Famous People I've Met. . .
by Gwendylan | created - 22 Dec 2014 | updated - 06 Sep 2015 | Public
1. Tim Curry
Actor | Congo
Timothy James Curry was born on April 19, 1946 in Grappenhall, Cheshire, England. His mother, Maura Patricia (Langmead), was a school secretary, and his father, James Curry, was a Methodist Royal Navy chaplain. Curry studied Drama and English at Birmingham University, from which he graduated with ...
The best day I ever had, he gave me... watching him spin sheer magic onstage...the play, Me & My Girl, back in '83. meeting him.. talking with him.. He was thee most genuine, golden-hearted bloke I'd ever met. And one of the greatest listeners I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
2. Ellen Corby
Actress | The Waltons
Ellen Corby was born Ellen Hansen on June 3, 1911, in Racine, Wisconsin. She played many uncredited bit parts from the late '20s through the '30s. Ellen would not be seen on the big screen again until 1945 in Cornered (1945). In 1946, she appeared in 14 films, although mostly in small, minor roles....
The most delightful lady with the most beautiful twinking blue eyes to match. A memory I'll cherish forever, meeting her.
3. Benjamin Spock
Self | Not for Women Only
Benjamin Spock was born on May 2, 1903 in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. He is known for Not for Women Only (1968), Valentine's Day (1964) and The Art Linkletter Show (1963). He was married to Mary Morgan and Jane Cheney. He died on March 15, 1998 in La Jolla, California, USA.
So laid back, and casual.. a personable, inviting guy.. A friend of a friend of our's many moons ago.
4. William Hanna
Producer | ABC Afterschool Specials
William Hanna was an animator, film director, and television producer. He was the co-founder of the company Hanna-Barbera, with his longtime partner Joseph Barbera.
Hanna was born in an Irish-American family, son of William John Hanna (1873-1949) and his wife Avice Joyce Denby. He was born in ...
Tim Curry and Scooby-Doo, too! He was across the aisle from me at the showing of Me & My Girl. Very friendly and engaging. Asking for suggestions for a project in the works, {which included Curry}, I asked, "Can serpents have shoulders?" ...and "Voila!" ..the serpent ended up with shoulders.
5. Alan Cranston
Actor | The Candidate
Alan Cranston was born on June 19, 1914 in Palo Alto, California, USA. He was an actor, known for The Candidate (1972), On the Edge (1998) and Bicentennial Minutes (1974). He was married to Norma Weintraub and Geneva McMath. He died on December 31, 2000 in Los Altos, California, USA.
Friendly as could be. Met him twice, both times on flights going to Los Angeles, a couple of years apart, and having asked me my name upon the first meeting, remembered me, and by name, all that time later! I was astounded, and very impressed!
6. Donald O'Connor
Actor | Singin' in the Rain
Born into a vaudeville family, O'Connor was the youthful figure cutting a rug in several Universal musicals of the 1940s. His best-known musical work is probably Singin' in the Rain (1952), in which he did an impressive dance that culminated in a series of backflips off the wall. O'Connor was also ...
Great performer.. a little showy, perhaps, but pleasant.
7. Jack Klugman
Actor | 12 Angry Men
As a film character actor, Klugman was the epitome of the everyman. He was one of the pioneers of television acting in the 1950s, and is best remembered for his 1970s TV work as Oscar Madison on The Odd Couple (1970) and as the medical examiner on Quincy M.E. (1976).
Extremely consciencious driver. Very sweet, socially aware, and down-to-earth gentleman.
8. Robert Goulet
Actor | The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
Robert Gerard Goulet was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to a family of French-Canadian origin. He was the son of Jeanette (Gauthier) and Joseph Georges André Goulet. After hearing his son sing "Lead Kindly Light", in their church hall, his father told him, "I'm proud of you, son". A few weeks ...
Much more humble, and personable, than I ever would have expected.
9. Sheree North
Actress | Breakout
Sheree North was born on January 17, 1932 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Breakout (1975), Lawman (1971) and The Shootist (1976). She was married to Phillip Alan Norman, Dr. Gerhardt Ralph Sommer, John M. "Bud" Freeman and Frederick Arnold Bessire Jr.. She died on ...
Very sweet, soft-spoken, and appreciative of being recognised.
10. Lonette McKee
Actress | Brewster's Millions
Lonette McKee's career began in the music industry in hometown Detroit, Michigan as a child prodigy, where she began playing keyboards composing music and lyrics, singing and performing professionally at a young age. At fourteen she recorded her first record, "Stop Don't Worry 'Bout It" which ...
Saw her back in '77, in Show Boat, alongside Donald O'Connor, and Donnie Ray Albert. What a voice.. WHAT a VOiCE. Her "Just My Bill" still resonates in my mind's ear.. As Carly Simon song goes, 'nobody does it better'.
