# Do Actors like it when people tell them, "I'm a big fan"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 15, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257 "2010-06-15T03:43:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/1 "2010-06-15T03:43:10Z")
Any celebrity or successful entertainers on here: Do you like it when people tell you, “I’m such a big fan” It seems like the standard phrase used by admirers. Annoying or respectful? ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/2 "2010-06-15T03:48:51Z")
I’m not famous, but once I had occasion to meet John McVie (of Fleetwood Mac) and babbled to him “oh my god I love your music oh you must get tired of hearing that.” And he said, “No, no, I never do.” ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/3 "2010-06-15T13:35:44Z")
I’m not a celebrity, but I’ve had occasion to meet a few under various circumstances. The rule of thumb seems to be: If you fawn all over them, are loud, make a big scene or force unsolicited physical contact, they’ll tend to get annoyed. If you’re low-key, respect their space, and don’t overstay your welcome, they’ll be cool. But since famous people are also individuals, I’m sure reactions vary, and there’s no single answer here. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/4 "2010-06-15T13:41:25Z")
If you treat them like you would another human being and don’t go crazy with it, they usually don’t mind. People don’t work hard to become famous to be ignored. The setting is important too. If they are having dinner eith other people or are using the bathroom, don’t bother them. On the street or outside the stage door, it’s fine. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/5 "2010-06-15T13:41:41Z")
I’d imagine it would depend on the celebrity. Some of them are attention whores, some of them don’t much care for the celebrity aspect of the entertainment industry. I worked as a PA for LiveNation for a while and met tons of very big-name musicians and some of them were very high on their horses and not only expected the royal treatment but contractually \*\*demanded \*\*it; others were very cool and would come and actually hang out with the crew and even the local guys(like me). And not always the ones you’d think were one or the other, were. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/6 "2010-06-15T13:50:39Z")
Wouldn’t this be like any other compliment? If you were a great singer and people kept on coming up to you after a performance and saying you’re a great singer, that would feel good, wouldn’t it? Or if you were a great basketball player and someone told you that, that would never get annoying no matter how much people told it to you. Maybe I’m misinterpreting the question, but I don’t see how being paid a compliment would be annoying, unless it was at an inappropriate time or something. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/7 "2010-06-15T14:05:15Z")
I think we’ve hit the key points already: 1. Time and place are key - if you’re interrupting them in the middle of something (a conversation, a dinner, a pee) they will probably not thank you. 2. Dial down the crazy. A quick compliment will be appreciated. A demand to sign 300 pieces of paper and assorted body parts and for them to speak to everyone in your cellphone directory - not so much. 3. Even with the above, it depends on the individual. Some will want you to worship at their feet, others will want you to avert your gaze. There’s not much you can do about 3), but 1) and 2) are good to remember. I’ve encountered a variety of famous people - actors and classical musicians, mostly - and I tend not to approach them because really I can never think of anything to say to them apart from “Hey, you’re [famous person]” which they already know. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/8 "2010-06-15T14:27:58Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I’ve encountered a variety of famous people - actors and classical musicians, mostly - and I tend not to approach them because really I can never think of anything to say to them apart from “Hey, you’re [famous person]” which they already know. I’ve always wanted to meet Mark Hamill and compliment him on his voice acting work. I’m sure he’d get a bigger kick out of that than “Hey, you’re Luke Skywalker!” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/9 "2010-06-15T14:30:56Z")
There is that. I know that most of the authors I’ve met seem to respond more to comments about their lesser known works than they do about the ones everybody have read. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/10 "2010-06-15T14:32:01Z")
When I met John Stamos, I said “Hey, you’re Blackie Parrish.” He laughed and said “Most peole say Uncle Jessie.” Stamos played that character on General Hospital years before Full House. > [@Bosstone](#): > > I’ve always wanted to meet Mark Hamill and compliment him on his voice acting work. I’m sure he’d get a bigger kick out of that than “Hey, you’re Luke Skywalker!” I’d say "Hey, you were the original David Bradford on Eight is Enough. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/11 "2010-06-15T14:38:20Z")
