Random Crap....
Yesterday I saw Dustin Hoffman....
....and didn't speak to him at all! I'm SO Canadian.
I was on set for a bit more shooting yesterday afternoon, and when I came out of the make-up trailer there was Mr.Hoffman returning from location. Honestly, I didn't think I was going to get to see him at all - but there he was looking extremely friendly....But what do you say? What do you do? There are those who would run over and introduce themselves right away, gush about his body of work, rattle on about how they've always wanted to meet him....I've just never been one of those people.
There are few "stars" that I've dreamed of meeting: David Suzuki (who I did meet doing a promo video for the Calgary Public Library)....Lorne Greene (who died when I was in grade 8...Poor commander Adama!)....that's about it. Yes - there are famous people whose work I respect and admire...but again, if I were in the same room I'd be hard pressed to simply step forward and introduce myself just for that reason. I suppose because I've always tried to look at all human beings as EQUAL....and I would never just walk right up, randomly, out of nowhere and introduce myself to a stranger that happened to be crossing my path as I came out of a make-up trailer.
This could be out of arrogance on my part though, a refusal to get caught up in hero worship and ask for an autograph!....Maybe I simply refuse to recognise 'stars' as any MORE special than myself, or anyone else, out of sheer stubbornness. When I have met famous people....I try to keep conversation as real and as low-key as possible. I shoot the shit as I would with anyone else..."How do you like Toronto? Are you home sick? How's the hotel?"
When I was 3 1/2 I was on the Buckshot Show. Buckshot would allow each child to stand up next to him and he would ask things like, "What's your name, how old are you, do you have any siblings?" I was NOT able to wait to be invited up to stand next to him. I rattled on at him from my place on the carpet, "My mom's pregnant right now and is going to have a baby soon." I mean, come ON! Shouldn't we speak when inspiration strikes? And then share the things on our minds that MATTER in the moment? When I was four, or five years old I met Werner Klemperer at the Ponderosa Steak House in Calgary. (He played Colonel Klink on Hogan's Heros! God only knows what he was doing in the Ponderosa in Calgary!!!???) I walked right over to his table and offered him half, and ONLY HALF, of my Twizzler. He accepted and, our exchange of social kindness complete, I returned to my dinner.
I think I steer clear though, more out of a sense of empathy. It must be overwhelming to have strangers rush at you, wanting to shake your hand. So, in my Canadian, prairie gal way I prefer to leave a respectful distance.
So...I may have missed my chance to meet Dustin Hoffman - I didn't have any Twizzlers on me...and my Mom's not about to have a baby. C'est la vie. He seemed very positive and friendly and had spent the morning buying pizza for the crew, and that's all I know.
3 Comments:
Rock on, Rebecca. This WestCoastGal always has and always will think exactly as the PrairieChick re. celebrities and pedestals, or strangers gushing over public figures. Yes, abso-freakin'-lutely, I've got a couple of exceptions in each of these cases for sure, AND not every media-saturated individual ASKED to be so, it just so happens that what they do is grossly mis-valued in certain societies. Still, in my own world, my admiration tends to flow to those just quietly living their lives, doing selfless, soul-full acts, usually unrecognized and unwitnessed. Give me a volunteer holding the hand of a sick child over the misguided hoopla about someone shooting some hard, round object into a little net any day. Just my thoughts. ~ xo, C.
People are definitely equal...but asking for an autograph isn't really lowering yourself...nor is introducing yourself...if anything the stars are normally flattered by it and humbled by the gesture (granted there are a few jerks here and there who stick there noses up at the crowd) but for the most part they are good people to get to know...have a good one!
I just saw the daily show's jon stewart when I was in nyc. His kid was on his shoulders playing with his new iphone. I had just said the day before that jon stewart was "the only celeb I really wanted to meet." It was quiet. Nobody else hassling him. He just looked so happy walking in the sun with his kid not being hassled. I just couldn't bug him. it was rad hearing his voice though...it's exactly like on TV.
PS I remember when you Krazy Glued your eyes shut. that was gnarly. So rundle...
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