I’ve come across a few famous people in my life. Having attended various science fiction conventions, I’ve seen (and sometimes met) people like George Takei and James Doohan, of course. I saw Gene Roddenberry and actually got to ask him a question. I watched President Reagan give a speech in Boston. I saw Former House Speaker, the bulbous-nosed Tip O’Neil on Capitol Hill. And I saw Jamie Lee Curtis in a bookstore down the street from work. But these pale before my real brush with greatness.
A few years ago, I attended the wedding of a friend in Chicago. I flew into O’Hare, attended the wedding and returned to O’Hare for my flight home.
As I was in the restroom washing my hands, a guy walked in and started to wash his hands close by. With a start of recognition, I realized it was “TV funnyman” Andy Richter. Cool beans! Andy Richter is awesome.
He kind of nodded at me while I stood there trying to decide if I should say anything. I’m not sure if he could tell I recognized him. It was a few months after the cancellation of “Andy Richter Controls the Universe” (one of the greatest sitcoms of the last 20 years) and I thought of asking him if the series was going to DVD. Would that be too sensitive a subject? And what should I call him? Mr. Richter? Andy? Big Andy? I couldn’t decide. Unfortunately, the creepiness of approaching him in a bathroom dissuaded me from saying anything. I walked out and he came out a minute later.
I quietly tailed him as he went to Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant and sat down with a couple of other people. The moment lost, I went on my way.
I’d like to say that I shook his hand and complimented his work. I’d like to say I got his autograph or took a picture with him. Alas, I can only say that I saw him and then stalked him to a restaurant. I am proud of the fact that I didn’t act like an obsessive fan boy and bother him while he was in the restroom.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
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