11. Merv Griffin
Producer | Jeopardy!
Merv Griffin was a singer and band leader, movie actor, television personality and media mogul who in his time hosting The Merv Griffin Show (1962) was second in fame and influence as a talk show host only to Johnny Carson. Griffin was best known for creating the two most popular game shows in ...
...Apart.. protected.. separated from the common folk of his audience. Very controlled atmosphere..strange experience, attending The Merv Griffin Show back in the late 70's.
12. Donnie Ray Albert
Actor | Great Performances
Donnie Ray Albert was born on January 10, 1950 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is an actor, known for Great Performances (1971), Liberty Weekend (1986) and Vanessa (2019).
What. A. Voice. His Old Man River rivalled even the great Paul Robeson. Incredibly fantastic and powerful. His deep, rich bass baritone vibrato was simply magnificent... Flawless. I'd never heard anything like it before, nor have I since.
13. Vincent Schiavelli
Actor | Tomorrow Never Dies
Vincent Schiavelli, selected in 1997 by Vanity Fair as one of the best character actors in America, had made over 120 film and television appearances. He studied acting at NYU's Theatre Program. Aside from his acting career, Vincent was the author of three cookbooks, and has written numerous ...
Mmyehh.. :^/ *shrug*
14. Lesley Ann Warren
Actress | Victor/Victoria
Entrancing, gorgeous Lesley Ann Warren started gearing towards a life in show business right off the bat as a young ballerina who trained at the School of American Ballet at the age of 14. Little did she know that Hollywood stardom would arrive on her doorstep in the form of a "Cinderella" story.
...
She could dance like nobody's business. Her body as elastic...as amazingly flexible as a rubber band!
15. Ann Reinking
Actress | Annie
Ann Reinking was born on November 10, 1949, in Seattle, Washington. Renowned more for her dancing than acting, Reinking has danced in many Broadway shows. She made her film debut in Movie Movie (1978) and the following year starred opposite Roy Scheider and Jessica Lange in the Bob Fosse biopic All...
Impressive, and powerful dancer.. Connected to her audience.
16. Judi Dench
Actress | Skyfall
Dame Judi Dench was born Judith Olivia Dench in York, England, to Eleanora Olive (Jones), who was from Dublin, Ireland, and Reginald Arthur Dench, a doctor from Dorset, England. She attended Mount School in York, and studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She has performed with the ...
Tiny, tiny little bird.. smoked like a chimeny.. cheery, and delightfully funny, and amiable!
17. Jack Carter
Actor | History of the World: Part I
Jack Carter was born on June 24, 1922 in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Alligator (1980) and Amazing Stories (1985). He was married to Roxanne Wander, Paula Stewart and Joan Mann. He died on June ...
A real mensch! When I was 6, back in 1966, our ol' Ford Fairlane broke down on Hollywood Blvd., and he stopped, and gave us a ride. A great and thoughtful humanitarian guy. Happy Hanukkah, Jack! =)
18. Bea Arthur
Actress | The Golden Girls
Actress-comedienne Bea Arthur was born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922 in New York City to a Jewish family. She grew up in Maryland, where her parents ran a dress shop. At 12 years old, she was the tallest girl in her school at 5'9".
She earned the title of "Wittiest Girl" in her school, and her ...
....but I was only 3. She lived down the street from us. Though I never met her later, it was the beginning of a lifelong appreciation for her.
19. Doris Day
Soundtrack | Love Me or Leave Me
One of America's most loved actresses was born Doris Mary Kappelhoff on April 3, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Alma Sophia (Welz), a housewife, and William Joseph Kappelhoff, a music teacher and choir master. Her grandparents were all German immigrants. She had two brothers, Richard, who died ...
Frequented a store where I worked one Christmas Season.
20. Norma Zimmer
Soundtrack | 3:10 to Yuma
Norma Zimmer was born on July 13, 1923 in Larson, Idaho, USA. She was an actress, known for 3:10 to Yuma (1957), Glory (1956) and Mr. Music (1950). She was married to Randal H. Zimmer. She died on May 10, 2011 in Brea, California, USA.
Saw her from afar during a taping of The Lawrence Welk Show, in its latter years at Welk's resort in Escondido. She looked orange--pancake make-up--but her voice was notably pure, crystal clear, and angelic, even outside, without much of a mic, or amps, etc. Just like in the studio.
21. Dustin Hoffman
Actor | Tootsie
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, to Lillian (Gold) and Harry Hoffman, who was a furniture salesman and prop supervisor for Columbia Pictures. He was raised in a Jewish family (from Ukraine, Russia-Poland, and Romania). Hoffman graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1955, ...