They might seem annoyed at first, but that’s only because they don’t know that you’re really, really a big fan. Being persistant will pay off. Keep following them and tell them how much you love them, and remember, only a true fan would fawn over them while they’re at dinner, in the bathroom, attending a funeral, or fast asleep in their bed. I find that one cannot truly understand the soul of a celebrity, unless one hides in their bushes and masturbates while wearing objects taken from their garbage. Remember, a restaining order means they’ve been thinking about you, and only you. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/12 "2010-06-15T14:48:51Z")
The word “fan” makes me bristle when used in conversation with a celebrity. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many people that I admire, and the phrase I usually use is “I really like your work.” It conveys the same message without seeming gushing. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/13 "2010-06-15T14:58:15Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > I’ve always wanted to meet Mark Hamill and compliment him on his voice acting work. I’m sure he’d get a bigger kick out of that than “Hey, you’re Luke Skywalker!” > [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > When I met John Stamos, I said “Hey, you’re Blackie Parrish.” He laughed and said “Most peole say Uncle Jessie.” > > Stamos played that character on General Hospital years before Full House. > > I’d say "Hey, you were the original David Bradford on Eight is Enough. Or you could say “Hey, you’re Corey from the Jeanie cartoon” or “Hey, you’re Corvette Summer!” He may appreciate those. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/14 "2010-06-15T15:03:59Z")
I would also add do not bother celebs when they are with their children. That’s not only rude, it’s downright scary. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/15 "2010-06-15T15:12:56Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > I’ve always wanted to meet Mark Hamill and compliment him on his voice acting work. I’m sure he’d get a bigger kick out of that than “Hey, you’re Luke Skywalker!” To be fair, if I ever meet Jake Gyllenhaal I fully intend to say “Hey, I loved [that thing you did with the octopus on your head](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrmUfYKYXbM)”. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/16 "2010-06-15T16:07:39Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > To be fair, if I ever meet Jake Gyllenhaal I fully intend to say “Hey, I loved [that thing you did with the octopus on your head](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrmUfYKYXbM)”. That was adorable. ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/17 "2010-06-15T16:27:51Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > There is that. I know that most of the authors I’ve met seem to respond more to comments about their lesser known works than they do about the ones everybody have read. Yeah, I met Ted the Lawyer from _Scrubs_ last year and told him I knew him better from that great _Seinfeld_ episode, the TV Guide one where he meets Elaaaiinne on the subway. “You look scrumptious!” Anyway, he seemed to appreciate that (or at least think it was funny), and when I asked him if anyone else ever recognizes him from that, he said “Well the smart people do.” ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/18 "2010-06-15T16:37:39Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > When I met John Stamos, I said “Hey, you’re Blackie Parrish.” He laughed and said “Most peole say Uncle Jessie.” > > Stamos played that character on General Hospital years before Full House. Just don’t ask him about Alanis Morissette. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/19 "2010-06-15T16:38:07Z")
For a while I had occasion to be recognizable to a very small subculture of people. This resulted in me every once in a while being recognized by a complete stranger. (In no way to I want to suggest I was actually a celebrity, though.) Freakiest damn thing that ever happened to me and it always made me uncomfortable. But it probably just didn’t happen often enough for me to get used to it. And because of that I find I can could never approach some celebrity to just say “hey I recognize you and want you to know that I’ve appreciated your work.” Which is too bad, because I really wanted to talk to Bill Nye and Ron Jeremy (they weren’t together). ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257/20 "2010-06-15T16:44:14Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > The word “fan” makes me bristle when used in conversation with a celebrity. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many people that I admire, and the phrase I usually use is “I really like your work.” It conveys the same message without seeming gushing. Exactly. I usually take that tack. I usually say “thanks for making it happen” or “keep up the good work”, etc. If it’s someone with whom’s work I’m intimately familiar, I might add something more specific. I’m a singer in a decidedly non-famous band, and I still get that stuff from time to time. Doesn’t bother me a bit, which probably correlates strongly with being decidedly non-famous, haha! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-actors-like-it-when-people-tell-them-im-a-big-fan/543257.md?page=2)