It’s a dream come true for many fans if they end up meeting their favorite actors, musicians, public figures, and stars. However, unless you move in similar social circles or literally live in the same neighborhood, your paths crossing comes down to pure luck. Naturally, not everyone’s prepared for this!
Some of the members of the sprawling AskReddit community took to an online thread to share the wildest, weirdest, and most wacky interactions they’ve ever had with celebrities. We’ve collected some of their most bizarre and interesting stories to share with you, Pandas. Scroll down for a good laugh!
#1
This will get buried, but it's a good story. When I was a wee lad, my father kind of sucked. Well, really sucked. So at one point in my childhood, I decided to recruit a new father: Jack Tripper, from Three's Company. (To my child brain, he'd be the coolest dad in the world!) So I wrote to John Ritter, asking him to be my new dad.
And he wrote back. About a thousand times. See, over the next several years, I wrote to him several times a week. And he answered each and every letter, not with a form letter and a picture, but an actual letter asking about how i was doing in school, giving me advice, etc.
In short, I sort of hijacked John Ritter as a father. We kept in touch until I went off to college. I didn't cry when my real dad died, but John Ritter's death tore me up.
That man is God.
And he wrote back. About a thousand times. See, over the next several years, I wrote to him several times a week. And he answered each and every letter, not with a form letter and a picture, but an actual letter asking about how i was doing in school, giving me advice, etc.
In short, I sort of hijacked John Ritter as a father. We kept in touch until I went off to college. I didn't cry when my real dad died, but John Ritter's death tore me up.
That man is God.
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91points
Bored Panda reached out to entertainment expert Mike Sington with some questions about fan-celebrity interactions and what to do if you feel like you've embarrassed yourself in front of someone famous. He was kind enough to shed some light on this for us.
We were curious how fans could make their interactions with stars as positive and memorable as possible. According to Sington, fans ought to keep things "brief and respectful." For example, a simple "I'm a big fan" is often enough, according to the expert.
"Be mindful of their personal space and avoid overwhelming them with requests. A genuine, short compliment about their work is always appreciated," he told us.
"Most importantly, remember they're people too, so treat them with the same courtesy you'd show anyone else," Sington urged fans to always keep in mind that celebrities are just like them. So, empathy goes a long way.
#2
My friend and I always "call out" everyday people that we think look like famous people. Example: see a red head "Hey look! It's Ron Howard!". We were in a bar in Boston and I saw a guy at the bar and I go "Hey look! It's Sean Penn". She goes "Bad call. Looks nothing like him". I look closer and go "Holy s**t! It IS Sean Penn!". So I go up and thinking I am all cool I start talking to the guy who was with him. Sean eventually just turns to me, puts out his hand and says "Hi. I'm Sean". I am dying inside but trying to play it cool. We start talking and I tell him how I am a big fan of his but also his brother Michael Penn (musician). He proceeds to pull out his cell phone, call his brother and he hands me the phone!!! So I am talking to Michael Penn on Sean Penns cell phone. Michael tells me to call Sean "Sean-ie" cause he hates that. I do it and Sean cracks up laughing. Seriously one of the best nights of my life and why Sean Penn will always be ok in my book.
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59points
#3
I posted this once before but it bears repeating. One night I was downtown playing music on the square. I looked up as a couple walked past and realized it was Paul McCartney and his ladyfriend. I remember saying something like 'How's it going paul, want a cigarette?' He replied 'No thanks, I don't smoke but how a bout a song as we're walking past' so I played 'Don't think twice' by Bob Dylan and he sat next to me and sang the whole thing. Then he got up, gave my shoulder a squeeze and said 'thanks, see ya' -or something to that effect. As he walked away I played the opening notes to 'Day Tripper' and he shook his finger at me and made a noise like 'hey now, that's one of mine'. It wasn't 'till a few minutes later that the gravity of what had just happened really sank in. Probably the coolest jam session I'll ever have.
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42points
We all inevitably mess up in social settings from time to time. No matter how awkward the situation might be, it's not the end of the world.
Bored Panda asked entertainment expert Sington what fans can do if they've done or said something embarrassing. "Acknowledge the slip-up with a brief, lighthearted apology and a self-deprecating joke if appropriate," he suggested.
"Then, quickly shift the focus back to the star, expressing genuine appreciation for their work," Sington said.
"Remember, stars are often understanding of fan excitement, so a sincere and respectful demeanor will usually smooth things over."
