Who is the most famous person you have ever met

DobDobDob (Ron) · #1 02-04-2007, 08:28 AM

Hi

Another member gave me an idea for this thread, and to start it off, I can tell you I have met some quite interesting and famous people during my lifetime and they have come from different arenas, so the old issue of comparing apples and oranges come into it, but....in terms of sheer fame (not their contribution to civilization), who is the most famous person you have ever met?

I'll start, amongst a host of famous people, the one who's face is universally recognized for me was Arnold Schwarzenegger, when I worked with him for a week in the 1980's in Ohio, for a sporting event. I found he was a nice bloke despite being a little gruff around the edges

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #2 02-04-2007, 08:38 AM

I was travelling to Pakistan for Telecom Australia and in the departure lounge I saw Gough Whitlam come in. When I boarded the plane I found I was sitting next to him (Telecom International flew all their staff business). After checking my boarding pass, understandably, we had a bit of a chat. He asked how long I had worked with Telecom. I said I started in a very important year...1975, to which he said "oh yes, I remember it very well".

Many years ago I entered the Sydney Marathon (finish time was 3:25 for those who care) and on the flight home I was on the plane with Cliff Young. I was on a flight that stopped off at Albury. When we went into the lounge area he was swamped with people asking for his autograph. He was up in Sydney to start the race and he knew I was in it as I still had my tracksuit on. I got a personally signed autographed picture of him.

DobDobDob (Ron) · #3 02-04-2007, 08:50 AM

Great story OneOfOne, I bet we get some interesting characters as this thread grows

ving (David) · #4 02-04-2007, 09:36 AM

I was in a movie with Kelly McGillis and Susie Porter

I also stumbled across Tom Cruise at a golf match, and theres an interesting story in that

DobDobDob (Ron) · #5 02-04-2007, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

I also stumbled across Tom Cruise at a golf match, and theres an interesting story in that

Well ??????

cahullian · #6 02-04-2007, 09:48 AM

The most famous person I have met was George Best. He used to go to the same secondary school as I did (he left before I started). His mum lived next door to my aunt and when he was home for a visit I would make sure I was at my aunts house too. Every now and again I would kick a ball with him and he would tell me how sad my life was( I'm a Leeds United fan) and how he just loves scoring agianst them.

Gazz

ving (David) · #7 02-04-2007, 09:50 AM

I was with a friend and we were watching the golf and wondering around... we were following the one and only great white shark (greg norman). My friend who is a total fan hesitantly aproached Tom (me, I wasnt fazed by Tom's presence) and stuttered " M-m-mr Cruise, Mr Cruise can we have our photo taken with you please!", after little thought he said no... My imediate thought, which I voice was "Snob!". I personally amnot a hero worshiper so i didnt care, but my friend was more than a little peeved and stalked him around teh golf course taking pictures paparazi style for the rest of the day.

DobDobDob (Ron) · #8 02-04-2007, 09:58 AM

This thread is starting to hot up, so far we have Tom Cruise, George Best, Gough Whitlam and Arnie (A.K.A Terminator)...doesn't get much more diverse than that, I bet a few more interesting people make the list as time goes by

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #9 02-04-2007, 10:09 AM

Pat Boone - anyone remember HIM ?

at a church meeting in Parramatta when i was about 12

okiscopey (Mike) · #10 02-04-2007, 10:09 AM

Until I meet you Tailwag, the best I can do is Prof. Fred Hollows, the well-known Australian eye doctor (among other attributes, including political activism and mountaineering).

I had quite a few contacts with Fred in conection with my work as a medical photographer here in Sydney, which was his homebase.

Fred thumbed his nose at red tape or any authority which hindered his pioneering work with Aborigines and the people of Eritrea and Nepal, among others. He was the sort of fellow you either loved or hated. The ‘stuffed shirts’ and beurocrats were generally in the the latter category.

He was a Kiwi, graduated from Otago University, and did a lot of early ophthalmology research work in the mining valleys of south Wales (UK). He was not content to just do a scientific study and move on. “No study without treatment” was the principle he adopted.

