So I was reading an article on Bill Watterson, creator and excartoonist of Calvin and Hobbes, and it’s stated that he refuses to sign autographs.
So it made me wonder and think, are there any other celebrities* out there who don’t sign them or who is known to dislike or refuse signing them?
I’ve heard (mind you, a lot of this thread will probably be cite-free and mostly just “heard” things) that Russell Crowe doesn’t like signing autographs.
Does anyone else know of or have heard of any other famous** people like this?
*very wide range here, folks, however hopefully I’ll cut off any “No, I don’t” replies at the pass.
I heard a long time ago that Wayne Gretzky will sign rookie cards and whatnot, but always bends one corner of them down so they’re not worth a brazillion dollars. I don’t know if that’s true or not.
I also hear that a WG rookie card is worth more unsigned than signed because if it’s signed it’s no longer perfect.
I seem to recall Steve Martin, in lieu of autographs, handing out cards saying “This card certifies that you had an encounter with me and I was witty and charming.”
I’ve heard that a lot of MLB players won’t sign autographs for fear they’re being given to shills for memorabilia collectors. Even little kids don’t get signatures.
Just an idea out of the top of my head: if one of these celebrities would sign as many autographs as possible, would it not reduce the commercial value, so to speak, of the autograph? So if people like Steve Martin or Bill Watterson is disgruntled about people selling and buying their autograph, they could resort to sign as many as possible so as to drive the price so low that it’s not worth to sell it anymore. Voila’, problem solved.
Several don’t it’s true. But many I’ve gotten autographs from instead require a dollar donation to some charity and some sort of handwritten thing from the requester (most come in by mail) to indicate it’s not a mass mailing effort.
Andre Dawson, for one, is a guy very clear about his policies and why he has them.
Years ago I was at a Washington Bullets game (obviously before the name change) and Wes Unseld, their star center from the 70’s who remained onboard as one of the higher-ups within the organization, appeared in the area where all of the concession stands and restrooms are located.
A crowd immediately materialized around him (I observed from a brief distance) and in all the hand-shaking and what not, someone presented him with a poster that he wanted Wes to sign.
Unseld said words to the effect that if he signs that one, he will have to sign all of them so it is his policy that he doesn’t do autographs. Reasonably stated, he’d obviously explained this countless times before, the fan understood and that was that. Besides, while still standing a full 6’10” Unseld doesn’t appear to be a guy that many people take exception to.
Mike Marshall refused to give autographs back in the early 70s, when it was expected of baseball players (before anyone thought to use them as currency). His reasoning was that there were many more important people than him and would sometimes tell people they should be getting autographs of their teachers or parents.
I met Alec Guiness at the stage door after a show in London once, and he was gracious about signing autographs except when a German guy handed him a publicity glossy of him as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Sir Alec grumbled a little about it, but still signed.
I’ve read that, late in life, Robert Heinlein would respond to autograph requests by saying, “Certainly. May I have a pint of your blood?” Had I known that and met him, I would have shown him my Red Cross blood-donor card. Do you think that would have sufficed?
An ex MLB pitcher was very assholish about giving autographs,I think it was Steve Carlton.
On the other hand,I once went to a game where Dave Parker and Barry Larkin spent what seemed like most of their time signing for the fans,they both even went in the stadium and stood near one of the concession stands for awhile.I’ve always remembered that and followed their careers after that day.
That’s what I like about the book businesses. Virtually all authors are happy to sign copies of their books and not charge for it. I’ve signed thousands of copies of my books, and never turned anyone down (and never charged a penny for it).
I’ve had authors that couldn’t come to my bookstore offer to sign books for me if I paid for the shipping to get them there and back. Generally, everyone’s been nice about it.
One exception: William Shatner. His agent said if I wanted signed copies of his books for my store, he’d charge $10 per autograph. That’s for paperbacks that don’t even cost $8. Pah. Now I don’t sell his stuff. And I don’t believe he writes them himself, anyway.
I used to be quite the autograph hound, and got several that I treasure, including Marvin Hamlisch & Johnny Cash.
However, I once tried to get an autograph from Doc Severensen (of Tonight Show fame) and he was very rude. However, Tommy Newsom was perfectly sweet & obliging.
I have several comic books autographed by writers and artists I’ve met at conventions. Most have been absolutely awesome and gracious, with only a few grumpy jerks mixed in. Typically artists will charge for original sketches if you want a large size or great detail, but some will dash off quick head sketches of characters for free, or if they don’t have long lines at their tables, they’ll even do a small sketch in a book you present them for a simple signature. I have a nice collection of original comic art growing thanks to these guys’ coolness.
I heard Rosie O’Donnell say once that she didn’t give autographs. She made exceoptions for kids who wanted Betty Rubble’s signature. but she thought it was sad when adults wanted that sort of memento.
I remember reading an interview with Ewan McGregor (yes, him again!) where a young fan knocked on the door of his house and asked for his autograph. Normally, he’s happy to sign, but he has a policy that he won’t do so at home, because he dislikes the invasion of privacy. After politely explaining all this, the girl said, “Yeah, I understand-but could you just sign this please?” I think he closed the door on her.
Basketball great and civil rights activist Bill Russell was well-known for refusing to sign autographs-ever. In fact, there’s a story about a teammate who was leaving the Celtics, and getting all of the team to sign an autograph book as a memento, and Russell STILL refused to sign. Said teammate was somewhat hurt and disappointed about this.
Rosie O’Donnell is very snippy about autographs and won’t give them. Just another aspect of her lovely personality.
On the other hand…I don’t collect autographs but I do have a couple. I went to see Stevie Ray Vaughn and we happened to park behind the venue. As we were walking to the theater SRV gets off the tour bus and heads inside. He stopped and signed everything he could for everyone there until he was dragged inside by the crew. I had to bend down to so he could sign my autograph using my back as a table. He was quite short.
I saw Penn and Teller at the McCarter Theater in Princeton. At the end of the show they both were in the lobby. Both stayed until everyone shook their hands, talked to them and got an autograph. The theater was packed and holds over 1,000 people. It should be noted that they didn’t change clothes before they came out so they were wearing togas and they were covered in fake blood.
This wasn’t there when I hit submit. I saw her talking about it. She didn’t seem sad. She seemed bitchy. And this was from when she had her personality reined in.
Please note that I sdidn’t say she was sad – she implied that adults seeking autographs were “sad”. This was about the time the film The Flintstones (in which she played Betty Rubble)came out. She didn’t have a reputation as “bitchy” back then.
