Celebs both well known and obscure that you have met

Several years ago I attended a double header NCAA game. Towards the end of the first game I saw Bill Raftery standing by himself watching the game. He was doing the second game. . I went over during a time out and introduced myself and consistent with his image - Raftery couldn't have been more gracious. I told Raf that I was a StJohn's fan and he was very respectful of the school and its tradition.

Bill Raftery is a very good guy.
 
[quote="jerseyshorejohnny" post=397109]Got Rudy to come up to Cardinal Hayes a number of years ago to speak with the student body.

It was the day before West Point played ND at Yankee Stadium.

The Army captain was a Hayes grad.

Rudy was a very nice guy. Could not be friendlier.[/quote]

This Rudy? In town to watch ND I assume? lol
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My 2 favorites are:

Curtis Granderson. It was my son's first game and signed everything. Took pics with him. Incredibly nice guy.
Keith Hernandez cause.. well it's Keith Hernandez.
 
Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother after attending Sunday services at the St. George's Chapel (the "little chapel") on Windsor Castle grounds. After service the Queen would chat with worshipers after services. It was interesting that while the Queen Mother when back to the Castle in a chauffer driven Rolls, the Queen drove herself in a Jag. She was quite easy to talk with and even chatted with my 9 year son.

Cardinal Dolan who is a very gregarious and funny. If he wasn't a priest he would have been the "Irish" politician.

Retired Cardinal Egan after Dolan succeeded him. Avery humble man.

Mike Piazza, my favorite. Very personable who is a very devout Catholic; his kids all attended Catholic schools and he is very supportive of Catholic charities. He took time to autograph (when he was not at an autograph event) a special item for friends who lost a son at 9/11 who was an huge fan a Mike.

Hugh Jackman backstage when he was doing The Boy From Oz. Very personable and took time to meet and talk to us after the show. The Mrs. still remembers that she was "kissed" by Hugh. He is a very good stage actor and singer.

Kevin Bacon and Kira Sedgwick at parent meetings as our sons were in the same class. It was amazing how down to earth he was and did not "glam" up; jeans and a hoodie, etc. Was amazed at the effect acting make up did to his skin.

Louie and Bill Wennington were great with my son when he was 6 years old. Bill picked him up for a picture as they were significantly different is size.

The entire 84-85 team on the plane ride back from Denver--what a party. Remember Mullie storming first class when coach ran out of beer.
 
dom deluise - my wife worked with his sister. he treated a few of her coworkers and mates to dinner. what a great guy. down to earth, warm, friendly. it was a long and enjoyable evening.

wayne garret - he was the guest speaker at my annual softball luncheon. the next year he was invited back as a non guest speaker. i walked out with him and asked him if he knew how much in love nyc was with the 1969 mets - full disclosure i am a devout yankee fan. one (1) hour later he was still talking to me. great, great guy.

billy schaeffer - met him a bunch of times with the SJU alumni dinners in florida. great guy. many, many SJU and college basketball stories.

lou c - met him on 3 separate occasions. once the maven introduced us when he again signed his autobiographical book for me. i bought the lou c book at a book signing somewhere on hempstead tpke on a rainy week night the coach was there with his wife, i with my wife. we 4 were the only people in the store so i had coach all to myself. he is actually nicer than the nicest thing you ever heard about him

chris mullin - my wife and i had our picture taken with my favorite johnny in orlando

reggie jackson - he is sitting in first class eating salted seeds. i said mr october please sign my yankee hat - of course i was wearing one - he did, then he went back to the seeds without saying a word to me

gene keady - before SJu - it was a dead recruiting period. i read that he was a big yankee fan. i go to the bathroom in yankee stadium. gene is at the next urinal. i said coach i am a big fan of yours. he continued with his business.

lbj - he was on the campus of a local texas community college to dedicate the nursing school to his wife. i am banging like a lunatic on the locked library door trying to get in. his large posse stops. they all stare at me trying to figure out if they should continue laughing or shoot me

newt gingrich - book signing in gettysburg - serious guy

gene michael's fiance - sat next to me at a yankee game. gene was out of town. he had her save all the yankee stories from all the newspapers when he was out of town. nice lady.

haystacks calhoun - in a lobby of a chicago hotel. he signed an autograph. his hands were so huge that you could not see any part of the pen
 
