Most people dream of meeting at least one celebrity. Whether you’ve had a huge crush on Idris Elba since you were a teen or you’d love to pick Fiona Apple’s brain about her music, the idea of meeting these stars can be exhilarating and intimidating. Not only would you worry about what to say to them, but there’s also a risk that they will be an absolute jerk to you.
That’s why it’s often better to simply live vicariously through other people than to encounter celebrities yourself. And if you’re curious about how some of the biggest stars act, netizens have recently been sharing stories about the best and worst interactions they’ve ever had with famous people. Enjoy reading through these replies, and be sure to upvote the ones that don’t surprise you at all!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I met Keanu Reeves while wearing a Point Break t-shirt. He said "nice shirt."
Report
30points
#2
Mr. Rogers. I was working in a movie theater and in the ticket booth that day. He chatted with me a bit and asked me what I wanted to do. At the time, I thought I wanted to be a doctor. A week or so later, I get an envelope with an autographed picture and personal note from him wishing me luck in medical school. His TV persona was him. He was exactly as you'd imagine. Genuine.
Report
26points
#3
Brian Johnson of AC/DC used to come into a store I managed in Florida all the time. Genuinely one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He would spend hours in the store just chatting with any employees or customers who wanted to chat. Told us some really crazy stories too.
Steven King used to come in a lot too. He was more quiet and reserved, but very friendly and kind.
Steven King used to come in a lot too. He was more quiet and reserved, but very friendly and kind.
Report
18points
After reading through this list, you might be happy to say that you’ve never encountered a celebrity in real life. But if you are still hoping to spot one out in the wild, Discover Los Angeles has some advice for where you can do so. First, they recommend attending a ceremony where stars are guaranteed to be in attendance, such as a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony or a TCL Chinese Theatre handprint ceremony.
You can also often find celebrities at major sporting events, such as sitting courtside at a Lakers game or behind home plate at a Dodgers game. Or if you're not into sports, you’ll be able to see them from a distance if you attend a Jimmy Kimmel Live taping at El Capitan Hollywood. And if you can get anywhere near the red carpet during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre, you’ll be certain to spot some big names.
#4
Ian Mackaye was the most chill and awesome celeb I’ve ever met. I saw Fugazi in a small WI college town in high school. We all stayed after to meet Ian and not only did he sign our tickets but he talked to us for a while too. He was genuinely interested in us. Just a real, genuinely nice guy.
David Sedaris is a whole story. I waited in line after a reading to get my book signed. Me and my spouse waited in line for close to two hours and the line was barely moving because he talked to every single person for at least five minutes, some longer. My husband was getting very impatient. Think toddler temper tantrum-ish. Some venue employees went up to the older woman behind us who had a cane and was having trouble standing and started talking to her and pointing to Sedaris. He waved the employees back to him and talked to them motioning in our general direction. Then the employees came up to me and my husband and said that Mr Sedaris would like us to go to the front of the line. I was gobsmacked. When we got up there he said that my husband had obv been dragged there and that tall people have hard time standing and that’s why he called us to the front of the line. My husband was embarrassed and furious that he got called out on his tantrum. I thought it was hilarious. This was years ago and my husband still holds a grudge and refuses to read any of his books now.
David Sedaris is a whole story. I waited in line after a reading to get my book signed. Me and my spouse waited in line for close to two hours and the line was barely moving because he talked to every single person for at least five minutes, some longer. My husband was getting very impatient. Think toddler temper tantrum-ish. Some venue employees went up to the older woman behind us who had a cane and was having trouble standing and started talking to her and pointing to Sedaris. He waved the employees back to him and talked to them motioning in our general direction. Then the employees came up to me and my husband and said that Mr Sedaris would like us to go to the front of the line. I was gobsmacked. When we got up there he said that my husband had obv been dragged there and that tall people have hard time standing and that’s why he called us to the front of the line. My husband was embarrassed and furious that he got called out on his tantrum. I thought it was hilarious. This was years ago and my husband still holds a grudge and refuses to read any of his books now.
17points
#5
I met the Undertaker once in Toronto at a amusement park. He was with his family standing in line for a ride, my friend and I were behind him. I guess he knew we were quietly geeking out behind him, because he turned around and went full Undertaker and stared us down. He then smiled turned around and went back to his family.
15points
#6
Robin Williams. Was so nice.
George Strait. Also very nice.
Both of these weren't at big events or anything. Robin was at a ride, and George was at one of his ranches.
George Strait. Also very nice.
Both of these weren't at big events or anything. Robin was at a ride, and George was at one of his ranches.
