24 Stories Of Disappointing Celebrity Encounters, According To Redditors
Something about superstars makes us want to know everything there is to know about them. We are captivated by their brilliance, amazing appearance, compelling charisma, or astounding fortune, which makes them appear worlds away from our everyday life. And, let's be honest, we've all imagined ourselves running into our favorite celebrity at least once or twice.
But, as the saying goes, never meet your idols, and many individuals can attest from personal experience that this is sound advice. Redditor Netwinn wanted to know if many star-struck followers were disappointed when they discovered their idols weren't as great as they thought.
"Who was your saddest celebrity encounter?" they inquired. And fellow Ask Reddit users delivered a slew of interesting stories.
I was an extra in World War Z and I met this girl there and we were talking and all was great until one time Brad Pitt walks by.
Was very friendly to her... totally blanked me.
His stunt double was a cool dude though."
Back in the early '90's, Clint was in southern Alberta doing some shooting for Unforgiven (I think, probably). It just so happens that so were we, but not because of a movie; we were doing some camping, and had been camping for like a good solid week before deciding, one day, to check out the Royal Tyrel Museum of Paleontology, because that's the best thing ever, it wasn't super expensive (we lived on an extreme budget, our family of 4 in the '90s), and it's an easy way to keep your tiny children (I was maybe 6?) occupied when you just need a day of not keeping them from killing themselves, you know?
So there we were, this extremely stinky, camping family, the very embodiment of the lower class, hanging out in a museum looking at dinosaur bones because awesome. It just so happens that Clint and crew had the day off and decided to check out dinosaur bones too, because that sh*t is awesome and I respect a movie guy who likes massive bones. Er, what? Anyways. We're there, looking at dino bones, they're there, looking at dino bones.
Now, to add some context to my father's state of mind: I was a loud, obnoxious 6-maybe-year-old. My sister was worse because she sucks and is dumb, but this story isn't about her anyway. Dad has spent a week trapped more or less in the confines of a tent with his idiot son and stupid toddler daughter, and is on edge. He probably wants a fight, I dunno. He's spoilin' for an argument.
Well, Dad overhears one of the crew guys griping about how lame Canada apparently is compared to America, and how he couldn't wait to go back home, etc, and the crew guys were chuckling about it. So, stinky dad waltzes over -- a true, red-blooded Canadian, proud of his country, a real patriot -- and tells them that if they don't like it, why don't they all f*ck off and go back to America*. Dad doesn't realize that Clint Eastwood is among the people he's swearing at, because Dad invented the Dumb Dad trope.
After they wander off, grumbling about rude stinky Canadians or something, Dad comes back to us, and Mom essentially asks him, happily, "Oh what were you talking to Clint about?" all bubbly and excited.
"Clint who?"
Because Dad is a red-blooded Canadian patriot who realized that he f*cked up hard, I spent my youth watching a loooot of Clint Eastwood movies. Dad suffers pretty deeply from 'Canadian guilt', which is a lot like your standard 'white guilt', except it isn't biased toward race. Essentially, he's just sorry all the time. Made for good movie nights as a kid though. A++, would watch Dad put his foot in his mouth again.
TL;DR - Dad told Clint Eastwood to f*ck off, without realizing that he was talking to Clint Eastwood."
The man turns around slowly and just stands there, looking at them, forlorn. It was Laurence Fishburne."
I was pretty oblivious and had no idea why Sammy Davis Jr. was treating me like I had slapped his little sister's ass. For a few years after that every time his name came up I told people how big of a jerk Sammy David Jr. was. Fast forward to a few years later and I'm watching the movie Renaissance Man with Danny DeVito and I'm like "wait I didn't know Sammy David Jr was in this movie" ....which caused me to imdb it ...and it all finally clicked.
I had called Gregory Hines Sammy Davis Jr. to his face 5 years after Sammy died. It was probably the most delayed embarrassment I've ever felt in my life.
tldr: I have no idea what Sammy Davis jr. looks like."
I was at a restaurant downtown Toronto with my little sister who at the time was 9 and a huge Demi fan. We saw her walk in with a couple of people and one of them (not Demi) began chatting with the seating hostess over what looked like the menu. Demi wasn't a part of the conversation and was just kind of standing there her eyes glued to her phone.