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[quote="section10" post=397144]
gene keady - before SJu - it was a dead recruiting period. i read that he was a big yankee fan. i go to the bathroom in yankee stadium. gene is at the next urinal. i said coach i am a big fan of yours. he continued with his business.
[/quote]

A guy looks over at me at the urinal and says he's a big fan. I stare straight ahead. :whistle:

For my History of Jazz class at St. John's one of our assignments was to go to a NYC jazz club. My date and I are sitting at a small table right in front of the band. It was great. After a set I go to the restroom, the drummer comes up next to me smoking a joint. Asks me if I want a hit. So I guess it works both ways at the urinal with celebrities... I believe that is the third 'at the urinal' anecdote in this thread...
 
Met Edwin Moses at LGA around 1990. I was with some SJU track and field guys and they recognized him. He was super nice and I have a pic somewhere of us chatting.

Met Rick Reilly (Sports Illustrated / ESPN) outside Fenway 2006-ish. Very friendly guy.

Chatted with Keith Hernandez in 2009 at a "Shea Goodbye" book signing. He was more interested in my wife than me :)

Met Josh Hamilton in 2011 in a supermarket. Huge guy. My son was with me and in his soccer gear (picked him up from practice) and Josh peppered him with questions about his soccer team, games, etc. My son loved the attention.

Now for the real event. Charlotte 2015. Met MJ Maher (and his better half), MJ Dinkins, Beast of the East, Jersey Shore Johnny, ccnobz. As they saying goes never meet you heroes. just kidding, great guys!
 
[quote="section10" post=397144]dom deluise - my wife worked with his sister. he treated a few of her coworkers and mates to dinner. what a great guy. down to earth, warm, friendly. it was a long and enjoyable evening.

wayne garret - he was the guest speaker at my annual softball luncheon. the next year he was invited back as a non guest speaker. i walked out with him and asked him if he knew how much in love nyc was with the 1969 mets - full disclosure i am a devout yankee fan. one (1) hour later he was still talking to me. great, great guy.

billy schaeffer - met him a bunch of times with the SJU alumni dinners in florida. great guy. many, many SJU and college basketball stories.

lou c - met him on 3 separate occasions. once the maven introduced us when he again signed his autobiographical book for me. i bought the lou c book at a book signing somewhere on hempstead tpke on a rainy week night the coach was there with his wife, i with my wife. we 4 were the only people in the store so i had coach all to myself. he is actually nicer than the nicest thing you ever heard about him

chris mullin - my wife and i had our picture taken with my favorite johnny in orlando

reggie jackson - he is sitting in first class eating salted seeds. i said mr october please sign my yankee hat - of course i was wearing one - he did, then he went back to the seeds without saying a word to me

gene keady - before SJu - it was a dead recruiting period. i read that he was a big yankee fan. i go to the bathroom in yankee stadium. gene is at the next urinal. i said coach i am a big fan of yours. he continued with his business.

lbj - he was on the campus of a local texas community college to dedicate the nursing school to his wife. i am banging like a lunatic on the locked library door trying to get in. his large posse stops. they all stare at me trying to figure out if they should continue laughing or shoot me

newt gingrich - book signing in gettysburg - serious guy

gene michael's fiance - sat next to me at a yankee game. gene was out of town. he had her save all the yankee stories from all the newspapers when he was out of town. nice lady.

haystacks calhoun - in a lobby of a chicago hotel. he signed an autograph. his hands were so huge that you could not see any part of the pen[/quote]

A number of years ago I was driving down west side highway and I found myself behind a car with a license plate "Stick". So, out of curiosity I had to get next to the car and see who was driving. Low and behold, there was Gene Michael behind the wheel dressed in a suit and wearing a Yankee cap. I got a good laugh out of that.
 