#4
In California many years ago, I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger walking near the beach. He was headed to his car and I wanted to say something before he got in and left, and felt silly running towards him so I just blurted out..
"You Rock Arnold!'
With a stern look he replied simply, "I am not in a band.." but it sounded more like 'um nod unna bond'.
"You Rock Arnold!'
With a stern look he replied simply, "I am not in a band.." but it sounded more like 'um nod unna bond'.
32points
#5
My brother was at comic con and went to the bathroom and was taking a leak at the urinal..he looks and see's its pretty much empty so he lets out a huge fart..then he hears, "RIGHT BACK ATCHA BRO" and a HUGEEEE fart come from the stalls. Washes his hands and Jason Mewes walks out of the stall..
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29points
#6
Harrison Ford asked me and my dad for directions. We were filling up the car at a local gas station, and a big, white SUV pulls up close to us. A tall man gets out, and dad realizes he's walking up to us... so he stops, turns around, and has the "HOLY S**T, IT'S HARRISON FORD" moment. Ford was really nice, and asked us for directions to the airport. My dad, being a jokester, told him that he never expected Indiana Jones to be lost in a little town like Morristown, to which Harrison replied, "Ah, Indiana Jones has been lost *several* times, sir. Thanks for the directions."
Great day.
Great day.
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28points
Meeting a celebrity or an important public figure can be extremely stressful. Especially if you’re their fan, you haven’t had (m)any similar interactions, and you’re super self-conscious. This sort of reaction is natural. Nobody wants to make a fool of themselves or say the wrong thing in front of someone important and influential. And while it’s tough to prepare yourself for meeting your fave actors and singers, you can practice dealing with stressful situations in general.
It’s natural for your body’s fight-or-flight (or freeze or fawn) response to kick in during stressful situations, like in an emergency, when you’re meeting someone for the first time, or when you have to speak in front of a crowd.
#7
Nobody's met a rapper?
My best mate managed a bar in London (this was just after the smoking ban had come into play). It was a nice gig with plenty of richer people and the occasional B lister making an appearance.
One night however, Snoop Dogg books the entire VIP area out for him and his entourage! They buy out all the champers so my mate has to go get some more, party like mad men, the usual. When my mate comes back in, he sees the barman looking a bit uncomfortable and he asks whats up. "Snoop Dogg is smoking". Huh, fancy that, the Dogg has a f*****g gigantic cuban in his mouth and he's puffing away. Well, the law being the law and my mate not wanting to lose his license, he goes over to Snoop.
"Hi Mr, er, Dogg... I hate to inform you that smoking is illegal in clubs and bars now, so you'll have to extinguish your cigar or you'll be fined"
Snoop looks at him like he's taking the p**s, sighs and says
"Mother f****r! How much is the fine?"
"£2000"
He just hands my mate £2000 and keeps smoking....
My best mate managed a bar in London (this was just after the smoking ban had come into play). It was a nice gig with plenty of richer people and the occasional B lister making an appearance.
One night however, Snoop Dogg books the entire VIP area out for him and his entourage! They buy out all the champers so my mate has to go get some more, party like mad men, the usual. When my mate comes back in, he sees the barman looking a bit uncomfortable and he asks whats up. "Snoop Dogg is smoking". Huh, fancy that, the Dogg has a f*****g gigantic cuban in his mouth and he's puffing away. Well, the law being the law and my mate not wanting to lose his license, he goes over to Snoop.
"Hi Mr, er, Dogg... I hate to inform you that smoking is illegal in clubs and bars now, so you'll have to extinguish your cigar or you'll be fined"
Snoop looks at him like he's taking the p**s, sighs and says
"Mother f****r! How much is the fine?"
"£2000"
He just hands my mate £2000 and keeps smoking....
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28points
#8
My family and I bumped into Richard Simmons in Italy while waiting to see Michelangelo's "David". After getting a picture with him, he looked my dad in the eye's and said "you are just a lovely man" and kissed him on the lips.
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27points
#9
I saw **Tracy Morgan** walking down the street in New York City. I shouted to my friend, "HEY! Its Tracy Morgan!"
Tracy hears me turns around and says, "oh s**t! Where?" and looks around, then continues walking...
Tracy hears me turns around and says, "oh s**t! Where?" and looks around, then continues walking...
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27points
Rapid response nurse Sarah Lorenzini, the founder of the Rapid Response Academy, told CNN that you should practice what you’re scared of so that you’re prepared for high-stress situations ahead of time.
