# Is it okay to tell a stranger they look like someone famous? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2010, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070 "2010-02-23T02:32:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/21 "2010-02-23T12:47:02Z")
I voted no because I have found it personally irritating when it is done to me. I have white hair. People sometimes tell me that I look like Steve Martin or Leslie Nielsen. I don’t think that there would be anything wrong with looking like either of those guys, but I really don’t think I do. Everyone can now go to my profile picture and come back and tell me I look like Steve Martin and Leslie Nielsen. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/22 "2010-02-23T12:57:38Z")
I was offended when a hair dresser told me I look like John Candy. Even though I _was_ overweight I was no where near the weight Candy was. She even said: I bet you hear that all the time. I did not tip her. ---
**Author:** ![Marienee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Marienee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marienee)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/23 "2010-02-23T12:58:11Z")
When I was a girl I was routinely compared to Melissa Gilbert. When I got a little older it was Kristy McNichol. Then when I was older I got Holly Hunter (in the Broadcast News era). Evidently I am a girl next door type. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/24 "2010-02-23T13:00:06Z")
> [@Marienee](#): > > When I was a girl I was routinely compared to Melissa Gilbert. When I got a little older it was Kristy McNichol. Then when I was older I got Holly Hunter (in the Broadcast News era). > > Evidently I am a girl next door type. All three of those are attractive women - Holly Hunter is very hot. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/25 "2010-02-23T13:10:09Z")
A short story: I recently told a member of a women’s club that she looks like Roseanne Barr – in the face. My wife was horrified! Even restricting it to JUST THE FACE doesn’t play if there’s anything unpleasant about the appearance, personality, reputation or whatever in the negative vibe area. Just don’t to it if it implies you see anything of that other person in the one you’re addressing. It’s okay to tell any and everybody else, just not the person who has the resemblance. Since the thread title (Would you be offended if a stranger told you you looked like someone famous?) is the opposite of the way the poll questions are asked, I would answer the title question by saying, “only if the someone famous was a real dipshit.” ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/26 "2010-02-23T13:11:54Z")
I regularly hear from complete strangers (oddly, never from people who know me) that I look like one of two well-known people. Often enough and consistently enough (it’s always the same two well-known men) that there must be some truth to it. One is pretty famous, on a national level, an entertainer. People tell me that I look like him. The other is pretty well-known locally, although he’s not an entertainer. People tell me that I look like him, or come up to me in the street and ask me if I _am_ him. Neither is known for their looks. Definitely not good-looking guys. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/27 "2010-02-23T13:17:35Z")
I voted other because, well, it’s not so clear for me. Apparently, having long blonde hair and being muscular means I look like, well, just about anyone else who has those two characteristics, even if we don’t otherwise look alike. I’ve been compared to Fabio, various pro-wrestlers, and some random athletes as well. I actually do have a resemblence to a few of them, but generally, if I were thinner or cut my hair, I’d probably get recognized a lot less. Now, even that doesn’t really bother me or offend me because, well, none of them are unattractive people. I have had random strangers insist I was who they thought I was, even after I told them I wasn’t. I remember one guy hounding me about my feud over the title (I’m not quite sure who he thought I was, since, well, I’ve been “mistaken” for both the champion and the contender at the time), and he continued to ask me even after I told him I wasn’t; I eventually conceded since, well, I was eating in a restaurant with some friends and wanted him to leave us alone. Another time I had a guy insist on getting my autograph and taking a picture with me insisting that he and his GF were big fans of mine despite making it clear I wasn’t someone famous… I never did figure out who he thought I was ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/28 "2010-02-23T13:23:38Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > Everyone can now go to my profile picture and come back and tell me I look like Steve Martin and Leslie Nielsen. 🙂 Dude, you look exactly like Steve Martin. Whether you find it irritating or not, it’s the truth. So cut the general public some slack. Unless you’re cultivating Martin’s general unpleasantness about being recognized too… ---
