I helped make somebody a Hollywood Star. And yet I live, ever so humbly. I wrote a play in college in’91 and handpicked three people from my class to star in it. They didn’t act on stage, just read the script in a workshop. I don’t even remember the name of it — but still! I only just remember that one of the characters was insane — of course.
After starring in my blockbuster play, Famke Janssen developed a very successful movie career for which I totally take credit. I had no idea then that she was getting into acting. I saw her on the big screen for the first time in the X-Men. “My protégé!” I cried, pointing at the screen.
Famke was nice. I liked Famke, but Famke never gave me credit for catapulting her to success. Famke hasn’t thanked me.
If her ship starts sinking and mine begins doing whatever it is that ships do when they sail very well, would I offer her a lifeboat? Of course I’d offer her a lifeboat – I molded her career for goodness sake – remember in the World of Suzie Wong, Suzie Wong she kept saying this – in that cute Chinese accent — “For goodness sake!” What a racist movie, but for the life of me I just love saying that. Nancy Kwan rules!
Really, I don’t think Famke Janssen’s ship would sink and would never wish for it to sink.
Kiss kiss on both cheeks to Famke Janssen – well hell, all four cheeks – this post is called “Celebrity butt kissing series” for goodness sake!
Long live the beauteous Famke Janssen!
What celebrity encounters have you had? Do you know Famke Janssen?
1800ukillme 
Thank you for giving Famke her career. X-Men and Nip/Tuck would not be the same without you.
I once flew with a local news anchor from San Antonio. Does that count?
Why you’re very very welcome Jon! I’d say it counts as a celebrity encounter. News anchors are like Elvis Presley where I come from. With their fabulously coifed hair and tidy suits — of course of course… You lucky devil you!
I think this guys was in sweats and crocs. Some reason I don’t really feel lucky. I guess that’s what happens when you run into Texas Anchors.
Well, the new year’s a ‘comin’ — maybe you’ll have a better celebrity encounter. I’m rooting for you!
Yes!!
Rob Zombie walked *right* by me at a concert… and I didn’t try and touch him….(like everyone else was doing)… Does that count?
Why I think it counts — touching or not…
I see Johnny Depp in my dreams haha does that count?!?
Oh — BB — this would be three-dimensional stars I’m afraid 🙂
Let’s see… Once I sat right next to a very famous Colombian Comic on a plane. Álvaro Lemmon is his name. Sadly, the flight was only 40 minutes long but we had a hoot. It was from my hometown to Bogota. I was on my way back to Canada as I was already living here.
A couple of years ago, I was at this bar and ran into Cuba Gooding Jr. I didn’t even know he was in town shooting a movie with Christian Slater. That was fun. We looked into each other’s eyes and then he looked down to his drink. I let him be. The bar manager told me movie stars like going out in Canada because Canadians are so polite, we don’t bother them so they can relax and have fun.
that’s about it for y claim to fame 🙂
That’s cool that you actually got to talk to Alvaro Lemmon!
Yep, that was a very fun flight.
Happy New Year!
She’s got nerve, huh? Never thanking the person who launched her career…? haha!
My list of celebrity encounters is way too long. I’ll keep it short – I grew up with Vanessa Williams. She was in my dance classes and in my high school. I was even at her house one time. We traveled with the same group of friends.
My last encounter was with the Allstate insurance guy. (The guy with the deep voice?) I think I’m going to do a post about him. We had more than one encounter at a hotel in Austin, recently. He was very tall and handsome in person – I think he had his personal assistant with him but that didn’t stop him from making chit-chat with me at the valet and over breakfast. Mmm-hmm. I even looked to see if he had a ring! haha!
I don’t know Lisa — this may be the start of something with the Allstate guy… Wouldn’t that be something!
I remember you mentioning Vanessa Williams — wow you knew her back when right before her naked days!
Yup! I totally did. Do you know the Allstate guy I’m talking about? He was sort of dreamy and the idea that if I married him we would always have insurance is a real turn on! haha!
This is the tall black gentleman who played the president in another series, I’m thinking. I don’t remember his name. You’d make a good couple! That would be sweet!
YES!! He’s very handsome in real life.
I didn’t think he could get any handsomer 🙂
I was just thinking how good you’d look together — two good-looking people, and both tall.
Thank you. He struck up a conversation with me while we were waiting for our cars to be pulled around. We had some real laughs because my car was a little clunky and embarrassing. He tried to make me feel better. Very kind. Then, when I went to breakfast the next day he was sitting across from me in close proximity. I looked up and there he was! we both exchanged smiles and a, “good-morning.” Hmmm….. Perhaps I need to contact his agent and send him a little note. tee hee.
I think you should send him a note. You never know Lisa — just sayin’…
Way to go you! Live the life of quiet confidence and then smile smugly knowing you made her. Job well done!
That’s how I roll!
I remember Famke from “Nip Tuck.” Did you ever see that one? She was a transgender in that and was quite brilliant. So, you did good, Sandee! I took a ballet class from a famous ballerina, Gelsey Kirkland. That’s about it! But husband got a call from President Clinton once (when he was President). We got invited to his speech!
