Brushes with fame

jag42 · Post by **jag42** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 10:03 pm

I haven't seen a topic like this on here, where we can share photos/experiences with famous people. May I start with a picture of Geddy Lee (of Rush) and myself taken just last weekend at a book signing at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 10:50 pm

The thing I like about NASCAR is you can brush elbows with some of the most prestigious drivers in the world. Its up to you how much thats worth and what you're into. That I can just drive a couple hours and watch and hear Chase Elliott do a burn out a football throw away from me is pretty sweet.

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 9:00 am

So glad I got to see Rush in 2010. Neil Peart was amazing.

While I haven't met too many famous people, the ones that stand out - John Turturro at a Cubs game back in 2009(?) that we stopped after the game for a quick pic.

I did a meet and greet at a metal show years ago and met Machinehead and Mastodon and years later ran into Troy Sanders of Mastodon at the Atlanta airport.

I wouldn't say I met him, but Brian Dunkleman, host of the first season of American Idol decided to roast me a little since we were sitting front row at his show at the funny bone.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:57 am

I've seen RUSH 12 times. But can you dig the prices for the new tour? I saw a screen shot showing two tix for 65K USD!

I'll wait for the PPV or DVD.

As for my brush, I saw Carol Schrader at the Woolco on 84th & Frederick. Yeah, that's dating me

Melissa Fry at Home Depot. I asked her if anyone said she looked like Melissa Fry...

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:03 am

damonhynes wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:57 am I've seen RUSH 12 times. But can you dig the prices for the new tour? I saw a screen shot showing two tix for 65K USD!

Holy |expletive|! I'd have to assume those are some sort of VIP package?

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:31 pm

damonhynes wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:57 am Melissa Fry at Home Depot. I asked her if anyone said she looked like Melissa Fry...

Heh, I've seen her there too. I seem to see Bill Randby a time or two a year. I always leave them alone like a normal person, but theres always the "HoWz ThuH WetHeR? Guy" thats gotta get old.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 2:04 pm

Louie wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:03 am
damonhynes wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:57 am I've seen RUSH 12 times. But can you dig the prices for the new tour? I saw a screen shot showing two tix for 65K USD!

Holy |expletive|! I'd have to assume those are some sort of VIP package?

I'd have to assume so. The first day of the presale, all the tickets had packages attached.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 2:13 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:31 pm
damonhynes wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:57 am Melissa Fry at Home Depot. I asked her if anyone said she looked like Melissa Fry...
Heh, I've seen her there too. I seem to see Bill Randby a time or two a year. I always leave them alone like a normal person, but theres always the "HoWz ThuH WetHeR? Guy" thats gotta get old.

I saw Jim Flowers at Home Depot as well. I wasn't planning on talking to him, but one of the more tenured employees said 'don't talk to him' like he was Prince or Howard Hughes. I went about my business.

This was a few years after that 3AM surprise tornado (which had done some damage to this Home Depot, ironically) that Big Six had totally screwed the pooch on covering. I can imagine that Jim had gotten some grief about that.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 3:53 pm

I saw Brad Williams once at a Creighton men's basketball game and said hi. He was nice, let me touch his camera but refused a Bud Light from the bar. Something about having standards and enjoying hops, idk.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 3:57 pm

almighty_tuna wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 3:53 pm I saw Brad Williams once at a Creighton men's basketball game and said hi. He was nice, let me touch his camera but refused a Bud Light from the bar. Something about having standards and enjoying hops, idk.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 4:10 pm

In the mid 80s I was on a flight from St Louis to Omaha & when I got to my seat the guy next to me asked if I knew Johnny Unitas (Google him if you have to). I did. He was a hero when I was growing up.

Long story short the flight attendant wouldn't let me go to first class to ask for an autograph. She said she might ask & give her a piece of paper. I didn't have any.

Somewhere my son has an airsick bag that says "Larry. Nice to meet you. Johnny Unitas"

jag42 · Post by **jag42** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 4:30 pm

damonhynes wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:57 am I've seen RUSH 12 times. But can you dig the prices for the new tour? I saw a screen shot showing two tix for 65K USD!