My sister was flipping out at this point and I gave her my cell phone and told her to go ask for a picture. Mind you I would not have encouraged her to go over there if Demi was eating or having an important conversation or whatever, I know some celebrities don't appreciate being interrupted while they're eating and I completely understand that, but she was literally just standing there doing nothing so I didn't think it would be a big deal.
My sister walked over on her own and I sat and watched Demi tell her something along the lines of "No, can't you see I'm f*cking busy?!" My sister came back to me in tears and we immediately paid for our unfinished food and left, because she was so upset. Her saying no is not what I had the problem with, it's the tone of voice she used and the fact that she cursed at a 9-year old child that got to me. My sister was a very shy and timid kid so her going over there on her own was a huge deal and showed me how much that stupid picture meant to her."
4AM in an airport I ran into Adam Savage.
Strike 1: Don't talk to anyone in an airport at 4AM. They're just as delirious and tired as you are.
Strike 2: Don't f**k up and say his co-hosts name when you try to say hi.
Bonus. He tweeted about 5 minutes later complaining about idiots in airports trying to say hi by calling him Jamie...
Learn from my mistake."
I felt kinda dumb for doing it. Later on I found out (from the bartender) that he was acting like a madman. Not a total douche but just kinda wild. Irritating folks. Walking in front of cars in the street and being loud.
When I asked for my tab (which had been pretty hefty) the bartender told me that he had picked up my bill. And all my friends bills as well.
So. Crazy weirdo or not. I'll always remember that kindness. As sad as it was to see him drunkenly irritating the F out of people.
F*cking Joaquin Phoenix bought my tab."
All through the Q&A session, people had great complex questions for him about his theories and ideas on evolution or certain species. I thought I would be clever and ask a simple and fun question. So in the cover of the book, I wrote, "What is your favorite animal?" I expected this to be refreshing when he went to sign my book.
I got to the front and as he opened my book to sign it, he was a little thrown off. He gave me a look like I was mentally impaired and just signed his name.
I was crushed and felt really embarrassed that my recent idol thought I was stupid. I wandered off through the racks of books and found a small group of 5 people huddled around one man speaking.
I was curious and still trying to forget my last encounter, so I listened to this energetic man speak about the universe to this impromptu gathering. He was very knowledgeable and interactive. When I got a chance I asked him the same question, "What's your favorite animal?" He was very happy with the question and went on a long explanation of why the wolf was his favorite and when he first encountered one in Yellowstone.
I learned later that man was Neil Degrasse Tyson. What a day."
As he was leaving I stood and held the door open for them.
His wife was helping him out of the door. He was looking at the ground. No speaking. Slow walking. Shaking from the Parkinson's.
He got to the car and his wife was helping him in. I asked her if I could meet him and have him take a photo and an autograph.
She was delighted and said sure! "Cassius, this young man would like to meet you" she said. I held out my hand and shook the hand of the greatest Boxer to ever live. The hand that knocked out Fraiser. That mighty right hook.
I immediately started crying. (And tearing up right now). She said "don't cry, it's okay!" I had to explain that it's surreal to meet the famous "Ali".
She handed him the book and the sharpie and said "Cassius he wants your autograph" and she opened the book for him and put the pen in his hand. He took at least (no joke) 2 full minutes to sign his name. And it was at that point that it killed me. This was Cassius Clay. Muhammad Ali. The most charismatic, float like a butterfly sting like a bee, man in boxing history. And he was such a shell of his former self because of the Parkinson's. It was so heartbreaking. It really was.
She then took a photo of us together and I thanked him, and her and went on my way.
But god damn that will be the saddest moment meeting a celebrity I think I'll have face."
Peter Mayhew (chewbacca), was in the green room for lunch on the 2nd day. He looks very tired and is almost totally wheelchair bound because of his terrible joint problems. I'm sitting across from him while we eat and his assistant asks if his hand is feeling alright to sign more autographs (terrible arthritis).
He closes his eyes and nods his head and whispers out "how much longer will this go today?" To which his assistant delicately replies "just 5 more hours."
And he whimpers a little and sheds a few tears as they wheel him away from the table and back out to the fans.
The saddest part is that he's the nicest guy and never denies a fan while he's at the con and always smiles even though he's in loads of physical pain."