15points
Now, if you do happen to encounter a celebrity, there is some etiquette that you’ll want to be aware of. The most important thing is that you’re respectful of them and their boundaries. Don’t go up and ask for a selfie or an autograph when they’re clearly trying to enjoy a nice dinner with their family.
Or if the star is working or on a red carpet, they definitely won’t have time to acknowledge your presence. It’s easy for people to forget all of their manners when they see someone they admire, but we have to remember that they’re people too. And we’re not entitled to their time or attention just because we’re huge fans. Even spotting a celebrity from afar can be a great story to tell. Plus, if you never interact with them directly, they can’t shatter the view that you have of them.
#7
I messed up Steven Colberts coffee order and he said not to worry about it and it would give him a chance to try something different. That was an incredibly kind gesture.
Report
15points
#8
I ran into Liv Tyler backstage at a concert, literally, we bumped into each other while walking around a corner. She was apologetic and pleasant. She was also strikingly beautiful in person.
14points
#9
Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers was so cool, funny, seemed like a guy you sit next to at a bar and have a good conversation.
13points
Are you enjoying these stories about celebrity encounters, pandas? Keep upvoting the ones that you find most interesting, and let us know in the comments below if you’ve ever encountered a star out in the wild. Then, if you’d like to check out another article from Bored Panda featuring similar stories, look no further than right here!
#10
I got to meet Daniel Radcliffe when I was doing grunt work at the Sundance Film Festival one year. Nicest, most genuine person you could ever hope to meet. I wish that man nothing but success and happiness in the future.
Report
13points
#11
I sat behind Green Day at a Broadway show once. They were in town for the opening of the stage version of American Idiot, and I thought it was cool that they were supporting the neighboring shows. People came up to them during intermission and they were very chill about it.
I was on Jeopardy a number of years ago and Alex Trebek was polite but standoffish. You know that part at the end where the contestants chat with the host when the credits are rolling? He was just complaining about being on his feet. To be fair, our taping day group (they tape 5 shows in a day) was not that exciting, lol.
I was on Jeopardy a number of years ago and Alex Trebek was polite but standoffish. You know that part at the end where the contestants chat with the host when the credits are rolling? He was just complaining about being on his feet. To be fair, our taping day group (they tape 5 shows in a day) was not that exciting, lol.
Report
11points
#13
This is a whole story, but I’ll condense it the best I can. When I was a teenager, I was very ill, so I got to do a Make-A-Wish. For whatever reason, I wanted to be a on a TV show, so they sent my family out to San Diego for a week. It was an incredible trip.
So, I was sitting on-set in the director’s chair they made for me (I even got to take it home!), and this older dude named Jim started talking to me. Really, really nice guy. We chatted for like ten minutes, then he had to go. *Immediately* after he walked away, my mother ran up and asked “Do you know who you were just talking to?!”
“Uh, yeah. That was Jim.”
Well, it turned out to be James Brolin. I had no idea who he was, but apparently my mother had a huge crush on him.
The next afternoon, my family and I were suddenly and without warning whisked back to my trailer and told that we had to stay there. We had no clue what was going on until one of the other actors sneaked in (he had candy!) and told us that Barbara Streisand was on the way. This apparently happened all the time. She’d be mad at Jim for something trivial, drive down to the set, and flip the hell out. And if she saw anybody walking around or made eye contact, things got exponentially worse.
Even all the way back in my trailer, I could hear her screaming about landscaping. I laughed my a*s off. Poor Jim.
So, I was sitting on-set in the director’s chair they made for me (I even got to take it home!), and this older dude named Jim started talking to me. Really, really nice guy. We chatted for like ten minutes, then he had to go. *Immediately* after he walked away, my mother ran up and asked “Do you know who you were just talking to?!”
“Uh, yeah. That was Jim.”
Well, it turned out to be James Brolin. I had no idea who he was, but apparently my mother had a huge crush on him.
The next afternoon, my family and I were suddenly and without warning whisked back to my trailer and told that we had to stay there. We had no clue what was going on until one of the other actors sneaked in (he had candy!) and told us that Barbara Streisand was on the way. This apparently happened all the time. She’d be mad at Jim for something trivial, drive down to the set, and flip the hell out. And if she saw anybody walking around or made eye contact, things got exponentially worse.
Even all the way back in my trailer, I could hear her screaming about landscaping. I laughed my a*s off. Poor Jim.
Report
11points
#14
I worked in radio for 16 years all across the US. I met a TON of them.
Sharon Osborne would bring us cookies when we did interviews with her and Ozzy. Mark McGrath was incredibly nice and would take time to chat with everyone. Weird Al not only was super nice, he remembered me across 3 different radio station over multiple years and still recalled personal details of our conversations. Celine Dion was possibly the nicest of them all, with maybe Betty White being her only competitor for the top spot.
