I saw the actor/director Tim Blake Nelson (pictured above with George Clooney) on the IRT this morning. He was with his son, taking the kid to school. I met Nelson when I worked for the Coen brothers and later adored him in their movie Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? He was a friendly, unassuming guy.
Though I was sitting just two feet away from where they were standing, I chose not say hello. I went back to my book, and looked up at them occasionally, not wanting to invade their privacy. Nelson was warm and loving with his son.
Talented actor and director. Good man.
Speaking of the Coen brothers, I recently watched No Country for Old Men on cable. It was more than a little disturbing...but extremely well done.
Man, if I knew him well I'd say hello, shake his hand and leave it at that. Saying hi is not always an invasion of privacy, though it does depend on where you are and what you're doing. I wouldn't say hi to anyone that was at the urinal next to me, eating dinner or engaged with his or her family, but on a train or bus or out on the street I'd say whattup and perhaps thanks for the good work if I liked them. I guess I agree with how you handled it.
I never recognize celebs out in the public unless they are either really distinctive or they have their face on. I'm not big on celeb worship, so I just treat them like I would any other person, even on set. I met Tom Berenger working on a film a couple of years ago, and he seemed a little surprised that I wasn't fawning. I loved him as Gen. James Longstreet in "Gettysburg", but hey, we're two people trying to get some work done on the same job; I respect that above anything else.
On the other hand, I observed Liam Neeson and family (including his wife Natasha before she tragically died) having a family moment after he wrapped for the day on a set earlier this year, and that was one obvious moment where I felt it was best to leave them alone. So yeah...
[1] Agreed.
BTW, AMC is rerunning "Stripes"; thought I'd mention that since it came up more than a few times recently...
The funny part is that I usually say "hi" even if I don't know the person--it's just my nature. And in this case, I have met him before. But there was just something about the moment--I just didn't want to intrude.
Speaking of "Oh Brother"
This isnt so much a grammar error as a really funny (IMO) typo.
http://www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6297
4th paragraph:
The Dan Tyminski Band will appear on Thursday the opening day of the festival.
Dan is the voice of George Clooney in the movie "Oh Bother, Where art Thou?" when
Clooney sings the song "Man of Constant Sorrow".
=================
(left to imagine George Clooney in a Winnie the Pooh outfit) :-)
Which of course leads me to think of an entry for one of those "altered titles" contests, where you change/drop/add a letter in a title and suggest a new plot:
"Oh Bother, Where Art Thou": Three bears escape from a traveling circus and set to retrieve the $1.2 million in honey that Winnie claims to have stolen from a Costco and buried before his being forced into circus work."
wow awesome.
Alex I actually thought of you last week, Memorial Day afternoon the GF and I are walking from Shake Shack to the park (I'm a pig) and who is on a bench outside the Museum of Natural History with their kid but Joel Coen and Frances McDormand.
I wanted to say "hi" or something, but figured they were with their kid and probably just wanted to be left alone.
Funny too, because last time I had Shake Shack I ended up seeing Elvis Costello about 5 minutes later. There must be something in the vanilla malts...
[6] There's another wordplay/word-error in that movie -- George Clooney asks a guy (whom he'd like to help remove his shackles) whether he is, by chance, "a smithy?"
But a smithy is a building. Where a smith works.
Oh Brother is a fine movie. Of course, basing a movie on such original material really helps. Good music too.
Basically if I see a celeb out and about, I just leave 'em alone. Don't know them and don't care to do the celebrity worship thing. Of course, if it were Mo, that'd be different.
Alex,
I always make it a pernt to be nice and cordial if I ever happen across a famous person during those mundane times of everyday life. However, if I'm unsure of who they are, I will not approach them. Perhaps this comes from a career in the golf industry, where I have been privileged to meet a lot of great and famous folks over the decades, including sitting Presidents! I had the unique opportunity of hosting then President Bill Clinton when I worked on the Professional Staff at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, for a round of golf. Because I treated him as I described above, he actually took the time to personally sign a "thank you letter" to me on Official White House Stationery, no less! It's one of my most prized possessions! I was one of only two Professionals on the staff of two dozen to receive them. He thanked me by name! Yes, the POTUS!
It never costs anything to be nice, but it's always costly to either be an asshole, or a wallflower.
Next time, if you are sure you know the person, grow a set for Christ's sakes, even if it's merely to say, "Hello!" You may never get such an opportunity again. And it makes the both of you feel good, if only for a few moments. You will be pleasantly surprised at just how much an "Excuse me sir (or ma'am), I just wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how much I admire your work," will go. Let them be the asshole and blow you off, if they are in a bad mood! Most folks like to be complimented however, and will at least be friendly to you with a smile and a "Thanks," after such a greeting. Never be afraid to be a friendly admirer! After all, the great and famous are people, too.
: )
I hear you PJ--and very cool about your history with famous people--but disagree. Not approaching Tim wasn't out of shyness--I'm one of the least shy people you are likely to meet. I was just overcome with the idea of observing instead of interacting. Since this so rarely happens to me it was actually kind of neat.