having her gallbladder removed the next day. When we were leaving the restaurant I held the door for this guy who was very appreciative and I just said no problem. As my wife walks past this guy she spins around and says that's Joe Theismann. She went back in and came out with a selfie with Theismann.

What the hell is wrong with me I wasn't even excited. This also happened to me after eating breakfast next to James Thrash and sitting next to Fred Davis at Best Buy.

How about you ladies and gentlmen?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 25 at 2014 11:47 PM

2014-11-25T23:47:36-05:00

The closest I came was going on a whitewater rafting trip in Oregon. Afterwards I went to see if I won a free picture of the jetboat that they advertised. On the board listed the winners. Joe Schmo...Mark Merino...& Harvey Korman. I was in line and said "Wow, Someone has the same name as Harvey Krman, I LOVED him in Blazing Saddles and the Carrol Burnett Show!". He was right behind me. He even signed my jetboat picture. RIP Harvey. You were a comedy genius!

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Nov 25 at 2014 11:48 PM

2014-11-25T23:48:01-05:00

Living so close to DC and flying out of Reagan for years you would run into politicians a lot. One time while running very fast through the airport, because I was late, I come around this corner tight and hit this guy knocking him down papers flying all over the place. I felt bad and I reached down to grab his hand and it was Dick Gephardt but all I could think of at the time was Dick which is what blurted out of my mouth very loud. His people were very upset with me and I really was trying to be nice. Also got to pee next to Howard Metzenbaum in a restaurant.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Nov 26 at 2014 1:16 AM

2014-11-26T01:16:46-05:00

I was working a Fla. state pistol match as an RO. This skinny raggedy looking guy came to the line wearing a sponsorship shirt. Everyone was asking who the hell is this guy, he looks like he just walked in off the street. He was Ken Tapp one of the top USPSC shooters at the time and proved it on that stage. He is 60+ and still kicking ass.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Nov 26 at 2014 1:43 AM

2014-11-26T01:43:28-05:00

I've had crazy luck meeting and actually getting to spend some time with people of renown, but I have usually known them. I stood behind Col. Rex Applegate at a shop in the Sands in Vegas at the SOF 3 gun match. I was the only one in my group to recognize him (Applegate-Fairbairn combat knife). Also met Jerry Miculek and some Muj (future Taliban) there. As well as SEAL and SF shooting teams.

I had breakfast with Gen. Westmoreland, dinner with MG Tom Wilkerson and Gen. Spider Nyland. Drank with MOH Barney Barnum. Had Martha Raye visit me in Charlie Med. Capts. mess on the Iwo Jima.

Interviewed Canned Heat, Blue Oyster Cult, Iggy Pop, Jim McGuine of the Byrds, Rita Coolidge, REO Speed wagon and a dozen other rockers.

Talked race cars with Paul Neuman, Doc Bundy and Randy Pobst. There have probably been a few others. If you live fast and long enough I guess you manage to meet a few people.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 1:46 AM

2014-11-26T01:46:00-05:00

I'm not a sports fan, so I probably wouldn't recognize the vast majority of pro athletes. Maybe the big ones like Michael Jordan.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 1:52 AM

2014-11-26T01:52:23-05:00

I was in the airport last week and met some guy named Tally Hall. He mentioned that he plays soccer so I snapped a pic for my brother. He's apparently pretty well known.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 1:58 AM

2014-11-26T01:58:38-05:00

One time in Tampa, I am riding in the car with my parents and I came on the radio doing the weather with a Conservative Talk Radio Station. I even done weather for W-G-O-D Radio in the Virgin Islands. And yes it was a Christian Radio station.. haha

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Nov 26 at 2014 2:21 AM

2014-11-26T02:21:48-05:00

I went to high school and graduated with a famous (kinda anyway) Person. His name is Verne Troyer, most of you will know him as 'Mini Me' from Austin Powers.

I was in Detroit Airport late at night, saw some dude that I knew I should of been able to put a name to and couldn't. I asked who he was and he told me he was Usher, my response certainly wouldn't get me any pictures with him. I said, "Wow, your kinda little huh?". He laughed it off and took off. Oops.

I used to party with Kid Rock back when he was still trying to be a rapper. Uncle Kracker has (or at least used to) a house on the lake my Mom lives. I have met him a couple of times.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Nov 26 at 2014 7:12 AM

2014-11-26T07:12:28-05:00

He wasn't a celebrity, but I did meet an NC state representative in 2012, and I didn't know who he was. He said, "Do you know how far I have to go to find someone that doesn't know me?"

I said, "Right here!"

