20 Times People Had Casual Conversations With Celebrities Having No Idea Who They Were

The only difference between a celebrity and a normal, everyday citizen is that the former spends much time behind the camera. And while we may overreact when we meet them, it wouldn’t go amiss to behave casually with them as well. And this is what certain individuals did when they didn’t even realize that the person they were talking to was quite a big deal. As it turns out, the celebrities also played along- giving no hint that they could be someone popular. 

So let’s check out the top 20 times when people had extremely casual conversations with celebrities and had no idea about it. 

20 Times People Had Innocuous Conversations With Celebrities Without Any Idea

1. Presidential Confidentiality

“No, but I remember hearing Pres. George H.W. Bush tell a story about vising an old folks home and chatting with a pleasant older lady in a wheel chair. After a while he asked her, “Do you know who I am?” She replied, “Ask at the desk. They’ll know.” –Quora

2. The Southpaw That No One Recognized

“Yes, but not in so many words. One early Saturday morning, I took our German Shepherd with me to get gas in the car and pick up a few picnic essentials while my husband was still asleep. As I pulled up, I saw a fancy car and a couple of folks surrounding the driver, who was handing them over something. In a few minutes, they all left. As I was about to get back in my car, he walked up to me, and we exchanged trivial pleasantries. He complimented my dog for his looks, and asked: “Want my autograph?” Seriously! “Only if you want mine” I responded.

He pulled a calling card from his pocket, asked for my name, wrote something on the back, and handed it over back to me. Without looking I put it on the dashboard. I gave him a napkin, with my name written on it, and we bid farewell. At breakfast, I told my husband about my encounter with this chap and gave him the card. “My God! Are you crazy… you met him and didn’t even recognize him?” With “Who HE?” look on my face, I stared at my husband. The card was from Jamieson’s, the trendy bar and restaurant in the same block as our office, and the owner himself Sugar Ray Leonard … the boxing champion, had signed and written. on the back of the card: “Admit Raji, husband, and 10 guests for lunch/dinner/drinks. Carryout for German Shepherd.”” –Quora

3. The Lone Beatle

“I worked in a camera shop in my early years and someone came in to pick up a camera which was being repaired. I asked his name. It was Paul McCartney. He very politely gave me his name. No attitude whatsoever. I met him quite a few times after that and he was never other than a nice, genuine person.” –Quora

4. J-Law Has Never Been One For Show; Also, That’s One Date To Talk About

“I dated Jennifer Lawrence in 2008. I met her at a yoga class in Santa Monica. I had no idea who she was when I met her. I just thought she was cute and I started talking to her. She said I shouldn’t watch a lot of TV, and that she was on a crappy show on TBS. She ended up giving me a ride home from the class, and then I asked for her number. We went out a couple more times after that, but soon I learned that she was only 17 at the time. But it was cool to get to know her anyway. I lost touch with her after a few months since her career was starting to take off. Now it’s kind of a trip when I see her in movies.” –Quora

5. Meeting Johnny Cash Can Be Quite A Moment For People

“Well, I met one celebrity, and he didn’t quite say, “Do you know who I am?” Instead he just introduced himself. It was in the early 1960s and my father had driven 300 miles in the winter to see this man perform in the nearest “big” city to our small town. He had brought my brother and me with him. In the city, we stopped to get something to eat in a diner and, lo and behold, the man was there. My father, never shy, went over and asked him to say hello to my brother and myself.

