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Not that it will matter much to most of the US folks (sorry for the stereotype); met Pele & the DC United team today. Too cool!
Cheers, 'toad |
On a UA flight LGA-ORD several years ago, I spotted movie critic Roger Ebert getting on the plane last and sitting in the first row of coach; he was also first off when we landed in Chicago.
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just had an interesting experience--Mother's day I spent (with my mother) in St. Louis. Went for a late brunch (2 pm) and sat next to Cong. Gephardt, with his wife, daughter and mother.
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Saw Gregory Peck & wife on ATL-LAX flight, we were all in first row of first.
Also sat next to one of the original Inkspots(played guitar) and the guy who wrote "Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places" Don't pay much attention to other flyers usually. |
arturo sea guinnith heethrow en paltrow aeroport the oter dey. she reely purdy.
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I've seen pleny of celebrities over the years as I'm based at LAX. It's especially funny when I get upgraded ahead of one. They throw a fit!
Rod Steiger was in 1st class on UA from LHR to LAX the other day. He's so huge now he needed a wheelchair. |
Gone for a weekend and there's a thousand new messages!
Here's my (one and only) celebrity sighting for the day... 7/5/99 BOS-LAX - The entire Norway Women's World Cup soccer team! First I wondered why they weren't heading back to Norway (they lost to China that weekend). Then I realized, gee, maybe they have the right to watch the finals, too. Later I realized my ignorance of the sport of football: they need to play for third place against Brazil! All this will be occurring minutes away from me at the sold-out Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. They are a quiet and civil bunch (unlike American sports teams). All sat in the back, quietly reading (Norweigian) newspapers of the coverage of the game or playing Nintendo Gameboys. |
Many years ago when I was a sophisticated young woman (I think I was 18) I sat next to this chatterbox kid (he was maybe 15) wearing sunglasses. He talked and talked and talked about everything under the sun. When the pilot came over the loudspeaker and talked about the beautiful sunshine and billowing clouds, my seat mate said, "Tell me about it". "Why don't you tell me, you've got the window?" I replied. "Oh, I can't," he said, "I'm blind".
He then pulled a Life magazine out from under the seat and began to show me his pictures. He was Little Stevie Wonder. He sure was friendly then. Also sat IN COACH many years ago with Bill Gates (from Vegas to Seattle). At the time the rumor was that he would never pay for a 1st class ticket. I recently flew Seattle to London with an entire Biz Class full of Microsofties and mentioned it to one of them. They said, "I don't think he ever did. He went straight from coach to his own plane." I too was prevented from entering an elevator with Elizabeth Dole last fall at the Baltimore airport. Wonder what she does in there that she needs all that privacy? My son and I sat across the aisle from Isaiah Thomas JFK/DTW in March. I noticed he had on a nice suit, but I wouldn't have known him from Adam My son was thrilled. They played palm pilot games. In May we were on the same plane as Hakim (some Spanish/Moorish rock star). We knew he must be famous when we were plowed down by 60 screaming thirteen-year-olds who were flying from Malaga to Barcelona with their school music group. I adore teenagers but am always amazed at how much engergy they waste and how much noise they can make. http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif |
Personal brushes with celebs over the past 15 years:
George Plimpton (writer)-dresses like an old professor & carries 12 newspapers under his arm. BWI-ORD Terry Bradshaw (ex QB Steelers) is a very 'white-knuckle' flyer. BWI-PIT Jesse Jackson - had 2 bodyguards come on the plane in FC to check it before boarding) Foster Brooks-played a drunk on the Dean Martin TV show. PHL-ORD Barbara Mandrell & husband - LAX-LAS Evander Holyfield - ATL-DFW Morris The Cat (honestly!) travelled a 3 hour flight in a soft carrier under the handlers seat in FC. Got off and there were TV cameras everywhere to greet Morris. Laura Davies - lady golf pro is a very big woman. MCO-?? A group of pro wrestlers in FC...sorry I'm not a fan. Some kid told me at Bag Claim. And most recently...actor Sam Elliott, who I sat next to in FC from SLC-Calgary, where he was going to film a movie for Turner. Nice guy, but also a bit nervous about flying. |
You MET THE MORRIS THE CAT???!!???!!
WOW! MOrris must be lifetime elite on whatever airline he flies!!! I can see the security screening! *Did you pack your own bags? Morris: MEOW *Were your bags in your possession the whole time? MOrris: MEOW MEOW ------------------ MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!!! |
Well, I suppose I might add my two cents. These were all in first class. I sat behind Dan Quayle one time on a flight from IND-CVG. Everyone on the whole plane had to stop and say hello (to Quayle) right by my seat.
