Celebrity sightings ...
 

I'm in the CRC here in New Orleans waiting for a flight to CVG and the guy two cubes down from me just made a call, and I swear I'm not eavesdropping, but he says "Hi, this is Johnny Cochran", so I wait until he gets up from the phone, and sure enough, it's THE Johnny Cochran of OJ trial fame.

So, if anyone has any burning questions you want to ask him, e-mail me quick before his flight leaves!

This brings me to my next question, anyone else have any notable or interesting celebrity sightings in their travels?

The only other one I've ever had was at the CRC at DCA where I saw Colin Powell, but that's about it for me.

I'm sure at least some of us must have run into celebrities in FC before ...

I think I posted this in another thread a while back, but I've forgotten where. Not too long ago I was seated with Newt Gingrich in first and didn't recognize him until we got off the plane. This was especially embarrassing not only because I've met him before (several years ago) but also because he's a close friend of my wife's family and she was riding cattle car on the same flight. He waited with me until she got off so he could say hello.

Likewise, some time ago I posted about Mike Wallace (60 Minutes) and his wife on a flight from ACA-DFW. They were in the last row of FC, and I was in the first, so I didn't see too much of them on the plane... but while waiting to claim luggage in DFW before customs, people started taking pictures, and then the "No photos are permitted in this restricted area" announcement was made...

OMNI: Beckles, did the glove really not fit?

Over a year ago... I saw a man who looked strikingly like Wolf Blitzer doing the O'Hare Dash to make a connecting flight.

We were going in opposite directions on the moving walkway between the terminal but I am sure I saw a CNN logo on the bag.

Now I wish I could meet some REAL celebrities on my flights (Like Meg or Michelle!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

lately (in early march-99) I had the pleasure to be seated beside the famous Matt Wald from Flyertalk in first class from SJU to ORD.

Don't know the exact dates, but here are my celebrity encounters:

IAD-LAX Former mayor of DC- Marion Barry and an entire entourage

And on another flight:

IAD-LAX Former mayor of DC- Sharon Pratt Kelly- Next to me in coach!

(what's with former DC mayors and LA?)

MIA-LAX (1998) Martina Navratilova- Sat right next to me in 1st.

Some other actors that I have no idea what their names were.

Saw/flew with lots of politicos into/out of DCA. Not sure that counts. (It is their habitat, after all.)

Ran into Tina Turner at Brussels in the EuroClass lounge some years back. Wasn't sure if it was her (pix always seem to emphasize the long legs) so asked, "Excuse me, you look familiar - aren't you Margaret Thatcher?" She was amused; her bodyguard, lurking in the vicinity, wasn't. Really a gracious person.

And philforest, if you sat up front with your wife in steerage and are still alive, you must have a most understanding frau. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Sat next to Willie Nelson in FC from AUS to IAH about a year ago. Really nice guy, we talked about golf and how tough it is to hit a one iron.

Speak of Johnny Cochran, I was in FC once with F. Lee Bailey during the OJ trial. Didn't talk to him as he was very occupied with a very beautiful woman travelling with him. Probably a Jr. Attorney working for him (yeah, and I have some land in South Florida I want to show you at LOW tide).

Rudi, I haven't met this "Matt Wald" Celebrity yet. Is he the one that recently put his star on the sidewalk in Hollywood?
Or, was that in San Juan?

Yeah...that Matt Wald guy....the writer for The Times....

I saw a fast black man running through the airport, leaping over seats to get to the Avis counter a few years back...

------------------
g'day
wl

arturo themk fas man knot goin to Evis, he bee goin to Hurts. or mebe runin frum Hurts.

ORD - OMA last summer; Joan Jett next to me (across the aisle) in first. Didn't even recognize her for over 30 minutes. And I thought she was HOT when I was in high school. Now.... what can I say? Yuck.

I'd trade twenty of those Joan Jett encounters for one with Willie, Jaws! My heroes have always been IRS dodgin' cowboys....

BTW, the Blackhearts were in back.