So he came over and said, “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.” My brother and I were quite shy at that age, and couldn’t look him in the eye. He reached into his pockets and pulled out two guitar strings and gave one to my brother and one to me. So, I never got the chance to say I didn’t know who he was — he pre-empted that possibility. That’s my one fleeting moment of a meeting with celebrity.” –Quora

6. When Has Sean Connery NOT Been Good-Looking?

“I was about 18 working at a store in Carmel Ca. This was 30 years ago. A guy came in and brought his stuff up to the counter to check out. I asked for ID when he gave me his credit card to pay and I said thank you, he said “you don’t know who I am do you?” I said no sorry. I read his name again, Sean Connery, went home and told my mom and she freaked out! She had a huge crush on him! I had no idea. He was a good-looking older man tho.” –Quora

7. Some Would Say Meeting Jeff Goldblum Was A Truly Jurassic Moment

“My wife did. We were staying in Vancouver, BC for a short vacay at a nice hotel where a lot of celebrities apparently stay when they’re filming. She went down to the hotel gym and rode the elevator up with Jeff Goldblum. She knew he was some actor, but all she managed to say was, “You’re the guy from the Apple commercials, right?” (this dates the encounter). He said, “Yes, I am.” And she said that her husband (me) would be frustrated that she didn’t get a name (this whole time she’s showing him around the hotel gym).

To which he resopnds, “Jeff…….” and then she says, “Yeah, sorry…….” And then he tells her the full name. The kicker to this story is that she comes back up to the room after her workout and says to me, “I met a celebrity in the gym!” I’m like, “ok, cool. Who was it?” And then says, “Jeff GOLDMAN.” I’m like, “Who?” “JEFF GOLDMAN.” I’m all, “Yeah, I don’t know who that is.” And then she says, “The Apple commercial guy!” And then I’m like, “You mean JEFF GOLDBLUM.” “YES! THAT’S RIGHT!”” –Quora

8. The OG Rolling Stones

“I was getting my hair cut at a Fantastic Sams in a small town in Santa Barbara County in CA. The girl who cuts my hair is originally from Mexico and obviously must not ever have listened to rock music. She told me that this man came in to have his hair cut. He was very nice she said. After he paid, he went outside and returned with a guitar. He started singing to her.

After he left, she couldn’t figure out what the big fuss about him was. Her co-worker asked her if she knew who he was. In her heavy accent she said she was told he was someone very famous. “Hees name is Meek Yagger”. That would be Mick Jagger. She said she was very embarrassed that he sang to her in front of her coworkers. He didn’t ask her “Do you know who I am” but I think he could tell she didn’t know and it was likely a rare moment for him. Just a guess on that though.” –Quora

9. When One Meets Derek Zoolander, One Also Meets Asian Jim

“I work in media production, and in 2009 we were producing a corporate video for the big Walmart Annual Meeting. They always bring in a big star to host, and that year it was Ben Stiller. So Ben rolls into Fayetteville Arkansas with a modest entourage, and we quickly whisk him out to the local Walmart where we are shooting a little comic piece, with Ben playing a cashier. It was a very loose setup, and we were moving fast, since the big show was the next morning and we had to shoot and edit this piece before we slept that night.

We had grips and makeup people posing as customers, and Ben asked one of his traveling companions, an older guy named Jeff to join the fun and man the cash register behind him. Jeff suited up in a Walmart shirt, and we got the shots. As we started to wrap, the production assistant made the rounds and got signed releases from everyone that appeared on camera. She brought back the release from Ben’s friend Jeff The Cashier with her jaw practically dragging on the floor. It was filled out correctly and completely and signed…..Jeffery Katzenberg. We were all big film buffs and we worked in the industry, but you just don’t expect to see someone of that stature traveling under the radar, so NONE of the crew had recognized him. You can clearly see Mr. Katzenberg working the register behind Ben in this old picture.”” –Quora

10. Working At A Bar Is A Straight Up Pandora’s Box

“I was working as a barman on Rockey street in 1994. I had finished my shift and had gone to the bar next door called Rockerfellas for a beer. I walked in, walked past this very drunk English guy, went inside, and sat down next to his 2 mates. Struck up a conversation. They told me they were English, I told them I was French, blah blah blah… I noticed a group of very attractive ladies looking at them and I informed them but they seemed oblivious to it. The one guy told me they were their groupies. I said, “Really? Are you in a band?”… “Yes, Depeche Mode, maybe you’ve heard of us?” Was the answer… FACEPALM… I was rather embarrassed, and started asking stupid questions… But I did get an autograph from them.