Avril Lavigne was a complete jerk. Totally insufferable with weird demands, especially for a radio station. Seal was so self absorbed and really rude. Barry Bonds actually yelled at an intern because the coffee wasn't hot enough for him. Billy Corgan is the worst, though. The kind of guy who loves the smell of his own farts.
Sharon Osborne would bring us cookies when we did interviews with her and Ozzy. Mark McGrath was incredibly nice and would take time to chat with everyone. Weird Al not only was super nice, he remembered me across 3 different radio station over multiple years and still recalled personal details of our conversations. Celine Dion was possibly the nicest of them all, with maybe Betty White being her only competitor for the top spot.
Avril Lavigne was a complete jerk. Totally insufferable with weird demands, especially for a radio station. Seal was so self absorbed and really rude. Barry Bonds actually yelled at an intern because the coffee wasn't hot enough for him. Billy Corgan is the worst, though. The kind of guy who loves the smell of his own farts.
Report
10points
#15
Trent Reznor several times. I'm from the neighboring town of where he grew up and he used to come back and visit his grandparents and take them to the restaurant I cooked for every few months or so. He was pretty nice and signed my CDs.
Paul Rudd, Uma Thurman, and Steve Buscemi while I worked at this diner in upstate NY where they have houses. All great people, especially Rudd. He owns a candy store in the same town and would work the counter sometimes.
Nora Jones played an impromptu piano concert at this small bar I used to frequent, also in upstate NY, because she's friends with the owner. I got to talk with her for a while afterwards and she's incredibly nice.
Paul Rudd, Uma Thurman, and Steve Buscemi while I worked at this diner in upstate NY where they have houses. All great people, especially Rudd. He owns a candy store in the same town and would work the counter sometimes.
Nora Jones played an impromptu piano concert at this small bar I used to frequent, also in upstate NY, because she's friends with the owner. I got to talk with her for a while afterwards and she's incredibly nice.
10points
#16
I saw Julie Newmar in a grocery store I worked at for about a year, she apparently came in often for our juice bar. I approached her quietly at the checkout when there weren’t many others around to tell her I loved her as Catwoman. She was very gracious and humble.
Report
10points
#17
Hulk Hogan was absolutely awful. I saw him at an ABC store in Maui in 2001.
This large black car pulls into the parking lot at an unsafe speed, and parks across both handicap spots and with its front tire on the wheelchair ramp into the store. Hulk gets out and starts walking toward the doors. At the same time, a young boy, maybe 9 or 10, walks out of the store. He sees Hogan coming toward him and shouts “Hulk!” As Hogan walks toward him up the ramp, the kid holds his hand up for a high-five.
Hogan not only doesn’t give the kid a high-five, he literally shoves the kid out of the way without breaking stride.
That’s when I learned Hulk Hogan is a huge piece of trash.
This large black car pulls into the parking lot at an unsafe speed, and parks across both handicap spots and with its front tire on the wheelchair ramp into the store. Hulk gets out and starts walking toward the doors. At the same time, a young boy, maybe 9 or 10, walks out of the store. He sees Hogan coming toward him and shouts “Hulk!” As Hogan walks toward him up the ramp, the kid holds his hand up for a high-five.
Hogan not only doesn’t give the kid a high-five, he literally shoves the kid out of the way without breaking stride.
That’s when I learned Hulk Hogan is a huge piece of trash.
Report
10points
#18
Was in college marching band and got to perform a bit with Robin Williams in the Oscars way back in the day. During rehearsals he was still his usual brand of insane energy...jumping around making everyone laugh the whole time and all that. Just a really kind person who was totally approachable and fun and had a really positive aura around him the whole time.
Report
10points
#19
Henry Winkler - while waiting in line to meet him, he got up from his table and walked his line, shaking everyone's hand and then thanking us for our patience. Cooler than Fonzie.
Report
10points
#20
I've bumped into quite in passing a few but i tend to just wave and leave them alone.
but for someone i've sat down and chilled with....Jamie Lee Curtis, very sweet.. swears like a sailor and will talk your ears off.
I also got to stop and talk to keanu reeaves about one of my motorcycles and showed him pictures of my others and my impala and stuff. he seemed super excited about it.
but for someone i've sat down and chilled with....Jamie Lee Curtis, very sweet.. swears like a sailor and will talk your ears off.
I also got to stop and talk to keanu reeaves about one of my motorcycles and showed him pictures of my others and my impala and stuff. he seemed super excited about it.
Report
9points