Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Hollywood, CA USA
Posts: 673
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Well, having grown up in Studio City, California, just going to the grocery store or drug store I would run into movie stars all the time, and still do. Too numerous to mention, but, I'll do my best to remember. First off, let me say that Herb Alpert (of Tijuana Brass fame) is a cousin of mine. I remember when I was very small, my parents going out to a party celebrating his first album coming out. They asked us what we wanted and we (my brother and I) asked for an autographed picture. I kept it up until I moved into my first apartment when I was 19, then pitched it. Ah, well...
The first one I remember meeting (I was about 10) was Ray Danton -- an old movie star from the 50's and 60's, I believe) -- VERY good looking. I spotted him at Thrifty Drug Store. He, at first, denied who he was, but, a few of them did that -- they don't want to be bothered all the time and probably especially not by a kid.
Next, I was about 11 and my girlfriend and I were hanging out by a old ski shop in Studio City. It was a very cool place for a kid bcause it had an outside practice ramp with Astroturf on it. When you turned on the motor and put on your boots and skis, you could practice skiing on its movable ramp!! Anyway, we were hanging around there and Eddie Albert (yes, of Green Acres fame) showed up. I asked for his autograph and he, VERY crankily, said to me, "Do you have a pen? I don't!" I went and got one from the store and he signed it. Very rude. I never liked him after that.
Around the same time, I was in Ralphs grocery store with my mom and as we turned a corner 'round an aisle, who should I see but Mickey Dolenz (of The Monkees), with his wife. He had long, bushy brown hair and his wife wore one of those long, flowing dresses, very hippy-ish. I talked to him -- he was very nice! Since then, I have run into Mickey four more times. Three of them in Ralphs!! The second to the last time I did was about 11 years ago, we'd gone to eat at an Indian restaurant. My oldest was a baby in a carrier. We were in the parking garage together and he held open the elevator door for the three of us. He had a long ponytail. Old rockers never die... heh heh heh. The last time I saw him was, yes, at a Ralphs grocery store (but in Encino, California). I spoke to him this time and he was very gracious. I always keep it very short when I run into them, but, I tell them, "I like your work." It's sort of "movie-speak."
I ran into Kevin McCarthy (from the old movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers") and the 80's TV show, "Flamingo Road." We were both walking down Ventura Blvd. (very well-known main street in the San Fernando Valley) with our kids. I told him how much I admired his work. He looked just the same!! He was VERY gracious and nice!! I ran into him again about four years ago at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona, California. They had an exhibit booth set up about 50's movie/TV stars. We got his autograph this time.
He was sitting next to Butch Patrick ("Eddie" from The Munsters) and other people whom I remembered from TV, but, don't recall now. I also took a seminar back in the 80's with Al Lewis' ("Grandpa" from The Munsters) ex-wife.
I ran into the guy who played Lt. Fancy on the original Law & Order TV show when my oldest was a toddler. I was walking into a grocery store and saw him using the pay phone in front. I called out, "I LOVE YOU!" He started laughing and waved at me. I also ran into Gordon... oh, what was his last name... from that show. He played the red-headed cop. I ran into him twice at Ralphs. You guys gotta start shopping there, ha!
There are many, many more guys. Do you want to hear more? That's what happens when you grow up in Los Angeles!!
o.k., I was sitting here thinking and here are some more names (without the how and where) of who else I can remember at this moment:
Carol Lawrence (famous singer)
Chita Rivera (of Broadway fame)
Phil Brown (was oldest child on Doris Day show)
Tom Kennedy (game show host from the 70's)
Robert Romanus (small part actor)
another cast member from Law & Order
Jack Coleman, the second Steven from Dynasty
David Hasselhoff
Laura San Giacomo (from Just Shoot Me)
Larry Miller (comedian)
Mark Walberg (of TV reality show "Temptation Island" and sometime host of Antiques Roadshow)
Fred Goss (Comedy Central)
David Hartman (from TV series "The Bold Ones")
Marlyn Mason (Bold Ones)
E.G. Marshall (Bold Ones)
Avery Schreiber (comedian)
Paul Winchell (who doesn't know him??!)
Nicholas Brendon (“Xander” from Buffy)
Peter Strauss ("Rich Man, Poor Man")
Ed Asner (Mary Tyler Moore show)
Ed Begley, Jr. (actor and ecology activist)
Mary Tyler Moore's folks/sister
Cliff Robertson (met him at Costco!!)
Leslie Nielsen (also met at Costco!!)
[ June 02, 2006, 23:16: Message edited by: Sheryl ]
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