And just squirmed away. The epic thing was going home. My GF always knew that I’d have a couple of beers after work but never really stayed up that late. So when I got home, “I guess you’ve been pissing it up with your drunken friends?”, “Yes, Depeche Mode, with a slight grin on my face. She didn’t believe me until I gave her the autograph and she asked my drunken friends that had seen me sit with Martin and Alan. Dave was outside drinking with other ppl.” –Quora

11. The Evergreen Peter Sellers

“Back in the early sixties in England, I was a receptionist in a high end car showroom. One day a gentleman strode up to my desk and I greeted him with a smile and said “Good morning.” He didn’t return my greeting but said in a very terse manner. “I want to see Mr. Xx” Mr. Xxx was the sales manager for the Aston Martin. His rudeness irked me so I smiled at him and asked for his name, knowing full well who he was. He said. “Don’t you know who I am?” He was obviously cross that I didn’t recognize him, smile got wider as I told him I had no idea who he was. “I am Peter Sellers.” “Do you spell that with a C or an S?” I asked as l picked up the phone to ring Mr. Xx. Mr Sellers didn’t reply.” –Quora

12. Meeting Celebrities In Los Angeles Might Not Be As Big A Thing It Is Elsewhere

Brad Pitt and I happened to catch the same elevator. His appearance was different than I had remembered from Ocean’s Eleven. He said “hello” and asked how my day was going and we made small talk about the weather. We got off on the same floor and he wished me a nice day. Awkwardly enough, we were headed in the same direction, got tied up by security, and walked up on some women self-detonating. Shortly after, a few paparazzi ran up and began snapping pictures. I immediately covered my face because I’ve had groups of people behave like that (from China/Korea/Japan) by walking up to me, touching my hair, and taking pictures without asking.

I knew I was absolutely not important and was puzzled by the situation. I just don’t understand the unnecessary hype of “celebrity gossip.” Being nosy and making small talk, I asked security what was going on as Mr. Pitt stood there. The guy didn’t respond and seemed taken aback by the question. I heard some more women sprinting up to Mr. Pitt and screaming his name. He ignored them, looked at me and said “have a nice day” (fist bump included), and darted off.

After Mr. Pitt left I was asked if I “knew who that man was” and I said, “not at first.” Offended, the women huffed away and the scene became peaceful. *I live in L.A. Maybe it’s a big deal if you don’t live where “famous folk” live, but I don’t get the hype. If Mr. Pitt opened his wallet and handed me $1000 risk-free, maybe I would detonate. Until then, I’ll mind my own business.” –Quora

12. How Do You Stop One From Venturing Into Their Own Museum?

“Not to me but to a friend of mine. Many years ago this friend got a job working in the gift shop at The Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. One day a gentleman walked in and looked around a bit, then he went over to the elevator and pressed the button. She said, “Excuse me sir but that elevator is for members only, do you have your card?” He looked slightly uncomfortable and then said “I’m sorry, I don’t have my card, but I just wanted to have a look at my collection”. It was, of course, Nelson Rockefeller. My friend suddenly realized that and was mortified, but, she said he was really very nice about it.” –Quora

13. Julia Stiles Had Her Beliefs In Place Ever Since She Was A Child

“It’s actually worse than that. I had a friend who ran a shop called Judith Stiles Pottery. At the time, I was about 26, barely surviving in NYC, working as an actor in experimental downtown theatre pieces. I never had money to buy any of Judith’s pieces, but I lived in the neighborhood and used to hang out at the store. One day, she had some errands to run and asked if I would watch her ten-year-old daughter.

