Tell us what happened? I met a Celebrity…..

[Romans9]

My Pitbull humped Pinks dogs face.
She wasn’t impressed.

I am impressed……

 

[PlanB]

My dad used to live next door to Terri Nunn (Berlin) and my uncle dated her before she was famous. Wound up being a roady for her in the early years. Us kids got signed albums when we went and visited.
Met Scott Ian (Anthrax) at Magic Mountain years ago.
Saw Steve Austin at a lunch spot in Escondido
David Baileys brother is a friend. Mitchel Bailey
Sat next to Tony Hawk a few months ago eating lunch at a great deli in Vista
Talked with Scott Eastwood on the phone about a job we were doing for his place in Encinitas or Cardiff (not sure)
Met Jessi Combs in Vegas at the RIO Sky room . Sema thing.
Thats about all my celebrity encounters.

Mitchel has been on Havasu trips with us. Eaten Thanksgiving diner with Tony Hawk (related to my wife).

 

[clarence]

Had drinks with a SEAL Team once.

They're the only guys I've ever met that were truly different.

 

[Hey Dude]

Had dinner with Donald Trump, Michael Jordan, Mike Shanahan and Stone Phillips in 2006.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Was in line at a Dodgers game about 10 years back and saw Henry Winkler in the VIP line. I went over to him, shook his hand, and thanked him for the years of entertainment. He seemed genuinely flattered and humble and gracious not one bit put off, looked me in the eye, smiled and said "thank you." I've since heard he's a pretty down-to-earth kinda guy.

My other claim to fame is going to Coachella one year with my wife. We're in the VIP section (comp tix of course...) and she sees Jared Leto back when he was "it." I was like Jared Leno? Is he like Jay Leno's kid or something (I don't follow Hollywood...)? "L-E-T-O Leto, not Leno" the wife is yelling at me. She starts to stalk the poor guy around the VIP section and finally grows the cajones to ask the guy for a pic. He was totally cool about it and obliges. My wife hands her phone to her drunk husband for the long awaited highly anticipated Kodak moment, and to this day I have no idea how I f'ed it up, but the pic came out completey blank... Still paying for that one...

I have worked with Henry Winkler a few times, he really is a genuine guy.. Everyone that meets him loves him

 

[Hey Dude]

I have worked with Henry Winkler a few times, he really is a genuine guy.. Everyone that meets him loves him

You’ve probably met more celebs than all of us put together. I was waiting for you to chime in.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

I have worked with and had many run ins with Bruce Springsteen. He used to hang out at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, he would ride his Harley there on Sundays, sit at the bar and drink. Everyone left him alone, pretty cool. And I've worked with him a handful of times too.. Overall a super nice guy. But I'm always running into him in some way. I'm always running into Blake Shelton on shows too, great guy. I'm currently working on Reba's new Sitcom, I have worked with her for years, she's a sweetheart.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

You’ve probably met more celebs than all of us put together. I was waiting for you to chime in.

I'm actually pretty shy when it comes to approaching celebs. It's bad form to try to get close to them. But it does happen.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

I lived in Hawaii 2/3 of my life so you see a lot there, they have harassment laws there so they tend to be left alone and wind up being cool in "normal settings", I've never asked for a picture with any.. I was a mailman in college in Waialae Kahala on a tech rotation (5 routes, I covered days off). Jim Nabors was one of my stops...phenominal guy, would give us cold drinks. Daniel Day Kim, super cool car guy...very down to earth, Scott Caan..Asshole. Ive met most of the Hawaii 5-0 people. Somewhere around season 5 you'll see me delivering mail on a walking route in Kaimuki..didnt realize I was in the back ground and walked through an active shoot lol. Cody Easterbrook who MC's the American Idol Hawaii episode shows yearly is an old friend.

