Which celebrities have you met (tennis and beyond)
 

I love hearing about celebrity encounters...who have you met? Any interesting stories? I just found out that Dustin "Screech" Diamond is going to be in town this weekend so maybe I'll have a big one to add to my list!

I've met:

Bud Collins at the Indy tournament years and years ago.
Ben Folds (musician)
Fran Kranz (actor from Dollhouse and Cabin in the Woods)
Naomi Watts & Liev Schreiber
James Woods
Huey Lewis (Somehow, multiple members of my family have met him on separate, random occasions. Mine was at an airport. I like to joke that Huey Lewis is stalking my family.)
Edward James Olmos (he even kissed me on the cheek :))
Sarah Vowell (author)
The Avett Brothers (musicians)
First Aid Kit (musicians)

Rudy Giuliani @ Grand Havana Room Cigar Club (666 5th Ave)
Al Sharpton @ Grand Havana Room Cigar Club (666 5th Ave)
No, they were not on there on the same day and I didn't go up to say "hi" as it wouldn't be appropriate in that sort of venue.

Egomaniacs Jay-Z and Beyonce at a movie theater in tribeca with a kid a couple years ago. Accompanied by security.

Met Jaba Chamberlain at a bar on the upper west side. Dude is cool as hell, even had a drink with us.

Taye Diggs at union square he was in a hurry but, still took a picture with my friend who was visiting.

Dr J was in the office because he was a director of one of the companies we were doing a deal with.

Akon backstage at a concert.

ChaChi from iamme.

James Starks from the packers.

You may enjoy the "Last celebrity you've seen in person" thread.

Ooh, thanks!

Have met quite a few but one is a neighbor -- S. Colbert lives about a half mile down the street. Nice guy, has taught some Sunday School occasionally at a local church, often seen in one of the local hardware stores, tries to be very straight and un-silly when with his kids, likes to keep their lives as normal as possible. Yogi Berra lives about a mile in the other direction, must be about four feet tall at this point, always smiles and says hello to people.

I love Stephen Colbert and find it hard to imagine what he might be like when he's out of character.

Tennis:

Pete Sampras (strung for him)...very nice, no attitudes
A S-V...(strung for her)...met het multiple times, total sweetheart
Leander Paes...very nice guy and extremely intelligent
Lisa Raymond...in a hurry, not very chatty

Non-Tennis:

John Lennon...about as casual as you can get; didn't even feel like he was a star!
Dr. J...humbly thanked me for wishing him congrats after his ABA title run
Billy Joel...just motorcycling shopping at the same dealer I bought from...anonymous and preferred that status
Ed Ames...total pr**k
Bruce Hall (bassist for REO Speedwagon)...very mellow, unassuming and a nice tipper!

Partial List (as I am sure I have forgotten to mention some):

Keith Richard (founding member Rolling Stones)
Tom Seaver (HOF MLB Pitcher)
Bill Bonds (News Anchor in NY and Detroit)
Virg Jacques' (News Anchor in Detroit and Washington DC/Baltimore)
Adam Oates (HOF NHL-er)
Jim Kelly (HOF NFL QB)
Kevin Eubanks (Musician/Tonight Show)
Leroy Neiman (Painter)
Isiah Thomas (HOF NBA)
Lee Woodall (NFL LB)
Mark Cooper (NFL Offensive Lineman)
Neal Heaton (MLB Pitcher)
Jacklyn Smith (Actress/Model)
Fat Boys (Rap Group)
Howard Schnellenberger (NFL and NCAA Football Coach)
Vassar Clements (Fiddler/Musician/ Allman Bros Band)
Mitch Albom (Sports Writer)
Sidney Harman (Industrialist/Sec of Commerce)
Jan Michael Gambill (ATP Player)
Don Riegle (US Senator)
JP McCarthy (#1 Rated Radio Personality/WJR-Detroit)
Bob Seger (Musician)
John Houseman (Actor)
Cheech and Chong (Comedians/Actors)
Marcel Marceau (Mime/Performer)
Douglas Frazer (Head of the UAW)
Mike Gminski (Pro Basketball Player)
Mel Daniels (Pro Basketball Player)
Spencer Haywood (Pro Basketball Player)
Bobby Leonard (Pro Basketball Player/Coach)

stringertom
funny to see Ed Ames described that way. Those not old enough to remember (most people, I imagine) should search "Ed Ames tomahawk throw" on You Tube to see a memorable moment when he was on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

I can't break the code!

Has to be Sanchez-Vicario

You are correct!

Met him at a photo convention...he wasn't thrilled with my request for an auto graph for my mom, who was a big fan of his as part of The Ames Brothers singing group, well before his "fame" from Daniel Boone.

Fearsome Forehand, sweet and impressive list.

I went to school with Rodney Allen Rippy (Jack in Box fame from the 70s) and Erin Blunt (Bad News Bears)

Met Liz Taylor in 1981 backstage after a play called the Little Foxes. One of the nice person to have walked the planet.

Had tacos from a food truck in Santa Monica with Seth Rogan.

Only in Hollyweird could a Ukranian Jew be cast as an American Indian. :)

Mingo is still alive. He is about 87.

That is a score. Liz, in her prime, was one of the most famous people on earth.

Charlie Sheen..took him fishing with a super hot girlfriend of his.
Timothy Dalton..same took him fishing minus the hot girlfriend.
Gene Simmons..took him and his agent fishing.
Rob Lowe..had his boat next to mine.
Heather Locklear..filming Melrose Place on boat next to mine.
Steve Martin..biking in Santa Barbara wearing a pretty pink sweater.
David Crosby..lived on the same street would run into him walking for exercise after his liver transplant.
John Cleese..at a party in Santa Barbara.
Kevin Bacon..different party in Santa Barbara.
Paul Allen..scuba diving Catalina Island
Tiger Woods..working out at Lake House fitness center.
Jack Klugman..had ranch next to my parents Temecula.
Bill Murray..playing tennis looks to be a 3.5.
I live in SC now rarely see or meet anyone famous.

How'd you like them eyes? I saw her coming out of the theater at the very same show, and even from 12 feet away her eyes were dazzling.

1981 ain't exactly Liz's prime. But the eyes were holding up!

Any anecdotes or impressions to go along with these folks? I like the poster who told you who was nice or nasty.

But you know what I like about your list, Chivo? They are actually famous people. I'm familiar with every one. No need to put little explanatory remarks about who the hell the supposedly 'famous' person is on your list. ("Joe schmo: Former second string tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers" and whatnot.)

OP, make people share more about the celebrities they met, not just list 'em.

I've met too many to mention but since this is a tennis site here are some of the celebrities I've given tennis lessons to:
Jeff Goldblum
Hillary Swank
Elizabeth Shue
Shelly Long
Jane Seymour
Lance Armstrong
Orel Hirscheiser
'Sugar Ray' Leonard
Donna Mills
Veronica Hamel
Michelle Green
Barry Gordy
Wink Martindale
Richard Riordan
Joshua Morrow
Laurie Fortier
Francis Fischer
Vanna White
Miss World Gina Tolleson
the children of Arnold Schwartzenegger & Maria Shriver
the daughter of Clint Eastwood
the daughter of Madeline Stowe
the son of Bjorn Borg