So I’m talking with her daughter, who tells me she wants to be a movie star. Having been rejected multiple times auditioning, I tell her that while that’s a wonderful goal, it’s very very hard to do, and maybe she should find some other things she likes just in case. She got very indignant and told me she was going to be a big star. Yes, I spent the better part of an hour patronizing Julia Stiles.” –Quora

14. Keith Richards Is Truly A Trip

“I was drinking in a bar on a private island in the Caribbean over the Christmas break and Keith Richards walked in and sat down next to me. I’m 22 at the time and Keith is one of my idols but I was also nursing a terrible hangover. About 12 hours earlier, after blacking out at Welcome to the Johnson’s on the Lower East Side, I came to on the floor of a commercial jetliner with the disembodied voice on the intercom requesting a doctor for one of the passengers. To my utter embarrassment that passenger turned out to be me. When I arrived on this tropical island I discovered that I’d mostly packed winter coats and no cigs for some odd reason.

Anyway, Keith seemed to have an endless supply of smokes so we got to chatting and the next thing I knew we were about 6 drinks deep. This was half a decade before he fell out of the coconut tree and he was still raging pretty hard. He had a dry wit and was quite the raconteur just as I’d always imagined. At some point in the night though as the alcohol crept up on us the banter seemed to take a dark turn. After correcting him about something that seemed totally asinine he started poking his boney finger in my face and shouting, “do you know who I am, kid”.

I kinda thought he was joking cuz I clearly did know who I’d been talking with for the last 2 hours so I responded by asking if he was the star of that Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Long story long, he basically threatened to cut my head off and stormed out of the bar. The next day around 10 am I ran into him in a gift shop and he told me he was gonna buy out the shop so I couldn’t have anything. Then he asked if I was ready to start drinking with him again. The man was and still is a true legend.” –Quora

15. Faye Dunaway Is Not The Easiest Of People To Deal With

“Quite the opposite. Many years ago, during the holiday season when a store I managed on Fifth Ave. in NY was open until midnight, a young woman came in just before closing. She was soaked head to toe, wore flip-flops, and a trench coat over what looked like pajamas. I thought she might be homeless and seeking shelter from the driving rain outside. She picked out about a hundred dollars worth of items and wanted to pay by check with no ID.

When told, politely, that it wasn’t possible, she argued for what seemed like twenty minutes before finally accepting my offer to hold the items for her until she could return with ID. The next day her housekeeper came in with the check and her employer’s identification. The name on the check was Faye Dunaway. I was a fan of her movies and if she had just name-dropped her own name, I would have seen it was her and taken her check.” –Quora

16. Maria Osmond was Apparently Very Nice To OP

When I was 8 (1985), I was diagnosed with acute intermittent porphyria and spent a couple of months in Children’s Hospital at Stanford the next year.

We were very poor but had pretty good insurance (CHAMPUS —, for military dependents, dad was Air Force) but it paid slooooooowly. And didn’t pay for everything. Since I was healthy looking, and when not having an acute attack could do almost anything any other nine-year-old could do (it took several months from being first diagnosed to CHS admission) they offered to have me in a commercial to pay a large portion of what CHAMPUS wouldn’t. So, I’m in this studio set up like a test room, I’m going to be walking on a treadmill with a breathing mask thing, and in walks this pretty lady wearing the same jelly bracelets I’m wearing, in the same way. And I get VERY excited — she’s the first adult I’d ever seen wear them that way.

We talk about the bracelets, how best to wear them, then she asked, “What are you in in for?” and listened patiently as I tried to explain what porphyria was, what it did, and how much it hurt. She cried a bit, I hugged her, the director comes in and I’m expecting her to leave — I thought she was just a babysitter… The lady doesn’t leave. I say something like, “Oh, are you another patient?” She looks very amused. “They didn’t tell you who I am? You’re probably a little young to recognize me.” Maria Osmond. She was SERIOUSLY nice to a little kid in a lot of pain. She actually was a pen pal for the rest of the time I was in the hospital.” -Quora

17. The OG God Of Rap- Tupac

“Back in about 1996, I was vacationing in the Cabo San Lucas area. I got up early in the morning to go for a walk and went into town, which was largely deserted. As I was walking by some different bars and restaurants, I heard music playing and was curious about what was going on, so I walked into the building. Went I walked in, I looked further and saw about 20–30 really beautiful African American ladies that were dressed to the nines. At about that time, a young AA man walked out of the area and smiled at me, and said “hello”. I said hello back and asked him what was going on with the music and girls… He said, “We’re shooting a video for MTV”.