Met Simon Baker (the mentalist) at Hale'iwa Joes Bar in north shore, Have met up with and had way too many drinks with Nick Swardson a few mornings at Duke's in Waikiki...He's a blast to hang out with. I had no clue who he was for the first couple times we got tanked lol. Met Rob Schneider on north shore..super cool guy..

Lots of athletes, surfers etc. A few singers...had a few drinks with Creed Fisher in TX, Met Granger Smith in HI, he wound up making me a quick video to send to some friends...cool guy.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Years ago I was rehearsing with my original band at a place in North Hollywood called "Mates". We were rehearsing for an upcoming showcase for Geffen at the Viper room. Mates is a famous rehearal place for big bands. At the time, Foo Fighters were in the studio next to us, they were there auditioning guitar players. While my band was playing, Dave and Taylor walk into our room and sat on my drum riser and watched me play a song with my band, they both were starring at me and smiling. After the song ended they both put there arms around me, hugging me, they told my band that they were lucky to have a drummer like me and loved my playing.. I couldn't believe it.. They said I was amazing and hung out with us for a while. I had many run ins with Dave and his band, I always thought I would have been a perfect fit for FF's, maybe I should have pushed harder before Taylor joined. But he was better than me, and I felt so. It is what it is.. But I have worked with FF's a ton in the last 10 years. Dave has always been a great guy, in it for the right reasons. And Taylor, we would always see him around town driving his old red Toyota pickup truck stoned out of his mind. Taylor didn't care about money or fame, he was just in it for the music, the real deal. Some good times

 

[Willie B]

Years ago I was rehearsing with my original band at a place in North Hollywood called "Mates". We were rehearsing for an upcoming showcase for Geffen at the Viper room. Mates is a famous rehearal place for big bands. At the time, Foo Fighters were in the studio next to us, they were there auditioning guitar players. While my band was playing, Dave and Taylor walk into our room and sat on my drum riser and watched me play a song with my band, they both were starring at me and smiling. After the song ended they both put there arms around me, hugging me, they told my band that they were lucky to have a drummer like me and loved my playing.. I couldn't believe it.. They said I was amazing and hung out with us for a while. I had many run ins with Dave and his band, I always thought I would have been a perfect fit for FF's, maybe I should have pushed harder before Taylor joined. But he was better than me, and I felt so. It is what it is.. But I have worked with FF's a ton in the last 10 years. Dave has always been a great guy, in it for the right reasons. And Taylor, we would always see him around town driving his old red Toyota pickup truck stoned out of his mind. Taylor didn't care about money or fame, he was just in it for the music, the real deal. Some good times

…Thats a great story… I live in North Hollywood … And know North Hollywood history quite well …Where in North Hollywood was the Mates rehearsal hall

 

[NicPaus]

I used to eat breakfast every morning at Rudy's in old Torrance. One of the Guys that used to sit next to me on the regular was Ed O'Neal. I didn’t even recognize him for the longest. He usually kept to himself. One morning he left before me and the waitress asked if I knew who I was talking to. Nope. That's AL Bundy. Look at the picture he gave me to put up. He trained at Gracie Ju Jitsu around the corner.


One time I was in Glamis. I brought Lightfoots kids for there first time. We stopped by to check out the Dakar chase rig. Bob Gordon came over and was telling us all about it. Then Robby came over and made us all cocktails. One of the kids never drank and sucked down the cocktail. I asked why. He said that was Robby Gordon that made it for us. I didn't know who he was or His Pops at the time. Just figured they were your average Glamis People. Back then every one we crossed paths with were nice and sociable.


Lots of others over the years. As kids Chuck Norris and Howie Longs house were a must stop on Halloween. Chuck had the brick house on Empty Saddle lane. Howie had a huge house on Strawberry lane.

I remodeled a bathroom for the owner of the Wild Goose. Used to hang out there years before.

