I was walking past the US Capitol and there was a man out front in safari clothes. I asked him, “Aren’t you Mark Russell?” and he asked back, “Aren’t you a Marine?” He said, “Let me show you something.” He rolled up his sleeve and showed me his USMC tattoo. We chatted a few minutes and he signed an autograph for me. Fun.
Tom Landry - great man, humble person. The only time I ever saw him mad was when Jerry Jones’ minions flew down to Austin, hopped a helicopter to the golf course, called him in from his golf game just to tell him he’s fired.
Earl Campbell - gentle giant. Very nice, easy going guy. And boy could he crush a golf ball.
Willie Nelson - stoned out of his mind so he was very laid back cool.
Jerry Jeff Walker - drunk. Made him quite intolerable.
That’s about it and far as famous goes.
Jim Robinson in Oct 1998 and again when he was in DC protesting Obamacare!
He is the most influential man I have ever met!
Jimmy Carter
In DC - Tony Snow in Drs. office elevator.
William Sessions, he and I were almost killed Jay walking.
Gerald Ford campaigning.
Carlton Sickles, ‘father’ of the DC Metro.
At airports have said ‘hi’ to a few politicians, actors and TV anchors - don’t remember their names.
Neil Armstrong
Dottie West - very, very nice person, who treated everyone as if they had something important to say. Again, I was a teen, so this made a big impact.
Tommy Overstreet - at the time, "That's Where My Woman Begins" was big on the chart. He and his band were high energy, good humored, fun to work with.
Red Steward, Red Foley, the Collins Sisters. Seemed rather jaded and aloof to me.
My parents had a country music band. Mom had recorded some singles and an album, and was trying to break into the "big time". So, Dad worked with various promoters to bring in some of the big names, and our band was the opening act. A local group would sell tickets in exchange for the profits from the show. Most fun group were the square dancers, who arranged an after-show party at a local supper club for Tommy Overstreet and his band. Good times.
Frank Carney (founder of Pizza Hut)
Dick Armey
Charley Pride
Terrill Owens
Roy Blunt
John Bolton (he was speaking at our synagogue and I had the absolute pleasure to exchange a few words with this brilliant guy) and Anthony Weiner (we were both in a hardware store buying stuff and he complimented me on obviously being very handy).
The Gipper.
Bob Marley...was a friend of our music teacher in 3rd grade.
Darryl Hall John Oates Michael Myers...sat at a table with them in a small jazz club where their friend GE Smith was headlining. I had no idea who they were at first, we were sitting at a table front row center with a dozen people,I bought the table PooPoo platters and egg rolls and Mai Tais, after a few rounds my wife whispered in my ear, "Aren't those guys famous?", that's when I stopped buying rounds! They were really nice people, we had a great time.
Ronald Reagan
Madelaine Halfbright and Jack Hanna. Sat next to both on airplanes. Hanna was very personable to all who recognized him. Nobody recognized and/or acknowledged Albright. I thought that was funny. LOL.
I was helping a friend at the Benton Evening Post in Benton, IL when I noticed a picture on an employee’s desk of her and John Malkovich hugging in front of the Eiffel tower. I thought it was funny, thinking she was a fan. It turned out to be Malkovich’s mother (Great lady). Sometime later, I met him briefly. Because of this chance meeting, I was able to briefly meet Gary Sinese, as both are founding members of Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago, while Sinese was doing Streetcar (great performance).
Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Corrie ten Boom
Mitsuo Fuchida (Japanese commander who led the attack on Pearl Harbor, later became a Christian, amazing testimony)
Brother Andrew, God’s Smuggler
Got groped by Stein Erickson at a Deer Valley function when he was in his late 70s. My boyfriend introduced me to him, and he tried to cop a feel. Cocky, that one!
The most famous person I met was Danny D. Vito.
He wasn’t Danny DeVito. But just some guy who had a first name Danny and middle initial D. and last name of Vito.
Worked in sports and media so I will name a few of my favorites and least favorites. There will be some surprises.
Sports Favorites
Tony Dungy(everything you’d expect; amazing guy)
Bobby Richardson
Bob Knight
Yogi Berra
Drew Brees
Gene Chizik
Benjamin Watson (can be POTUS one day if he chooses)
Joe Gibbs
Emmitt Smith
Deanna Favre (Brett’s wife is awesome)
Sports Least Favorites
Nick Saban
Urban Meyer
Glen Mason
Media Favorites
Alan Colmes - just a really nice guy regardless of his politics
Jay Leno
Hoda Kotb
Robin Roberts
Mike Golic
Sage Steele
Marv Albert
Brooke Baldwin
Brian Kilmeade
Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Media Least Favorites
Ann Coulter - wasn’t rude but off the air she’s just like she is on the air and it’s exhausting. She’s crude too.
Matt Lauer
Tamron Hall
David Letterman - aloof