I'll wait for the PPV or DVD.

As for my brush, I saw Carol Schrader at the Woolco on 84th & Frederick. Yeah, that's dating me

Melissa Fry at Home Depot. I asked her if anyone said she looked like Melissa Fry...

Well you have me beat as I've seen Rush *only* 9 times lol. 8th in 2010 in Omaha and 9th in 2015 in Lincoln. They did announce more cities and dates today, but closest still appears to be Chicago (or Denver announced today.)

Yes the price of tickets for their 2026 tour saddens me. I too am kinda hoping for a live pay per view to watch at home or even a live showing in a theater.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 4:58 pm

jag42 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 4:30 pm
damonhynes wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:57 am I've seen RUSH 12 times. But can you dig the prices for the new tour? I saw a screen shot showing two tix for 65K USD!

I'll wait for the PPV or DVD.

As for my brush, I saw Carol Schrader at the Woolco on 84th & Frederick. Yeah, that's dating me

Melissa Fry at Home Depot. I asked her if anyone said she looked like Melissa Fry...
Well you have me beat as I've seen Rush *only* 9 times lol. 8th in 2010 in Omaha and 9th in 2015 in Lincoln. They did announce more cities and dates today, but closest still appears to be Chicago (or Denver announced today.)

Yes the price of tickets for their 2026 tour saddens me. I too am kinda hoping for a live pay per view to watch at home or even a live showing in a theater.

Saw Rush twice, Presto and Roll the Bones at the Civic. Awesome seats for both! Miss those ticket prices...

I'm glad they're going back on tour, but as a HUGE fan of Neil Peart, I think I'd be pretty disappointed at one of their shows. Knowing Neil was the lyricist for virtually all of their songs (and as a drummer, I went mainly to see his amazing performance), I'd skip them even if I could afford it. On one of their most recently recorded live CDs, Geddy Lee was struggling (IMO) on most of the songs to the point that I was surprised they used that material for the album. They can certainly still jam and are amazing performers, but to think they're charging $50k+ for a pair of tickets is INSANE! I better get to ride their tour bus and eat meals with them for a month plus get a car at the end for $50k. That price just doesn't seem right at all.

Anyway, I'm sure someone's going to tell us to get back on the subject here soon, so....

I ran into Chris Klein at Gold's Gym on 108th & Maple a long time ago - it was just after American Pie came out so he was a pretty big deal at the time.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 5:09 pm

Seeing Tony Hawk walking through the KC airport is probably my most random celebrity sighting.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 9:07 pm

iamjacobm wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 5:09 pm Seeing Tony Hawk walking through the KC airport is probably my most random celebrity sighting.

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:01 pm

I am an IATSE stagehand, we make concerts, plays, musicals, etc happen at several venues in the Omaha metro. We’re usually backstage for the last half hour of the show for load out, and we regularly see the talent walking off stage right past us.

Otherwise, I’ve met and had conversations with Ice-T, Third Eye Blind, Smashmouth, Guster, Kenny Rogers, Kool & the Gang, some of the Election actors, Al Sharpton, Lou Diamond Phillips, Paul Tibbets and many more.

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 5:31 am

almighty_tuna wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 3:53 pm I saw Brad Williams once at a Creighton men's basketball game and said hi. He was nice, let me touch his camera but refused a Bud Light from the bar. Something about having standards and enjoying hops, idk.

WOW

I didn't realize he was a Creighton fan!!!!!

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:14 am

EricHaley wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:01 pm I am an IATSE stagehand, we make concerts, plays, musicals, etc happen at several venues in the Omaha metro. We’re usually backstage for the last half hour of the show for load out, and we regularly see the talent walking off stage right past us.

Otherwise, I’ve met and had conversations with Ice-T, Third Eye Blind, Smashmouth, Guster, Kenny Rogers, Kool & the Gang, some of the Election actors, Al Sharpton, Lou Diamond Phillips, Paul Tibbets and many more.

Any opinions on the nicest or rudest of those you met?

