Famous people are normal people too.
There are countless videos and stories of famous people granting meetings and giving hugs and they're always heartwarming. So don't be afraid to say hi to your favorite high-profile personality if given the chance!
Redditor u/owen__wilsons__nosewanted to hear all about the times many of us have come face to face with the famous we love by asking:
Who's the most famous person you've interacted with?
I've met a few solid celebrity folks. My favorite being the glorious Joanna Lumley from "AB FAB" fame. She was kind and generous and just as funny as you'd hope she'd be. The complete opposite of her fabulous but hideous character of Patsy. I love you Joanna!
Coffee with Tom
"I had a coffee with Tom Hardy once before he got really famous. It was back in the very early 2000s when he still a struggling actor in London. Seriously nice dude."
"Can confirm he is a nice dude - met him on his birthday, a few years back when he was famous, outside work. Took the time out to have a convo and take pics."
"Seriously, such a nice and confident man. Even though he was trying to hide behind his beak cap - when he noticed I recognised him he still came up to me and spent about 5 minutes with me and my friend. Felt sorry for his wife as she was waiting around."
GC
sandra bullock stars GIFGiphy"George Clooney - Chill, friendly guy but the most jarring thing was that the tan is 100% fake."
Good Harry
"My wife's aunt used to own a store in a small town where movies were often filmed. One day a man and woman came in and approached the counter. The woman wanted some specific item, but the aunt wasn't sure if they carried it. After a few questions the man said he was going to look around the shop. Once he was out of earshot, the aunt said, "Your husband looks exactly like Harrison Ford!" The woman said, "Yes, that's because he is Harrison Ford."
"solid choice"
"I work at a luxury skin care store. Met lots of celebs but my favourite was Jake Gyllenhaal. He was holding an empty cup of ice cream from a local place. I got ballsy and asked him which flavor he got. He said " cookies and cream" to which I replied "solid choice", he then deeply looked into my soul with his beautiful eyes and said "I don't mess around". Praising myself to this day for keeping it professional."
- julesD00
The Climber
GIF by bublyGiphy"Michael Buble was my youth rock climbing coach/instructor."
"Come climb with me let's climb, let's climb away."
- xLiquidx
I'm so happy when hot guys are nice, are those are some hot guys. I love coffee and ice cream. Someone please tell Tom and Jake. I'm waiting by the phone.
Uncle
Doc Brown GIF by Back to the Future TrilogyGiphy"Christopher Lloyd. He was my ex-wife's uncle. Came to our wedding. Super nice guy."
Hey May
"My ex-wife was good friends with Floyd Mayweather Sr. He and his wife would hang out with us on occasion and I did the brakes on their minivan. Really nice guy but you could tell he got hit in the head one too many times. I never met his son though."
Defoe
"I met Willem Defoe at a film fest when The Lighthouse came out. I goofed on him by appreciating his performance as Green Goblin in Batman. Then after we watched the film there was an after party event at a museum which I got there pretty early for and Willem showed up early as well. We got to chat a bit and I have to say he's a really nice guy. Also earlier that day I bought an old Tom Clancy book from a thrift store and dropped out of the pages was a mint condition movie ticket for Saving Private Ryan when it was in theaters back in 1998."
"I was telling someone that at this party since I still had the book on me and they freaked out going "Holy crap! Willem Defoe was in that movie! You should get him to sign it!!" I asked if they were sure because that didn't sound right and they were certain. So I approached Willem for a third time that night and got his autograph on the back of the movie ticket."
"Wellll I found out almost immediately after since I decided to Google it that he was not in fact in Saving Private Ryan. It was Platoon that the person I was talking to was thinking of. The ticket still sits in the Tom Clancy book today! I only read the first chapter, really need to get around to reading it 😅 Edit: Here's the Proof! https://imgur.com/a/hdO88gn"
People Share Which Social Norms Absolutely Baffle Them | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
"I got this"
"I was ice skating in NYC at Rockefeller Center and Conan was having lunch in one of the restaurants that face the rink. I took a nasty fall and Conan stands up, applauds and laughs hysterically at me. After I am done skating, I am walking thru the concourse at Rock Center, stop at a Starbucks and order a coffee. The guy behind me puts his hand on my shoulder and says, "I got this." It was Conan. He apologized for laughing at me, buys me a $50 gift card and then calls his assistant who got me a car to drive me home."
