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 By Patrick Hurley July 1, 2006 Over the years I have had the experience of meeting those who are in the public spotlight. Here is my personal take on the ones that stand out in my mind.... PETE ROSE I got his autograph when he was still playing for the Reds. His team had just lost a heartbreaker to the Giants because he dove and couldn't come up with the catch. My cousin and I were waiting out by the player's gate. Pete, brash as always, signed my piece of paper and when I told him, "Tough game, Pete!" He responded, "Yeah, I had that ball and when I hit the f***ing Astro turf it bounced out of my glove!" We all started laughing and he shot us a smile. Competitive all the way. That was Peter Edward Rose. It is a shame to see what has happened in his life since. MERYL STREEP I was working at a television station in Chicago and she showed up in the hallway with her baby daughter. I went over and said hello and made those scrunchy expressions with my face that babies seem to laugh at. Meryl was absolutely delightful. One of the nicest movie stars I have ever met. She just kept smiling at me and we had a wonderful visit. It is refreshing to see something with talent be so gracious. MARK HAMILL I met "Luke Skywalker" when he came on one of my talk shows in Los Angeles. I was expecting a gentle, sweet guy like the one he played in, "Star Wars." Nope. Mark was all BUSINESS as he talked about this deal and that deal and was much more intense and professional than I imagined he would be. He was a nice guy, but blunt. VERY blunt. JAY LENO I love Jay! We sat in a lobby together waiting to audition for a doughnut commercial. He had me laughing so hard I thought I was going to pee in my pants! One of the funniest guys I have ever known. He talked straight for an hour. It was a one way conversation. I was so relaxed, I beat him out for the commercial. A couple of years later, he succeeded Johnny Carson. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy! RONALD REAGAN I met him at a luncheon at my college. He was 45 minutes late and we were all sitting there when he walked in. He LIT up the room! The man was dripping with charisma. After he sat down, since I worked for an assemblyman who was one of his friends, I was escorted up to the head table and was allowed to say hello. He looked me right in the eye and said, "It's nice to meet you." He meant it. He had that kind of sincerity about him. I will never forget that moment forever. MAGIC JOHNSON We had Earvin on my television show, too. I still have the video from that day. I asked him to tell me about the toughest thing that had ever happened to him. He gave me THREE experiences. (this was pre-HIV) He said, "Losing my best friend in high school who was murdered, blowing out my knee with the Lakers and being blamed for getting our coach fired." At the end of the interview, he surprised me by reaching over and giving me a big hug. He was one of the most charming people on the planet. One minute he wasn't going to give us the interview, the next minute he is hugging me and challenging my softball team to play his team. A very complex character. BILLIE JEAN KING I was dating a girl who adored Billie Jean so I waited outside a trailer in Phoenix during a Virginia Slims tournament to get her autograph. She came out and signed it with a big smile. Very down to earth. Very humble. I liked her. Of course, a year earlier I had rooted for Bobby Riggs in, "The Tennis Battle of the Sexes!" But, I didn't tell her that, I was afraid she would beat me up! THE DUKES OF HAZZARD I met them when I was working on, "Kids are People, Too!" in New York. They came on the show and I will just say this; one of them is an absolute prince. The other one is a conceited jerk. I will let you guess who is who... AMY GRANT I thought she would be stuck up and into herself. Not a chance. One of the most gracious and open women I have ever met. She is as sweet as pie. It was refreshing to meet a Christian singing artist who really wanted to please God. REVEREND BILLY GRAHAM By far, the most incredible person I have ever met. He is humble, gracious, charismatic, anointed and genuine in person. I did stand up comedy at a Crusade for him and we had a chance to sit down in his hotel room for a brief meeting. Praying with him was as dynamic as listening to him preach his sermon. He is one man that makes me glad I am going to heaven. God has prepared a special place for him. I have dozens of other famous people, but these are the ones that stand out. I have met some that were less than gracious, but I will keep that experience to myself. I will assume they were having a bad day. I will add that Ted Turner is as daring as he is crazy, but charming. The real size of Ted Kennedy's head is staggering in real life! Linda Gray, who played, "Sue Ellen" on, "Dallas," is one of the sweetest and fun women on the planet. Jerome "The Bus" Bettis is gentle and kind in real life but I would never want to try and tackle him! Walter Payton was shy to the point of seeming arrogant, but, just very reserved. And, Fred Savage, the kid from, "The Wonder Years" was in one of my first comedy specials as an eight year-old. He was talented back then and so hyper I almost drugged him! Just ordinary people with an extraordinary gift. It was fun meeting them... ------------ About the author: Pat Hurley has won three Emmy awards for writing, hosting and producing television shows. He resides in Southern California. Email: coolhumor@sbcglobal.net Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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