 

[CarolynandBob]

My old boss was best friends with Benito Santiago. When he was a Padre we use to party with him a lot. One time Ricky Henderson came out with us. Pretty cool guy. 2 years later I am in Detroit visiting family and we went to the top of the Renaissance center bar and in walks Ricky with his crew. I didn't approach him. About a half hour later he walks up to me and says hi. We chatted a bit. When we went to leave my tab was paid by him.

 

[Blue Oval]

Back in the 90’s I won a day at the track from Ford. Got to go drive some cars on the oval track, then I got to do the road course riding with some guy. Thought the tires were going to roll off the rims. The driver was super nice. Had a nice conversation with him, but didn’t want to be a dork and ask who he was. When I returned home I looked at the invitation. Is was Bob Bondurant.

Came out of work last weekend and a friend was coming out of the empty building across the street that is for sale. He introduced me to some guy. Very nice, it was Daniel Henney from Criminal Minds.​

 

[dave29]

I went to school with Bunker Spreckles in Encino Calif. This was about 7th grade. He asked me to his house. Big gated property. Went in the house, met his stepfather. Clark Gable. Bunker and I became friends. Surfed with him.

 

[Gramps]

I've met and talked with a bunch of the old time (70's - early 80's) top fuel guys ...... we ran top fuel back then. Traveled the west coast some in a motorhome with Linda Vaughn. BUT the biggie is I had a phone conservation with RD once!!!!!!

 

[JL95]

Apparently we did the cabinets for teenage robby gordons race motorhome/trailer back in the day lol

*we have done a ton of celebrities homes but the big ones always have NDA's. Robby talk is funny he might come and beat us up!

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

My wife loves celebrities. If you’ve ever watched “I Love Lucy” it’s pretty damn close to that. The last one I can remember is last year when we went to New York she wanted to walk down to Tribeca to see where Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Justin Timberlake, etc. lived. Apparently it’s one building. It’s 11pm, and we are walking around the building trying to spot a celebrity and across the street 2 people come out of another building. She gets excited and says it’s Justin Bieber, who she doesn’t even like, and his wife. I call BS, but as they get closer it’s them. I had to hold her back from running over there and bothering them as they were clearly taking a lap around their building to get some fresh air at the only time they could without being bothered.

 

[Lumpy]

Too many to list…grew up in Paradise Cove Malibu. In the 70’s and 80’s it seemed like a movie crew was coming in every other weekend.
All the Charlies Angels
Cast of Happy Day…watched the filming of the Fonz jump the shark
Arnold Schwarzenegger during the Commando filming
The A Team
One of the fifteen or so Lassey dogs
James Gardner of course…had lunch with him several times
Connie Chung L.A. news
Ran into Ray Charles in LAX…shook his hand…nice guy.
Michael Keaton several times at Zucky’s Diner in Santa Monica
Johny Carson
Maddona
Sean Penn
Chris Penn
Dean Cane
Rob and Chad Lowe
Cheech and Chong…Cheech was dick…Chong was cool
Got to jump off the Pink Submarine from the movie Operation Petticoat back in 1979…it was anchored off Paradise Cove Pier for about a month.
Many more

 

[sirbob]

There was a time I meet Scarlet Johansson while walking around Times Square…

All I’ll say is it was a nice time

 

[Rayson1971]

Back in 95 I was at a toys r us in oxnard looking for Christmas presents for my nieces and nephews. This very pretty lady comes up to me and asks what slot car tracks I was looking at would be goodcfor a boy. I pointed at a few. We chatted for a bit. Her accent made her even hotter to me. Went on our way. My roommates girlfriend asked if I knew who that was. Apparently it was Olivia Newton John. So that was neat.

 

[WTMFA]

This thread certainly grew legs of its own. It has been truly fun to read all the stories.