**Author:** ![GreatStuffMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f04885/32.png) [@GreatStuffMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreatStuffMan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/29 "2010-02-23T13:31:08Z")
I wouldn’t be offended, and if I think a person looks like a celebrity I most often tell them. Why wouldn’t I? I don’t see why you’d get offended. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/30 "2010-02-23T14:37:16Z")
I’ve been told, more than a few times, that I look like George Carlin, and I take it as a compliment. I was never sure what to reply when he was living, but now that he has passed away, I usually reply “When he was alive, I hope!” That usually gets a laugh. Regardless, I’m not offended at all. ---
**Author:** ![foxymoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@foxymoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foxymoron)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/31 "2010-02-23T14:45:21Z")
**Crotalus** , I think you look very much like Jeff Daniels in your profile picture, and nothing like the other two. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/32 "2010-02-23T14:56:38Z")
I’ve never been told I look like someone, so I suppose it would depend on the celebrity. The latest James Bond actor? Oookaaay… I’d wonder about the speaker’s sanity but let it pass. Queen Elizabeth? Um… no. > [@BrassyPhrase](#): > > The only ‘famous’ person that I’ve ever been said to look like is… > > Princess Fiona from Shrek. > > No, not the Cameron Diaz one, the ogre one. > > Which honestly, I do. Round face and body, red hair. Not green skin, but I love the color. A sweet nature, but don’t eff with me, either. SO, how _you_ doin’? 🙂 (I always liked her. Both phases.) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/33 "2010-02-23T15:05:12Z")
I’ve been compared to Jerry Garcia 🆒 and Kenny Rogers :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/34 "2010-02-23T15:10:29Z")
> [@Shark\_Sandwich](#): > > “Excuse me, but has anyone ever told you that you look exactly like Caroline Kennedy?” - Good > > “Excuse me, but has anyone ever told you that you look exactly like a _slightly younger_ Caroline Kennedy?” - Oh, so bad. “Excuse me, but has anyone ever told you that you look exactly like a _slightly younger and oh so hotter_ Caroline Kennedy?” - Oh, so very bad. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/35 "2010-02-23T15:11:50Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#): > > I don’t think it’s creepy at all, especially if the similarity is uncanny (and not some bullshit line). Yes. I find it annoying when people say, “You look like [insert dark-skinned female here who I look nothing like, but is very pretty, so this is their idea of a compliment, even though it’s total bullshit].” There’s a very famous woman now who I’m compared to at least once a month. I’m not sure how I feel about this considering her attractive has been subject to rigorous debate. I’m not offended because I kind of see it, even though I don’t really think we look alike, plus I don’t think she’s bad looking. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/36 "2010-02-23T15:20:59Z")
I get told I look like various celebrities with some frequency. I’ve been compared to Wynona Judd, Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon and Sara Rue. I think people focus on one or two features and automatically make a connection between people. The only thing I have in common with Susan Sarandon is my hair color and my nose. With Meryl Streep she and I have similar eyes and lips. With Wynona Judd we are similar in build and both have red hair. These things are apparently enough to cause people to point out the similarities between us with some regularity. Oh, and I share the comparison to Princess Fiona in Ogre form with **Brassy** due to build and hair color. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/37 "2010-02-23T15:27:04Z")
I used to get compared to Peter Frampton. Then I got compared to Elton John. Then I got compared to Kelsey Grammer. Now I get compared to Bruce Willis. Welcome to the story of my hair. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/38 "2010-02-23T15:40:57Z")
I got Gerard Depardieu. Hrm. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/39 "2010-02-23T15:43:15Z")
I’ve been told I look like Malcolm McDowell, circa _Clockwork Orange_, and it’s not an entirely unreasonable comparison. Never bothered me. Consider [this](http://tsheko.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/malcolm-mcdowell-as-alex-001.jpg) my profile picture, minus the guyliner. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/40 "2010-02-23T15:47:46Z")
When I was 15-17 I looked JUST like Lance Kerwin…to the point I got stopped a lot…at the time I worked weekends at a hospital as a housekeeper. I actually had visitors ask me if I was in fact him…“yes madam, the TV gig doesn’t pay enough so i moonlight cleaning up puke and mopping floors”…golly I was such a smart ass back then. [http://www.celebritynooz.com/images2/lance-kerwin-then.jpg](http://www.celebritynooz.com/images2/lance-kerwin-then.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070.md?page=3)