Forgot:
Marie Osmond at the Gammage Theater with brother Donny came into the audience and placed a very, very nice kiss on me. Didn't wash my face that day.
After Ernie Banks refused my three sons an autograph Ferguson Jenkins said, "oh no let me sign." Then proceeded to talk to my kids. Will never forget him.
Billy Schaeffer - as one of the officers of the alumni we met Billy for dinner when he was the director.
Believe it or not but one of my practice courts for my high school basketball team was the 69th Regiment Armory. One day I go to the locker room and find Hank Bauer, Gene Woodling, Sal Yvars, and Gene Hermanski changing after they held a baseball clinic. One Saturday I walk in with Dick McGuire who happened to be puffing away on a cigarette. Before the Knicks were finished with practice I walked on the court to hear Carl Braun challenge Jack Turner to one handers. Winner buys at Sardis.Did I pick the right high school or what. Even played at the Armory against St. Tolentine.
When visiting our daughter in Chicago she was dating Steve Swisher , catcher for the Cubs. Gave us box seats behind the Met dugout for a doubleheader. Met Duke Snider at a Hello Dolly Play. Was an announcer for the Montreal Expos who were coming to town.
Don't think I mentioned in previous post but while waiting for autographs at Shea Stadium the security guard told me to be ware of Mays because he speeds out of here and will run you over if you get in his way.
At another Mets game we approached Johnny Bench for autographs. BTW, he had two lovely ladies on each arm.He said he would if I would tell him how to get to Main Street Flushing. I really should have taken him so my kids could say the next day at school ,guess who rode in our car last night. Oh well!
Disappointed with Rusty Staub, another one who rushed by into a station wagon without stopping to sign autographs. He got it good from a young parent who screamed, "You should be ashamed of yourself since these kids here root for you. Did't blink an eye. Really didn't expect that from the red head.
 
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[quote="BrookJersey Redmen" post=397089]EXPANDING ON ME GETTING TO MEET CLAY/ALI:

So we are in the Eightth Grade at St. Jerome's in Flatbush and Sr. Mary Augustine (A sister of Mercy (No Mercy) a battle-ax who believed in corporal punishment) takes us into Manhattan for a class trip. Got out of the Subway having taken the IRT (old-timers know those designations) and there nearby walking alone on the street was Cassius Clay, well before he changed his name. He had no entourage.
's cousin (she wasn't), and she was a real right winger. So us kids thought she would ignore Clay as she was pro-Viet Nam War and all that was going on at the time.

I guess his celebrity status got to her.

A few of the class started chanting " CASSIUS CLAY/ALL THE WAY", over and over, he loved it. He came over to us (all white kids/one hispanic) and was the nicest guy in the world. Mocking to box with a few kids; sing songing, "Float like a butterfly/sting like a bee". Making up rhymes with our names. Meeting lasted about 15 minutes. He gave every single one of us his autograph and kissed the nun goodbye when we left.

I carried around that autograph in my little wallet with my G.O. card (to get into the Garden back in the late 60's for .50 cents). I have no idea how much it might be worth as I know nothing about collectibles. Sadly, I lost it somehow someway over the years, so did my two closest friends at the time who are still my friends. None know where the autograph is today. I wonder if anyone in the group kept better care of theirs.

This is totally true and anecdotal, so I do not know if Clay/Ali really was as nice as he was to us that day. I hope so.[/quote]

You mean there were other old battle ax nuns. Seems like I had them (St.Josephs) should have been sent to the retirement farm. reallyI disliked them. Thank God for the fantastic Marist Brothers.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=397145][quote="section10" post=397144]
gene keady - before SJu - it was a dead recruiting period. i read that he was a big yankee fan. i go to the bathroom in yankee stadium. gene is at the next urinal. i said coach i am a big fan of yours. he continued with his business.
[/quote]

A guy looks over at me at the urinal and says he's a big fan. I stare straight ahead. :whistle:

For my History of Jazz class at St. John's one of our assignments was to go to a NYC jazz club. My date and I are sitting at a small table right in front of the band. It was great. After a set I go to the restroom, the drummer comes up next to me smoking a joint. Asks me if I want a hit. So I guess it works both ways at the urinal with celebrities... I believe that is the third 'at the urinal' anecdote in this thread...[/quote]

Paul, your a pisser. :)
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=397145][quote="section10" post=397144]
gene keady - before SJu - it was a dead recruiting period. i read that he was a big yankee fan. i go to the bathroom in yankee stadium. gene is at the next urinal. i said coach i am a big fan of yours. he continued with his business.
[/quote]

A guy looks over at me at the urinal and says he's a big fan. I stare straight ahead. :whistle:

