# Ever been mistaken for a celebrity? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2001, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085 "2001-07-19T19:13:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![False\_God](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee7513/32.png) [@False\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/False_God)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/41 "2001-07-20T22:40:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Torque \* > \*\*I’ve always been a big dude, so I pretty well looked like an adult by the time I hit my teens. Anyway, while I was still in high school, some dude whose name is now lost to me won a golf tournament and made the cover of _Sports Illustrated_. Except for the mustache, he bore an uncanny resemblance to me. So, for the week until the next issue of SI came out, I kept getting stopped by old duffers who thought I was this pro golfer. > > If anyone knows where I can find an archive of old SI covers, maybe I can figure out the dude’s name. \*\* John Daly? The incredibly long-driving and hard-drinking guy who got kicked off the PGA circuit? ---
**Author:** ![bobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f9ae1b/32.png) [@bobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/42 "2001-07-20T22:44:58Z")
If I’ve recently had a halfway decent haircut, and I keep my goatee trimmed (these two events coinciding is REALLY rare), I’ve been mistaken for brad pitt… including one little teeny bopper chick saying I didn’t have to “pretend not to be” him, she “wouldn’t tell anyone I was in town”… a quick flash of driver’s license convinced her I wasn’t pitt… funny thing is, until `fight club’ I took it as an insult. 🙂 now I guess there are worse people to be mistaken for. If I’m looking my normal scruffy self I look like your average blonde computer nerd, I prefer it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/43 "2001-07-20T23:15:59Z")
Back in '91, I got a phone call from my dad, who usually only calls if someone has died. He was checking to make sure I was home and didn’t take a trip to Wisconsin. I asked him why and he told me to look at the morning paper. On the cover was the first pic of Jeffrey Dahmer. With the same haircut and at the right angle, the resemblance is fairly scary. For about two weeks, I got a lot of strange looks and more than once, a waitress wouldn’t take my order without a committee beforehand. Gotta tell ya, when your own father picks up the paper and the first thing he thinks is that his son turned into a homosexual serial cannibal, you stop going to Supercuts. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/44 "2001-07-20T23:46:02Z")
About 10-12 years ago somebody asked me if I was Simon LeBon. I’m still not sure how I should have taken that. ---
**Author:** ![False\_God](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee7513/32.png) [@False\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/False_God)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/45 "2001-07-20T23:49:29Z")
When I was in Italy, apparently I resembled a forward for Juventus. Had a whole train station asking me for autographs and the baggage check guys gave me the storage free if I signed their programs. Back home, when I had my hair longer, people thought I was T. Coraghessan Boyle (author of “The Road to Wellville” ). Now that I have it short, I just look like a terrorist (lotsa black, goatee, swarthy). I got upgraded last year to first class because the flight attendants were worried and wanted to keep an eye on me (and, apparently, pour bourbon down my throat). ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/46 "2001-07-21T01:54:45Z")
This is going to bring guffaws from those who have met me, but in high school one guy always called me “Goldie” because he felt I looked like Goldie Hawn. He never mistook me for her, of course. This was when I was younger, thinner, and wore contacts, but believe me, I did not look like her even then. I’ve had others say I could be mistaken for Tina Yothers (the little sister from Family Ties). Gag. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/47 "2001-07-21T04:08:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*I’ve had others say I could be mistaken for Tina Yothers (the little sister from Family Ties). Gag. \*\* Have you seen her lately? She is the lead singer in the band Jaded. [http://www.jadedonline.com](http://www.jadedonline.com) Apart from the fact that she is wearing way too much eye makeup and lipstick, I think she looks pretty hot. I’ve never been mistaken for anyone famous, but a lot of people say that my dad looks like Daniel J. Travanti. He sort of does, but not really. ---
**Author:** ![Chum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ab097/32.png) [@Chum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chum)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/48 "2001-07-21T04:28:15Z")
Several people have told me that I look like Reese Witherspoon. All I see is that we _maybe_ have the same face shape and chin. My mom insists that we look very similar. When I cut my hair, someone told me that I looked like Winona Ryder. I’ve also been told Christina Ricci. None of those are insulting, but they are all untrue. ---
