A Brush with Celebrity
Next Thursday I will be in New York for the big, annual awards event for GT. While it is great to see the rest of the GT crew, since we are all spread across the country, to celebrate another great year for the magazine and to present awards to the reader survey winners, I am most looking forward to meeting the Guest of Honor, Terrence Howard.
As most of my friends know, I am always looking to meet a celebrity. I am not really a celebrity-hound because I don’t chase celebs. However, if the situation presents itself and I can meet a celebrity, I’m all over it.
GT’s annual awards reception has provided me the opportunity to meet several celebrities. In 2005, I felt privileged to meet Terry Waite. Waite is an incredible man who endured 1,760 days as a hostage after trying to secure the release of four other hostages.
At other GT awards receptions, I have met actress Cynthia Nixon and billionaire Donald Trump. Nixon was riding the wave of the massively popular Sex and the City, while Trump was doing the same with The Apprentice. This might have been the peak of both in their popularity.
Last year actor Patrick Warburton was the Guest of Honor. Warburton has been my favorite. Actually, he would be near the top of all the celebrities I have ever met, and I have met a lot. Warburton has co-starred on two of my favorite shows, Seinfeld and NewsRadio. I am glad to say that Warburton was extremely nice and talkative.
That brings me to Terrence Howard; I mean, the Oscar-nominated Terrence Howard. Howard has spent half his life acting, carving out an excellent career. It will be interesting to hear his thoughts. Of course, I will also be ready with camera in hand for a photo-op with Howard.
– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
January 13th, 2010 at 10:50 am
I don’t understand the draw of seeing a celebrity. What is the big deal? I have met a few because I had to on the job, but I got no big thrill from it.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:56 am
I think it is the same as why people take pictures in front of places like Mt. Rushmore. Certainly there is no need to prove you were there. It’s just cool to have a solid memento of the experience.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Julius, I think it is because we see these stars on tv and in movies or on ballfields. They are famous. We know we aren’t best friends with them, but it is fun to meet them and see them in person. Maybe we see thm in a different light after. Don’t you always hear that someone was shorter (taller/heavier/etc) than we thought?
January 13th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Okay, I’ll bite, what celebrities have you met and any good stories?
January 13th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
My daughter would die to meet Cynthia Nixon. Me, I’m with you on Patrick W.
I like meeting celebrities, too. I probably don’t meet nearly as many as you. I have read your previous blogs, so I know you have met a bunch. I have met Ted Danson, Cindy Williams, Regis Philbin and a few others. None were much more than a quick greeting and picture, but none were unpleasant either.
I agree with Peter B. Taking a picture with a celeb is like taking a picture in front of a famous landmark. Wanting to see a celeb is the same, too. Nothing wrong with any of it. We all have our hobbies.
January 14th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Congrats to GT on another fine year. I always look forward to the issue with the coverage of the awards luncheon.