The Most Famous Person You've Met
- Thread starter nostraDONus
- Start date
Barnacle Bill
Member
Flew as a crew member with M.Scott Carpenter back in 1952-54 while with Navy Patrol Squadron 6.(He was navigator,I was gunner) (For all you kids out there,Scott was 1 of the origional 7 Astronauts.)
Bill
Bill
Gutpile Charlie
US Veteran
Adolph Galland
Gutpile Charlie
US Veteran
Does this count?
My sister-in-law used to live next door to Gary Busey in Canoga Park, CA. Her son, my cousin, put Busey's son in a toy chest, locked it....and sat on it.
My wife called her sister....Busey was at her house....talked to Busey on the phone.
Does any of that count?
My sister-in-law used to live next door to Gary Busey in Canoga Park, CA. Her son, my cousin, put Busey's son in a toy chest, locked it....and sat on it.
My wife called her sister....Busey was at her house....talked to Busey on the phone.
Does any of that count?
JohnnieB
US Veteran
After reading 39 pages, I've decided to add my 2 cents since I've met a couple people that haven't been mentioned yet.
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle. Met him at the Paris Air Show shortly before he decided to kick NATO out of France. No, Our chance meeting wasn't a contributing factor in his decision.
Clarence "Kelly" Johnson. Also at a Paris Air Show, but different year. Oddly enough, several years after his death, his grand niece and my niece are sharing a house. I had no idea she was his grand-niece (different last name) until I was admiring some exquisitely detailed model planes that seemed completely out of place in the home of two women (not that women aren't into airplanes, but these two collect Pandas, Windmills and Lighthouses) and she commented that her uncle had designed them. Then she brought out a scrapbook containing about every newspaper article ever written about Kelly and other memorabilia, and I spent several hours learning more about I guy that I had met briefly many, many years earlier. Incidently, he is best known for his engineering skills, but I suspect his management skills were just as good, if not better, than his engineering skills.
Flipping the coin over, there is a famous person I've never met, but I'm sorta-kinda "related" to. Terry Bradshaw and I share a common aunt and uncle. They are both gone now, but his father's sister married my father's brother. That would probably make us cousins once removed or cousins-in-law or something along those lines, but we've never met and probably never will unless our paths accidentally cross in the future.
JohnnieB
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle. Met him at the Paris Air Show shortly before he decided to kick NATO out of France. No, Our chance meeting wasn't a contributing factor in his decision.
Clarence "Kelly" Johnson. Also at a Paris Air Show, but different year. Oddly enough, several years after his death, his grand niece and my niece are sharing a house. I had no idea she was his grand-niece (different last name) until I was admiring some exquisitely detailed model planes that seemed completely out of place in the home of two women (not that women aren't into airplanes, but these two collect Pandas, Windmills and Lighthouses) and she commented that her uncle had designed them. Then she brought out a scrapbook containing about every newspaper article ever written about Kelly and other memorabilia, and I spent several hours learning more about I guy that I had met briefly many, many years earlier. Incidently, he is best known for his engineering skills, but I suspect his management skills were just as good, if not better, than his engineering skills.
Flipping the coin over, there is a famous person I've never met, but I'm sorta-kinda "related" to. Terry Bradshaw and I share a common aunt and uncle. They are both gone now, but his father's sister married my father's brother. That would probably make us cousins once removed or cousins-in-law or something along those lines, but we've never met and probably never will unless our paths accidentally cross in the future.
JohnnieB
I don't think I've posted on this, maybe I have, but anyway.
My mother told me we were kin to 1968 NASCAR "Grand National" (in those days/"cup" today) rookie of the year, Bill Dennis. My grandmother was a Dennis and they were related somewhere in there. Bill later went on to win three straight Dayton 300 sportsman races in the early 70's (Nationwide series today) driving for Junie Donleavy.