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 26 at 2014 10:17 AM

2014-11-26T10:17:32-05:00

I live in the Nashville, TN area, and many notables live here, especially country music personalities. You don't see them everyday, but they are just as likely to be in a restuarant or store as you. Frankly, they "dress down" many times just so they blend in and you may not even realize who just walked by. The local custom here though is to smile, nod hello and keep moving. The only people that stop and ask the rich and famous for autographs here are tourists!

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 26 at 2014 10:59 AM

2014-11-26T10:59:29-05:00

I would think that I have on numerous occasions. I'm bad with names and faces. I also have no interest in social gossip or with celebrities.

Response by Sgt Dean LaVigne made Nov 26 at 2014 11:44 AM

2014-11-26T11:44:15-05:00

Tom Berringer, Charlie Sheen, Tom Hanks, and Paula Abdul. All back in the late 80's, early 90's. No clue, friends had to tell me. Paula Abdul couldn't believe I didn't recognize her and insisted I dance with her. I dance very badly, and she's amazing. Berringer and Hanks seemed like VERY nice guys. Sheen was a douche.

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Nov 26 at 2014 11:50 AM

2014-11-26T11:50:45-05:00

OK 1st one is me (I know I'm fat and old) my wife and Mike Thornton SEAL MOH and the 2nd one is me & Randy Couture one of the greatest MMA fighters ever and an actor in all 3 Expendables.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Nov 26 at 2014 6:49 PM

2014-11-26T18:49:10-05:00

This is so embarrassing. People run into me all the time and they give me that look like they want to say something, and I'm like yes, its me. Some people, ya know?

Response by CPL Rick Stasny made Nov 28 at 2014 10:02 PM

2014-11-28T22:02:53-05:00

While stationed in Tampa, my neighbors across the street were Dwight Gooden's parents. I spotted his Ferrari in the driveway and I took a couple baseballs over to get signed. I knocked and a guy answered the door, and I asked if Dwight was there and he said no that he had his car. He introduced himself as Gary Sheffield, and offered to sign the balls for me. I said no I would wait to get Dwight's signature and left thinking that name sounded familiar. My boss set me straight. I bet Gary Sheffield thought, who is this guy turning down an autograph. Only me......

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 12:49 PM

2015-03-18T12:49:34-04:00

I was a cop working a shift at an air port when this older man walked up to me and said thank you, shook my hand and walked away. No one had done that to me since I ETSed so I asked another officer who was that guy. Turns out it was John walsh. Lives locally and flies frequently out of our airport.
Another time my wife invited me to a volunteer dinner at a charity event, I spent most of the night chatting and playing cards with three guys people would wander up with foot balls, baseballs and drumsticks. Near the end of the night they say I was a cool dude for not hassling them with questions about their careers, super bowls, world series, etc. Do I have anything for them to autograph?
I say I have no idea who you guys are. I thought you were volunteers.
Turns out, this was Meet and Greet night where the volunteers get to hang out with the celebrities. I spent the night with Jerry rice, Tim Wakefield and pat bautz (the drummer from the dog night).
Last story, I was in a bar in San Antonio with a few other soldiers hanging out when one of our group starts talking to this lady with a shaved head on the stool next to him. They talk for a bit, she gets up signs his napkin and leaves. Joan Jett.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 31 at 2015 2:08 PM

2015-03-31T14:08:50-04:00

Kenny Chesney at Blue Heaven in Key West. I didn't even know what a Kenney Chesney was until my wife told me and played a few songs.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Oct 2 at 2018 11:18 AM

2018-10-02T11:18:51-04:00

Maybe its because so many of us move around that we bump up against all sorts of people... Once in a Ralph's, near El Toro, we'd stopped in to get some lunch stuff for the next day, when we notice this guy in line ahead of us with a case of Dr Pepper, is wearing sunglasses... at just before midnight. He glances our way, gives a toothy smile, I smile politely back at him but the Husband finally turns and asks him, "I keep thinking we should know you..." Stranger pulls sunglasses down, "You might... I was just in a movie called Footloose." We both nod politely and that was that, but "Sunglasses paid for our stuff with his own, giving a shrug, "Hey, I'm just happy to be recognized..." Hello, Tom Cruz.
The second time, I was a total ditz. Walking down a street in Laguna Beach, I sidestep a Ferrari, turn and see Thom Sellick trying to sidestep me with a Pizza in his hands. I turn into an idiot, making all the appropriate sounds like Uhhhh, and Duuuhhhh... then the husband snorts with laughter, "She likes your show." Sellick grinned, juggled the pizza shook hands with the husband smiled at me and that was that. Thirty years later, the husband still laughs about my moments of brain death facing down Thom Sellick and a Pizza.