Brandon - tell everyone about the movie star you met?

[Gene-Ho]

I hope Brandon weighs in here.

He just told me this cool story about a movie star he met while in Los Angeles.

He was there for the PMI show...

It was a neat story!

Gene

[amanda]

I really hope it was Gerard Butler and he has pictures!!!

[Gene-Ho]

Hahaha...

I'll wait and hope Brandon stops in and tells that story. But it's a star bigger than Gerald Butler.

Oh... actually... Amanda. I'm going to see you in Las Vegas next week.

I'm sure Brandon will tell you then!

Gene

[Tom Money]

Well while we are waiting on Brandon to tell you his meeting a movie star story, I'll tell you mine. I was on vacation with my family in LA and we went to Catalina island one day. While we were in a tourist shop, my son pointed out a man in a ball cap and sunglasses and said Dad isn't that Anthony Hopkins? I couldn't really decide if it was or not but started video tapeing him through a large fishtank. In a bit I found myself at the front of the store waiting on my family to check out just as he was. So I nonchalantly said "you are him arn't you" he just looked at me as if to say please don't blow my cover. So I said I won't make a scene I just wanted to say Howdy. He smiled and said You must be from Texas and we just had ourselves a nice little ole conversation. He said he had just finished a movie called Red Dragon. At the end he said God Bless you son and I guess when a man that has been Knighted says God Bess you he means it because my life changed after that meeting. God really blessed me and I won't freak you out with the details.

[Gene-Ho]

hehe... Tom.

That is a great story.

The story from this thread... Brandon shared with me today. I wasn't there (but I wish I was!)

But what I can say is that there seems to be two types of famous people in the world.

There are famous people that are humble... and those who are not.

Ultimately... we are all children of God. (BRL moderators - excuse the religious reference...)

But this actor Brandon met? As big as you can be. And quite franky... as kind as you can get.

I can't stand arrogance in any form.

And from Brandon's experience... it's great to just hear about people who are down to earth...

Gene

[Brandon Hedgpeth]

OK...After the PMA show ended I headed out to do some sightseeing around L.A. before my earky flight the next morning. I saw a sign for Sony Pictures Studios (formerly MGM). I was curious if they had a tour I could take. They had one spot left on the last tour of the day. I took it.

As the tour started, someone asked Tony (the guide) how often he sees actors/actresses and are they friendly to the tour groups? He said that he sees a celebrity about every 50 tours. He said that they will wave or nod about every 100 tours. He then said they will speak to you every 500 tours. It all depends on who they are.

He then told us we wouldn't be allowed to take photos in that particular area but later once we were away from the production buildings. No sooner than we turned around, a black Maserati pulled up next to us in the parking lot and Will Smith got out. Tony said hello and that we just wanted to wave at him. Instead of heading to his production office, he walked over to our group of 6, shook hands with us and asked us how everything was going, etc. After a couple minutes had passed he left saying he didn't want to keep us from seeing all the cool stuff and to enjoy our time.

He was extremely genuine the whole time and treated us like we were paying customers (which we are). I told him that my family has always been huge fans and his gesture to come over to greet us only solidified that fact.

This was a guy who netted $60 million last year by himself. Jada (wife) and son (Jaden) kicked in some more. He didn't have to do that to still be thought of as a good guy. A simple smile and nod would have been more than enough. However, he spent less than 5 minutes creating an experience for 6 tourists that will forever have an impact on which movie they choose to watch and how they'll spread a good word about him.

Call him gracious, genuine or genious...he understands that power of creating an experience.

[Brandon Hedgpeth]

The reason that Gene and I laugh about this topic is that he and I seem to keep having chance encounters with celebrities. Of course, he photographs quite a few.

The last few trips I've been on whether family vacations, business or whatever have resulted in meeting or seeing people like Tim McGraw, Rusty Wallace, Billy Ray Cyrus, Al Roker, Matt Schaub (2010 Pro Bowl MVP and a Gene Ho client), and now Will Smith. There have been many others like George W. Bush, Brad Pitt, Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakum but those weren't in this recent string of run-ins.

Who will I see in Vegas next week? The incredible Amanda Reed! and all the other famous BRI customers that meet up at the pool party.

[Aurelia Stratton]

I want to meet Amanda Reed! You all better take a bunch of pictures!

BTW, Brandon, Jason told me this story last weekend. We were so impressed, like you say, makes you even more of a fan to hear stories like this.