The Best
Love You Kiss GIFGiphy"Robin Williams during an early Ride for the Roses. I was working the shop space and he needed snacks. I just gave them to him."
SAUSAGES...
"Nick Offerman. It was my bachelor party and we happen to be eating at the same bratwurst restaurant. As he was leaving we asked if he was open to take some pictures. I had asked him if he had any marriage advice. And this is what he said. 1. You're doing the right thing. 2. She is always right. 3. EAT LOTS OF SAUSAGES."
Idol
"I spilled my drink on Billy Idol. He didn't notice. I was standing behind him at the time. Somebody bumped into me and about half the liquid in my cup splashed on his back. He was wearing a leather jacket, so he didn't feel it. I casually walked away."
"ETA: I was horrified when the drink got on him. I expected him to turn around, real angry. I had just enough time to think "Oh well, getting my a@s kicked by Billy Idol will be a good story at least." When I realized he didn't notice, I thought I'd best be going.
Warped
winning sugar ray GIF by The Meredith Vieira ShowGiphy"I met Mark McGrath at Warped Tour. He spilled HIS daiquiri on me, and then bought me one because he felt bad and/or he thought it was my drink. He was very drunk. I was 17."
Royalty...
"Prince! He was at a professional salsa contest, at a place called, The Mayan, early 2000s. I ran up to him after, in my heels, stopped in front of him, two huge bodyguards on each side, but I froze. He looked at me and said..."you're adorable", they kept walking. Lol!"
"I met him twice. Used to work at The Beverly Hills Hotel and he was a guest. First time, I was called to his room to help him set up his in-room studio gear. We didn't chat at all (he actually stayed in the small anteroom and didn't come out. It was about 10 pm and I had just ended my shift, made a special trip to come back when the concierge called me).
"He just said "thank you" softly from behind a door when I told him I was finished. A couple weeks later I get a call from the concierge telling me Mr Armstrong (that was the name he used) asked for me by name. Went to his private bungalow, he warmly greeted me and I helped connect his laptop to WiFi."
Sir David!
"I was a student picking up waitering jobs in London. I worked a shift at the British museum where they were opening a new exhibit. The Queen was invited to come and open the exhibit. There was a lot of buzz about the Queen coming, and security was everywhere. However the real VIP in attendance was Sir David Attenborough. I saw him inconspicuously arrive and slip into the crowd. I went straight up to him and offered him a drink."
"Just as I spoke to him the Queen was announced and everyone started to line up to be greeted (like that scene from Mr Bean). So he turned and said to me "I don't want to be caught with a drink in my hand by the queen" and he chuckled. The Queen only spoke a single word to everyone except when she got to him. She stopped and they chatted and laughed for 5 minutes before she continued down the line. Sir David, what a legend!"
She loves my shoes!!
"Hell if I know. I am NOTORIOUS for not recognizing celebrities. It's why my boss sent me on all the runs involving famous people. Now I did recognize Dolly Parton immediately so I'll go with her. She was always so awesome. She always got a kick out of my shoes lol. "Girl I don't know how you run up and down steps all day totin' them bags!"
"(I was big on those towering platform shoes that were popular in those days. They actually weren't bad at all to run around in 13 hours a day while toting massive hotbags full of food.)"
Tiny Dancer
elton john b-b-b-b-b-benny and the jets GIFGiphy"I met Elton John on a plane. People don't believe me because, why tf would Sir Elton be flying commercial. He bought every ticket in first class and when I walked by I did a double take and he gave me a smile and a nod."
The Giant!
"I was a teenage boy in the nineties with a backstage pass to a wrestling show. Big Show asks me, ever so politely, to get him and the announcer guy some cigarettes. I'm too young to buy cigarettes. I don't know where to buy cigarettes. But when a freaking GIANT asks for cigarettes, you figure out a way. I ran across the parking lot of the packed Silverdome arena to the gas station to buy cigarettes. He shook my hand for it and gave me entirely too much for a tip along with an autograph that I was too intimidated to ask for. Great dude."