I told him that I thought that was really awesome and that I was happy about his success. Then I asked him if minded me asking for his name. He said, not at all… When he gave me his name, I thought he said 6-pack… I was embarrassed and admitted to him that I wasn’t familiar with his music. He said that it was ok and then he wished me good luck and an enjoyable stay during my vacation and left. He was super nice, squared away, and pleasant. Looking back, it kills me that I wasn’t able to get a selfie with him because I wasn’t familiar with his music. But I’ll never forget what a pleasant experience it was to chat with him. I wish he was still with us. RIP Tupac.” –Quora

18. Courtney Love Was Definitely Entitled

“Yes indeed, I was at an atm waiting with a few people in an orderly line. When a luxury car pulls up behind and the driver leaves the car running. Out pops a scary-looking lady with large shades. She somehow stumbles towards the front of the line and says, “Excuse me, I’m very important and famous, you all don’t mind me skipping to the front?” No one answered and some even looked away ignoring her. I was second to last and she comes up to me.

Takes her shades off and says, “You look like a gentlemen, you know who I am, may I just get some quick cash…” I politely replied, “No idea who you are mam, but I’d be no gentleman if I’d let you go in front of all these people patiently waiting.” She storms off and gets back in her lux car then proceeds to flip me off. The lady behind me then asks, “How do you feel being flipped off by Courtney Love?” I replied, “Like a gentleman.”” –Quora

19. RIP Queen Elizabeth- You Kept It Real

“A few years back we took my horse-mad daughter to the Royal Windsor horse show for her 8th birthday. We spent the morning watching various showing classes, watching army & police horses strut their stuff much to the enjoyment of my daughter. I noticed one of the showing classes had a little more audience than most so we wandered over. As we got closer I saw standing watching Queen Elizabeth, Prince Andrew & her daughter Princess Anne. All three were dressed down for want of a better description wearing wax jackets, and Wellington boots with both the Queen of the UK & her daughter Princess Anne wearing their typical country headscarf.

It turns out one of the Queen’s own bred horses were in said showing class. I leaned down to my daughter & discreetly pointed out “Look over there babe, that is the Queen. Go and stand a little closer so I can get a picture”. My daughter looked to where I was pointing rolled her eyes and said in her loudest voice “What that old lady? Don’t be silly mum that’s not the Queen! She isn’t even wearing a crown”! Needless to say, we didn’t get our picture but we do still laugh about it to this day. My daughter is now 22, still horse mad with 4 horses of her own, and halfway through a master’s degree training to be a veterinarian equine physio.” -Quora

20. Billy Joel Was All Class

“One day back in the 90s, I happened to be sitting next to Billy Joel. A stranger walked in and started to strike up a conversation, apparently without any clue about whom I was sitting next to. They chatted briefly about the pop music that was playing overhead. At the end of the conversation the man turned to Mr Joel and said, “Hey, by the way, has anybody ever told you, you look kinda like Billy Joel?”

Mr. Joel grinned and nodded politely, then coyly responded, “Ha! Yeah, yeah! I get that a lot!” The other man smiled and then followed: “Well, I bet you WISH you were Billy Joel…. ‘Cause then you’d be married to Christie Brinkley!” Without missing a beat, Mr. Joel simply played along and let out a thunderous laugh: “Ha! That’s right! Wouldn’t THAT be something! Sure wish that was me!!!” I so wish Christie Brinkley had walked in at that moment…” -Quora

So, what was your favorite interaction with a celebrity? Write to us in the comments!

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