Finally he comes out looking all pissed off and sits in the front seat. Against my better judgement I said something to the effect of, "Mr Elliott I'm a huge fan of yours and it's an honor to be in a scene with you." He snaps back: "Shut the f*ck up kid." Needless to say when Sam Elliott tells you to STFU, you do it. So that's the sad part, though getting cussed out by a guy who typically plays the badass in movies was cool in some way.
We film the scene which is a short scene where he walks by Chris Klein and cusses at him about something. We film it over and over and I'm just some soldier walking by in the background. Occasionally between takes Sam would look over at me and scowl. After it's done we get back in the van to head back and Sam is again in the van. He turns around and says, "Sorry about earlier kid, I just didn't want to f*ck up my mood for the scene. I appreciate the compliment." Suddenly it dawned on me that when he cussed at me he was trying to stay in character for the upcoming scene. Pretty cool experience."
But, as the saying goes, never meet your idols, and many individuals can attest from personal experience that this is sound advice. Redditor Netwinn wanted to know if many star-struck followers were disappointed when they discovered their idols weren't as great as they thought.
"Who was your saddest celebrity encounter?" they inquired. And fellow Ask Reddit users delivered a slew of interesting stories.
#1 Brad Pitt
Source: GrollTheLicker
I was an extra in World War Z and I met this girl there and we were talking and all was great until one time Brad Pitt walks by.
Was very friendly to her... totally blanked me.
His stunt double was a cool dude though."
#2 Rachel Weisz
Source: Shark-Farts
#3 Clint Eastwood
Source: deleted
Back in the early '90's, Clint was in southern Alberta doing some shooting for Unforgiven (I think, probably). It just so happens that so were we, but not because of a movie; we were doing some camping, and had been camping for like a good solid week before deciding, one day, to check out the Royal Tyrel Museum of Paleontology, because that's the best thing ever, it wasn't super expensive (we lived on an extreme budget, our family of 4 in the '90s), and it's an easy way to keep your tiny children (I was maybe 6?) occupied when you just need a day of not keeping them from killing themselves, you know?
So there we were, this extremely stinky, camping family, the very embodiment of the lower class, hanging out in a museum looking at dinosaur bones because awesome. It just so happens that Clint and crew had the day off and decided to check out dinosaur bones too, because that sh*t is awesome and I respect a movie guy who likes massive bones. Er, what? Anyways. We're there, looking at dino bones, they're there, looking at dino bones.
Now, to add some context to my father's state of mind: I was a loud, obnoxious 6-maybe-year-old. My sister was worse because she sucks and is dumb, but this story isn't about her anyway. Dad has spent a week trapped more or less in the confines of a tent with his idiot son and stupid toddler daughter, and is on edge. He probably wants a fight, I dunno. He's spoilin' for an argument.
Well, Dad overhears one of the crew guys griping about how lame Canada apparently is compared to America, and how he couldn't wait to go back home, etc, and the crew guys were chuckling about it. So, stinky dad waltzes over -- a true, red-blooded Canadian, proud of his country, a real patriot -- and tells them that if they don't like it, why don't they all f*ck off and go back to America*. Dad doesn't realize that Clint Eastwood is among the people he's swearing at, because Dad invented the Dumb Dad trope.
After they wander off, grumbling about rude stinky Canadians or something, Dad comes back to us, and Mom essentially asks him, happily, "Oh what were you talking to Clint about?" all bubbly and excited.
"Clint who?"
Because Dad is a red-blooded Canadian patriot who realized that he f*cked up hard, I spent my youth watching a loooot of Clint Eastwood movies. Dad suffers pretty deeply from 'Canadian guilt', which is a lot like your standard 'white guilt', except it isn't biased toward race. Essentially, he's just sorry all the time. Made for good movie nights as a kid though. A++, would watch Dad put his foot in his mouth again.
TL;DR - Dad told Clint Eastwood to f*ck off, without realizing that he was talking to Clint Eastwood."
#4 Gene Simmons
"My brother met Gene Simmons back stage at a show he was playing in. Gene complimented my brother highly on his guitar playing but then said "too bad you'll never make it" and just walked away."
