From time to time, I like to participate in some of the blog homework. Only when it's either interesting or something I can actually relate to. And I've met some famous people, so what the hell?
I used to work at a small, family owned grocery store. It's in an affluent town popular with people who want to live in a small town but also want to work in Manhattan. It's a rich town, is what I'm trying to say here. Anyway, given the general financial standing of the average citizen of this town, it should come as now surprise that I met a few celebrities of varying stature during my employment.
I'll start with the worst.
Tom Brokaw is a douche. Unless you're in his tax bracket.
On the other hand--
Say what you will about Brian Williams, he's a nice guy. Treated everyone with respect, was undemanding, and could crack a joke now and then. A reporter shouldn't have made shit up and passed it off as real, but I'd be lying if I said the several times I dealt with him were in any way unpleasant.
Anyway, let's move on.
Susan Sarandon, nice but quiet. There are rumors Tim Robbins was in at one point as well, but I never saw him.
Mike Myers, at the height of his popularity. The first two Austin Powers had come out, and I think Shrek was about to hit. It was during a bad winter storm, and he was wearing one of those big Russian hats. For some reason, he seemed surprised and embarrassed that people were looking at him.
Harry Connick, Jr. Kinda dopey. But nice.
Paul Simon and Edie Brickell. I saw her a lot more, and she was one of the nicest people I've ever met. Paul Simon was very quiet, and amazingly short. I was actually surprised at how short he was.
Several years ago, I was watching a Friday The 13th marathon on TV. Not long after, Tony Goldwyn stops in the store. I get a look at him and I blurt out "Jason Lives!" He was visibly embarrassed, and said "that's right. That was a long time ago." I said something about how everyone starts somewhere. He was extremely polite about it. He and his wife were frequent customers, and both were pretty cool.
But the coolest--
Was this guy. You all better know him as this:
Which is fine, but I tend to lean towards this:
I'd go so far as to say the man's a living legend. He made some of the best comedies of all time, movies that are still loved today. I saw him one day right after it was announced that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp were going to do a Willy Wonka remake. I asked him about it, and he said "when I heard it, I figured they might as well just remake Wizard of Oz at this point." But it was cool. We had a little chat about the idea of a remake, why it had potential, and why it was still probably going to suck. I unfortunately did not get a chance to ask him to walk this way.
So there you go. Some celebrities I've met. Fun? I dunno. But this was a decent time waster.