So Humble...
"J Cole... This was a few months before he dropped 2014 FHD. He basically had a free concert in my city and after the concert My friend and I went to restaurant to watch a fight and have dinner. 20 mins later J Cole walked in and both us freaked out. He and his manger Ib noticed and joined us at the bar to watch the fight and have dinner. One of the best hour of my life. He covered for our dinner and appreciated the convo we had. I ended up meeting him again 4 years later and he still remembered me. One of the most humble guys I've ever met."
Speeder...
Keanu Reeves Reaction GIFGiphy"Keanu Reeves stayed at my mom's bed and breakfast for a weekend in the mid 90's. He was traveling with his band before shooting speed. He was awesome, we showed him around town and played video games together."
It's always encouraging when the ones we idolize are worth the worship. Never forget where you came from, a motto some of them seem to remember. And God Bless Robin Williams.
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
Life is full of shock and surprise.
Apparently, that is part of the fun.
Who hasn't been left stunned by life events?
We always think we're immune to way too many things.
Anything and everything is possible.
It's important to be ready.
Redditor Bob_the_peasant wanted to hear about the things that have left people SHOOK, so they asked:
"What 'That can’t happen to me' thing happened to you?'"
I haven't been left that shocked that often.
I'm always expecting the worst, so I'm prepared.
But you never know.
I'm Dead
Snakes Imacelebau GIF by I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! AustraliaGiphy"A snake fell out of a tree and bit me on the head."
"ETA: I have always been more scared of snakes than anyone I know, so it’s just so ironic that this happened to me of all people."
amanitachill
Crash Into Me
"A car crashed through my kitchen last year."
aster636
"I woke up to a truck parking in my bathtub 2 weeks before Christmas a few years ago. I watched my sink roll past my bedroom door followed by a hubcap. The driver managed to cross a median, 3-lane road, up an embankment, through an iron fence and between trees. He'd been involved in an altercation nearby and was fleeing the scene."
anjie59k
Hot Air
Swinging Hot Air Balloon GIF by Red BullGiphy"My family and I were in a hot air balloon crash."
GymDoll2000
"My friend had one crash into her pool when she was a kid."
Environmental-Car481
This is why hot air balloons and skydiving are just a HELL no for me.
Always have. Always will.
Tragic
Cat No GIF by Looney TunesGiphy"My wife cheated on me with my best friend. They’re moving in together next month. I’m in a new city thousands of miles away. I found out a month ago."
Tssodie
Bad Penguin
"Everyone else’s stories are very sad so here’s something a bit lighter. I’ve mentioned this story before but I got bitten on the neck by a penguin."
"I was at an event where the local zoo had a penguin and owl sitting on tables with handlers so you could take a picture next to them. The penguin went for my glass of wine, I moved the wine, and it bit me on the neck hard enough to bruise. They removed the penguin after that. 😂."
archaeologistbarbie
All Gone
"Our house burned in a wildfire, we lost absolutely everything we owned and only salvaged a single coffee 3 cup."
"On the good side: There was a boy I crushed on all through high school. We went to summer camp together and I adored him. We ended up getting together in our 20s after reconnecting, and have now been together more than 20 years, married almost 17. We’re as madly in love as ever."
toomuchisjustenough
Good Luck
"Homelessness. It came swiftly and out of nowhere. had no savings and the landlord sold the house I was in. couldn’t afford a new place so lived in my car with my dog for a few months. ended up finding community assistance and got into an apartment."
jumbospicyslimjim
"I can’t even imagine being in that situation. Hopefully, this is just the start of things turning around for you. Sending you good energy!"
frappbarqueen
Early Michael Myers
"About 10 years ago, I was stabbed in the arm with a flathead screwdriver. It was a coworker whom I had previously gotten along well with. He had stopped taking benzos and smoking weed a few days before and was on a hair trigger. I said something sarcastic, and he just snapped."
Mr_Spaghetti_Hands
Bad Landing
Bad Day Seagull GIF by Sound FXGiphy"I was lying on the beach and a seagull flying very high took a poop and it went straight in my mouth."
Competitive_Show6205
This is why I say... "Never trust a seagull!"
They are minions of the devil.