For my History of Jazz class at St. John's one of our assignments was to go to a NYC jazz club. My date and I are sitting at a small table right in front of the band. It was great. After a set I go to the restroom, the drummer comes up next to me smoking a joint. Asks me if I want a hit. So I guess it works both ways at the urinal with celebrities... I believe that is the third 'at the urinal' anecdote in this thread...[/quote] not a urinal story but you reminded me of something. A while ago there was an HBO tv show called Treme about New Orleans post Katrina and bunch of people played themselves. A jazz musician famous in Nola named Kermit Ruffins was on the show a lot. We go down to Nola one time and my buddy who is huge music guy says “ you gotta go see Kermit play at a bar called Bullets “ on a Thursday. Nathalie and I don’t know Nola outside of the main downtown area so we order a cab. The cabbie pretty much tells us halfway there no way should we go it’s not safe it’s super high crime area. We tell him to just drive. We pull up to basically this almost house where the bar is downstairs. He doesn’t want us getting out if the car and tells us “ make sure this us the right spot because cabs won’t come here to get you “. We get out and there is bbq going on outside and bunch of people. A pickup truck is parked right in front with ton of beers in the back and there is Kermit sitting in the drivers seat with his door open pounding beers. I go up to him to say hi and he hands us beer and next thing I know we are pounding beers with him before his show eating bbq. He reeked of pot ( but didn’t offer ). Stupid me after an hour drinking I say “ Kermit you are just like your character on Treme “ he laughs and says “ I play myself “ :). He’s awesome live. Nat and I were literally the only non locals there and the people there were beyond awesome and after the show after we drank some more beers with them they made sure a cab came for us because even they were saying at night it was really bad. Well at least at that time it was. Anyone who likes fun upbeat Nola music should give him a listen
 
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=397153] not a urinal story but [/quote]
too bad there was no urinal in the story but it was good. you could have at least thrown in a crayfish roll though.
 
Sean Muto at 3:00 in the morning at Johnny Rocket on 20th and Broadway. Club was owned by a couple of Bushwick guys. We were both 3 sheets to the wind. All I remember is telling him that Louie didn't know how to utilize his talents, and that he should declare for the draft. That got him all charged up and we did a shot together to celebrate his impending NBA career.
 
I'm on a roll now: Circa 1980. The Funhouse on west 26th Street. About 1:00AM. Jumping on stage with Edwin Starr( "War...what is it good for", "25 Miles to go", "Contact", etc) and helping him sing his disco hit "H.A.P.P.Y Radio". One of the true high points of my life. Still not sure why the bouncers didn't kick my ass off stage and out on to 26th st.
 
[quote="Knight" post=397152][quote="Paul Massell" post=397145][quote="section10" post=397144]
gene keady - before SJu - it was a dead recruiting period. i read that he was a big yankee fan. i go to the bathroom in yankee stadium. gene is at the next urinal. i said coach i am a big fan of yours. he continued with his business.
[/quote]

A guy looks over at me at the urinal and says he's a big fan. I stare straight ahead. :whistle:

For my History of Jazz class at St. John's one of our assignments was to go to a NYC jazz club. My date and I are sitting at a small table right in front of the band. It was great. After a set I go to the restroom, the drummer comes up next to me smoking a joint. Asks me if I want a hit. So I guess it works both ways at the urinal with celebrities... I believe that is the third 'at the urinal' anecdote in this thread...[/quote]

Paul, your a pisser. :)[/quote]

I worked at the Bottom Line my first year in NY and recall sharing the urinal with Joe Jackson on night after the crowd had pretty much left. He made ever effort to piss sideways with his back to me that he could. So what's the count on urinal stories now?

Lots of celebs there every night even though it was a small place, but wetended to leave them alone. Except two. Paul Shaeffer had been working with the owners on a Broadway Musical with Darlene Love (she was a doll too, very nice) and would come in often and act like he was one of the staff just joking around. Jaco Pastorius would also come around often but he would usually be, well let's say anything but sober as he had quite a substance abuse problem which eventually killed him. Whenever he showed up in that state one of us would keep him busy outside the door while someone else would go get one of the owners who would somehow manage to convince him to go home. Oh, and also had a lot of post show drinks with Dennis and Pat from Smithereens who were there at least weekly as well, Dennis was dating the booker.
 