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:23 am

nebugeater wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 5:31 am WOW

I see what you did there!

Post by **Brad** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 9:02 am

nebugeater wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 5:31 am
almighty_tuna wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 3:53 pm I saw Brad Williams once at a Creighton men's basketball game and said hi. He was nice, let me touch his camera but refused a Bud Light from the bar. Something about having standards and enjoying hops, idk.
WOW

I didn't realize he was a Creighton fan!!!!!

LOL! Met him a couple times, he's funny.

Screenshot 2025-10-21 090008.jpg

Speaking of camera touching... LOL We were both in the pit at Mumford and Sons.

Screenshot 2025-10-21 090041.jpg

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 9:02 am

EricHaley wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:01 pm I am an IATSE stagehand, we make concerts, plays, musicals, etc happen at several venues in the Omaha metro. We’re usually backstage for the last half hour of the show for load out, and we regularly see the talent walking off stage right past us.

Otherwise, I’ve met and had conversations with Ice-T, Third Eye Blind, Smashmouth, Guster, Kenny Rogers, Kool & the Gang, some of the Election actors, Al Sharpton, Lou Diamond Phillips, Paul Tibbets and many more.

This shook loose a memory. This was more than 10 years ago when I was still working at Hy Vee during undergrad I delivered a ton of bananas to the Orpheum way more than a group would eat. This was before online ordering/delivery so was a big thing so getting out in the van was unique. I didn’t actually meet anyone notable but the guy receiving said it was for the show that night. Turns out it was the Blue Man Group so if anyone saw them probably in like 2011 and they used bananas in the show they were delivered by yours truly.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:14 am

Brad wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 9:02 am Speaking of camera touching... LOL We were both in the pit at Mumford and Sons.

Oh man, that's going back in the day!! Love it!

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:57 am

Stan wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:14 am
EricHaley wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:01 pm I am an IATSE stagehand, we make concerts, plays, musicals, etc happen at several venues in the Omaha metro. We’re usually backstage for the last half hour of the show for load out, and we regularly see the talent walking off stage right past us.

Otherwise, I’ve met and had conversations with Ice-T, Third Eye Blind, Smashmouth, Guster, Kenny Rogers, Kool & the Gang, some of the Election actors, Al Sharpton, Lou Diamond Phillips, Paul Tibbets and many more.
Any opinions on the nicest or rudest of those you met?

Most were quite kind and down to earth, especially Ice-T. There was a lead singer from a band that was an absolute d*ck.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 12:21 pm

EricHaley wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:57 am
Stan wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:14 am
EricHaley wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:01 pm I am an IATSE stagehand, we make concerts, plays, musicals, etc happen at several venues in the Omaha metro. We’re usually backstage for the last half hour of the show for load out, and we regularly see the talent walking off stage right past us.

Otherwise, I’ve met and had conversations with Ice-T, Third Eye Blind, Smashmouth, Guster, Kenny Rogers, Kool & the Gang, some of the Election actors, Al Sharpton, Lou Diamond Phillips, Paul Tibbets and many more.
Any opinions on the nicest or rudest of those you met?
Most were quite kind and down to earth, especially Ice-T. There was a lead singer from a band that was an absolute d*ck.

I'm guessing that was Steve Harwell from SmashMouth? He had quite a reputation.

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 5:59 pm

Louie wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 12:21 pm
EricHaley wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:57 am
Stan wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:14 am
EricHaley wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:01 pm I am an IATSE stagehand, we make concerts, plays, musicals, etc happen at several venues in the Omaha metro. We’re usually backstage for the last half hour of the show for load out, and we regularly see the talent walking off stage right past us.

Otherwise, I’ve met and had conversations with Ice-T, Third Eye Blind, Smashmouth, Guster, Kenny Rogers, Kool & the Gang, some of the Election actors, Al Sharpton, Lou Diamond Phillips, Paul Tibbets and many more.
Any opinions on the nicest or rudest of those you met?
Most were quite kind and down to earth, especially Ice-T. There was a lead singer from a band that was an absolute d*ck.
I'm guessing that was Steve Harwell from SmashMouth? He had quite a reputation.