Another flight, Bruce Jenner, made such a fuss with many requests, and even asked that a passenger give up their choice of meal so he could get the choice he wanted. I can't remember his name, but he is the kid that was in Terminator 2 (the one Arnold was supposed to protect). This was a flight from ATL-LAX, and he was so obnoxious, even ringing the flight call button 5 times for something as mundane as a kleenex. The flight attentants were crazy. On another, I sat across from Gomer Pyle. He seemed just like Gomer. And on my latest encounter, I sat next to former TNN Talk show host, Ralph Emory (Sp?). I vaguely recognized him. He said, don't you know who I am???? Sadly, not being a country music fan, I wasn't a fan, but I do remember his show while I was channel surfing. These were only about a 1/3 of all the people I have seen on planes. It's defintely different than restaurants, because you are forced to sit next to them. |
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On my recent YYZ-LAX-YYZ flights (in Business Class of course):
Eugene Levy (actually he was in BC, I was heading for the back). Liona Boyd: I had the window, she had the aisle; I think she was impressed that I knew who she was, and that I have her first big (Christmas) recording on cassette. Impressed that I have the second one with Roger Whittaker, and _really_ impressed that I knew it also had Zamfir on it! (which proved that I really have it, I guess). David Cronenburg: we had adjacent aisle seats on a 6x6 767. I moved to the row behind him after takeoff (no way I was moving in _front_ of him!). Obviously some movie star because the FA-in-charge was drooling all over her and her boyfriend, but I don't know who it was. And someone who _seemed_ like a movie star (a particular one in fact) but was travelling alone without entourage and could just as easily have been a wannabe or production type. I think I was confused by the retro-70s look (long straight blond hair, etc.). Had a script for a movie that's not in production yet. Didn't have the nerve to ask her name after being too-asleep to smile when we got on the elevator together at LAX. Wish I had. andrew |
Updates to my earlier post:
Alexander Haig (IAD-SEA flight) Tom Berenger (actor - Major League - Sutton Place bar - Vancouver) Jim Lehrer (MacNeil-Lehrer newshour on a DCA-BDL flight) Oliver North (ORD two weeks ago) |
I saw ditto_DOC - and imagine..in coach!
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ditto - I saw doc in coach
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We don't get so many celebs back in my part of the plane. Last time I flew I sat next to a local municipal judge (the same one who heard the recent case of a certain President's under-age daughter with a fake ID).
On another flight I sat near one of the people actors on Sesame Street. No, not Big Bird...a person. I was somewhat impressed that PBS flew its folks back in the back. ------------------ Middle_Seat |
I sat behind Chuck Yeager on a flight from Sacramento. Pilots from other planes kept coming onboard to shake his hand. He signed an air-sick bag for me!
I also sat next to Roger Ebert out of Chicago...he was kinda pompous though. PF |
March 99. Flew in business class with the delectable Denise Richards. Was flying BA from London to LAX. She is a gorgeous gal http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
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Jerry Lewis - had the whole fc section on my US flight. Came back to coach to talk to the kids and stayed in fc reading to a child while coach departed. Cracked jokes on the intercom before we took off. A class act, even though he was dressed in nylon shorts.
Terry Bradshaw - Walking by himself in ORD. Dan Quayle - Traded my US fc seat with him so he could sit next to Marilyn. Jesse Jackson - across the aisle from me on a US fc. After Clinton's but before his own troubles. BJ Thomas - Sat next to me in fc but couldn't figure out who he was, couldn't even read his autograph for the fa, so had to ask, then I forgot what songs he was famous for. Tommy Lasorda - on a flight to LAX, he chatted most of the time with the fa's. Rick Flair - had the bulkhead aisle in fc across from me on a US flight. |
Several instances that I can remember, in chronological order. In each case, I had at least a brief conversation with the celebrity:
Ron Allen (when he was Delta CEO) on an LGA-DCA Shuttle flight (he sat next to me and didn't want to be recognized -- too bad). G. Gordon Liddy on a flight to somewhere; I had recently been a guest on his radio show (by telephone), but he didn't remember me! Hugh Downs (pre-retirement, just after his double-knee-replacement operation) on a Saturday non-stop from JFK to PHX (his home), with his wife -- very friendly to lots of people. Antonin Scalia on a DCA-LGA Shuttle flight -- lots of security in DC; none in New York! -- quite personable. Patti LaBelle on late-night ATL-LGA flight, with some guy who may have been a bodyguard. Henry Kissinger (and wife) on United HKG-JFK non-stop flight, June 9, 2001. That's all I can remember at the moment. Bruce |
had the unfortunate experience of one gut-wrenching flt DFW-LAX seated diagonally from Miss Courtney Love and would have gladly parachuted out somewhere over New Mexico had i been so equipped... the way some people evidently feel their celebrity entitles them to act is nauseating.
