Ever Meet a TV Actor?

[Dennis1209]

I was watching a syndicated rerun of "The Three Stooges" still laughing my rear end off after all these years and remembered meeting and having dinner with Larry Fine in 1968. I was dating the daughter of a guy named Sam Muchnick and she wanted me to take her to the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, MO. to watch that fake wrestling crap. She and I were both 16 at the time and believe it or not, she swore that it was not fake and believed it? I guess her father never sat her down and told her the facts of life, I was hoping anyway

Anyway, I was to young to drink any beer there so I managed to suffer through it. After the bouts I was introduced to the likes of Johnny Valentine, Dick the Bruiser, Cowboy Bob Ellis and a few others. The best I can say is, them were some strong dudes.

After that Sam invited us to a late night supper in the dining room, on him! Well, who am I to turn down an expensive dinner so I said, "sure". To make a long story short, we were escorted to a fine table and upon sitting down, this well dressed guy with the sides of his hair all slicked down comes over and shakes Mr. Muchnicks hand and is asked if he would like to join us? Larry Fine says sure, and he was introduced to my date and I and shook our hands. Of course I immediately recognized who it was because I've always been a Three Stooges fan.

Had a fine meal (everyone was in fine dress but me, always been a jeans guy) and conversation. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself in front of my date so I didn't ask any questions I was dying to. The conversations were generally about sports, horses in particular, events with a little business.

I was really surprised how different he was compared to his slapstick character. Intelligent, articulate, well dressed and years later learned he was an accomplished violinist. I wish now I had asked him some questions about the Stooges I had at the time and wish I had a picture taken of him and I.

A few days later I got to meet Sam Muchnick's next door neighbor, Jim Hart of the St. Louis Cardinal Football team. Wish it had been Stan Musial or Ken Boyer, or Bill White or Bob Gibson or Ray Sedicky or Julian Javier or Curt Flood... Not a football fan.

Edited April 11, 2012 by Dennis1209

[Jonnin]

thats hard to top, wow. Would loved to have had dinner with larry, he was very talented in many areas for sure.

I have met a few but only because they were doing an event; met some star wars and star trek actors at cons for example --- mostly extras. Pretty rare around here, most of that was during my teen & college years and mostly in atlanta, which draws the occasional big name.

[LI0NSFAN]

Not sure if it really counts but I worked at a radio station over in Memphis and had dinner every thursday with B.B. King and got the chance to host the Handy Awards with him. I got to meet a lot of famous people in my time working in radio but that weekly dinner is something I will never forget. He did some TV acting.

The coolest person I ever met was Peyton Manning, he was doing an apperence for the radio station and I went and picked him up at the airport and spent the day with him. He was so cool that when he found out I was getting married he sent me a wedding gift. We still talk everyonce and a while when he visits Knoxville.

I loved working in radio, the hours and pay sucked but the perks were cool

Edited April 11, 2012 by climberscott_1999

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Back in the seventies, I was a manager at a Winn Dixie in Hendersonville, and opening up the store on

Sunday about 12:30 or 1:00pm, here drives up a long black limo. Johnny Cash and his whole family got

out of that limo and went inside. They shopped in the store for about an hour and filled up several carts.

They were nice as can be. Polite and cheerful. Shocked the Hell out of me, not expecting someone like that.

My brother flew "Stutterer1" for Mel Tillis for about five years, so I got to meet him regularly.

He was a hoot to be around.

I saw Fred Thompson at Saint Thomas Hospital years ago when I worked there. I like him a lot.

[TripleDigitRide]

No way to top Larry Fine. That is awesome!

[1pointofview]

well I was in wichita kansas a few years back for business. went down to the gym to hit the treadmill and there was a guy already running.on one of them. It was the USC vs OU national champion game. I asked the guy if I could turn the channel to watch it and he said sure. Well a few seconds after asking him I did a double take and tried to get a better look without looking weird.

Well after a few minutes of watching the game the guy turned to me and asked who I was pulling for and I told him I did not care but was leaning to USC, Well he said something else and I finally realized who it was. I was talking to Han Solo himself Harrison Ford.

I asked him what brought him to witchita and he said he was there to do his check ride for his private plane.

I did not bother him the rest of the time, sure he gets enough lip service so I let him finish his run and get on his way. But it was pretty dang cool to share the room with a guy that stared in the movies that I watched about a thousand time..

[TrickyNicky]

When I was in the 8th-9th grade I got to meet The Fonze.

A teacher of mine knew Mr. Winkler and asked him If he wouldn't mind coming into to class to speak. He didn't mind.

I was really REALLY excited as I was a huge happy days fan as a kid.

He was sooo cool, telling stories making jokes etc. Did you know there was only one time Henry actually rode Fonzys motorcycle? He crashed so they started pulling it on trailer or having doubles do all the riding. Also note if you pay attention to the scenes in Fonzys garage he can frequently be spotted using a screw driver like a wrench, he is not mechanically inclined in real life.

