I was reading the Historical Western Romance page on FB, and looking at all the pictures posted of those sexy cowboys who played in the TV westerns most of us grew up on. Someone had posted a picture of Gil Favor from the long-running series, Rawhide. I always found him quite attractive, and like someone else had posted, Rowdy Yates, played by Clint Eastwood, at the time, was just too boyish for me. To be truthful, I haven't been a Clint Eastwood fan since I had the misfortune to meet him in person back in the late 70s.
I lived in a little college town in No. California, called Davis. Mr. Eastwood's dentist shared a duplex building with mine, so I always knew he was in town when the dental staff disappeared during one of my routine teeth-cleaning visits. My then-husband was a Sgt. with the UC Davis police department, and on one particular night, several from his shift gathered at a local eatery/pub, The Graduate. I received a phone call from him, all excited that Clint Eastwood was there and he wanted me to come down. Since I was with two other wives, we flipped a coin, and two of us went while the third (loser) stayed with the kids.
When we got to The Graduate, the guys were eager to approach the big star and offer to buy him a drink. After they hemmed and hawed about it and decided no one had the courage, I offered to do it. To me, movie stars are just people and I don't get all starry-eyed over them. I might salivate a little if they're really handsome, but since the Marlboro Man offered his autograph, I was a little turned off by people so taken with themselves.
Anyhow, I walked over to the bar, where Mr. Eastwood sat with a friend, and when I was sure they weren't in the middle of conversing, I tapped him on the shoulder. Instead of a friendly greeting, he turned around, gave me a dismissing wave, and said, "No autographs, please."
Really? I think I must have shook my head, but I do recall my exact words. "I don't want your autograph." At which time, he got a shocked look on his face. "I'm here for the big ol' cowards over in the corner. (I pointed) They're from the UC Police Dept, and they'd like to buy you a drink.
Okay, so now I expected him to at least be polite. He glared at me and said, "Why, so they can ticket me for drunk driving when I get in my car?" If he had smiled, I might have taken what he said as a joke, but he was just a rude bastard, in my opinion of course..either that or I injured his ego because I didn't want his autograph. I've never understood why people collect them. I could just as easily write his name on a piece of paper and tell people he signed it. How would they know?
That is a great story, Ginger! I was never a fan of Clint Eastwood myself. I don't know that I've met any movie stars (although my brother has as he is an air traffic controller at the local airport and meets many stars who fly in for Sundance not to mention the Osmonds he sees on a regular basis) but I did know an actor on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera (and other shows later on). He was a friend of the family in a roundabout way. We were super close to his parents. He was a pretty nice guy, just really crazy obsessive about music and proper tone.
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
DeleteI'm certain there are very nice stars out there, but I was really disappointed in Clint Eastwood. He was not only NOT in a hurry, but just plain rude, and I was a little taken aback when he assumed I wanted his autograph, but then I supposed when you're asked for one all day long, it's a safe assumption. *lol* I'm still shocked when people ask me to sign my books. :)
While I can understand why movie stars might get fed-up of being recognised etc, it seems to me that (a) they ought always to remember that they owe their fame to their fans and (b) politeness costs nothing. I met Martin Sheen a couple of years ago, and he was absolutely charming. I've heard he alwasy has time for his fans, even when he's running late, which is how it should be!
ReplyDeleteLike we authors owe our gratitude to those who buy our books, I would expected he would have been a little more polite to a potential film goer. I have to admit that I was so turned off by his behavior, I've not watched another Eastwood film to this day. Besides, I thought his "spaghetti westerns" were pretty shabby anyhow. :)
DeleteNice article, Miz Ging,
ReplyDeleteIf stars wanna remain stars, then they need to remember the little people and be nice to them. We are, after all, the ones who pay for the movie tickets. I have never been an Eastwood fan. I'd much rather watch a good old John Wayne western any day over an Eastwood one...Tabs
As usual, Tab, you and I are on the same page. Give me John Wayne any day. There was just something about the sexy swagger of a walk. *lol*
DeleteYes there sure is and Wayne could swagger with the best of them...Have a great day, my friend....Hugs...Tabs
ReplyDeleteJust in case any of you saw the earlier post and wondered what in the heck happened...I removed the free day for Hattie's Hero. I'm living in May already. The next free day is MAY 25th, not today. :) What can I say except, "Duh-uh?"
ReplyDeleteI've met actors that have only minor roles in films. Seems they are making more movies centered in Pittsburgh. All are friendly and the place where they store what they have to store for movie making in a building just down the hill from me.
ReplyDeleteI liked Clint Eastwood in "Play Misty for Me"--when he had hair, or a wig. The old, old, old film. Didn't care for the Dirty Harry character. Seems I can take him or leave him, the latter the most prominent.
I've seen a few of his movies, including Play Misty for Me, and I did like that one. My husband likes Clint movies. :) Like you, I can take or leave him, but I prefer leave at this point. :)
DeleteWell ... when visiting my sister Diane in CA ... we saw Barbara Strisand . .. my sister had gone to her home and said she was the nicest 'very warm' woman ...with no airs. Diane said her home was lovely, and also very homey . . . one you felt comfortable in. Barbara smiled,nodded and gave a small wave to us from a couple tables away, which I thought was nice.
ReplyDeletethat was Barbara Streisand... sheesh...long day ladies! :) Rita
ReplyDeleteLike, I said, there have got to be some personable stars out there who realize they wouldn't be where they are without fans, but I have to give them props for remaining nice when the media hounds the heck out of them. I can't imagine being afraid to step out the door without looking like a million bucks, risking appearing on the front page of the National Inquirer. *lol*
DeleteI met Mike Farrell from MASH years ago while speaking out against the death penalty in Nashville and got some photos as we spoke out. He is still out there against violence of the dp. I also met Sister Helen Prejean as we went on the Journey o Hope each year for two weeks of speaking out together at colleges and schools. I also met VERN, can't think of his real name off hand but he was pretty handsome when not making faces. I've also met Sam Reese Shepperd, of the Fugitive. It was his father who was put in prison for the murder of his mother and he's fought for years to clear his name. Ive met Sally Jesse Rapheal and Geraldo, Maury, and Rolonda of the talk shows that I've been on and this past year met the Disney actors when my grandson went through their actors school and we got photos of those as well... Shirley
ReplyDeleteWow Shirley, you've met a "gaggle" of famous peeps. You could write a pretty interesting blog about your talk show rounds. Interested? I'd love to host you.
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