Many years ago, I am became very good friends with a famous rock star drummer. We always get together whenever he is in town. We have taken over nightclubs in Phoenix, Florida, Vegas, and Gothenburg I won’t mention his name, I’ll let you figure it out by continuing to read or get to the end. lol For many years he grinned it out on a cramped tour bus, for the 3 piece band. They toured heavily in those many years. However, in 2016 the lead singer passed away at the age of 72. Since the band could never ever be replaced, the remaining two went in other directions. My friend is now the drummer for the Scorpions.

Back when he was in the 3 piece, one summer my daughter toured with the band as part of the Blonderage…….. A sadistic leather look. They always ended those shows with……… Ace of Spades

I thought about about trying to list all the people I have met backstage, but the list is too long. However, one time, when Motorhead was playing Phoenix, it was my wife, myself, and Randy Johnson hanging out with Mikkey Dee, in his dressing room before the concert. Dave Mustaine dropped by. He was the headliner.

Now my friend travels by jet instead of tour bus. Backstage at a Scorpions concert is a who’s who of the famous. Now in Mikkey’s dressing room, there are 20 to 30 people. Super fun. Last time the Scorpions came to SoFlo, I took Mikkey out all over Pompano Beach. He gave backstage passes to all my friends too. I am still a hero at my local rock n roll bar, because of it.

I met Mikkey (and his manager) at an after party (I think it was at Jason Bonhams house) while he was still with Motorhead, we hit it off cause I spoke Swedish and used to live there (he was very energetic that night)
He recently just had a really bad ass late model Indian chopper built that I'm seriously considering copying the build!
I came across an old pic of Mikkey recently and he was wearing a t-shirt that said "Scandinavian Scum" using two large SS's (it was a biker style shirt) The reason I bring it up is because a Danish friend of mine had those shirts made back when he still lived in Denmark but he only made about 4 or 5 of them so when I saw Mikkey wearing one I was trying to DM him to see if he remembered where he got it from (never heard from him )
Saw him playing with the Scorps earlier this year at PH in Vegas, he's still an animal on the drums!

 

[92562]

I was able to meet many people in motorsports. One memorable encounter was with James Garner at Indy. I posted this a couple of years ago. It's 2004, race morning at Indy, and the pit lane is packed with race cars, pit equipment, celebrities, Camaro convertibles, sponsor tours, and gawkers. It's impossible to move. I'm in our pit, and it's pretty far from the Gasoline Alley opening in the stands. The engine start command is 45 minutes away.

Our crew chief yells at me, "Take the pit cart, go back to the garage, and get the bin with the spare suspension springs. I forgot to bring it." I jump on the pit cart, hit the garage, grab the springs, and I'm on my way back.

The congestion on pit lane is worse. I'm laying on the pit cart's horn, and it's a pathetic buzz. When I get to the Pagoda, I still have a ways to go, but I'm stopped.

Jim Garner is five feet away from me. He makes eye contact with me, and realizes what's going on. He turns around, moves forward, and he's yelling "Get out of the way! Move it! This man needs to get through!"

He runs interference for me for a bit, the crowd parts, and finally I start moving. As I pass him, I grin, "Thanks, Mr. Garner." He says "You're welcome, good luck today", turns, and jumps in the Camaro convertible he's about to ride in around the track.

Then there was the time I ran a couple of Harleys up north to Whitesboro for a weekend rental and met this guy. He was visiting friends during F1's North America swing.

View attachment 1432545

There's a bunch of others, but "meeting" famous people is just random chance most of the time, like the time I ran into John Force at DFW airport and bothered him for a few minutes. I just had more opportunities, and was fortunate to have them.

I was in the movie Sunset with James Garner. It was Bruce Willis' first movie and he was kind of a dick. Had security all around him and if you got too close they barked at you. I was at UC Riverside at the time and was in the band in the movie (in the club and at the train station playing the trombone). James walks up to us during a lunch break and says, "Hey, I hear you guys are from Riverside, I used to race stock cars there." He hung out with us for an hour. Solid dude. If you see the movie, Garner was supposed to be a minor character to help elevate Bruce's career but Garner totally stole the show. He's just that good. Given the health issues Bruce is going through I feel bad saying he was a dick, but he was back then.