Sorry, can neither confirm nor deny. My opinions on celebrities is just that, opinions.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 7:43 pm

Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider were hanging out at Creighton today…

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:44 pm

Brad wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 7:43 pm Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider were hanging out at Creighton today…

Love it!

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Wed Oct 22, 2025 2:16 am

Brad wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 7:43 pm Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider were hanging out at Creighton today…

I, unfortunately, had to pass on working his show. I’ve been busy working a few full days at a production company unloading and breaking down everything that came back from recent shows, such as truss, lighting, cables, curtains, putting things I their proper places, etc… Lots of heavy, heavy 100ft long copper 24 conductor 14 AWG cables wrapped in thick rubber insulation. All bundled with other cables, which all has to be separated and coiled individually. Really kinda fun stuff for someone like me on the spectrum.

Speaking of Mumford & Suns, anyone going to the show at CHI Sunday? Haven’t gotten a call for that one yet, hopefully I will!

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Oct 22, 2025 11:56 am

Martin Kove spends several days a week ago in Omaha with a friend he has here. Even spent a day at Vala's.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Wed Oct 22, 2025 1:18 pm

Greg S wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 11:56 am Martin Kove spends several days a week ago in Omaha with a friend he has here. Even spent a day at Vala's.

Had to Google that dude - didn't know who he was by name. LOL

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 9:29 am

djc311 wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 1:18 pm
Greg S wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 11:56 am Martin Kove spends several days a week ago in Omaha with a friend he has here. Even spent a day at Vala's.
Had to Google that dude - didn't know who he was by name. LOL

Yeah as a kid in the 80's he was a pretty big deal being the primary baddie in Karate Kid (and Karate Kid 3) along with being in Rambo First Blood (not to mention seemingly being a guest star in every big TV show in the 70's). My kids know him because of Cobra Kai on Netflix.

Greg

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 12:03 am

EricHaley wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:01 pm
Otherwise, I’ve met and had conversations with Ice-T

Pre, or post extended car warranty shill Ice-T?

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 12:05 am

jessep28 wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 12:03 am
EricHaley wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:01 pm
Otherwise, I’ve met and had conversations with Ice-T
Pre, or post extended car warranty shill Ice-T?

Pre. It was in the 90’s after he gave a talk on a college campus.

zippy · Post by **zippy** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 7:28 am

Back in the 80's, I met and spoke with Bob Hope, Gen Jimmy Doolittle, Marlin Perkins, and the Queen of AkSarBen. All of this was related to their connection to Mutual of Omaha.

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 5:10 am

zippy wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 7:28 am Back in the 80's, I met and spoke with Bob Hope, Gen Jimmy Doolittle, Marlin Perkins, and the Queen of AkSarBen. All of this was related to their connection to Mutual of Omaha.

That’s incredible! It’s amazing how many famous people we brush past on a daily basis. Pure luck!

Post by **nebugeater** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:35 am

Guess I need to share this.

I am sure it was April 1992 because I just found the set list from the Comedy Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he performed for the weekend.

Subject: Danny Bonaduce

He was in Cedar Rapids, IA, and did a Fri and Sat night show at a comedy club that was really doing pretty well with the acts it got. Not sure where on the scale of acts Danny was, but I do know his shows were sold out. I did not go.

I was traveling out of CR on a relatively early Sunday morning flight, with a connection in Chicago. It was a small United regional jet. Memory says it was full. As we wait to board at the relatively small CR airport, a guy is walking towards the gate wearing shrink on leather pants, a Silk shirt, and cowboy boots that were not meant to be work boots!
There was no doubt it was Danny, and if there was any doubt, I knew he had been in town for his show. A couple of people talked with him, and we soon boarded.

I was on and seated on the two-seat side of the aisle. You guessed it, Danny had the window seat right beside me. My take was that it is early Sunday, I know who he is, but I am just going to let it slide and leave him alone. He sat down, and before the plane was even boarded, he started to talk to me. Ended up talking the entire fight plus ground time, and he was really pleasant to talk to. I did end up asking about some of his TV work and the people he had worked with. The talk just flowed. Who knows how much was truth or made up, but it came off as honest.