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sa_boy-
the gods have truly smiled upon you. got a heads up (no pun intended) on any other flts Denise might have planned? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif |
In no particular order:
Joe Theismann (Former Redskins QB/ESPN Announcer) - IAD Airport, and about two years later, in F on a DEN-IAD UA Flight Helmut Kohl (Former German Chancellor) - MUC Airport Gerald Ford - TRI Airport Bryan Adams (Canadian singer) - US Flight from CLT-TRI and, my all-time favorite for celebrity overkill: Micki Dolenz from the Monkees - I boarded a US flight from CLT-TRI one night which was about a quarter-full (which is extremely busy for this route). It was a 737, and I thought it was extremely peculiar that I was the last pax in coach seated in Row 12. The flight was scheduled to leave at 2130, and everyone (so I thought) had boarded long before then, but we sat. About 2145, the Captain comes on the intercom and says that we are waiting on another passenger. About 2205, this passenger finally boards, thereby avoiding the riot that was brewing throughout the plane. As I was sitting farthest back, the Australian Digger Hat that was pulled low over the pax's head started to come off, and after a few minutes paused, I thought to myself, "That's Davy Jones...er, Mike Nesmith...no, Micki what's his name". He goes all the way back in Coach, with an FA guarding the route to the lavs. Since this is such a short flight (25 minutes), no one gets up to go, but I would have like to have seen the confrontation. After landing at TRI, I look back, and he has pulled the hat low again, avoiding any contact. Not sure when he got off the plane, but I picked up my bags and headed home. |
Just recently -- Clint Eastwood, in the luggage claim area of SJC.
Last year, one row ahead of us on DL JFK-SFO -- Bryant Gumbel. A few years ago, in coach on AOM (ugh!) -- I sat next to Eve Plumb (Jan from the Brady Bunch), who we actually had a couple of dinners with earlier on Bora Bora. |
In no particular order:
Erly 90's Robin Williams - LAS-SFO Mid 90's Tom Arnold - LAS-SFO Erly 90's Rickey Henderson - LAS-SFO Erly 90's Fmr Pres Carter - ATL-SFO 7/98 King of Tonga and entourage SFO-HNL 5/01 Fmr Pres Bush & Secy State Baker HKG-NRT [This message has been edited by unagi1 (edited 07-20-2001).] |
Two years ago, waiting to board in PBI to Charlotte saw Tony Bennett seated and waiting by himself. We were actually headed home from a trip to New Orleans and West Palm, and just happened to have picked up an album (vinyl) from a used record store in NO, a compilation of old swing jazz hits. On the cover a Hirshfeld caricature including a pic of Tony Bennett. Got up the nerve to ask for autograph. He signed it, said it was a good collection and was apparently pleased to see me say thanks and walk away.
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A few years back from MIA to LGA sat accross Cher (singer). Looks much better on TV and on print than in person.
A few years back sat next to Nikki Taylor (model). She looks georgeous, but didnt like soo many small tatoos that she has in her hands and ankles (I guess they must digitally remove them from the pictures). She keep such an unhappy look that I did not even try to say hello. Two years ago from LAX to ATL I asked (unkowingly) Jim Brown (football hall of famer and actor -the dirty dozen) to get off my seat on F. Only when I saw him stand did I recognize him. He sat on the seat behind me. ------------------ The trouble with resisting temptation is...that you may not get another chance :-) |
I saw Desmond Tutu a couple of Thanksgivings ago in ATL. I think his daughter is in school at Emory. A small man with a huge legacy!
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In no particular order...
Glen Campbell Joe Bugel (NFL Coach) Kevin Johnson (NBA) Connie Hawkins (NBA) Charles Barkley (need I say more...) Stevie Nicks |
My husband has encountered James Carville on several occasions, and sat next to Valerie Harper about 3 months ago on the DL Shuttle from LGA-BOS, but his most favorite celeb sighting was last week, from MCO-LGA on DL, when he sat in First next to.......
Tyra Banks. |
Dave Matthews - TPA- talked to him in baggage claim in Tampa for 30 minutes - had been listening to his music at home on stero, in car on radio and in airport over loudspeakers with no break on way to pick up friend. Friend who tagged along for ride saw him, we went up and talked to him and tried to convince him to hang out with us in Ybor City. (He was ripped on rum and cokes). He said "no" because he had a better offer. Meantime buddy I was picking up said two girls were staring at him whole plane ride. Turns out he was sitting behind Dave the whole way and the "better offer" Dave mentioned was these two chicks arm in arm leading Mr. Matthews out after he claimed his bags.