 

[Ziggy]

My mom sat next to Wilt Chamberlain for a 12 hr flight to europe. She said he bonked his head twice getting up.

 

[beerrun]

My old boss was best friends with Benito Santiago. When he was a Padre we use to party with him a lot. One time Ricky Henderson came out with us. Pretty cool guy. 2 years later I am in Detroit visiting family and we went to the top of the Renaissance center bar and in walks Ricky with his crew. I didn't approach him. About a half hour later he walks up to me and says hi. We chatted a bit. When we went to leave my tab was paid by him.

I still have Bob Gordons # in my phone

 

[WTMFA]

Growing up in LA, meeting famous people is all to common but here's a few that come to mind,
My middle brother used to be good friends with the keyboard player in the 80's one hit wonder band "Autograph" they were just starting out and sometimes stored their gear at my dad's house. Van Halen's pruducer Ted Templeman had something to do with their success so I went to listening parties at the Record Plant and met the Van Halen guys at an early age.
Went to high school with 3X Top Fuel Champ Larry Dixon. Used to hang out at Prudhommes shop when he was in Northridge.
Last time I was at his house in Indy we got a private tour of "the vault" at Indy Motor Speedway (NO ONE is allowed down there)
Tommy Lee, his BG Viggy, and his friend Bobby (the og drummer for the band Orgy) wound up on my boat at Castaic lake on 4th of July 2001and partied with us all day, then he bought us dinner at a Mexican place in Agura, after which we went to his friends new nightclub and stayed up all night
Sat and drank at the Snake Pit bar on Melrose with Billy Duffy (guitarist from The Cult) and pondered life's many mysteries
Josh Brolin and Gilby Clark are part of a group I ride with on occasion.
These are just a few of the close interactions I've had, can't even count how many random meetings there have been, especially being in "the business" its impossible not to meet "famous people" on the daily, some are nice and some are assholes

 

[skifaster]

They say you never want to meet your heroes, you’ll only be disappointed. BUT, I just happened to meet and talk to a skiing hero of mine last weekend at the boat races, Glen Plake. Talked to him and his wife Kim for a while and they could not have been nicer. I follow Plake on social media and he and his wife lead a life of adventure for sure. View attachment 1432628

We got to meet Glen Plake several times as well when he water ski raced for a bit. Camped next to him and his Wife at one of the ski races and shared some cool stories of his adventurous life. He was absolutely awesome and down to earth. Cool to see him wearing the Nordic Racing shirt in this pic too.

 

[85RiverRAT]

I few of my more notable, I am sure there were others, lots of backstage concert stuff.

- 'Skipper' Alan Hale Jr. My dad tells me we met/saw him at one of the Boat Shows in the 80's, maybe Fred Hall?
- 'Mountain Man' Duck Dynasty star Tim Guraedy, @ LA Roadsters.
- Hasslehoff, his daughter was at UofA the same time I was, the HOFF was in the student section at our football games.
- Chip Foose, Pasadena Art Center, got to speak with him and take some photos.
- Dennis Rodman @ Nick's Laguna Beach.
- Kareem Adbul-Jabbar @ Bandera Corona Del Mar.
- SHAQ.

We were at Staples Center for a show, and ate at Shaquille's (closed since then), and he and his whole family were having dinner, filming something, at a private table to the side. After eating he came out and greeted the restaurant. We grabbed the opportunity to say hello and take a picture. I barely came up to his armpits.

I am fan of 'Tanked' the Las Vegas aquarium builders. They have done a few SHAQ episodes. I asked SHAQ about his pet Grouper "Bubble", he seemed a bit shocked, because he probably only every gets basketball questions/comments. "OH YEAH MAN, HES GOOD!", something like that. Pretty cool!

RODMAN. Crazy.