Meanwhile, you can build up your nervous system resilience ahead of stressful situations. Dr. Inna Khazan, from the Harvard Medical School, explained to CNN that people could exercise their heart rate variability (HRV). The higher your HRV, the more healthy your nervous system and its ability to adapt to challenges and stressors.
For example, you could practice resonance frequency breathing: slow diaphragmatic breathing, usually 3 to 7 breaths per minute, to synchronize with your heart rate. This should raise your HRV. According to Khazan, people with higher HRV find it easier to focus, respond to challenging situations, and make decisions.
#10
Not me, but my dad was at a conference once and was representing IBM in a booth by himself one weekend years ago in Vancouver. Anyway, just minding his own business, who comes to ask him questions but the one and only Robin Williams. He was just looking around like any other ordinary guy at the time (as Robin is a total nerd, apparently), and the conversation went something like this:
Robin: "So tell me about your products!"
Dad: *explains and somehow mentions Windows 98 coming out*
Robin: "You don't speak Japanese do you?"
Dad: "Oh hell no."
Robin: "The only reason I ask is that I went to Japan and ordered all of this blackmarket software, Windows and stuff, but it all came back in Japanese! Can't use the f*****g thing!"
Dad laughing: "You could always just phone me and I'll get you a free copy?"
Robin: "Is it because I'm famous?"
Dad: "You're... famous?"
*Robin Williams does that I-see-what-you-did-there stare and then laughs*
Dad: "Here's my number. Call me this week. English only."
And that's how my dad gave Robin Williams pirated 90's software. Believe it or not, dad does love Robin Williams a whole bunch and was freaking out on the inside, but kept it cool and just joked with him and ended up grabbing coffee the following week and giving him a free copy of Windows 98 he snagged from the office. It's the only claim to fame that my family has, and it's refreshing to know that even celebrities can be down-to-earth with normal, working class guys. I could get him to relay the conversation they had over coffee (as he said he hasn't laughed harder in his life), but that's another story!
Robin: "So tell me about your products!"
Dad: *explains and somehow mentions Windows 98 coming out*
Robin: "You don't speak Japanese do you?"
Dad: "Oh hell no."
Robin: "The only reason I ask is that I went to Japan and ordered all of this blackmarket software, Windows and stuff, but it all came back in Japanese! Can't use the f*****g thing!"
Dad laughing: "You could always just phone me and I'll get you a free copy?"
Robin: "Is it because I'm famous?"
Dad: "You're... famous?"
*Robin Williams does that I-see-what-you-did-there stare and then laughs*
Dad: "Here's my number. Call me this week. English only."
And that's how my dad gave Robin Williams pirated 90's software. Believe it or not, dad does love Robin Williams a whole bunch and was freaking out on the inside, but kept it cool and just joked with him and ended up grabbing coffee the following week and giving him a free copy of Windows 98 he snagged from the office. It's the only claim to fame that my family has, and it's refreshing to know that even celebrities can be down-to-earth with normal, working class guys. I could get him to relay the conversation they had over coffee (as he said he hasn't laughed harder in his life), but that's another story!
24points
#11
I interned at a movie studio that was ran by Morgan Freeman. As I was sitting at the front desk, reading scripts and manning the phone Morgan entered the bathroom.
After about 10 minutes, he comes out, starts wafting his arms around, looks me dead in the eye and says,
"I'd give it about a year."
I pretty much lost it and couldn't remain professional after such a great comment came out of God's mouth.
After about 10 minutes, he comes out, starts wafting his arms around, looks me dead in the eye and says,
"I'd give it about a year."
I pretty much lost it and couldn't remain professional after such a great comment came out of God's mouth.
23points
#12
Sting came into the strip club where I worked. I didn't speak to him, though I did see him and he wasn't up to dress code (shorts, flip-flops [who the f**k wears flip-flops in a strip club?]), but he's Sting, and celebrities can be good for business.
He went into a private room with some of the dancers. Some of the waitresses were complaining about him; asking for comps, not tipping, being grabby, etc. Then a few of the dancers complained. The GM had heard enough. He confronted him and Sting threw a hissy fit. GM told him he had to leave.
Sting starts leaving but is throwing out standard celebrity threats, "I'll ruin this f*****g club", "I'm going to tell everyone how I was treated here", etc.
As Sting neared the exit, the GM waited for just the right second to have the last word and yelled, "Stay the f**k out of my club, I don't care if you are Rod Stewart!". I like to think, of all the things you could say to a egotistical celebrity, misidentifying him has to hurt the worst. I loved that GM.
