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Site SearchWho are the famous people you’ve met? What were they like? Were they nice or grumpy? Did they seem kind and authentic or distant and fake? I’d love to get your thoughts.
The first famous person I got to know early on in life was Senator Sam Ervin. He was one of the nicest, smartest and most interesting people I’ve ever known. But Sam “was family” in Morganton so I guess I should move on to the next famous person I met. That was Fred Kirby, the Singing Cowboy at WBTV in Charlotte and then Big Bill Ward of Championship Wrestling on the same channel. Both of them were great guys, very real and patient. I also really admired radio personality Ty Boyd who was kind enough to take me out to lunch in the Queen City and send a letter of recommendation for me to UNC.
I met Charles Kuralt while in college at Carolina and he instantly became one of my journalistic heroes. Many years later I was fortunate to interview Charles less than a month before his death. I was also deeply impressed with former UNC system president Bill Friday when I was in school in Chapel Hill.
Right out of college I had a chance to play a couple of basketball games with the great David Thompson of NC State. David was terrific in every respect. Once while in Houston I visited David in the Denver Nuggets locker room where he agreed to sing “Happy Birthday” on audio tape for my father-in-law Dr. Grover Miller, a zoology professor at NC State. Grandfather Mountain's Hugh Morton also became a person I idolized.
In more recent years I was deeply impressed with evangelist Billy Graham while interviewing him at his home in Montreat. What a prince of a man! Basketball legend Dean Smith made a similar impression on me when I attended the funeral of longtime UNC athletics academic adviser Burgess McSwain. I also had excellent interviews with the first President Bush, his wife Barbara and President Barack Obama. I asked them the toughest questions I could think of and they responded with grace and candor.
I really haven’t met many “jerks” along the way. I once interviewed actress Angela Lansbury and she must have been having a bad day. But the next time I interviewed her she was quite warm, charming and accessible. I guess I’ve been pretty lucky. How about you and your experiences with famous folk?
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Famous people you've met
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March 25, 2009 12:30 p.m.
Later, I met Dr. Donald Bitzer, co-inventor of the plasma display and recipient of an Emmy Award for his contribution to the television technology industry. Did you know he is a professor at NCSU? One of the nicest people I have ever met, and I don't say that lightly.
A couple years ago, I also met a contestant from the CBS show Big Brother -- who knew she would be working at an apartment complex around Raleigh?!?
In terms of Hollywood famous, I met Jane Seymour a three or four years ago in Florida as she was displaying some of her artwork at a small art shop. She was very approachable and warm, carrying conversation and being truly interactive, instead of simply answering questions. There were very few people there at the time, so it really felt like a one-on-one event!
GOLO member since July 2, 2008
March 25, 2009 12:34 p.m.
I've met Bill Bruford, first drummer for Yes. He signed my "Close to the Edge" CD when he was on tour with his jazz group Earthworks. He was in between sets. I said hello and asked him a question and he was friendly, but quick because of another set coming up.
I've also met Louis Bellson, famous jazz drummer (and inventor of the double bass drum setup), just a few years ago and had my pic taken with him. I recently passed away I heard.
I've met Terry Brown, a record producer who has produced many Rush albums. He was a bit standoffish; his excuse was that he had a cold and didn't want to shake hands with anybody. But he wasn't rude.
I met actress Adrienne Barbeau, the original "Rizzo" from Grease and who had a supporting role as Bea Arthur's daughter in the 1970's sitcom "Maude". She came to speak in Durham regarding and host her 1980 horror film "The Fog" by John Carpenter (then her husband). She was very nice and enjoyed meeting her fans.
March 25, 2009 12:51 p.m.
March 25, 2009 12:52 p.m.
GOLO member since August 22, 2007
March 25, 2009 12:56 p.m.
GOLO member since October 18, 2007
March 25, 2009 1:00 p.m.
GOLO member since September 3, 2008
March 25, 2009 1:00 p.m.
More stories, but that's all the time I have today folks!
GOLO member since March 7, 2008
March 25, 2009 1:09 p.m.
Also, My late husband was a patient of Dr. Howard Dean before he began his political career. I was a patient of Dr. Dean's wife, Dr. Judith Steinberg. They had a shared medical practice at the time.
March 25, 2009 1:21 p.m.
March 25, 2009 1:24 p.m.
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