[John Karcher]

Brandon -
Cool story...thanks for sharing and wish I could be at the WPPI pool party with you guys.

[Carole Anthony]

I knew there was a reason I liked Will Smith!

[Tom Money]

I almost guessed Will Smith! Love his movies! My favorite recent Will Smith movie is Seven Pounds. It's a tear jerker.

[Jamie Hogerheide]

LOVE Will. Great story, thanks for sharing.

[Gene-Ho]

I think what amazes me is that when I watch Will Smith at the movies...

I'm like... that guy is probably straight up. He's probably a great guy in real life.

And to hear about Brandon's experience with him - just comfirms this.

Gene

[Troy Cady]

I think i have the biggest list of celebs so should I just name them all?

About 5 years ago I was really into fund raising for the Children's Miracle Network and I was asked to go to the national telethon to present a huge check.

So when I got off the plane Warren Moon was waiting with a sign with my name on it. I didnt know who he was right off so I thought he was the bag boy, so what did I do? I handed him my bag and he carried it!! haha Well when we got to the limo the coordinator told me who he was and started to laugh!!

Well he thought it was so funny, he introduced me to a good friend of his named Robin Roberts.. We all laughed and talked and had dinner, so before the end of the dinner she asked if I would like to present a check with her and do a spot on air.. Well I was like sure, so we talked and laughed and wrote up a script.

Well the next morning (We stayed at the same hotel) I saw her eating breakfast, so she waved me over and there were like 8 people at the table.. I noticed right away Mary Lou Rhetton (BAD SPELLING HEHE) was there and we were all talking, well I just talked and laughed with the other guys and when we got up the Disney Credit Cards they were given didnt work. So I was like hey guys I will take care of it. They said that no one ever does that and I was like well let me, cause its not like its my money. During breakfast I asked them what they did and they said they dabble in singing. Well then they told me to come to the convention center at 4 cause they would be singing and they would save Robin and myself a chair. I was like SURE!!

Well here goes me being dumb again.. I get there still thinking they are just a low group then they start singing How Do I Say Goodbye... I immediately realized they were Boyz To Men!!!!! I WAS LIKE OMG I AM AN IDDIOT!!!! Well we all hung out after and around 8 we went to dinner but they said for me to just go with them. We get to dinner and I sit down and after a couple minutes.... Bill Cosby sat down and I was freaking out!!! We all had so much fun and laughs that we all went to his comedy segment the next day...

Well needless to say it was amazing..

I met and talked and took pics with..

Tim Allen
Marie Osmand
John Schnighter
Robin Roberty
Troy Aikman
Emmit Smith
Steve Young (RUDE GUY)
Michelle Kwan
Vanessa Williams
Miss America
Lassie the Dog
Morris the cat
Richard Simmons
Marissa Torme
Al Pacino
Regis & Kelly
Kathy Lee
Deidre Hall
The Hoover Vacum Guy
Garth Brooks
Reba Mcantire
Brooks and Dunn
Hanson Brothers
A ton of sports players... Dont even really know who they were but hey... WHo cares... haha


THe list goes on and on, when the week was over I had a list of more than 125 celebs that I met, it was really a big experience but I think what made it so neat was that I just treated them like normal. I didnt ask for an autograph and they really respected me alot for that but they were all happy to just jump in some pics..

Beleive it or not my Favorite out of all of them was Robin Roberts.... She was really amazing and such a true to life person. Basicly when we went to a certain part of Disney when we were in that part they closed that section down so it was just a bunch of celens and their kids...

Sadly I had met Marie Osmands kids and took 4 of them on the tower of terror so her son who recently passed was one of them. We must of went on like 10 rides with all the kdis and Marie was like the kids know how to find me so just watch out for them the whole time. I was like dont worry Marie I got this..

It was one of the coolest weekends of my life..

[amanda]

Ahhhh, thank you Aurelia! You will be happy to know that you and Jason have been in most of my conversations and how wonderful I think you both are. Im am going to try my best to get out and see the lab and everyone this summer!

[Aurelia Stratton]

Amanda. . .. Can't wait for July!!!!!

[KrisGay]

That's a great story! Thanks for sharing.

[elise ellis]

Cool Story!

I got to meet AMANDA REED and hang with her and her delightful hubby!

[elise ellis]

I forgot to mention that I also got to hang with Fred Gamboa for a short period of time while at WPPI. It was great to see you again Fred!