There’s an old saying that goes “Don’t meet your heroes.” In most cases, I’ve found this to be true. But this encounter with a former A list movie star really blew my mind for a long time.
I was invited as a guest on the set of a huge budgeted film with lots of FX & big names. The director was a prominent well respected & well liked actor/director, who has since passed.
I had lunch at the director’s table, and he was low-key, kind, and just a very down to earth guy. I’m glad there are still action figures of him around in people’s collections. He should never be forgotten.
Usually, the lead actor will sit at the director’s table. Not this time! The actor, who was in full facial makeup for his character of the day, sat alone, moping over his lunch.
Because I really admired the actor & am not shy, I walked over, introduced myself to actor, and hoped for the best. Keep in mind that this was a closed set lunch for only the above the line stars & producers!
He looked at me like I had two heads, and promptly bolted from the table!
What? I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life! This was in front of the director & other prominent people. I was literally stunned. He ran away from me like I had just propositioned him! Or threatened him.
The director is very solicitous, and then he gets a call from the actor’s people, asking who I was & why I had spoken to their precious star! I was embarrassed, angry, felt humiliated-but also confused! What on earth was going on in this guy’s mind? Did he think he was some kind of an untouchable god?
This really hurt me. For a long time after this I didn’t want to meet anyone I admired, for fear of a similar occurrence. Happily, that hasn’t been the case.
I recently read that the actor I terrified has an autistic child. I think perhaps he, too, is on the Asperger spectrum, because that could explain his irrational behavior. Not a dazzler in real life, though he’s given some magnificent performances. Kudos to the director for making so many unforgettable films. He is an icon.
It was long ago, but I still wonder what was in his head that day.
I was invited as a guest on the set of a huge budgeted film with lots of FX & big names. The director was a prominent well respected & well liked actor/director, who has since passed.
I had lunch at the director’s table, and he was low-key, kind, and just a very down to earth guy. I’m glad there are still action figures of him around in people’s collections. He should never be forgotten.
Usually, the lead actor will sit at the director’s table. Not this time! The actor, who was in full facial makeup for his character of the day, sat alone, moping over his lunch.
Because I really admired the actor & am not shy, I walked over, introduced myself to actor, and hoped for the best. Keep in mind that this was a closed set lunch for only the above the line stars & producers!
He looked at me like I had two heads, and promptly bolted from the table!
What? I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life! This was in front of the director & other prominent people. I was literally stunned. He ran away from me like I had just propositioned him! Or threatened him.
The director is very solicitous, and then he gets a call from the actor’s people, asking who I was & why I had spoken to their precious star! I was embarrassed, angry, felt humiliated-but also confused! What on earth was going on in this guy’s mind? Did he think he was some kind of an untouchable god?
This really hurt me. For a long time after this I didn’t want to meet anyone I admired, for fear of a similar occurrence. Happily, that hasn’t been the case.
I recently read that the actor I terrified has an autistic child. I think perhaps he, too, is on the Asperger spectrum, because that could explain his irrational behavior. Not a dazzler in real life, though he’s given some magnificent performances. Kudos to the director for making so many unforgettable films. He is an icon.
It was long ago, but I still wonder what was in his head that day.
Travolta, Battlefield Earth 🤣🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteSydney Pollack for director/actor?
ReplyDeleteTom Cruise/The Firm?
ReplyDeleteNah no FX with that film
DeleteMaybe “The Intrepretor”/Sean Penn?
DeleteHarold Ramis for the director. Year One for the film, Jack Black the lead.
ReplyDeleteHave heard JB is one of the nicest in HW.
DeleteI don't know why you would think you could just walk up and talk to him. You never disturb the talent on set.
ReplyDelete"propositioned"? Really? I think you meant "proposed" if you are reading this.
ReplyDeleteWas thinking Ramis too.
ReplyDeleteIs this why there was a Harold Ramis article on the CDAN FB page yesterday? There never seem to be coincidences around here...
Stallone has a son with Asperger syndrome
ReplyDeleteI doubt it’s him. The author mentioned nothing about the actor trying to rape her.
DeleteNah. I was An extra on Rocky 4 and he was very friendly. And there were women literally lined up to kiss him and take their picture in between takes on the side of the boxing ring. They would throw themselves at him. Really . Literally. He seemed unfazed by it.
DeleteI think that perhaps because it was such a closed set that if you were not recognized the star may have thought you were a stalker or some other ne'er do well
ReplyDeleteBlack has two kids and does a LOT of benefits for autism awareness.
ReplyDeleteFor the director I vote for Harold Ramis after all what other directors have action figures besides someone who was in Ghostbusters
ReplyDelete@John the peon is right. There is a reason he sat alone,he wanted to be alone. The others there were likely told to leave him alone.
ReplyDeleteDeNiro has an autistic child.
ReplyDeletetotaji said...
ReplyDeleteI doubt it’s him. The author mentioned nothing about the actor trying to rape her.
###
Well, if it was a non-rapey actor I suppose it would be a very short list of guesses.