He went into a private room with some of the dancers. Some of the waitresses were complaining about him; asking for comps, not tipping, being grabby, etc. Then a few of the dancers complained. The GM had heard enough. He confronted him and Sting threw a hissy fit. GM told him he had to leave.
Sting starts leaving but is throwing out standard celebrity threats, "I'll ruin this f*****g club", "I'm going to tell everyone how I was treated here", etc.
As Sting neared the exit, the GM waited for just the right second to have the last word and yelled, "Stay the f**k out of my club, I don't care if you are Rod Stewart!". I like to think, of all the things you could say to a egotistical celebrity, misidentifying him has to hurt the worst. I loved that GM.
22points
Meanwhile, we can all handle stress better when we’ve taken care of the basics: getting plenty of sleep, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise, staying hydrated, and staying away from unhealthy habits.
Have you ever met any celebrities in person, dear Pandas? What were your interactions with them like? What’s the wildest interaction you’ve had with a star? If you’re up for sharing your experiences, you can do so in the comments!
#13
This will probably get buried, but my friend had Bill Murray parallel park her car for her.
Seriously. She was near Abbott Kinney and trying desperately to parallel park her car on the street (anyone from LA who's been there will get what a c*********k this can be). Anyway, who comes walking by but Bill Murray and his dog. Being the awesome person he is (and also probably because my friend is really pretty), he stops, knocks on her car window, and when she rolls it down, asks if he can help her out. She takes his offer, he parks her car beautifully while she hangs out with his dog. After he was done, he walked off into the sunset.
Seriously. She was near Abbott Kinney and trying desperately to parallel park her car on the street (anyone from LA who's been there will get what a c*********k this can be). Anyway, who comes walking by but Bill Murray and his dog. Being the awesome person he is (and also probably because my friend is really pretty), he stops, knocks on her car window, and when she rolls it down, asks if he can help her out. She takes his offer, he parks her car beautifully while she hangs out with his dog. After he was done, he walked off into the sunset.
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22points
#14
Paris Hilton gave me a ride home. Well, her driver, not her. But she was in the car. We all left a club in LA and were all drunk, she said she thought my friends and I were cool and didn't want us to pay for a cab home so she dropped us all off. Needless to say, it was a funny night.
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21points
#15
Not mine but...
A friend was on a layover in Charlotte, NC on his way home for Christmas when he noticed Samuel L. Jackson standing by himself.
Chuck* approached the actor and, not wanting to be a squealing fan, says, "Mr. Jackson, I don't mean to bother you, but I just wanted to say I really appreciate your movies. You've done great wonders teaching me how to swear more."
Sammy J. chuckles and proceeds to have a nice conversation for a few minutes. My friend turns to leave to catch his flight. As he starts to walk away, Samuel L. Jackson yells across the terminal: **"Hey Chuck! MERRY F*****G CHRISTMAS!"**.
A friend was on a layover in Charlotte, NC on his way home for Christmas when he noticed Samuel L. Jackson standing by himself.
Chuck* approached the actor and, not wanting to be a squealing fan, says, "Mr. Jackson, I don't mean to bother you, but I just wanted to say I really appreciate your movies. You've done great wonders teaching me how to swear more."
Sammy J. chuckles and proceeds to have a nice conversation for a few minutes. My friend turns to leave to catch his flight. As he starts to walk away, Samuel L. Jackson yells across the terminal: **"Hey Chuck! MERRY F*****G CHRISTMAS!"**.
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20points
#16
I don't remember it, but my dad insists this is true: When I was 4 years old I saw Whoopi Goldberg at the grocery store (mind you this was in the early 90s so it was arguably the peak of her career) so approached her and said "Wow, you're ALMOST as famous as the Ninja Turtles!!".
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19points
#17
At Bonnaroo I met Zach Braff.
He had just gotten done doing a Q&A for Garden State, and I was waiting in line to go to Aziz Ansari's Q&A for 30 Minutes or Less which was right after Braff's thing.
Well, Braff leaves his Q&A and sees people waiting outside for Aziz. He is on the opposite side of the fence, so none of us can reach him. He hops on top of a garbage can, that was against the fence, so that you could see only the top half of his body. I was the first one to spot him, so I run over to him as fast as I possibly can. I climb a different trash can against the fence, and me and Zach Braff are literally inches away from each other, a fence the only thing in between us.
We look at each other, he laughs. He grabs both my hands and whispers into my ear, "I'll never let you go Jack, I'll never let you go."
