# Obscure Claims to Fame **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 26, 2001, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938 "2001-02-26T16:53:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![BigStar303](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@BigStar303](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigStar303)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/101 "2001-03-07T07:04:38Z")
Sorry for the multiple posts, but reading others’ continues to spark memories. When I was about 10, I was photographed shaking hands with then Attorney General Robert Kennedy. My uncle worked at the TV station he had just been interviewed on, and he got me in. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/102 "2001-03-07T09:08:03Z")
Hey Reuben! I remember Pogo Patterson! Cool! ---
**Author:** ![Nekochan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@Nekochan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nekochan)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/103 "2001-03-07T16:23:30Z")
Celebrity run-ins: At a Gold’s Gym, I kicked Brian Bosworth in the ass while doing a leg exercise on a pulley machine. I shook Henry Cisneros’ hand. Personal: My mother’s family is descended from the Fujiwara family that controlled the Imperial household in Heian-era Japan. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/104 "2001-03-07T16:33:11Z")
I love a chance to bask in a very weak spotlight \*g… When i was younger i was on tv quite a lot. My parents are both deaf and i’m hearing, and with my mum being an actress i was always being asked to play the hearing daughter or whatever. They were programs in the UK though, so the majority of you won’t have seen them. Also, I had a part in a kids educational program called “Thinkabout” that won me mild fame at school. It was filmed at Elstree Studios so i got to have lunch every day with the cast of Eastenders and Grange Hill (and Sue Pollard for some reason). Nasty Nick Cotton gave me his apple. They film TOTP there too, but never when i was there. I was on telly last saturday as well (on SeeHear) playing the hearing girlfriend of a deaf bloke who was moving house. It was a short piece about the new methods of voting (thrilling stuff, eh?). I did get £200 for half a day’s work though. Smart. Fran ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/105 "2001-03-07T19:21:46Z")
I once played a concert with Louie Belson (sp?) in college. He was pretty cool. I got laughed at because we were playing one song that was hard enough at 225 and he decided to take it up MUCH faster than that so I turned around and gave him a dirty look! I’ve also talked to Stephen Hunter a writer of books like Tom clancy. He was pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2001, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/106 "2001-03-11T17:15:39Z")
I shook hands with Malaysia’s ex-Deputy Prime Minister \*_Anwar Ibrahim_. Twice. He’s a good guy. I’m outraged the way the government trumped up false charges against him, threw him in jail and beat him, and falsely railroaded his conviction. Assholes. ---
**Author:** ![SoMoMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@SoMoMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoMoMom)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2001, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/107 "2001-03-11T18:07:59Z")
My father picked up Jay Silverheels (Tonto) and Clayton Moore (the Lone Ranger) from the airport. It was way before I was born. My father was a security guard for Ford Motor Company and they provided transportation for celebrities. Everytime I tried to watch The Lone Ranger reruns, I’d have to hear the story. Apparently, they were very nice. I know Larry Fullerton. And I’m going to keep saying that until someone is impressed. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2001, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/108 "2001-03-11T18:59:22Z")
When I was very little I met David Hasselhoff (he was on Knight Rider at the time) at a local car show. When I was older, and a metalhead, I met Metallica, Van Halen, Queenscryche and Alice in Chains. I was even in the movie that Metallica showed at the beginning of their concert. While working at the arena I met Paul Henderson, Tretiak, Mahovolich(sp?), Cornoyer (sp?) and various other guys from the Summit '72. Also while working at the arena I got hit on by some jerky wrestlers. I don’t follow wrestling. I think they were called the “DOA” or something, pigs. ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2001, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/109 "2001-03-11T19:06:45Z")
I forgot to mention that for my Inspector Gadget Page, I had a little interview with the voice of Penny, Holly Berger. She said my page was real neat. I was happy. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2001, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/110 "2001-03-11T22:34:04Z")
I talked to **Harlan Ellison** at Mile High Comix in Boulder. He was autographing his book _Chasing the Nightmare_. I told him I was from Cleveland too; he laughed and said “Yeah, Cleveland’s a place to be _from_.” I went with my artist friend Bill to a Blondie concert. Afterwards he waited by the side door for **Deborah Harry** to come out with her entourage. He touched her as she went past. He said, “Maybe I’ll get beaten up or arrested, but I can’t miss the chance to touch her!” Nothing happened; she ignored him. ---