[quote="Monte" post=397155]Sean Muto at 3:00 in the morning at Johnny Rocket on 20th and Broadway. Club was owned by a couple of Bushwick guys. We were both 3 sheets to the wind. All I remember is telling him that Louie didn't know how to utilize his talents, and that he should declare for the draft. That got him all charged up and we did a shot together to celebrate his impending NBA career.[/quote]

Hes was friends with my cousin and we hung out and had a couple beers one night in the early 90's. But no one gets a word in when my cousin's around. ;)
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=397154][quote="mjmaherjr" post=397153] not a urinal story but [/quote]
too bad there was no urinal in the story but it was good. you could have at least thrown in a crayfish roll though.[/quote]thise rolls are really good at jazzfest just too spicy for me to eat more than 1 and I wait till the end if the day just in case it wants to exit my body early :)
 
[quote="TX Redman" post=397146]Met Edwin Moses at LGA around 1990. I was with some SJU track and field guys and they recognized him. He was super nice and I have a pic somewhere of us chatting.

Met Rick Reilly (Sports Illustrated / ESPN) outside Fenway 2006-ish. Very friendly guy.

Chatted with Keith Hernandez in 2009 at a "Shea Goodbye" book signing. He was more interested in my wife than me :)

Met Josh Hamilton in 2011 in a supermarket. Huge guy. My son was with me and in his soccer gear (picked him up from practice) and Josh peppered him with questions about his soccer team, games, etc. My son loved the attention.

Now for the real event. Charlotte 2015. Met MJ Maher (and his better half), MJ Dinkins, Beast of the East, Jersey Shore Johnny, ccnobz. As they saying goes never meet you heroes. just kidding, great guys![/quote] that trip was a lot of fun !!! Except for Duke staying in our hotel. When cosch K got his whatever 1000000000 win against us at msg I saved the stub to eventually scalp it to some duke fan on eBay. We check into the hotel and all the staff are wearing Duke jerseys. The guy checking us in was lifelong duke fan. We mentioned that someone ( actually I think it was someone in this board ) told us to go to some famous chicken franchise and eat ( ughhh I forget the name but there are a couple on Long Island now ) anyway he gives us a ton of free certificates. So we eat like $50 in food for free. Anyway I figure pay it forward. We go back to hotel and I tell him I’m going to send him that ticket. He literally had tears in his eyes. When we got home I sent it to him. I wasn’t going to enjoy that POS ticket anyway so at least it went to someone who deserves it
 
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=397169][quote="TX Redman" post=397146]Met Edwin Moses at LGA around 1990. I was with some SJU track and field guys and they recognized him. He was super nice and I have a pic somewhere of us chatting.

Met Rick Reilly (Sports Illustrated / ESPN) outside Fenway 2006-ish. Very friendly guy.

Chatted with Keith Hernandez in 2009 at a "Shea Goodbye" book signing. He was more interested in my wife than me :)

Met Josh Hamilton in 2011 in a supermarket. Huge guy. My son was with me and in his soccer gear (picked him up from practice) and Josh peppered him with questions about his soccer team, games, etc. My son loved the attention.

Now for the real event. Charlotte 2015. Met MJ Maher (and his better half), MJ Dinkins, Beast of the East, Jersey Shore Johnny, ccnobz. As they saying goes never meet you heroes. just kidding, great guys![/quote] that trip was a lot of fun !!! Except for Duke staying in our hotel. When cosch K got his whatever 1000000000 win against us at msg I saved the stub to eventually scalp it to some duke fan on eBay. We check into the hotel and all the staff are wearing Duke jerseys. The guy checking us in was lifelong duke fan. We mentioned that someone ( actually I think it was someone in this board ) told us to go to some famous chicken franchise and eat ( ughhh I forget the name but there are a couple on Long Island now ) anyway he gives us a ton of free certificates. So we eat like $50 in food for free. Anyway I figure pay it forward. We go back to hotel and I tell him I’m going to send him that ticket. He literally had tears in his eyes. When we got home I sent it to him. I wasn’t going to enjoy that POS ticket anyway so at least it went to someone who deserves it[/quote]

I was at same hotel - the Westin about 8 blocks from the arena. SJU, as a low seed pretty far away. Duke definitely had the tournament down. So it was you and Nathalie, me and my daughters, and Mike Cragg representing St. John's at that hotel. Only Mike didn't know it at the time.

That WAS a great trip When SJu makes the NCAA's I always plan to do something the rest of the weekend, just in case they lose (lol). We went to Biltmore in Asheville the next day.

Met a lot of great fans that trip, as Txredman notes. You did a great job or organizing a get together after the game MJM. A bunch of former players sat in the row right behind us at the game - maybe 5 or 6 of them
 
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