I do remember cracking him up, he made his visit right around the same time "water boy" came out so he of course had to spend a few minutes saying Gatorade really slow and drawn out like he did on the movie. When I got shake his hand I asked if he remembered the time Fonzy had to dress up like a nerd to save richie and potsy from a gang of biker chicks. Right on cue he said "snail circus" in this hilarious nasaly voice he used. It was great, just what I wanted to hear and he was laughing too, probably didn't get alot of 13-14 year olds asking about that.

Got an autographed photo with a nice sentiment written for me.

Truly a first class dude from my experience, not many celebrities would just show up and talk to a bunch of kids for free, but he really seemed to enjoy it almost as much as I did.

I also had a buddy who lived in the Hollywood hills, "Nancy" from the show weeds flipped him the bird once.

I've also met more than a few adult actors/actresses, most are completely different from what you'd expect, some are EXACTLY what you'd expect.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

That's neat. Really like the three stooges. Its great he turned out a nice guy.

[Steelharp]

I've also met more than a few adult actors/actresses, most are completely different from what you'd expect, some are EXACTLY what you'd expect.

I wanna hang with you.

[subsonic]

My parents were close friends with Joe Higgins, who was a character actor back in the 60's and 70's. Played Nils the blacksmith on "The Rifleman" and was the southern sherriff in the Dodge commercials, had many cameo roles in film. I used to do remodel work for Stefan Schnabel who was on "General Hospital" for 20 years. He also did Broadway productions with Orson Wells and played the Russian Premier in "Firefox" with Clint Eastwood. He was supposed to play the Russian submarine captain in "Red October" but had a Broadway contract he couldn't get out of, so Sean Connery got the gig. Trebec!

[Steelharp]

Gosh, I've met so many... actors, presidents, musicians... I never really think about it, because it's just been part of my job. I know I'm blessed... and I'm thankful every day.

3 of the nicest folks I ever met and spent time with... Ronald Reagan, McLean Stevenson, and Bonnie Raitt...

[ls3_kid]

Only ones I can really think of are Lex Luger (Lawrence Pfohl), I met him through his daughter who I had a crush on for the longest time (she is my age).

Then Rick and "Big Hoss" from Pawn stars. I met them on my 21st birthday in Las Vegas at Caesar's Palace. I was surprised at how tall they were and stand up guys. My dad made some smart comment to them, "How much will you take for my wife?". Rick just responded "Do you want to pawn or sell her?". We had a nice short conversation with them.

I guess Rick and "Big Hoss" aren't even "actors". I've mostly met athletes and politicians.

Edited April 11, 2012 by ls3_kid

[Guest lostpass]

I was watching a syndicated rerun of "The Three Stooges" still laughing my rear end off after all these years and remembered meeting and having dinner with Larry Fine in 1968. I was dating the daughter of a guy named Sam Muchnick and she wanted me to take her to the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, MO. to watch that fake wrestling crap. She and I were both 16 at the time and believe it or not, she swore that it was not fake and believed it? I guess her father never sat her down and told her the facts of life, I was hoping anyway

Anyway, I was to young to drink any beer there so I managed to suffer through it. After the bouts I was introduced to the likes of Johnny Valentine, Dick the Bruiser, Cowboy Bob Ellis and a few others. The best I can say is, them were some strong dudes.

After that Sam invited us to a late night supper in the dining room, on him! Well, who am I to turn down an expensive dinner so I said, "sure". To make a long story short, we were escorted to a fine table and upon sitting down, this well dressed guy with the sides of his hair all slicked down comes over and shakes Mr. Muchnicks hand and is asked if he would like to join us? Larry Fine says sure, and he was introduced to my date and I and shook our hands. Of course I immediately recognized who it was because I've always been a Three Stooges fan.

Had a fine meal (everyone was in fine dress but me, always been a jeans guy) and conversation. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself in front of my date so I didn't ask any questions I was dying to. The conversations were generally about sports, horses in particular, events with a little business.

I was really surprised how different he was compared to his slapstick character. Intelligent, articulate, well dressed and years later learned he was an accomplished violinist. I wish now I had asked him some questions about the Stooges I had at the time and wish I had a picture taken of him and I.

A few days later I got to meet Sam Muchnick's next door neighbor, Jim Hart of the St. Louis Cardinal Football team. Wish it had been Stan Musial or Ken Boyer, or Bill White or Bob Gibson or Ray Sedicky or Julian Javier or Curt Flood... Not a football fan.

I was watching a syndicated rerun of "The Three Stooges" still laughing my rear end off after all these years and remembered meeting and having dinner with Larry Fine in 1968. I was dating the daughter of a guy named Sam Muchnick and she wanted me to take her to the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, MO. to watch that fake wrestling crap. She and I were both 16 at the time and believe it or not, she swore that it was not fake and believed it? I guess her father never sat her down and told her the facts of life, I was hoping anyway

Anyway, I was to young to drink any beer there so I managed to suffer through it. After the bouts I was introduced to the likes of Johnny Valentine, Dick the Bruiser, Cowboy Bob Ellis and a few others. The best I can say is, them were some strong dudes.