#5 Justin Timberlake
Source: phreezinc, wikimedia
#6 Laurence Fishburne
Source: Moobs_like_Jagger, flickr
The man turns around slowly and just stands there, looking at them, forlorn. It was Laurence Fishburne."
#7 Vince Vaughn
"Met Vince Vaughn in a bar in Hollywood. He was with his entourage or whatever, and had quite a few drinks. He hit on a (girl) friend of mine, and I was amazed to see her totally blow him off. Not that she should have gone for it, but it was pretty incredible to see a multi-millionaire movie star get rejected by an accountant."
#8 Chris Rock
Source: anotherredditvirgin
#9 Gregory Hines
Source: Corndoggy420, wikipedia
I was pretty oblivious and had no idea why Sammy Davis Jr. was treating me like I had slapped his little sister's ass. For a few years after that every time his name came up I told people how big of a jerk Sammy David Jr. was. Fast forward to a few years later and I'm watching the movie Renaissance Man with Danny DeVito and I'm like "wait I didn't know Sammy David Jr was in this movie" ....which caused me to imdb it ...and it all finally clicked.
I had called Gregory Hines Sammy Davis Jr. to his face 5 years after Sammy died. It was probably the most delayed embarrassment I've ever felt in my life.
tldr: I have no idea what Sammy Davis jr. looks like."
#10 Heath Ledger
Source: TheOffTopicBuffalo
#11 Demi Lovato
Source: katerynabbcan4
I was at a restaurant downtown Toronto with my little sister who at the time was 9 and a huge Demi fan. We saw her walk in with a couple of people and one of them (not Demi) began chatting with the seating hostess over what looked like the menu. Demi wasn't a part of the conversation and was just kind of standing there her eyes glued to her phone.
My sister was flipping out at this point and I gave her my cell phone and told her to go ask for a picture. Mind you I would not have encouraged her to go over there if Demi was eating or having an important conversation or whatever, I know some celebrities don't appreciate being interrupted while they're eating and I completely understand that, but she was literally just standing there doing nothing so I didn't think it would be a big deal.
My sister walked over on her own and I sat and watched Demi tell her something along the lines of "No, can't you see I'm f*cking busy?!" My sister came back to me in tears and we immediately paid for our unfinished food and left, because she was so upset. Her saying no is not what I had the problem with, it's the tone of voice she used and the fact that she cursed at a 9-year old child that got to me. My sister was a very shy and timid kid so her going over there on her own was a huge deal and showed me how much that stupid picture meant to her."
#12 George R. R. Martin
Source: rmpriest13, wikimedia
#13 Steve-O
Source: willie1707, wikipedia
#14 Adam Savage
Source: alphex
4AM in an airport I ran into Adam Savage.
Strike 1: Don't talk to anyone in an airport at 4AM. They're just as delirious and tired as you are.
Strike 2: Don't f**k up and say his co-hosts name when you try to say hi.
Bonus. He tweeted about 5 minutes later complaining about idiots in airports trying to say hi by calling him Jamie...
Learn from my mistake."
#15 Tom Cruise
Source: Axcalibur
#16 Bob Saget
Source: DiscoHippo
#17 Jane Goodall
Source: Odonata_Anisoptera
#18 Joaquin Phoenix
Source: CBBuddha
I felt kinda dumb for doing it. Later on I found out (from the bartender) that he was acting like a madman. Not a total douche but just kinda wild. Irritating folks. Walking in front of cars in the street and being loud.
When I asked for my tab (which had been pretty hefty) the bartender told me that he had picked up my bill. And all my friends bills as well.
So. Crazy weirdo or not. I'll always remember that kindness. As sad as it was to see him drunkenly irritating the F out of people.
F*cking Joaquin Phoenix bought my tab."
#19 Betty White
"Betty White. It was right after the Golden Girls (and Golden Palace) had ended. Her career was not in the best place at the time. I was at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles and saw a poster promoting Betty White signing her latest book about how much she loves animals. I liked the Golden Girls so I thought I would swing by the bookstore to take a gander at Betty White. It was so sad. I'll always remember she was sitting alone at a big table with a stack of books in front of her. People were in the bookstore shopping but no one was buying her book or really acknowledging her. She just sat there, pen in hand, waiting. She would occasionally wipe off some imaginary dust to look busy. I'm getting the chills just remembering it. Of course, I was such a self-involved college kid that I just stared at her from far away. I should have just gone up and talked to her."