Cheers,

'toad

I've sat next to the following people on all things Shuttle by United, thought anybody whose anybody wouldn't fly on that ****:

Jesse Jackson
Amy Tan (Author of Joy Luck Club)
William Brown (Mayor of San Francisco)
Arsenio Hall
Somewhat famous African-American singer, whose name I can't ever remember, only knew she was famous because UA employee came on-board to ask for her autograph.

Years ago while dozing off in the NW worldclub at LAX, I noticed a buzz of activity around the area. Awakened to discover that Don (Barney Fife) Knotts was sitting next to me.

Only celeb I've ever seen was Dennis Farina (or however you spell it, the guy from CBS' Buddy Faro show). T'was on a United Shuttle flight from LAX->PHX. I'm pretty sure he had the entire first class cabin reserved, as there were some of his family members and then a bunch of empty seats. I guess CBS paid him well enough to buy 8 first class tickets for an hour-long flight.

Once shared FC cabin with Wille Nelson on NW flight from HNL-SEA.
Once sat next to, and had an (much to my later embarassment) invasive conversation with David Chokachi (Cody Madison) of Baywatch. He was diplomatic, I was invasive. I just wanted to know why all the gals and FA's were going ga-ga over my seatmate. It was an AS flight from ANC-SEA, and I thought he was a rugged looking fisherman. Turns out he was filming an episode of Baywatch in AK and took a side-trip to Kodiak and ended up having a somewhat close encounter with a grizzly (bear, that is, not Adams). We had BOS in common (get it?) he being from Peabody and I from YUL (both can be somewhat creatively called suburbs of BOS). Nice guy.

My big brush with fame was to sit next to Bil Keane; author of the Family Circus cartoon. He was a very nice man and even drew me a little picture of "Billy" saying hello to my wife.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I have only had two encounters:

1. Regis Philbin -- AA flight from LGA to ORD. He was the last one on the plane, and about the 3rd one off.

2. Durwood Merill -- American League Umpire and Author on tonight's flight from LGA - DFW. Was actually at the game he umped on Saturday. Really nice guy.

--Jim

I've a mixed bag of Celebrities:

Last seen was Elizabeth Dole. I tried to get in the same elevator with her at the airport in Phoenix, but was waived off by her security.

On second thought the last one was Dan Obrien, of Olympic decathelon fame on a flight from SLC to Sacramento.

Also ran into Jim Nabors in the SLC Crown Room once.

Last but not least, I spoke to sports writer Jon Feinstein while waiting in the FC/Medallion line at Fort Lauderdale airport.

Edward James Olmos--SFO to LAX shuttle a few years back... he definitely had the disguise thing going (hat, sunglasses, downward glance)

The wife of Daryl Hall (or was it John Oates? can't remember)--EWR to DVR. Told me her life's story (met him as a flight attendant, now lives on a big ranch outside of Denver)

Marcus Allen of Pro Football Fame--SLC Airport back in the early 90s broken hand and all (he was still wearing his cast)

Harry Carson (another pro f-ball player, ex NY Giant) -- EWR airport.

Various college and professional sports teams

The most impressive I've ever had was on a YYZ-YEG flight--I wondered why there were all these *huge* guys around me... on the ground, I found out they were the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who had a game with the Eskimos coming up...

Also on a flight home ATL-CHA, Zach Wamp (my congressman).

Hoping to add some more in June on the Country Express (BNA-LAX)

I live in DC so politicos do not count... they are a dime a dozen around here. But...

1994: Nancy Reagan in American Ailines lounge at IAD (I was waiting for a BA flight to LHR). Secret Service and all...


1995: DC's crack-smoking (now ex-) mayor Marion Barry in Montego Bay, Jamaica airport.

1996: MIA-BWI, sat next to Tom Clancy (author, Hunt for Red October, et al) in First Class. Talked about submarines (briefly) and California wines (at length) before both of us dozed off...

SR from Zurich to NY, right before the '97 US Open. Martina Hingis was on the plane, and was the most restless flyer I have seen. She walked around Business and FC and seemed generally full of energy.

A couple of days later, I saw an article in the papers about how she did not fly well and was worried that she would not get over her jetlag before the tournament.

Martina Hingis (seldom now) lives about 10 car minutes from Zurich airport (and about 5 car minutes from Rudi) - and just yesterday I showed BlondeBomber her (and my) tennis-club (Grasshoppers Zurich) - 3 minutes from my office.