Dude! He was at work! You're the guest. They're not there to entertain you. That's like a guy getting mad some chick wasn't smiling at him.
ReplyDeleteNo way it's Jack Black, I met him once at an event while working at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square and he was very friendly and approachable.
ReplyDeleteI miss the Virgin Megastore! And Tower Records!
Delete"What on earth was going on in this guy’s mind? Did he think he was some kind of an untouchable god?"
ReplyDeleteHe probably thought, "Aw Christ no! It's that weird and annoying as fuck vegan chick!"
@Lonely Bastard Hahahaha, gold.
DeleteBrendan Fraser- bedazzled (played multiple characters), clue dazzler, he has an autistic son
ReplyDelete@M
DeleteThis fits more in the time frame of this writer's other blinds.
I think Brendan fits the description better, too.
+1 Bedazzled
@M good job with this one. I hadn't heard about him having a child with autism. All of it fits.
DeleteYou never approach lead talent or even director on set when they have set themselves apart, alone.
ReplyDeleteYou'll never guess how I learned this....
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteBut was there shrimp?
ReplyDeleteObviously he wanted to be alone. Why you felt entitled to disturb his peace & angry that he refused to let you is beyond me.
ReplyDelete+1000 to anyone reminding Miss Vegan that interrupting a worker's lunch, be he a famous actor or not, is NOT her prerogative. No sympathy tears from me for how this traumatized her for years. I think the director should have kicked her off the set for that. People have a right to be left alone, even from cute little vegan chicks who want to mingle.
ReplyDeleteYes, while eating lunch I prefer not to be accosted by Virtuous Vegans.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, the director should have kicked her out!
ReplyDeleteNot that I would ever diagnose someone I met for 90 seconds as having Asperger's (seriously, who does that???). But I would never guess it as Jack Black. Not him. The Brendan Fraser guess is more likely.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously? INSIDERHER? Don't do that. Not cool. He didn't want to talk to you, doesn't mean he's on the spectrum. Get over yourself.
A long, long time ago on film sets that I worked, the "experienced" production people knew which actors/actresses to approach, and who to not.
ReplyDelete(And, they warned me. We were there to do a 'job.')
When the crew ate, most lead actors would voluntarily sit with them.
The actors just wanted to be one of 'the guys.'
And, they weren't there to be your best friend.
No shop talk; no hero worshiping. They just wanted to show appreciation for our hard work.
(No names. They're NOT needed.)
But, I could tell these actors struggled to be 'normal.' I guess actors are just wired that way.
I also noticed the more famous the actors were, the nicer they were to the crew.
"don't look at me in the eyes!" Lighten up people, it's lunch. Moving away, fine. Having his people drill down on the director, diva status.
ReplyDeleteLeonard Nimoy for the director. Shatner for the actor They did two Star Trek movies in the mid-80's that Nimoy directed... FX, etc.
ReplyDeleteLonely Bastard LOL my thought exactly
ReplyDeleteKate K *snort*
You were an 'invited guest' on the set. The actor didn't know you from Adam's house cat. I have been on many film and television sets and the last thing I would have done was approach the 'talent'. They are, for the most part, still in character. They may be going over their lines in their head and preparing for the next scene. That said, back in the early 80s, when my daughter was just getting into acting, we went to a long-standing award ceremony here in NYC for musicians. They were honoring my Godfather. Carol Channing was there as well as famous song writers. A snitty, closeted actor of some fame was in attendance as well. He had a sitcom on at the time and my third grader recognized him. Not familiar with the drill, she went over to speak to him. He was talking to someone when she approached him. He gave her the nastiest look you can imagine. I was stunned. She was frozen & couldn't move. His wife (Yes, he was married) rushed over, grabbed my daughter, complimented her on her dress and said, "I'm going to take you to meet a REAL Star! (giving her husband a dirty look) She took her over to Ms. Channing and introduced her. We were introduced to her by a famous song writer as the honoree's Godchild.She spent 20 minutes talking with us about him and how much she missed him. (He died in 76) So I totally know how you felt. I despised the actor till the day he died.
ReplyDeleteBedazzled, Harold Ramis and Brendan Fraser fit all the clues.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I don't like to be disturbed when I'm eating either - you'll get that Nosferatu glare I like to give when I vant to be alone.
Not sure but some good hints:
ReplyDeleteActor/Director has an action figure. Is there anybody this could be but Harold Ramis?
Standoffish "actor, in full facial makeup for his character of the day." So did he play multiple roles in the film? Michael Keaton played multiple roles in Ramis's "Multiplicity." But does he have an autistic child?
Father of autistic child in a Harold Ramis film would be Jack Black. He wore a lot of makeup in "Year One."
Not making any concrete guesses, just trying to help nudge things along.
I totally agree with gossip girl and omg plot lol. If he wanted to small talk, he would’ve sat somewhere else. You were totally out of line and should’ve been kicked off set. Is the director your dad???
ReplyDeleteI miss Hmmmmmm. All of them.