**Author:** ![flickerwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/13edae/32.png) [@flickerwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickerwolf)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/49 "2001-07-21T05:06:34Z")
My mother was mistaken several times for Cybill Shepherd. I would never have noticed this on my own. I am now convinced they’re somehow related. ---
**Author:** ![Broken\_Doll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@Broken\_Doll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broken_Doll)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/50 "2001-07-21T05:17:21Z")
I’ve been told I look alarmingly alot like Madonna [in most of her styles/phases] because we both have the same face shape, eyes and little gap between our front teeth. I’ve also been told I used to look like Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra, when I had my long black hair. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/51 "2001-07-21T05:39:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lsura \* > \*\*Natalie from _The Facts of Life_, unfortunately. And it happens more often as I get older. _sigh_ \*\* I’m sorry growing up I thought Natalie was cute. Watching re-runs of the show I still think she is cute ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/52 "2001-07-21T05:54:54Z")
Jerry Garcia. Still. “Wow, we thought you were **dead** , man.” ## Tris “Constantly choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.” ~ Jerry Garcia ~ ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/53 "2001-07-21T06:03:42Z")
Quietgirl bears a passing resemblance to Janis Joplin, which I think is quite neat. And as much as I hate to admit it, I resemble Shirley Temple. In some pictures when I was younger, it’s quite striking. [sub]Ick.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Nocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9fc348/32.png) [@Nocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nocturne)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/54 "2001-07-21T06:16:22Z")
When I was little, people used to tell me I’d grow up to look like Brooke Shields…which, of course, didn’t happen. Now I’m not mistaken for anyone. But myself. ---
**Author:** ![aschrott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aca169/32.png) [@aschrott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aschrott)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/55 "2001-07-21T12:12:34Z")
A Hollywood doorman mistook me for **James Spader** once. That says a lot more about him (the doorman) than it does about me, though! ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/56 "2001-07-21T17:20:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by False\_God \* > \*\*John Daly? The incredibly long-driving and hard-drinking guy who got kicked off the PGA circuit? \*\* Hmmmmm…I think you may have it, although I’d need to see the actual SI cover to be sure. My searches indicate that he was on the cover in August of 91, which is about the right time, although I could swear I was still in high school when the issue came out, and I graduated in May of 91. Still, I’ll investigate further. Thanks for the name. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/57 "2001-07-21T20:57:49Z")
Well, natch, I look exactly like young Cary Grant. … It’s the two eyes, nose in middle, mouth underneath arrangement that does it. ---
**Author:** ![Skydive101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@Skydive101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skydive101)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/58 "2001-07-21T21:08:05Z")
Strangest thing, this only happened when I would go into banks. Middle aged female tellers kept telling me that I looked like “That man from E.R.” My response was always the same… “Who, the fat guy?!” I finally found someone that knew the actors name, and it was Noah Wyle. Now I just play along with it and sign autographs. ---
**Author:** ![Pyrrhonist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/919ad9/32.png) [@Pyrrhonist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyrrhonist)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2001, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/59 "2001-07-21T21:46:06Z")
People say I’ve got an uncanny resemblance John Grisham. This has happened a few different times with different people in different situations. Maybe it is true, maybe it isn’t. The oddest thing, in my opinion at least, is that I’m pegged to resemble an author, not an actor or other kind of media star. ---
**Author:** ![R3nergy8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e99b99/32.png) [@R3nergy8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3nergy8)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2001, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085/60 "2001-07-22T00:22:06Z")
**Well she’s not a celebrity but…** A few years ago, whenever I went into a certain music store, a guy who worked there always had a habit of walking up to me and remarking that I looked a lot like Anita Hill;(remember her? from the Clarence Thomas trials? Supreme Court Justice guy?) I guess he used to work in D.C. and had actually met Anita Hill a few times, still I could never tell if I was being insulted or not:confused:, eventually I just stopped going to that store. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-mistaken-for-a-celebrity/73085.md?page=4)