And for the US Open, she takes the transatlantic-flight more than two weeks in advance, playing one or two preparation tournaments on the East Coast (New Haven ...).

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 05-10-99).]

Well this goes way back, but while I was on a PeopleXpress flight from EWR to London, Muhammed Ali and his entourage took over most of the first class cabin.
Yes, they did have first class on their flights to London and Brussels - even at the time it was a bargin, but I was too poor to consider it (I seem to remember $750 each way).

By the way, I still remember the coach meals PeopleXpress sold on their international route - a wicker basket with sandwiches, cheese, freah fruit, cookies. I would prefer on eof those to any other meal i've had on a plan, first, business, or coach!

OMNI... of course there are some people who are fortunate to meet one celebrity who most of us know and some call a friend...

That star of morning television...

That brillant and funny and handsome and talented and lover of feline...

THe one!!! THE ONLY!!!

CATMAN!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Have a MEOWY day! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Bob Dole, recently in the Amsterdam airport. He was by himself and extremely eager to chat.

Of course, when we got home we combined two separate vacation stories and ever since have been insisting we saw Bob Dole stoned in a porno store in Amsterdam's red light district. Not true, but it gets an infinitely more interested reaction.

Charlie

Last night in the lobby of my hotel, most of the NY Mets organization--players and staff. Did not recognize a soul.

it is not easy - I understand - to see and get to the soul of Professional sport players ...

In the Texas language, there were NO souls there. The New York who-dats?

Recently I sighted a United employee who claimed to have sighted many celebrities.

Awhile ago was seated with Jim Palmer (of JOCKEY's fame), ATL-MIA, FC. Did not recognize him with his clothes on. A male passenger stopped by and asked him for an authograph, I assume for Joe's baseball abilities, and not for the striped little numers I used to see on billboards.

[This message has been edited by poody (edited 05-10-99).]

Many including: Phil Simms (former QB - New York Giants), Frank Perdue (of chicken fame, and no he wasn't on a UA flight), Kay Orr (former governor of Nebraska), Christie Whitman (current governor of NJ who declined first class), Jesse Jackson's son (this past Friday in ORD), Jesse Jackson himself (a few years ago in the men's room at ORD), and a number of congressmen/women out of DCA). I also would swear that I saw Chelsea Clinton on a CO flight from DCA-EWR about a year ago, although I've been informed that she would never travel anywhere without secret serice protection.

I was flying SFO-LAX in first on (ugh) Shuttle by United last November and was asked to move so a guy could sit next to his wife.

The fellow I got put next to looked awfully familiar. Turned out to be Woody Harrelson. No big whoop.

About four years ago I was on a DL flt ATL-SFO and Jesse Jackson was seated two rows behind me in FC. I ended up giving up my seat just before pushback for a free ticket because the plane seemed to be one seat shy in first, with a confirmed passenger standing in the aisle with no seat.

timchen: Do you really think Marion Bury is a celbrity? Sharon Pratt Kelly? Almost. They both did an awful lot to Berry (Kerry - Bury) DC),.
(Actually, it's Berry, but I prefer my spelling)

[This message has been edited by philforest (edited 05-11-99).]

Counsellor: I do. A nd I love her dearly. On that flight, we could get one upgrade, and we flipped. She wouldn't let me lose.

I won't mention the ones outside of airplanes, as I grew up in Palm Springs and have seen/met/know far too many celebrities.

However, I was sitting in the last row of FC on a CO SEA-EWR flight. The other three seats there were members of Kool & the Gang (remember them?), who were on their way to Paris. I tried not to hound Dylan Thomas (sax player), who sat next to me.

So we ended up chatting about "normal" seatmate stuff, and he cringed a little when he told me what he did. We talked about music and stuff (I'm not accomplished as a musician, but I write, play and even occasionally perform), and what it's like having days on the road with brief performances to break the monotony. All in all, a pleasant experience for both of us (at least, I THINK he had a pleasant experience...he seemed genuinely pleased).

I met another "Zurich" celebrity -- the one and only Rudi. At least I will remember his name long after the other stars have faded.