Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Meeting Michael Douglas
I went to a meet and greet today to meet and greet Michael Douglas who had flown to Wisconsin from L.A. on behalf of Michael Bloomberg.
The meet and greet was in a couple’s house, an unpretentious place, with boxes of Starbucks coffee on the kitchen table along with Danish in plastic bags. It was friendly and homey like a PTA meeting (I think. I never actually went to one.)
For once, I was early so I was able to score one of two remaining seats in the living room while the later-comers stood crowded in the dining room and kitchen. I wouldn’t say I was all atwitter but it was pretty cool when Michael Douglas came through the door.
He is one very good looking guy. He is 75 and looks it, but he is, what we would say in Detroit, so fine. “He’s so fine….do lang, do lang, do lang.”
He made a great case for Michael Bloomberg – many stories, very personal, but also spot on in terms of progressive values and just a very high level of competence. I put my phone in my lap while he talked, hoping that he might look me in the eye. Still I got this picture.
Afterward there was picture taking with the fans. I was intense without being ridiculous, focused would be a better word. I was focused on getting to the front of the line. Then he decided we should all go outside where there was more room so the line reformed putting me back several people. So, I said to myself – you already have pictures of Michael Douglas. You don’t have to have your picture taken with him.
Yes. I do.
How am I going to leave without getting a picture with Michael Douglas? That would be insane.
So I took my triple chin and my musk ox fur smoke ring and walked up to meet him.
And then we posed for a picture. Except right when we were posing someone to his left asked him a question so we stood there for a full minute, posed. What I am saying here is that Michael Douglas’ hand was on my back for a full minute like we were pals at a cocktail party except I didn’t say anything except that I was astonished to be meeting him. I couldn’t have been more of a goonball.
But I did get a really good picture out of all of it. Along with several bumper stickers, three buttons, and a decision on who I’m supporting in the Democratic primary. So, it was quite a little afternoon.
23 Comments on “Meeting Michael Douglas”
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Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
Jan, it was James Cagney not Edward G. Robinson. I am still awed by Mr. Cagney chatting me up. 50 years ago, the REAL celebs, vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, would watch Boston TV for kicks. That opened the door for us local ‘celebs’. It was also a time when local anchors and reporters were treated as celebs by print entertainment reporters. There were “Q” ratings to determine our popularity. Some newspapers ran polls rating news people, ran stories about our private lives and tracked our social dalliances. It was so very surreal. Somehow, we still got the news out.
Hmm… I think YOU are the most famous person I’ve been in the same room with. Next time we meet will you pose for a picture with me?
Ha!
You’re on! And, we’ll have a glass of wine – at least – to celebrate!
That would be grand. Plus I need you to sign my book or your book. Well, you know what I mean.
Nancy, it would be my pleasure. Yes, you’ve made my day.
that’s wonderful and an amazing experience you’ll never forget
He still looks great. I met His dad, Kirk, –56 years ago! I was on a boat with Michael’s brother Joel for 4 months and when we got to L.A., Kirk came on the boat to meet him. I walked through one of the central meeting rooms on the boat to get from one side of the boat to the other and they were in there, talking…It was on the SS Ryndam, World Campus Afloat. I was 19. What an experience.
Dang.
A gal’s gotta do what a gal’s gotta do. I wish I’d done the same thing years ago when I met people and was too shy to ask for a picture — or even an autograph.
Reblogged this on Red's Wrap and commented:
This is for my friend Garry Armstrong – a guy who knows all the famous people there ever were – just to show him I met somebody famous once.
Jan, what a terrific story! So, you, my friend, also know LOTS of celebs. I always felt awkward asking for photos during my working days. Lots of regret there. I think the pics would’ve elevated the stories I now share. I also understand your emotions during your proximity to stars. For me, it was always so weird. I was the LOCAL celeb chatting up the BIG celeb. I never got over being a “fan boy” even during my prime years. I believe it stemmed from all my years watching movies. I was such a fan. I couldn’t help myself.
I recall seeing Patricia Neal on Martha’s Vineyard one summer. Now, I was already accepted as a local celeb on the Vineyard where many famous people are common sights and no big deal. But it WAS a big deal for me when spotting Ms. Neal. I excitedly whispered to Marilyn about Patricia Neal’s presence. Marilyn tried to calm me down. Long story short: We struck up a friendship with Patricia Neal. One day, Patricia Neal, Marilyn and I were strolling through the streets of Edgartown. I was walking ahead of the ladies who were sharing “girl talk” about men. I could hear the loud whispers in the crowd staring at us. “Look, there’s Patricia Neal!” “Look there’s Garry Armstrong and Patricia Neal. Cool!” I chuckled to myself about the celebrity thing.
Jan, it’s way cool!
My point exactly – you know everybody. More than that, somehow you become buds within minutes. I remember your story about Jimmy Cagney or was it the other tough guy – Edward G. Robinson? – who you met/interviewed and spent the day with. I remain in awe.
omg . he does it for me
Excellent photo, Jan; what an exciting day!
That must have been very cool. I am a South African, and we have nothing remotely like that in our country. Our politics are pretty abrasive and unpleasant.
Oh – our politics are pretty abrasive and unpleasant and getting worse by the minute. But, yes, it was very, very cool. 🙂
Jan, Congrats. I love your story as much as you enjoyed meeting Michael Douglas and getting TWO (?) pics with him. I know how hard that is to do. Did he mention his Dad at all?
Yes – he talked about his dad quite a bit – his burial had been the day before. He joked about getting his dad an IPad to Facetime family members and how it became a ‘nightmare bc his dad didn’t have a lot to do besides calling all of them’ – all very lovingly related.
How lucky and you were almost engaged after all that personal contact
Ps, Lucky you. 🌺 🌸
What a fabulous meet n greet… And a good picture too. Love your sense of humour.
VERY cool 😀 Depending on who I’m meeting, I usually lose the power of speech and just babble. I’m always impressed when someone can say something that isn’t gobbledygook in the presence of someone from Up There. and the second picture of the two of you is fabulous!!