Keep It Coming Love
Mary’s recent post reminded me of the phenomenon of spotting celebrities in New York. I’m normally not the starstruck type, but here are my stories, just for kicks:
On Valentine’s Day this week, we saw a glam Claire Danes running west on 49th Street with a young man, who I didn’t get a good look at. She was very tall. And blonde.
Jim Jarmusch on St. Mark’s Place a few years ago. Jeremiah and I calmly said to each other, “That’s Jim Jarmusch!” to which some smug passerby replied, “Stupid NYU kids!”
MTV personality Andy Milonakis in a crowded elevator at work. Pressed between about a dozen people, he waved at us and said something along the lines of , “Come on in, the water’s fine!”
Spike Lee in an elevator at NYU.
Elijah Wood was seated several rows behind me at Astor Theater in Times Square for a screening of Spiderman. I can’t express how irritating it was when everyone seated in front of us turned around in their seats to get a look at Elijah.
A few hours before the fantastic Cardigans show at the TLA in Philly, Gina and I saw lead singer Nina Persson and her now-husband, Nathan Larsen of Shudder to Think.
Also in Philadelphia, I accidentally spilled coffee on former Mayor Ed Rendell in front of City Hall.
A few years ago at the Comedy Cellar in the West Village, we attempted to push open the front door to exit onto the street, but someone with their back turned was in the way. We pushed again, then realized we were pushing … Dave Chappell.
A very blonde Janeane Garofalo sitting across from me on the train.
Comedian Bill Burr, who I’ve spotted on my block carrying a laundry bag more than once.
The Dell kid in front of NYU’s Alumni dorm. But I didn’t realize it was him until afterwards.
Julia Roberts at Union Square Park during one of the September 11th anniversaries. A bunch of photographers pretended to take photos of the memorial, but it was clear they were zooming in on her. Shameless.
Current Saturday Night Live cast member Amy Poehler buying Yaffa crates and other household items in the Astor Place Kmart.
Former Saturday Night Live cast member Ana Gasteyer waiting for the subway at 59th Street, reading a fashion magazine.
David Bowie at the Man in Gray / Clap Your Hands Say Yeah show at Knitting Factory last summer. Although I didn’t actually see him, I intend on, one day, telling people I partied with Bowie.
And others’ fun stories?
My dad engaged in a full conversation with Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon on a NYC bus about theater and parenthood. He said they were exceptionally friendly.
My friend Cheryl, who briefly worked at Once Upon a Tart in Soho, served comedian Michael Showalter. She asked him if anyone has ever him that he looks like the guy who played Blueberry on “The State.” He replied, “I AM the guy who played Blueberry on ‘The State.’” And left.
And the winner? BECCA! She has had more celebrities sightings than anyone I know. She chatted with Elizabeth Berkley (also known as Jessie Spano from “Saved by the Bell”) on the train; she saw a very hyper Chris Parnell (of “Saturday Night Live”) on the train; and her coolest story? At a Dandy Warhols show, she was accosted by a band member of the Brian Jonestown Massacre. He stood next to her with his arm around her for a good part of the show. Rock!
February 18th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
A very blonde Garofalo? So hard to visualize!
Um… I saw Carrot Top at a bar in Orlando about 2 years ago. I caught his eye and gave him a really creepy wide open-mouthed smile. He looked away.
Then I saw the midget from Jackass at an Applebees in Orlando. My friend wanted his autograph for her little brother, so we went up to his table and started talking to him. He asked us what we were doing later. I think he was trying to hook it up!!!
February 18th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
wow! you’ve seen a lot of celebrities. thanks for the mention. i wish that matt hollywood had put his arm around me, but sadly i was just squeezed in next to him directly beneath his armpit. though i wonder if breathing in awesome person bo makes me any cooler? since i know how much you like perfect strangers, i figured you’d like the fact that i once walked by balky too!
February 18th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Hey, remember that time we saw Gregor Samsa in the window of a Crate & Barrel after store hours?
February 18th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
JLM: You’re hilarious. Of course I remember. Gregor! You’ve come back to me. And look! You’ve started a family. P.S. Do you think Gregor’s still available?
Sandie: Orlando is the place to be for comedians and stuntmen! Seriously, he probably thought you were macking it big-time! Didn’t you also see Penn and Teller? Or is this another instance of me mixing up details (as I did with the “puddle of mercury on the street” story!).
Becca: I could have sworn that he slung his arm around you and didn’t let go for the rest of the show!!! I must be getting senile. Also, I forgot about your Bronson Pinchot sighting! I think that was a couple of days before Sly Fox was pulled off Broadway, wasn’t it? Poor Balki…no dance of joy there.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:35 pm
wow, these were amazing. I gotta step it up on the celeb-spotting.