He then hugs me, waves at everyone rushing towards him, and hops down from the garbage can, and vanishes.
What an awesome guy. He seemed so excited to see his fans, he had the biggest smile on his face.
He had just gotten done doing a Q&A for Garden State, and I was waiting in line to go to Aziz Ansari's Q&A for 30 Minutes or Less which was right after Braff's thing.
Well, Braff leaves his Q&A and sees people waiting outside for Aziz. He is on the opposite side of the fence, so none of us can reach him. He hops on top of a garbage can, that was against the fence, so that you could see only the top half of his body. I was the first one to spot him, so I run over to him as fast as I possibly can. I climb a different trash can against the fence, and me and Zach Braff are literally inches away from each other, a fence the only thing in between us.
We look at each other, he laughs. He grabs both my hands and whispers into my ear, "I'll never let you go Jack, I'll never let you go."
He then hugs me, waves at everyone rushing towards him, and hops down from the garbage can, and vanishes.
What an awesome guy. He seemed so excited to see his fans, he had the biggest smile on his face.
16points
#18
I was staying at a hotel in Salt Lake City when I was 17 with family. We were preparing to go to dinner, and I was eager to leave, so I decided to go down the hotel lobby and wait for my parents there. I went to the elevator, got in, and the doors began to close.
Right as the doors were about to close, BAM, an arm comes shooting in-between the doors. The doors retract back to reveal Adam West. He gets in the elevator with me, looks to make sure I'm going to the lobby, smiles, looks and me and says, "...Good."
After about 4 flights, he looks at me and says, "Man, I'm starving!"
I reply, "HEH. YEAH, ME TOO."
The doors open, he turns directly to me, and says, "have a good dinner, son", and exits the elevator.
No one believed me.
Right as the doors were about to close, BAM, an arm comes shooting in-between the doors. The doors retract back to reveal Adam West. He gets in the elevator with me, looks to make sure I'm going to the lobby, smiles, looks and me and says, "...Good."
After about 4 flights, he looks at me and says, "Man, I'm starving!"
I reply, "HEH. YEAH, ME TOO."
The doors open, he turns directly to me, and says, "have a good dinner, son", and exits the elevator.
No one believed me.
16points
#19
**TL;DR - main chick from movie "soul surfer" is a b***h and tried to close the elevator on us; Helen Hunt came to the rescue and put the b***h in her place.**
The movie "Soul Surfer" was being filmed at the Turtle Bay Resort (Hawaii, north shore) while I was there for my wedding.
Soon-to-be wife and I had gotten a room by ourselves for a day, before we moved over to a house we were renting. In the morning, we notice them filming out on the beach and see the (admittedly extremely hot) main character chick and Helen Hunt filming some stupid scene; so we knew they were there.
Fast forward about 7 hours - late that afternoon, we are heading up to our room from the bar. We are walking to the elevators, and low-and-behold blonde star chick was in the elevator; she proceeds to lean over and hammer the close door button after glancing and giving us a dirty look. The door starts to close as we are walking/fast-walking up to it. We are f****d - this b***h just purposely did the "close door maneuver" on us.
Nope! Helen Hunt to the rescue - she surprisingly was also in the elevator (didn't see her), jumps forward and sneaks her arm into the door - holding it open for us. Awkwardly silent elevator ride ensues.
The movie "Soul Surfer" was being filmed at the Turtle Bay Resort (Hawaii, north shore) while I was there for my wedding.
Soon-to-be wife and I had gotten a room by ourselves for a day, before we moved over to a house we were renting. In the morning, we notice them filming out on the beach and see the (admittedly extremely hot) main character chick and Helen Hunt filming some stupid scene; so we knew they were there.
Fast forward about 7 hours - late that afternoon, we are heading up to our room from the bar. We are walking to the elevators, and low-and-behold blonde star chick was in the elevator; she proceeds to lean over and hammer the close door button after glancing and giving us a dirty look. The door starts to close as we are walking/fast-walking up to it. We are f****d - this b***h just purposely did the "close door maneuver" on us.
Nope! Helen Hunt to the rescue - she surprisingly was also in the elevator (didn't see her), jumps forward and sneaks her arm into the door - holding it open for us. Awkwardly silent elevator ride ensues.
16points
#20
I was flying to japan when I was very young. Being in an airport and having to wait made me very agitated. I began throwing a tantrum and the man beside me asked if he could play with me and my toys. Little did I know that man was Jackie Chan.
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15points