The one relatively fresh topic that did not come up and I DID NOT ask about, and was about a year old, was his arrest, where he was hiding from police naked in a closet after beating up a transvestite if I remember it correctly. That did make it a little weird since it was in the news quite a bit. The only reason I likely remember this is the interaction I had with him.

Anyway, that was an experience that turned out to be kind of cool.

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Sun Oct 26, 2025 2:34 am

nebugeater wrote: Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:35 am Guess I need to share this.

I am sure it was April 1992 because I just found the set list from the Comedy Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he performed for the weekend.

Subject: Danny Bonaduce

He was in Cedar Rapids, IA, and did a Fri and Sat night show at a comedy club that was really doing pretty well with the acts it got. Not sure where on the scale of acts Danny was, but I do know his shows were sold out. I did not go.

I was traveling out of CR on a relatively early Sunday morning flight, with a connection in Chicago. It was a small United regional jet. Memory says it was full. As we wait to board at the relatively small CR airport, a guy is walking towards the gate wearing shrink on leather pants, a Silk shirt, and cowboy boots that were not meant to be work boots!
There was no doubt it was Danny, and if there was any doubt, I knew he had been in town for his show. A couple of people talked with him, and we soon boarded.

I was on and seated on the two-seat side of the aisle. You guessed it, Danny had the window seat right beside me. My take was that it is early Sunday, I know who he is, but I am just going to let it slide and leave him alone. He sat down, and before the plane was even boarded, he started to talk to me. Ended up talking the entire fight plus ground time, and he was really pleasant to talk to. I did end up asking about some of his TV work and the people he had worked with. The talk just flowed. Who knows how much was truth or made up, but it came off as honest.

The one relatively fresh topic that did not come up and I DID NOT ask about, and was about a year old, was his arrest, where he was hiding from police naked in a closet after beating up a transvestite if I remember it correctly. That did make it a little weird since it was in the news quite a bit. The only reason I likely remember this is the interaction I had with him.

Anyway, that was an experience that turned out to be kind of cool.

That’s awesome! Kudos to you keeping it low key!!

jag42 · Post by **jag42** » Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:57 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:31 pm
damonhynes wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 10:57 am Melissa Fry at Home Depot. I asked her if anyone said she looked like Melissa Fry...
Heh, I've seen her there too. I seem to see Bill Randby a time or two a year. I always leave them alone like a normal person, but theres always the "HoWz ThuH WetHeR? Guy" thats gotta get old.

Saw Bill Randby, Julie Cornell and their kiddos bowling at the lanes across from Crossroads, probably 15 years ago or more...just let them have their fun family day and didn't say anything.

Post by **BRoss** » Sat Nov 15, 2025 1:25 pm

jag42 wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:57 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:31 pm Heh, I've seen her there too. I seem to see Bill Randby a time or two a year. I always leave them alone like a normal person, but theres always the "HoWz ThuH WetHeR? Guy" thats gotta get old.

Saw Bill Randby, Julie Cornell and their kiddos bowling at the lanes across from Crossroads, probably 15 years ago or more...just let them have their fun family day and didn't say anything.

I saw both of them at my gf's work's open house a few weeks ago. I didn't want to bother them and just smiled and nodded to Bill as he passed by me. I guess their daughter is an intern there.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sat Nov 15, 2025 3:39 pm

Last week we were eating dinner with friends from out of town at a high end Spanish tapas restaurant in PV. The place was packed with large tables of 12, 14, 16 people near where we were seated, and they all seemed to be celebrating a birthday. They were boisterous, probably due to multiple pitchers of sangria, but that’s life. Anyway the restaurant features live music and flamenco dancers after 8 pm, and to our surprise a group of people from one of those large tables walked up on stage, took over the microphone and began singing. The music and voices immediately sounded familiar.
The group celebrating were the Gypsy Kings, and they were invited by the management to take the stage and sing a few songs. It was super cool.