 

[clarence]

Sat and drank at the Snake Pit bar on Melrose with Billy Duffy (guitarist from The Cult) and pondered life's many mysteries

That's great.

Compared hair height with him at a Balaam and the Angel show once.

 

[oldschool]

We got to meet Glen Plake several times as well when he water ski raced for a bit. Camped next to him and his Wife at one of the ski races and shared some cool stories of his adventurous life. He was absolutely awesome and down to earth. Cool to see him wearing the Nordic Racing shirt in this pic too.

I saw that he ski raced somewhere in Europe this summer. I saw him through the day throwing in and wrenching on his buddies flat.

 

[Todd Mohr]

We got to meet Glen Plake several times as well when he water ski raced for a bit. Camped next to him and his Wife at one of the ski races and shared some cool stories of his adventurous life. He was absolutely awesome and down to earth. Cool to see him wearing the Nordic Racing shirt in this pic too.

I pulled Plake behind my flatty when he was training for the ski races, we may have hit 100 a couple of times. Super cool guy and Kimberly is very nice, I used to water ski with them when they had the slalom course at Lahonton in N Nev.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

…Thats a great story… I live in North Hollywood … And know North Hollywood history quite well …Where in North Hollywood was the Mates rehearsal hall

I think it's still there, I believe on Vineland. Might have a Van Nuys address.

 

[boatnam2]

I think I met only one real celebrity, my dad and I were on the side of a high rise building in Santa Monica on a swing stage setting some glass, when to sit on down on sidewalk and Kurt Russel was standing there drinking a carrot smoothie, my dad was a world class bullshitter so he started bullshitting with him right away, cool dude, little guy, looked bigger in movies was my takeaway. My pops worked on quite a few movie sets replacing glass after a scene, so he got to meet quite a few people, he brought me home a signed letter/picture from wonder woman, in the 80's she was so fine.

 

[28Eliminator]

I've met a few.

Went out to Parker to pre-run for a race (late 80's). got there very late the night before and me and my partner ended up sleeping in the back of the truck. We were woken up by Walker Evans shaking the truck and banging on the bed telling us to get up or were gonna be late for the fun.

A year or 2 later I was "Tapped" from behind at the Gold Coast 300 in a narrow canyon by Ivan Stewart. He rolled me over. His helicopter stopped and helped us get the car back upright and we went on. After the race he came and found us to apologize. Great guy. Talked to him many times over the years after that.

I've built houses for Drew and Brittney Breeze, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Peter Ueberroth and Brian and Melinda Wilson.. Fun Fact - Brian and Melinda owned 2 different Eliminator boats.

I also "Close encounter' with Jennifer love Hewitt on an Airplane going to Hawaii in the early 90's.. I had to pass her in the aisle , she smiled at me

Oh. And I met River Dave.

 

[Blue Oval]

I posted back in August. I was asked to bring a couple of our antique cars to a party in Charlevoix. I was asked by the Richie family. No idea what to expect. Ended up drinking and dancing with Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, one of the original members of Journey and a handful of people I’m not sure who they are.Once in a lifetime opportunity. They were all very nice to us. Had a blast. Kid Rocks house band from his bar came all the way up to play. I have some pics, but I promised Kids mother I would not post anything. His Mother is good friends with a couple of people I grew up with.

 

[fat rat]

I’ll keep this brief

1972 WNY, hurricane Agnus hit. Hank Williams Jr was traveling through the area. The rivers we’re over bank and brid we’re flooded. They stopped at our family owned hotel. Storm hit they were trapped for three days. The hotel had a nice lounge with sound equipment.
Hank and couple guys came play with him, what an awesome night, at 16 I had no idea who he was.