Only just saww him, in a pharmacy once. Didn't get to talk to him, darnit~
22. Bob Balaban
Actor | Gosford Park
Bob Balaban was born on August 16, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Gosford Park (2001), A Mighty Wind (2003) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). He has been married to Lynn Grossman since April 1, 1977. They have two children.
Once lived across the street from my aunt and uncle.
23. José Feliciano
Soundtrack | Moulin Rouge!
José Feliciano was born on September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico. He is a music artist and composer, known for Moulin Rouge! (2001), Fargo (1996) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978). He has been married to Susan Omillian since August 2, 1982. They have three children. He was ...
Short but sweet meeting.
24. Ralph Nader
Actor | Fun with Dick and Jane
Ralph Nader was born on February 27, 1934 in Winsted, Connecticut, USA. He is an actor, known for Fun with Dick and Jane (2005), Laugh-In (1977) and LateLine (1998).
Hmmm. . .
25. John Astin
Actor | The Frighteners
Dark-haired, usually-mustachioed American actor with a cheeky grin, who achieved pop culture status through his portrayal of the kooky patriarch "Gomez Addams" in the hit TV series The Addams Family (1964), John Astin was born on March 30, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland. He studied mathematics at ...
I'd say a little aloof.. preoccupied~ But it wasn't a fair test. It was at an airport, after all.
26. Allen Funt
Producer | Money Talks
Allen Funt was born on September 16, 1914 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for Money Talks (1972), The New Candid Camera (1974) and Candid Candid Camera Volume 5 (1986). He was married to Marilyn Funt and Evelyn Michael. He died on September 5, 1999 in Pebble ...
-_- Uhhmm... {slipping into my 'Bewitched"'s Samantha impression}, "Waayelll..." O.o
27. Bill Murray
Actor | Lost in Translation
Bill Murray is an American actor, comedian, and writer. The fifth of nine children, he was born William James Murray in Wilmette, Illinois, to Lucille (Collins), a mailroom clerk, and Edward Joseph Murray II, who sold lumber. He is of Irish descent. Among his siblings are actors Brian Doyle-Murray, ...
Funn-nny, personable, and very, very down-to-earth!
28. Muhammad Ali
Actor | The Greatest
Muhammad Ali beat more champions and top contenders than any heavyweight champion in history. He defeated heavyweight kings Sonny Liston (twice), Floyd Patterson (twice), Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis, Ken Norton (twice), Joe Frazier (twice), George Foreman and Leon Spinks. He defeated ...
I literally "bumped into him" in a store one day in Los Angeles. A rather gentle "bump".. just one of those, when you aren't watching where you're going closely enough..but ohh, the shock, and shyness that washed over me when I realised who it WAS! He touched on my elbows as I apologised, nearly speechless, and said in a whisper, "It's ok". Very gentle, he, and a giant, to be sure, though it was his imposing width that struck me most, not seeming quite as tall as I would have expected.
29. Cliff Robertson
Actor | Spider-Man
Clifford Parker Robertson III became a fairly successful leading man through most of his career without ever becoming a major star. Following strong stage and television experience, he made an interesting film debut in a supporting role in Picnic (1955). He then played Joan Crawford's deranged ...
"Met" might be too strong a word here, but the day I "bumped into" Muhammed Ali in a supermarket, back in the 80's, he was in line getting a few groceries right at the moment of impact with Ali, not 10 feet away. Noticeably vivid blue eyes, even from a distance.
30. Wayne Dyer
Self | Gifts from Eykis
Wayne Dyer was born on May 10, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for Gifts from Eykis, Tales of Everyday Magic (2012) and How to Get What You Really, Really, Really, Really Want (2000). He was married to Marcelene Rowan, Judy and Susan Casselman. He died on August 29, 2015 in ...
Sat next to him on a plane to L.A. ...twice. .......... -_-
31. Orson Welles
Actor | Citizen Kane
His father, Richard Head Welles, was a well-to-do inventor, his mother, Beatrice (Ives) Welles, a beautiful concert pianist; Orson Welles was gifted in many arts (magic, piano, painting) as a child. When his mother died in 1924 (when he was nine) he traveled the world with his father. He was ...
His powerful presence was like nothing I've ever felt before... Like a magical wind swept from one side of the stage to the other as he entered..*whooshh!* He was Master of Ceremony for a show starring a young magician named David Copperfield, back in the early 70's....at the Anaheim Theater I believe, {forget just what it was called. There was only one then, I think. {?} Quite a memorable experience. His voice, {Welles'}, so distinct, so resonant, so incredibly pleasant. *sighh*... and I was only 11 or 12. xD
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