I am such a fan of actors and actresses, singers, reality stars or any one who entertains. I always have been intrigued by these people. When the moment actually does occur I meet someone with some fame, I become this raging dork. I cannot speak clearly and become so tongue tied I am sure the person makes eye contact with the nearest security person.
My first brush with fame would probably be the Hanna-Barbera characters at Kings Island in the late '70s. I have some pretty cute pictures to capture those moments. I think though the reality that it really wasn't that character, but a person in a costume came to my 5-year-old attention when Scooby-Doo made a visit to Hope Heritage Days in 1980. My mom and aunt were trying to get to Scooby-Doo. By the time they found "Scooby," the actor who had been in the costume opened the trunk of his car and showed us that Scooby was in the trunk. That would be my first example of being just a moment too late. I missed Scooby-Doo!
Throughout the '80s, I imagined meeting soap stars from General Hospital and All My Children. I imagined meeting Michael Jackson or Boy George. My greatest hope was meeting a Smurf. That chance happened when they were part of the Ice Capades. My mom and aunt took my sister, cousins and I to Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. I was decked out in my Smurf attire, ready to go. In the Smurf segment, the Smurfs went into the audience and brought kids onto the ice and they got to ride in these little gondolas. I tried to get their attention. I took my Smurf hat off and waved it. But, alas, I was a moment too late yet again. I missed a Smurf!
When I got into college, I still had that over-active imagination about meeting someone famous. Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire were some of the celebrities I wanted to meet. During this time, I became really interested in country music. I became a huge John Michael Montgomery fan — I even joined his fan club. He ended up being the opening act for Reba. I, along with some of my friends, got tickets to the concert at Deer Creek Music Center. By being a fan club member, I submitted for a back stage pass to meet John Michael. I hadn't been to many concerts and this would be my first meet and greet. We get to Deer Creek, I find the place to get the pass, got the pass and went to the concert. I had asked when and where the meet and greet was. The person at the booth told me it was after the concert. After the concert, I went to the place, and I was informed that John Michael had left and that he left after his concert, not Reba's. I missed out on John Michael Montgomery!
As I have grown older, I have been able to go to shows with people I admire. I was able to see Bea Arthur in her one-woman show and Jerry Seinfeld doing a live comedy show. Of course, there weren't opportunities to meet them. In April of 2012, I saw that Candice Bergen, who I admired as "Murphy Brown," was in a play called "The Best Man" in New York on Broadway. I found a flight, hotel and got my ticket. I headed to New York by myself. I even broke out my Murphy Brown sweatshirt that I begged my mom to get me for Christmas in 1990. The show included James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, John Laroquette, Michael McKean and Eric McCormack. After the show, I ran to the stage doors hoping to get a picture with Candice. I tried to get closer to the barriers. As she came out, I yelled (in dork), "I loved you on "Murphy Brown!" Of course, she didn't hear me. I was just a little too far away. I missed out on Candice Bergen!
In March of 2015, I found out that Viola Davis would be speaking in Indy. I found out where she would be and bought a ticket. My heart about beat out of my chest knowing I was going to hear her speak. I have admired her work so much. "The Help" is one of my favorite movies. When I got there, I found out that one of the courtesies was a picture. My heart almost exploded at the thought. All I could think about was what to say! What would she say back? They called one table at a time. I was at table 50 out of 51. The ladies at my table just told me to go because they already went. I waited until table 49 was back. As I walked up, I heard one of the assistants say, "That's it." A few minutes earlier, and who knows what I would have said to her. I may have fainted! I missed out on Viola Davis! The silver lining though was I heard her amazing story about her life and career. So maybe I didn't meet her, but I did hear some intriguing words.
Last November, I saw a picture of Sophia Loren on Facebook. My first thought was that she had passed. Upon closer inspection, I found she was going to be in Carmel, Indiana at the Center of the Performing Arts. She was doing a talk about her film career. I bought a ticket as soon as they went on sale. I bought one that said VIP, even though I wasn't for sure what that entailed. In March, I went to the theater. There was a special envelope on my seat. It was like I had been invited to Hogwart's. I was invited for a backstage meet and greet with Sophia Loren. I was so excited! My heart was just as loud and boisterous as when I was in the presence of Viola Davis!
This time I was going to make sure I didn't miss out! I will never forget the moment she walked out onto that stage. Sophia Loren, 81-years-old, as stunning and gorgeous as she always was, was in my presence. I hung on to her every word, her stories about Cary Grant and other stars of bygone days, with movie clips interspersed showing her amazing career.
Before the show began, we could submit questions. I submitted my "What's your best advice to another actor?" I waited for the Q&A. It was time! The host began to pull questions. Then I heard him say, "Pete Law of Hope, Indiana wants to know..." I wanted to stand up in that crowd and yell, "That's me!" She said the words that will be embedded in my memory "To be kind. To be sincere. To work hard."
When the moment came for the meet and greet, you better believe I was where I was supposed to be. The usher took the group of us on stage of the theater. They escorted Ms. Loren out. I waited in line patiently. My mind was racing on what to say. I was suppressing my inner and outer dork. As I walked up to this screen goddess, this Oscar winning actress, I said, "Thank you for coming to Indiana. It is such an honor to be in your presence. You answered my question about acting!" She smiled at me. We posed for the picture, said "Thank you!" again and walked away. It was a moment I didn't miss out on! I didn't miss out on Sophia Loren!
There will be a Part II next week!