I also knew Lennie Pond another NASCAR racer from those days (another "Grand National" ROY and Daytona 300 winner. He beat out Darrel Waltrip for ROY that year.). I knew him well enough that he remembered my name which always surprised me. Of course he was a car salesman so that's a good ability to have I suppose.
Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, and Boddy Allison now that I think of it. Met him at a Bassmasters Classic of all places. Hummingbird depth finders was one of his sponsors in NASCAR.
We "met" Richard Petty often at autograph sessions, but the time that really stands out was at his family's place in Randleman. We were there visiting his museum and had met and talked to Dale Innman, his cousin and crew chief in the museum. My son, who was about ten or so wanted to meet Richard. Dale told him to watch out the window and Richard would be coming by in a few minutes. Sure enough RP drove out, stopped and talked to my son and autographed his hat for him. That kid didn't take that hat off for days I don't think.
I met a lot of professional bass fishermen back in the day. Roland Martin, Bill Dance, Ray Scott, Rick Clunn, Jimmy Houston, and dozens of others from the late 80's and early 90's. The one who impressed me most of all was a cat named Harold Allen. I met him once at a boat show and talked to him for a few minutes. A year later, I saw him at another show and walked up to him. He looked up, and called me by my name, like he'd known me all his life.
Now that I think about it. Randy White (Dallas Cowboys) was at that same boat/tackle show. That was a BIG man. My hand just disappeared in his when we shook hands.
Oh. My son also got Bassmasters Classic winner Guido Hibdon to sign his Richard Petty hat. He had his two hero's autographs on one hat. Guido said he was quite honored to sign next to "the king."
That's enough rambling I suppose.
My mother told me we were kin to 1968 NASCAR "Grand National" (in those days/"cup" today) rookie of the year, Bill Dennis. My grandmother was a Dennis and they were related somewhere in there. Bill later went on to win three straight Dayton 300 sportsman races in the early 70's (Nationwide series today) driving for Junie Donleavy.
I also knew Lennie Pond another NASCAR racer from those days (another "Grand National" ROY and Daytona 300 winner. He beat out Darrel Waltrip for ROY that year.). I knew him well enough that he remembered my name which always surprised me. Of course he was a car salesman so that's a good ability to have I suppose.
Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, and Boddy Allison now that I think of it. Met him at a Bassmasters Classic of all places. Hummingbird depth finders was one of his sponsors in NASCAR.
We "met" Richard Petty often at autograph sessions, but the time that really stands out was at his family's place in Randleman. We were there visiting his museum and had met and talked to Dale Innman, his cousin and crew chief in the museum. My son, who was about ten or so wanted to meet Richard. Dale told him to watch out the window and Richard would be coming by in a few minutes. Sure enough RP drove out, stopped and talked to my son and autographed his hat for him. That kid didn't take that hat off for days I don't think.
I met a lot of professional bass fishermen back in the day. Roland Martin, Bill Dance, Ray Scott, Rick Clunn, Jimmy Houston, and dozens of others from the late 80's and early 90's. The one who impressed me most of all was a cat named Harold Allen. I met him once at a boat show and talked to him for a few minutes. A year later, I saw him at another show and walked up to him. He looked up, and called me by my name, like he'd known me all his life.
Now that I think about it. Randy White (Dallas Cowboys) was at that same boat/tackle show. That was a BIG man. My hand just disappeared in his when we shook hands.
Oh. My son also got Bassmasters Classic winner Guido Hibdon to sign his Richard Petty hat. He had his two hero's autographs on one hat. Guido said he was quite honored to sign next to "the king."
That's enough rambling I suppose.
Bullseye 2620
Member
Harry S Truman, during a whistlestop in Iowa in his 1948 campaign. I was a baby, and received a Presidential kiss according to my mom. That probably explains everything subsequent. 