After that Sam invited us to a late night supper in the dining room, on him! Well, who am I to turn down an expensive dinner so I said, "sure". To make a long story short, we were escorted to a fine table and upon sitting down, this well dressed guy with the sides of his hair all slicked down comes over and shakes Mr. Muchnicks hand and is asked if he would like to join us? Larry Fine says sure, and he was introduced to my date and I and shook our hands. Of course I immediately recognized who it was because I've always been a Three Stooges fan.

Had a fine meal (everyone was in fine dress but me, always been a jeans guy) and conversation. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself in front of my date so I didn't ask any questions I was dying to. The conversations were generally about sports, horses in particular, events with a little business.

I was really surprised how different he was compared to his slapstick character. Intelligent, articulate, well dressed and years later learned he was an accomplished violinist. I wish now I had asked him some questions about the Stooges I had at the time and wish I had a picture taken of him and I.

A few days later I got to meet Sam Muchnick's next door neighbor, Jim Hart of the St. Louis Cardinal Football team. Wish it had been Stan Musial or Ken Boyer, or Bill White or Bob Gibson or Ray Sedicky or Julian Javier or Curt Flood... Not a football fan.

Great story! I've never met anyone famous except for OhShoot. (Cool guy, down to earth). I know Mike Keith of Titans fame and John Wilkerson of Knoxville sportstalk. One of them is really cool and the other works for the Titans.

The stooges are awesome, my kid loved them instantly.

[ls3_kid]

Gosh, I've met so many... actors, presidents, musicians... I never really think about it, because it's just been part of my job. I know I'm blessed... and I'm thankful every day.

3 of the nicest folks I ever met and spent time with... Ronald Reagan, McLean Stevenson, and Bonnie Raitt...

I am jealous you met Reagan. I would really like to meet him. The highest politician I have met is Condoleezza Rice. Really nice lady and down to earth.

On a side note my favorite "famous" person I've met is Dan Elliott (Bill Elliott's brother, he's not that famous but one of my favorite people) or John Force.

[LI0NSFAN]

Meeting Reagan would have been really cool.

[Steelharp]

Meeting Reagan would have been really cool.

He was so nice. It's a long story, but the short of it is he walked up to me, hand outstretched, and said, "Hello, son, I'm Ronald Reagan." Like I wouldn't know!! I said, "Hello, Mr. President, I'm Mike Douchette, and it's an honor to meet you." He then stood there and we chatted; he asked me questions about the instrument I was playing, etc. Extremely personable, affable man. I really miss him. Last true statesman we had.

[laktrash]

I went to school with Dolly Parton, does that count ?

[Steelharp]

I went to school with Dolly Parton, does that count ?

"There's a couple of big ones... a-all-RIIIGHT!" (Lester "Roadhog" Moran)

[Volzfan]

From a Stooge to a President! That's quite a range!

Nancy Van Camp bought a Mega Millions ticket from me at the store I work at when it was 640m.

[daddyo]

Stop me if I've told this before....

In the mid seventies I was a monorail host at Walt Disney World. One day I was driving one of the hotel trains, and as we were boarding passengers at the Polynesian Resort platform, I was walking back to the cab to await dispatch when a female voice behind me said "May we ride up front with you?". When I turned around, I was looking at none other than Elizabeth Montgomery and her husband Robert Foxworth. You older guys know who I'm talking about. I was so tongue tied I could hardly talk as I had a crush on her as a child and watched Bewitched religiously. She was just as beautiful in person as she was on TV, if not more so. They were both two of the most gracious and friendly people I have ever met in my entire life.

[UncleJak]

I've met lots, but I'd have to say Bill Monroe was the neatest. His bass player was sick and I filled in. He was pretty old by this time and his mind kinda wandered, but he was still awesome on the mandolin. He also had a funny way of talking to people, I can't describe it but I am sure if anyone ever met him they know what I mean.

[gun sane]

Years ago in Houston I had a close friend who hosted a local TV talk show and met a lot of show biz folk by hanging with him. Without a doubt, the two most likeable, down-to-earth celebrities I ever had the pleasure of talking to was Dub Taylor and his son, Buck. Dub was a character actor better known for his role as Cannonball on old Western movies and Buck played Newly on Gunsmoke. I picked them up at the airport to take them to the studio for an interview. By the time we got to there it was like we were old friends.

[Steelharp]

"What would you say if the father of bluegrass music was to put his hand right there?"

[Bad_Bowtie]

I met John Schneider from the Dukes if Hazzard and Bob Eubancks from the Newlywed Game show when I was a teenager. Both seemed really nice. Before I got on with the city I worked maintnance for a resort in Gatlinburg. So one night a toy hauler with Yamaha wrote all over it pulls in. Turns out to be Vannila Ice, cant remember his real name and dont care. What an @sshole. Not going into details but I have no respect for him.

[Steelharp]

John Schneider is awesome.

Ben Jones "Cooter" is awesome.

All of them are...

... except Wopat. Not so much.