David Wells - ATL - in bar watching football game, look behind me, there he is (he is about 6'4", 260, hard to miss). Quietly ask "are you who I think you are?", he nods, I pull out card and pen and he signs. I say thank you and congratulations on perfect game, never mentioned baseball, Yankees, or his name. Wade Boggs, Dwight Gooden, Tino Martinez -TPA - in Tampa heading to NY for business (these guys were going up for the Espys). See Doc at gate and quietly ask him to sign, he does on gate agents desk, no muss, no fuss. See Boggs with Margo Adams in FC as I am heading to cattle class. Wait until flight just about to leave, walk up to FC and tell Boggs I am huge Red Sox fan and I think he is awesome. (He is playing for Yankees at time). He grins, signs, shakes my hand (almost rips it off and I can bench almost 300 lbs). Figured out later I was leaning over Tino Martinez the whole time (he did not look very comfortable). ------------------ I can see for miles and miles... |
A long time ago....
back in '93...Going from CVG to LAX..I sat next to a physically advantaged person in the terminal for about an hour... He had a squash racquet, so we talked about that...(I played for my school in college)... I had no clue who it was until a fan came up for an autograph from...Kareem. We continued our conversation about squash, and I didn't ask about the b-ball world. Nice guy... We broke off the conversation when his handler decideed it was time to board. I really apreciate a celebs right to privacy. dd |
Just this year on the same flight in first sitting directly across from me was Brooke Burns of Baywatch Hawaii. Super, super, super nice... (in first btw). Also on the same flight was former North Carolina head basketball coach Dean Smith who is a big, big star in NC. No one seemed to recoginize him in CLT. Oddly, he sat way back in Coach.
I was on a flight with a WWF star, the Godfather. Only a few people noticed him but he did stick out like a sore thumb. In Germany a few years back in the Frankfort airport I met Alex Trubeck (sp). He was casting for Jeopardy using soliders and airman overseas. |
Politicos and near politicos Alexander Haig ORD-DCA Rostenkowski, Gary Bauer, Bill Bennett at ORD Mayor Daley ORD-DCA (got us first in line for takeoff after weather, manifest read **VIP MAYOR OF CHICAGO**) Bill Perry SFO-IAD Celebs Arnold Schwarzeneger @ STL Ambassadors Club Teri Garr @ SJC Admirals Club Dustin Hoffman @ LAX Shuttle gates Gary Collins @ LAX shuttle gates I think this puts me within three degrees of Kevin Bacon. Behold! ------------------ UA 1K since 1997, hitting MM < 9-30-01. |
I haven't recognized any celebs on my flights, but on a recent DFW-LAX on AA, the FA in fc, after eyeing me for an hour, asks me "I don't do this very often, and I see lots of important people, but do I know you? You look important." I'm about ready to burst laughing. Me? Important? I smile and thank her, and let her know that I have lots of twins out in the world.
So I guess my celebrity sighting would be...me. |
Well, since this was dredged up I'll update my original reply from 2 years ago. Not many in that period, at least that I can remember.
Wilford Brimley (twice) & Della Reese, both in SLC airport. Joe Thiesmann, eating french fries out of a McD's bag at an ORD gate. Rock & Roll legend Little Richard, across the aisle from me in F, ATL-LAX. He greeted every person who looked at him & smiled during boarding. We spoke briefly, I got his autograph...a very nervous flyer. Pro wrestler Sting on UA ORD-LAX flight. He in F, me in first row of C. Sidney Poitier in the CRC at LAX. Jesse Jackson (again) walking in DL terminal at LAX. Cris Collinsworth (former Bengals WR/HBO commentator) in F on DL CVG-LAX. Richard Simmons & James Earl Jones (there's an unlikely duo) at PHL gate. (edited to add last line) [This message has been edited by shadow (edited 07-24-2001).] |
Ice Cube - ended up sitting with him at the LAX UA Red Carpet Club (last summer) for about one hour while we waited for a flight - great guy.
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Three that come to mind....
Mary Lou Retton - DL MCO-LAX around 1992. Never ever seen anyone ruder to the FAs in my life. Never saw that smile from the Wheaties box on her face! So glad when that flight landed. F.Lee Bailey - US MCO-DCA in 1999. 8 am flight, and he already had a strong drink in hand. He was in Orlando defending the McCorkles (timeshare scammers?) and it wasn't going so well for him. Friendly guy, nontheless. A Norwegian guy from the band A-HA while they were hot with their one hit - "Take On Me". Peoples Express MCO-BNA in the 80's. He kept kicking my seat. I finally fell asleep with my drink on the back of my armrest, next thing I know, he's yelling. Somehow my drink slipped through the seat backs and spilled all over his leg. Truly an accident, but well-deserved! |
Not me, but my school superintendent sat next to Brad Pitt on SST from JFK to LHR. She said he was "rather messy" and she claims to have helped him work out his budgeting difficulties.
Hmmm... the superintendent of schools can afford to take the SST to Europe. Double hmmmm.....a movie actor can afford it. And I keep eating Kelloggs' cereals. |
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