**Author:** ![Totoro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Totoro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totoro)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2001, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/111 "2001-03-11T22:55:35Z")
I’m known in local circles as “that damn panda kid.” You see, I have a panda suit. I wear it occasionally. It’s nothing big, but for some reason, word got around. Sometimes when I go visiting places, and I mention I go to Brookline High School, they ask “Hey, do you know that panda kid? I heard that’s really cool.” “Yeah, I know him personally. VERY personally…” “uh…” “It’s me.” “Oh! Cool!” ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2001, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/112 "2001-03-11T23:30:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SoMoMom \* > \*\*I know Larry Fullerton. And I’m going to keep saying that until someone is impressed. 😉 \*\* WOW!!! Your know Larry Fullerton!!! AWESOME!!! 🆒 [sub]Does anyone know who Larry Fullerton is?[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![SoMoMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@SoMoMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoMoMom)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/113 "2001-03-12T00:38:49Z")
It just proves there’s no real geeks here. Check this out: [http://home.att.net/~albanes/LarryFullerton.html](http://home.att.net/~albanes/LarryFullerton.html) ---
**Author:** ![Pammipoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/87869e/32.png) [@Pammipoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pammipoo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/114 "2001-03-12T08:39:52Z")
I was born and raised in Gulf Breeze, FL. Made famous in the mid 80’s for UFO sightings. My first grade teacher even saw one supposedly! Moved to Pensacola, across the bay. They had vampires. It was a lose-lose situation from the beginning. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/115 "2001-03-12T09:09:33Z")
These posts are reminding me of some of my brushes with celebrity. I met Umberto Eco at my college, but didn’t realize who he was. He was staying in one of the dorms for a couple of weeks while he gave a series of lectures. I got sent by my editor to take some photos of him while he was giving an interview from his room. I thought he was just another visiting professor and didn’t realize who he actually was until I saw my photos in the paper later that week. Michael Aris (Aung San Suu Kyi’s husband) lived a couple of doors down from me when he was living on campus for a year as a guest lecturer. I was so sad when I heard he’d died without ever getting to see his wife again. –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/116 "2001-03-12T19:49:25Z")
Personal accomplishment: I was the third man on my high school’s team for “Granite State Challenge”, the New Hampshire version of “It’s Academic” and other state-produced quizbowl type shows, the first year our high school got to play. We took the state championship by storm, ironically against the high school from the town I grew up in. Quite the distince pleasure. I did have the chance to steal Bill Clinton’s yearbook from Georgetown’s yearbook office, but figured the money I might have gotten from selling it to one of them companies wasn’t worth the risk of getting busted. Brushes with celebrity: Shook Bill Clinton’s hand when he came to Georgetown in 1994. Got the opportunity to speak briefly with Jason Robards, again at GU in 1996. Um, that’s about it, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/117 "2001-03-13T07:02:34Z")
I am pathetic, but here goes… I turned down an extra part on Titanic (The maid) but turned out I was pregnant so I couldn’t have done it anyway. I was in 7 commercials as a kid and met Dina Shore. Went to a party in Vegas and met Ron Jeremy (and let me tell you he did NOT age well!) I even have a pic with him and I somewhere… My mom sold puppies to James Garner, Rod Carew and Bob Hope (well, Bob’s daughter but the dog was for Bob). ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Jo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Sue\_Jo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Jo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/118 "2001-03-14T04:46:33Z")
I once got to walk out of the Holland Tunnel without my car. There was a wreck and the cops had everyone who was trapped exit so we wouldn’t die of fumes from the wreck. It took hours before they let people continue. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/119 "2001-03-14T16:44:23Z")
I once, with my mother, met George Hamilton. Very tan, very sexy. I met Hakeem Olajuwan, outside his residence in Houston. No, I wasn’t stalking him. He was very nice. I saw ZZ Top in a tiny club “before they were stars”. One time a major star of the Rockets (I can’t remember his name) was at my apartment when I came home, buying cocaine from my loser boyfriend. He was traded/let go soon thereafter. This would have been in 1986 or 1987. Any clues who this could be? My dad went to college with Fess Parker, of Davy Crockett fame. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938/120 "2001-03-14T17:05:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kyomara \* > \*\*Mouthbreather, what was Dean Ween like? Did you guys Scotchguard together? \*\* Sorry, It’s been a while since I checked this thread. He was pretty chill. I was drunk & stoned out of my gourd…I tried to get him to smoke a bowl with me but he didn’t want to. I was all salty that they didn’t play “Blackjack”, and asked him about it…he gave me a somewhat embarrassed look and just kinda said “…Yeah, it’s been a long time since we’ve done that one.” This was right about the time they were changing themselves from drug induced silliness to “we’re an almost serious band”. (Choc&Chee tour). Overall, it was OK. He was nice enough, but since I had been listening to Ween since The Pod came out, I had this mental picture that he would be this gibby haynes-style freako. Just not the case. He was soft-spoken and pretty polite. Which members of Tortoise were you with? How was that? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-claims-to-fame/55938.md?page=7)