Around the same time, once again at our hotel. I was working in my dad’s shop we had on premises, my dad come storming in, he was almost speechless. He kept telling me the guy from TV, i had no idea what he was saying. As we walk across the banquet hal and entered the lobby. There stood TimConway I can’t remember the comedy western he was in at the the time. I was totally speechless, he tried talk to me, I couldn’t speak, it was like a dream. WNY is pretty isolated,but nice. I call it the bubble.

Fast forward to 1986. I was assigned to Andrew’s Air Force Base and assigned to the 89 Presidential Squadron .
With out a lot a detail . Regan to Clinton all the VP. I could tell some stories!

 

[Blue Oval]

Back in the 80’s we went to the TV show Throb. During set changes they did an introduction to the cast. They gave me a mic to introduce myself. Paul Walker was just a kid. The guy running the sound board stands up and said hello. He graduated from Petoskey Mi., 20 miles from me. I forgot his name. The show didn’t make it very long.

 

[TPC]

Over 40+ years ago one of the priests at Our Lady of the Angels mentioned to me the health dept asked for hot water at the sinks at the churches homeless camps food stations.

I had just bought a crate of under counter hot water heaters and had 5 left, that’s what they needed.

Working at the camp who should visit but Mother Teresa who thanked all us volunteers.
“Wheres your help, this is a huge task” she asked.
“All my guys are out finalizing divorces” I said.
She replied ” marriage is so precious yet so easily thrown away.”

 

[TPC]

My ex MIL was a famous MGM star and from time to time met some famous at her parties.

My mom worked for Disney Studios and at the end of a production they had Wrap parties. I met some celibs.

The nicest, most easy going & appreciative celib I ever met was Ted Mack. He did music & musical soundtracks.

His talented wife contributed to some Disney productions. An amazing man far and way beyond his gig on Amateur Hour.

Everyone he talked to felt special.

Jerry Colona was fantastic. The rest not all that famous and too numerous to mention.
Kevin Corcoran, Tim Considine and Hayley Mills come to mind.

 

[Babyback]

I ran across Fluffy one night at work a few months ago. Very cool and down to earth. Talked about the food at the restaurant we were at and how he liked my parking job. Lol.
View attachment 1432548

@ Win-Dow in LB?

 

[TPC]

I think it's still there, I believe on Vineland. Might have a Van Nuys address.

Southwest corner of NoHo, all of Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Toluca Lake was loaded with Celibs. Many had homes there only for when they were in town working. They often owned other homes in other towns.

They’d get ripped off by a contractor then start asking around for reliable people.

A plumber friend of mine they trusted would often recommend me for AC heat and refrigeration.
Met lots of famous people.

The Frigidaire Imperal line of Refers was the BFD back then. I got good at fixing and restoring them.
Sees Candy Store White.

No internet back then I bought genuine OEM parts at the Frigidaire parts house in Commerce. + Copeland and Danfoss quality parts.

Made the job easier, more reliable and always ran better. But cost more.

A famous director was a cheapskate and the few calls I got for various problems he had he tried to Stein me on price.
I stopped taking his calls.
Word spread fast he couldn’t get anyone for anything.

Steve Garvey too but he didn’t pay ya.

 

[Boat Potato]

@ Win-Dow in LB?

Yes sir!

 

[dribble]

Back in 1981 my (somewhat ex) GF had a roommate who grew up with Barry Williams. He came up to Sacramento to do a show at the Music Circus. We all went waterskiing on the Sacramento River. He showed up at the ramp in a Porsche 914-6. He taught me how to do a beach start. He was a pretty good water skier and preferred to use a wood Maharaja. He wouldn’t smoke on the boat because he didn’t want to affect his singing voice but he did roll up a fatti for my gf’s brother. Something I didn’t think I would ever see Greg Brady do.

More recently I was at the local Harley Dealer picking up a part for my bike. I noticed a really nice custom Road King in the parking lot. As I’m walking out I see a very familiar face. It was Bob Hannah. I talked to him and his wife for about 20 minutes. Really nice people. Turned out I knew the brother of the guy he was with. He keeps his Road King in California so he can fly in from Idaho and ride during the winter.