You couldn’t ignore Fred, with his gruff voice, casual dress, permanent pipe (which had worn a convenient grove in his front teeth), zest for life and an extensive knowledge of just about everything.

His biography is a good read. I think it’s just called ‘Fred’, by Peter Corris.

DobDobDob (Ron) · #11 02-04-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okiscopey

Until I meet you Tailwag, the best I can do is Prof. Fred Hollows.

Hmnnnnn that's bait if ever I smelt it....but I'll let it slide through to the keeper

seeing we are in the same 'mega' city, you may yet get your wish

Pat Boone - anyone remember HIM? Nope, is he related to Daniel?

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #12 02-04-2007, 10:28 AM

yes - well daniel was on the TV about the same time as i remember

geoff

ving (David) · #13 02-04-2007, 10:33 AM

I once went the what was "the MG garage", a resturant in surrey hills (sydney) and sat at a table next to Jeanie Little... yes she does sound like that in real life!

sheeny (Al) · #14 02-04-2007, 11:03 AM

I met Bob Carr when I was presented a Premier's Award in 2002 and a few other times. I offered to take him bushwalking but he's never taken me up on the offer.

Prior to that I met Peter Russell-Clark (remember the "Where's the cheese?" ads?) in Sydney airport. I caught his eye, said g'day and then... "I won't ask." To which he had a chuckle and said thanks.

I also met Dick Smith and Tim McCartney-Snape out at Kanangra Walls one day.

I knew Andrew McAuley quite well, and occasionally bumped into Peter Treseder if you are into famous/well known adventurers.

I said G'day to Rolf Harris once in passing in Sydney airport. (scraping the bottom of the barrel, now getting down to momentary walk bys!)

Al.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #15 02-04-2007, 11:34 AM

I met Barry Crocker at the height of his Barry McKenzie fame. We were at the airport and my Aunt urged me to approach him and he most graciously drew a cartoon sketch of himself in my autograph book, then signed it.

On my 16th birthday I went to see the Beachboys. My friend and I snuck in backstage and met the band. I scored Brian Loves autograph.

Mum took me to see Johnny Farnham many years ago, I would have been only 10 or 11 at the time. At the end of the concert I bolted up the aisle and on to the stage just in time to join him in his encore, he held my hand as his took his final bows.

When I was 18 my boyfriend had to pick up Larry Norman (a very famous Christian Rocker from the US) from the airport and bring him to Festival Hall for his Brisbane performance. I got to meet him after the show, I was so starstruck I could barely give a coherent reply when he spoke to me. The one thing I do remember from the encounter was how short he was. He wore platform boots.

DobDobDob (Ron) · #16 02-04-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

I met Barry Crocker at the height of his Barry McKenzie fame.

Me too, it was about 28 years ago and I was working inside Westmead hospital at the time, and Barry was booked for an operation (one day from memory), I can recall vividly that they closed the entire floor down just for him, something that was never done before that and probably never since.

You are right, at his height there were none bigger in this country

#17 02-04-2007, 11:44 AM

me

DobDobDob (Ron) · #18 02-04-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariane

me

Okay, I like it, I can understand where you're coming from

I'll bet Alex will be miffed he never thought of your reply before you did

Dujon · #19 02-04-2007, 11:49 AM

Jackie Weaver. ex-Hornsby Girls High School lass. My heavens she was a gorgeous bubbly thing. She even sat in the back of my '27 Chev all those years ago. I was driving. *sighs*

David Hill - he of the one day cricket fame. In those bygone days he was totally involved in the trotters (not Bolton Wanderers) those hobbled pacers. I received many a tip from him in those days (I was probably 15 or 16 years of age at that time) but, being as flat broke as I am now, I didn't take up the offers. I think that now he's very much involved with SkySport.

Looking at the previous posts I feel somewhat deprived.

Ric · #20 02-04-2007, 12:02 PM

Bill O'Reilly the great Australian spin bowler. He was my wife's great uncle and I had the privilege to spend an evening with him talking cricket. What a fantastic person.
On the political side there was cocktails with Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, two more very interesting gentleman to chat with.
Musically, I got very drunk with Matt Taylor from Chain (Blues band) one night in a quiet Canberra pub back in the early 80's.

Cheers