A while ago WordPress suggested we describe our first encounter with a celebrity, and as I’ve no other ideas for today I’m going to have a go.
This is not as easy as it sounds.
Define encounter, for example. I’ve passed George Best in the street. I’ve seen Van Morrison in a coffee shop. Because I grew up in Dalkey I’ve drunk in the same pub as Chris de Burgh and Maeve Binchy, but never spoken to either. Do any of these count?
Or does when you’ve met them matter? A friend called Ronan Guilfoyle sat beside me in primary school. He is now a well-known jazz bass player and composer, but back then wasn’t, obviously. Does that count?
On the sporting front I’ve met commentators George Hook, Michael Lyster, George Hamilton and Jimmy Magee. I’ve played football against Kevin Moran, played cricket against three of the Irish team who recently famously beat England, and played it with Judge Moriarty of the Moriarty tribunal. I was at the wedding of rugby international Paul Dean, though only because Mrs Tin and his wife grew up next door to each other.
I realise all of this makes it sound as if I move in exalted circles, but that’s just the size Ireland is. The fact that I’m not actually related to anyone famous practically makes me famous in itself.
Now define celebrity. How many of the people above have any of you overseas readers ever heard of? Do they therefore count as celebrities?
Because he had kids in the same class as two of mine I used to chat in the mornings outside school to a quiet, charming American who later broke up with his wife and went off with Sinead O’Connor, and when Oprah interviewed Sinead they shot a clip of her at home, with my pal Frank pottering about in the background. I can therefore say I know a guy who’s been on Oprah (may have to re-word that sentence) but even I would think that’s pushing it.
If I’d to choose one celebrity that I know I’d go for one of my neighbours, even though I can’t name her here. She has been to jail for defrauding her employer out of a quarter of a million quid. I think she counts, and obviously better than he could.
I will finish with a slightly surreal story, though. Shortly after his mother died Ronan Keating from Boyzone founded the Marie Keating Foundation to raise money for cancer research. They launched with a billboard campaign, and I was in St Stephen’s Green in central Dublin when I first saw one of these. It showed a lovely photo of Ronan with his mum, both of them smiling into the camera. I looked up at it, admired the photo, then looked down again.
Ronan Keating was walking along beneath the billboard.
Like I said, Ireland is small enough for stuff like that to happen.
I was in the same McDonalds as Jean-Marie Pfaff just yesterday. He used to be the most famous Belgian goal keeper. I even had eye contact with him when I was at the till.
Not so long ago, I had a long conversation with Chris de Burgh in my local shop. I swear he didn’t even realise he was talking to a celebrity. Little runt.
What I find so amazing is that so many people are not celebrities you are in big crowds of people and there isnt one famous person there. A tip through never invite anyone famous to your wedding unless you are more famous than them or there you’ll be in a little photo (if your lucky) next to the big one of the celeb. We are lucky in oz celebs just fly in and out. No one takes local celebs seriously.
Name dropper!
(Can you get me George Best’s phone number?)
I once met a guy called Tinman and he danced with me!
6 out of your long list’s not bad. I’ve met a load of famous folk in my former life – I worked at the BBC in the 1950s: my least favourite was Gilbert Harding – rude even in real life. I had a crush on Cy Grant, and loved Jean Metcalfe, because she was just how she used to sound on Two-Way Family Favourites. In later life, I’ve also met many famous politicians (not that I like them as a race), my favourite being Geoffrey Howe. I even once had a hug from Roy Hattersley.
I bet you’ve not heard of many in my list!
I can now way that I have “met” a celebrity – “Tinman” – (well, met is loosely translated) because Tilly Bud, the Laughing Housewife, sent me over here for a laugh. Owing to Tilly’s rather large readership, you can expect to have a lot more people meeting you very soon.
She did not steer me wrong – I have a feeling I’ll be visiting quite frequently. You’ve got a great style, making for an enjoyable blog!
BTW, I haven’t heard of all of your celebrities, but one that stood out for me is Maeve Binchy – I’m a diehard American fan, and would have loved to stand her for a drink at any pub.
I’ve met a few celebs. . .far be it from me to toot my own horn (beep-beep!), but Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward are among my list of brief acquaintances/encounters, and I once shared a train car with Charles Lindbergh – didn’t meet him, but sat across the aisle from him!
I have to admit, though, that why meeting a celebrity is a big deal escapes me. Yes, I might have met a few, but hey! They have met me! And face it, that’s what’s really important. . .:-D
I have seen Ronan Keating in his underwear.
And before you start to get suspicious – there were about five other people who were there, too. I was doing a story on him and he needed to change. And he felt quite at home doing it in front of us.
In my line of work I have encountered ‘celebrities’ (read:people that other people know who they are). However the Nicest Award for People with a Public Profile goes -hands down – to Sir Edmund Hilary.
One of those people whose ego hasn’t (and never would) take over their ability.
Me? I’ve never met anyone famous
Hello Tinman!
I know the first three but then I was lost. Sorry, probably to do with my lack of sport knowledge!
Scotland is a bit like that. Not that when I lived there I met loads of famous people, though I have had my picture taken with Richard Branson. But if you don’t know the person that you’re standing next to personally, then you know someone, or someone who knows someone who does.
I do miss that now that I live in Germany. The smallness and the familiarity.
I remember him, Mwa, he was really good. Was it him that made eye contact? See, girl, you’ve still got it.
Grandad, don’t worry, he probably doesn’t even know how to use the internet.
Jmg, I suspect there’s a story behind your hint never to invite someone famous to your wedding that we’d all love to hear.
Tilly, I am indeed a name dropper. Er, I have bad news about George Best…
Grannymar, I was the one dancing with the celebrity that evening….
Viv, I’ve heard of them all except Cy Grant, and Jean Metcalfe, although I have heard of Family Favourites. Being hugged by Roy Hattersley must have been like being hugged by a bear.
Paula, thank you for your kind words, and I’m glad you like Maeve Binchy, I believe she’s very popular in the States. Have you tried Marian Keyes, she’s another Irish writer and really funny.
Oh, and I’ve met Paul Newman too, how could I forget. He founded the Barrettstown Gang Camp here, our version of his Hole In The Wall Camp in the states, a summer camp for seriously ill children. I was invited to their open day one year, walked around a corner and literally collided with him.
Laughykate (just back from LA), sometimes your job is really tough. I envy you meeting Sir Edmund Hilary – a piece of history rather than a celebrity and he did seem a real gentleman any time I saw him interviewed.
Pseu, perhaps not, but if you believe in the Six Degrees of Separation then you’ve met about a hundred just by reading the comments here.
Hello back, sarsm! I’d say Scotland is indeed like here, so small that everyone knows everyone, or at least a friend of everyone.
And a big welcome to all of you, new and old.