When Alda’s daughter was going to Wesleyan, he and his wife would come in [weekends] to the gourmet store we managed.
Of course people gravitated to him and asked for autographs. He refused. Saying he would shake their hand, rather than give an autograph.
He came across as very snotty and arrogant; OTOH, his wife [a photographer?] was always lovely.
Wish the limousine liberal well, in spite of his disagreeable personality and wacko politics.
FWIW, Alan Arkin, who also came in frequently [his wife kept horses in the next town over] is a most delightful person. Down-to-earth and very, very agreeable. Exact opposite to Alda.
I am sorry to hear that.
I had an uncle who was in charge of maintenance for a large hotel where many celebrities stayed. He had far too many stories like yours of those who were less than approachable and civil.
My uncle had an elevator confrontation with Yul Brynner over his superior attitude that is still the stuff of legend in the local hospitality industry.
His favorite was Anita Bryant. Said she could not have been nicer to the hotel staff.