ReplyDeleteI miss the Himmmms too 💔
DeleteI was trying to make Brenden Fraser fit because I know he has an autistic son but it wasn't until I saw that Harold Ramis directed Bedazzled that it worked. He seemed like a really good guy. I know someone who worked with the Frazer's child years ago and she said Brendan was a weird dude.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the Himmmms are done with the site, a few jerks notwithstanding. From reading their twitter, I believe they'll be back.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I love the Himmmms but I hate Twitter.
DeleteIt does sound like Brendan Fraser and Harold Ramis. I could see how people would think Fraser is odd, and he's always seemed pretty private...but this recent GQ profile of him was illuminating. You get the sense he's just very sensitive and very shy. I think that a) people who are not shy tend to be pretty thoughtless about it; and b) yeah the dude was working and just wanted to eat his lunch so give him a break. https://www.gq.com/story/what-ever-happened-to-brendan-fraser
ReplyDeleteGad, how many people does it take to tell INSIDERHER she was wrong to disturb the "talent" at lunch?
ReplyDeleteI'm more annoyed that she chalked it up to autism. She's not a doctor.
DeleteTook 3 intense years to diagnose my boy. Had I known I only needed a desperate sycophant to glance his way for a minute... Casual use of autism, GTFO.
DeleteI apologize if this question has been asked and answered, but what exactly is "INSIDEHER"? Is this a reader, a source??
ReplyDeleteSummary:
ReplyDeleteStar in full makeup, in a mood, sits alone at lunch, the only time of day he gets to himself besides taking a shit. Stranger accosts him, he runs away, stranger thinks her feelings are more important than the guy who literally "bolted" just to get away from her. The End.
@Marlin
ReplyDeleteMovie sets are not the place for fans to slobber over actors. It's a work place, for fuck's sake. Every set I've been on, you ignore the actors. They are getting focused or enjoying their space. If they wish to talk to you, they will.
Let's imagine this another way. What if the super fan was a fat middle aged lady with sloppy tits and grey hair flying? Cute vegan girl was protected by the director, naturally. The fat lady would have been escorted off set pronto. Both were a GUEST on set, let's imagine. Where do you sympathies lie when the fat lady comes begging for personal attention?
@Brayson87
LOVE!
Brayson - don't forget the very official medical diagnosis that resulted. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI am appalled that this writer wonders "what was in his head that day".....
ReplyDeleteProbably lunch!
This is written in a very elementary "assignment" sort of style and maybe she thought it was a cute way to end the story/tie it together?
Waste of time.
A Sydney Pollack action figure? Is this a thing?
ReplyDeletePresumptuous vegans think their special. Just because he didn't want to talk to you doesn't make him autistic.
ReplyDeleteI like the vegan upsetting Guild actors to be honest and you're wrong if you don't find it amusing.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps.
I gained a lot of sympathy for Brendan Fraser after that GQ article and a subsequent follow-up. He has had a rough go of it after what I presumed would be fairly steady success on the heels of The Mummy. Bedazzled came out in 2000 and he may have started feeling the effects of the injuries he'd been sustaining in his action films by this point. I never saw the movie but it looked like kind of a stinker, though nowhere near the level of Monkeybone. His agent sure wasn't doing him any favors with some of that stuff.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there’s anyone left in Hollywood that INSIDERHER hasn’t pissed off?
ReplyDeleteThis woman is probably the most irritating person I have ever read about. She would be the type of person I'd avoid. Jim Carrey though it wasn't his natural son but I get those vibes from this.
ReplyDeleteTBH I would run away from this chick, too. She sounds nuts.
ReplyDeleteIt may be Brendan Frazier based on the film/ director (Ramis is beloved); but I’ve hung with with BF and he seems soooo unlikely to be the person described here. He was taking a meeting with a director I have worked with/know nam d Gavin O’Connor and both he and his producing bro are no BS people.... Brendan also came off as one of the nicest /Modes people I have met in that Katy town sooo just don’t see this as him. Nothing shocks but don’t think that would be his disposition on a set,or anywhere
ReplyDelete*kray
DeleteAwww diddums!
ReplyDeleteI think it's rude to approach celebrities when they are eating, no wonder the actor run away.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult when it's someone you greatly admire; but, imo, give them their space.
ReplyDeleteHappened to me in Vegas
Brooding over lunch in full makeup? Sounds like a method actor to me. Probably working through lines or scenes in his head at the time.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I missed an explanation of who INSIDERHER is. Anyone?
ReplyDeleteIt's a perfectly reasonable reaction if he is a method actor. It's fine to approach someone (respectfully of course) if that someone is in a supermarket or in a commonplace. There are some actors that have specific conditions to work and if you interrupted him while he was getting into character then he did what he had to do even if that made you feel bad
ReplyDeleteIf he's sitting alone that means he wants to be left alone so why not JUST LEAVE HIM THE FUCK ALONE?
ReplyDeleteOMG! All the autistic people in the comments section. By saying "hi" she accosted him, made the most serious of all protocol breeches blah, blah, blah.
ReplyDeleteThey need to start putting Xanax in the water supply or something. People have lost their ever loving minds.
It was just a fun little story, and no one is going to force you to go vegan, relax.