I saw Famke in ‘Nip Tuck.’ Talk about a bizarre show (and yet, I watched it…)
I loved, loved that show!! Yes, talk about pushing the limits. They pushed that show as far as they possibly could. The writer of that show now does “American Horror Story,” which I like but is way dark. Probably the darkest show on TV.
I like ‘American Horror Story’ but yeah, it’s certainly on the dark side.
I LOVE American Horror story! … PS- I’m perfectly sane 😉
Yeah, being a doctor I’ll bet it must have struck an interesting chord. I’ve never seen that one either. Maybe I’ll do a Famke Janssen week on netflix sometime, get to see my protege’s complete works.
I heard about that transgender roll. I’d be interested to see that.
Wow — BC huh? He’s something that Bill Clinton — I saw him in person — I’ve said it before — the charisma was very very palpable.
Well, at the very least, she should have introduced you to her ‘Taken’ and ‘Taken 2’ costar, Liam Neeson. The nerve!
Thank you for revealing that you were Famke’s Svengali. Back in the day, Richard Lewis and George Stephanopoulos both flirted with me. It felt awkward because I’m queer as a nine dollar bill, I had zero interest in either of them, and they were both nice guys. Oh, why couldn’t it have been Angelina Jolie?
Well the new year’s coming — maybe a brush with Angelina Jolie’s in the cards! We can all hope…
I don’t know Ms. Jansen, but I used to have a girlfriend who was tickled by her first name, which apparently means “girl.”
Yes I think I read that her name means that in her Wikepedia page. “Girl” Janssen was actually very cool in person. I think it’s why I thought to ask her to read in my play. I didn’t even know that she had been a model, actress — any of that — she was indeed humble.
🙂
😀 😀
Way to go!!!! 🙂
If only some of her luck in the career of her choice would rub off on me! 🙂
O I believe it will Sandee… and in the meantime think of yourself as a sort of King maker! 😉
That’s so sweet — thanks so much for the kind words!
Kind words or truth? Think about it dear, its your unspoken talent that boosts others. Be proud of that! 🙂
Besides you making it to the big leagues, i look forward to you having such a profound impact in the life of another like Famke 😉
Aw thank you! I’ll take what you say to heart for sure…
Gotta say, Famke’s hot. Happy New Year, Sandee. Looking forward to seeing you in 2013!
I agree! Happy New Year to you and your family Stacie! xoxo
Yay! Sandee The Star Maker! I’ve encountered a real Prince… didn’t get to the kissing part. And a famous magician. There was a crowd between his third and fourth cheek.
‘A crowd between his third and fourth cheek’ — hahaha!
Never heard of her – Happy New Year!
Hehehe! She’s a nice woman from the Netherlands. Happy New Year!
Hah after seeing Taken 2 I thought about what a weird name Famke is. But I guess if you have a pretty face, you can have any name you want! But yeah you basically launched her career and made her who she is today.
Famke is rather exotic — the name that is. Put that with a pretty face and voila — instant star — with my help, course 😉
You are to be commended. Could you write me a children’s book and make my illustrations famous? please;)
Done! 😀
Color me impressed. If you write something for me and I get famous, I will give you all the credit. My must recent brush with fame was a couple weeks ago when LeVar Burton responded to and retweeted a tweet I sent out. It was pretty much the coolest thing ever. I am a fan.
Wow — so there is something to tweeting huh?! Wonder what he’s up now. At least he took the time to pay attention to your message.
You should have drawn up a ‘Royalty Contract” with her before she became famous! lol but then you’d be drawing up contracts with everyone you meet 😉
Years ago I worked for the BBC so met a lot of actors, you’d probably go “Huh?’ if I mentioned names but I did meet Brian Blessed once. He was in Flash Gordon! Remember that? Now I’m really showing my age! He was great like a cuddle teddy bear! lol
I had a problem with one actor’s name once and the Security Guard came up to me, saying “You know Claire! He’s that guy out of the bird twitching comedy, Aren’t you mate?” and before I realized what I was saying, the words “Oh I don’t watch that show! It’s crap!”…hmm Poor guy stood there looking really embarrassed. I apologized profusely and he made a joke of it but I felt bad as the next day I found he had left me 2 tickets for the show he was in at the local city Playhouse.
These days I just try and keep my mouth shut now…. just in case! lol
The moral is: always be on your best behavior as you never know when a celebrity will leave you a couple of tickets — haha! That sounds like a pretty cool position, working for the BBC. I must google Brian Blessed — maybe I do know who he is.
He was doing an interview as he had just climbed Mount Everest! Now that’s an accomplishment I don’t think I’ll be doing any time soon! lol
I’m totally jealous of him whoever he is 🙂
Met quite a few local ones (Jamaica) while back stage at a popular concert 😀 Inclusive of my future husssi — yea he still doesn’t know and a guy who grew up with my dad apparently! lol
A local celebrity is just as good as an international celebrity in my book! It would seem being backstage is the place to be!
Oh yes 🙂 Would hv met Trey Songz n R Kelly but they didn’t think our back stage was good enough it seems 😦
I imagine the likes of those two are used to people camping out and waiting for them backstage — I’m ashamed to say, I’ve done it too…