 

[was thatguy]

One of my best friends is Linda.
She was my F Buddy many years ago and is still a good friend.
Linda introduced me to Debbie, who she grew up with in Sacramento.
But her last name was Hamilton which I knew was not her family name.
So she told me one day.
She was married to Joe Hamilton Jr before I knew her.
Joe Sr was Carrol Burnettes husband and producer for 20 years or so. Joe Jr was Burnetts stepson.
I called bullshit, no way Carrol Burnett was your MIL. Lol
So she broke out the family pictures and I’ll be damned, there she was in the holiday home pictures with Burnett and family.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

When I turned 16 and got my drivers license , I got a job at Los Robles Inn and golf course as a car valet . My Mom knew there were plenty of celebrities that played golf and ate there . Well , she gave me her autograph book and asked , well told me , to get autographs . One day Andy Williams and a few of his buddies were walking towards me , I started walking towards him with my autograph book in hand , and just as I was about to ask to sign my book , he let out a Huge Rodney Dangerfield Fart ! I pulled my hand back and quickly walked away .

 

[RVRKID]

I've met a few.

Went out to Parker to pre-run for a race (late 80's). got there very late the night before and me and my partner ended up sleeping in the back of the truck. We were woken up by Walker Evans shaking the truck and banging on the bed telling us to get up or were gonna be late for the fun.

A year or 2 later I was "Tapped" from behind at the Gold Coast 300 in a narrow canyon by Ivan Stewart. He rolled me over. His helicopter stopped and helped us get the car back upright and we went on. After the race he came and found us to apologize. Great guy. Talked to him many times over the years after that.

I've built houses for Drew and Brittney Breeze, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Peter Ueberroth and Brian and Melinda Wilson.. Fun Fact - Brian and Melinda owned 2 different Eliminator boats.

I also "Close encounter' with Jennifer love Hewitt on an Airplane going to Hawaii in the early 90's.. I had to pass her in the aisle , she smiled at me

Oh. And I met River Dave.

Funny you mention Brian and Melinda, my Grandpa and her Dad were best friends and they built our place in Parker back on the day. I was close with her nephews and met Brian a couple times, when her Dad passed away he sang a cappella at his funeral. He wasn’t all there though, lol. Oh and Melinda was a Rams cheerleader way back in the day.

 

[Albert]

Heading to Cabo a few months ago ran into Mark McGuire he was taking is family to that scary place called Cabo in Mexico and so was I . We chit chatted for a bit no pics no I want your autograph .

 

[TPC]

Took Maynard and the neighbor kid to Hurricane Harbor.
I sat at the shady tables across from one of the food kiosks and turned them loose.

A girl sat opposite and like me the kids with her also left for the water slides. Those kids were her nieces.

She kept her back to everyone and was wearing sunglasses and a Duck Hunting hat.
A real strong accent we chatted small talk but she was hard to understand.

A new shift arrived at the food kiosk and the employees off shift came out and surrounded her.
She told them "Take pictures, but I don't sign autographs!'

She was Penelope Cruz and I had no clue who that was.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Met Lee Marvin in Vegas years ago during the prime of his career. When we shook hands he gave me the limp wrist, dead fish. Creeped me out.

 

[TPC]

After World War 2 the American Legon Posts were watering holes and service clubs for Veterans. They elected Presidents and other candidates too.

My dad was Post Commander at the Hollywood Post.

They'd have fund raiser luncheons and dinners and old stars would come in and sing a few songs, dance a few licks and tell a few jokes.
Penny Singleton, Francis Langford, Margret O'Brien and a long list of others. Packed, full house.

Supporting snarky sidekick Patsy Kelly would come into the kitchen and she loved to cook and organized some great fund raising dinners.

Later on in life they would help us out at the Elks raising funds for a local special needs school. Always at their own expense on their own dime.