Bullseye
Bullseye
jbozz300
Member
Probably the most notable is Neal McCoy the country music singer. I designed the house that he and his family currently live in. And he is one of the most down-to-earth guys you'd ever meet. Other than that I've met several world famous bowlers. Years ago at a nationals bowling tournament during the Hall-of-fame squad there was a huge turn-out of hall-of-famers that I was able to meet and get autographs. Earl Anthony, Dick Weber, Nelson Burton, Walter Ray Williams, Mike Aulby, Don Johnson, etc.
bad_man_ one
Member
(Ralph) Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
Back in the early 1990's the Winston Cup Series was at Watkins Glen, New York one weekend.
He was doing a charity appearance a few days before at the Newington Children's Hospital in Connecticut.
They had a big tent set up with one of his cars, I got an autographed picture from him.
I never realized how tall he was, so I asked him, he said 6'-2", he sat so low in his cars.
He is dearly missed.
Regards,
BM1
Back in the early 1990's the Winston Cup Series was at Watkins Glen, New York one weekend.
He was doing a charity appearance a few days before at the Newington Children's Hospital in Connecticut.
They had a big tent set up with one of his cars, I got an autographed picture from him.
I never realized how tall he was, so I asked him, he said 6'-2", he sat so low in his cars.
He is dearly missed.
Regards,
BM1
Win75
Member
George Bush in San Antonio back in 1998 when he was Governor of Texas. He gave a speech at a Council of State Governments award meeting right around Christmas.
Y
yncrogers
Guest
Wonder Woman
The largest was Andre the Giant whan I was a teenager. The best was Linda Carter (wonder woman) right after 9/11. I was on active duty (Navy Chief) at the Casualty Assistance Center in Washington DC helping the victims of the Pentagon attack and she was heavily involved with helping the families - you hear about stuck-up celebs but she was just the opposite - nicest lady you ever want to meet and she really cared about the work she was doing.
The largest was Andre the Giant whan I was a teenager. The best was Linda Carter (wonder woman) right after 9/11. I was on active duty (Navy Chief) at the Casualty Assistance Center in Washington DC helping the victims of the Pentagon attack and she was heavily involved with helping the families - you hear about stuck-up celebs but she was just the opposite - nicest lady you ever want to meet and she really cared about the work she was doing.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Other than clients, Mickey Rooney at Disneyworld. He was standing by the Studios by himself for a few minutes waiting for his handlers to come back. Very nice, just like talking to my Dad.
Hamden
Member
Same here, just days before.....
And "Murphy Brown". She chewed me out. What a babe back then....
Bullseye 2620
Member
Big Daddy Lipscomb, the ferocious defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, during a Superbowl in Miami when I was in high school. I had a field pass, and when Mr. Lipscomb was sitting on the bench while the offense was in, I approached him from the side and asked him, "Mr. Lipscomb, sir, may I please have your autograph?"
Elbows on his knees, he raised his head, looked at me, glowered from under his brows, and said, "Son, I'm afraid not. Can't you see that I'm playin' ball?"
I'd rather have the story than the autograph.
Bullseye
Elbows on his knees, he raised his head, looked at me, glowered from under his brows, and said, "Son, I'm afraid not. Can't you see that I'm playin' ball?"
I'd rather have the story than the autograph.
Bullseye
Moonman
Member
John F. Kennedy in the 1960 Presidential campaign. I shook his hand. My dad worked at an airport and I also met Richard M. Nixon in that campaign. You remember things like that as if it occurred yesterday.
MPSGT
US Veteran
Nguyen Van Thieu, Chiang Kai Shek, Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. Take your pick. Aboard USS Enterprise.
doc540
Member
LBee
1968
Though not the most "famous", Gatemouth Brown was definitely the "coolest".
Without question, Foyt is the toughest
(built a model for him of his world speed record car)
1968
Though not the most "famous", Gatemouth Brown was definitely the "coolest".
Without question, Foyt is the toughest
(built a model for him of his world speed record car)
Hofstet
Member
Muhammed Ali. Spoke to him one on one for about 15 minutes early one morning at Chicago O'Hare while I was waiting for a cab and he was waiting for his Limo. It was a week before the Spinks fight.
He was very friendly.
He was very friendly.