#20 Neil Degrasse Tyson
Source: creativepun, wikimedia
All through the Q&A session, people had great complex questions for him about his theories and ideas on evolution or certain species. I thought I would be clever and ask a simple and fun question. So in the cover of the book, I wrote, "What is your favorite animal?" I expected this to be refreshing when he went to sign my book.
I got to the front and as he opened my book to sign it, he was a little thrown off. He gave me a look like I was mentally impaired and just signed his name.
I was crushed and felt really embarrassed that my recent idol thought I was stupid. I wandered off through the racks of books and found a small group of 5 people huddled around one man speaking.
I was curious and still trying to forget my last encounter, so I listened to this energetic man speak about the universe to this impromptu gathering. He was very knowledgeable and interactive. When I got a chance I asked him the same question, "What's your favorite animal?" He was very happy with the question and went on a long explanation of why the wolf was his favorite and when he first encountered one in Yellowstone.
I learned later that man was Neil Degrasse Tyson. What a day."
#21 Ben Affleck
Source: kikilovesmakeup
#22 Muhammad Ali
"Been waiting for a moment to tell this one. When I worked at a restaurant in Florida a few years ago Muhammad Ali and his family came in to eat. Me being a fanboy and knowing who Ali was kept staring from a distance, and eventually ran next-door to Books A Million to buy his biography "King of the World" and have him sign it.
.jpg){kind=link}
As he was leaving I stood and held the door open for them.
His wife was helping him out of the door. He was looking at the ground. No speaking. Slow walking. Shaking from the Parkinson's.
He got to the car and his wife was helping him in. I asked her if I could meet him and have him take a photo and an autograph.
She was delighted and said sure! "Cassius, this young man would like to meet you" she said. I held out my hand and shook the hand of the greatest Boxer to ever live. The hand that knocked out Fraiser. That mighty right hook.
I immediately started crying. (And tearing up right now). She said "don't cry, it's okay!" I had to explain that it's surreal to meet the famous "Ali".
She handed him the book and the sharpie and said "Cassius he wants your autograph" and she opened the book for him and put the pen in his hand. He took at least (no joke) 2 full minutes to sign his name. And it was at that point that it killed me. This was Cassius Clay. Muhammad Ali. The most charismatic, float like a butterfly sting like a bee, man in boxing history. And he was such a shell of his former self because of the Parkinson's. It was so heartbreaking. It really was.
She then took a photo of us together and I thanked him, and her and went on my way.
But god damn that will be the saddest moment meeting a celebrity I think I'll have face."
#23 Peter Mayhew
Source: Gred-and-Forge, flickr
Peter Mayhew (chewbacca), was in the green room for lunch on the 2nd day. He looks very tired and is almost totally wheelchair bound because of his terrible joint problems. I'm sitting across from him while we eat and his assistant asks if his hand is feeling alright to sign more autographs (terrible arthritis).
He closes his eyes and nods his head and whispers out "how much longer will this go today?" To which his assistant delicately replies "just 5 more hours."
And he whimpers a little and sheds a few tears as they wheel him away from the table and back out to the fans.
The saddest part is that he's the nicest guy and never denies a fan while he's at the con and always smiles even though he's in loads of physical pain."
#24 Sam Elliott
Source: auburnjohn, wikimedia
Finally he comes out looking all pissed off and sits in the front seat. Against my better judgement I said something to the effect of, "Mr Elliott I'm a huge fan of yours and it's an honor to be in a scene with you." He snaps back: "Shut the f*ck up kid." Needless to say when Sam Elliott tells you to STFU, you do it. So that's the sad part, though getting cussed out by a guy who typically plays the badass in movies was cool in some way.
We film the scene which is a short scene where he walks by Chris Klein and cusses at him about something. We film it over and over and I'm just some soldier walking by in the background. Occasionally between takes Sam would look over at me and scowl. After it's done we get back in the van to head back and Sam is again in the van. He turns around and says, "Sorry about earlier kid, I just didn't want to f*ck up my mood for the scene. I appreciate the compliment." Suddenly it dawned on me that when he cussed at me he was trying to stay in character for the upcoming scene. Pretty cool experience."
Share this article
Advertisement