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the annual dropping of the names
The wife and I just wrapped up 5 days working with the transportation team at our local comic/pop culture convention, which primarily includes driving the actors and other celebs in attendance wherever they need to go. You can see the full list of who came this year here: https://fanxsaltlake.com/guestlist/fanx25-guests/.
Every year there are some I see repeatedly and others I never see at all. The big name this year was Ke Huy Quan (Short Round from the Indiana Jones movies), but I only glanced him once at his signing table. I briefly saw Chevy Chase (who needed a wheelchair some of the time b/c of breathing problems - possibly the elevation and/or aridity). Never even glimpsed David Tennant. I saw many others but didn't really interact with them.
As always, about half our interactions are with agents and handlers, voice actors, authors, and others most of us don't really know. The vast majority are modest, engaging, and just regular folks who are often more interesting to talk to than the celebs.
Here are some observations on folks you may know.
Brad Garrett - seemed very down-to-earth, saw him taking numerous walks around town with his (I'm guessing) wife and their tiny Yorkshire terrier, who was absolutely terrified of the cyber dog some guy was walking down the street
John Rhys-Davies - everyone's favorite; loves talking to staff, fans, everyone; thoughtful, intelligent, just a fascinating guy
Sean Astin - drove him from the airport to the hotel but someone else was with him so I just listened to their conversation; by all accounts a friendly and appreciative fellow
Matthew Modine - seemed a bit shy but still friendly, walked by himself to a vegan restaurant nearby (many celebs will go with others or their agents/handlers/etc.), never got the chance to talk to him directly
Michael Rooker - Drove him several times, talked to him a bit; quite a character, genuine, seemed to have fun talking with fans
John Schneider - taller and broader than I expected, friendly to staff, only saw him in passing
Henry Thomas - a bit reserved but still engaging, also seemed to enjoy being outside walking the city
Henry Winkler - saw him be very kind to a group of women passing on the street as he walked into his hotel, asking their names, shaking their hands, and taking a selfie with them; by all accounts enjoyed interacting with fans and staff
Thomas Lennon - dressed as and fully acted like his Reno 911 character during the convention, really hammed it up, but saw him incognito on the streets several times going for coffee, where he saw me noticing him and just gave a smile and a nod of the head
Omri Katz - had never heard of him before but had a great conversation with him on an extended drive, and afterward he always remembered me when he saw me and seemed genuinely friendly
John Ratzenberger - probably my biggest disappointment; talked with him at his booth but he seemed to be not all that interested or maybe age is getting to him; he definitely moved slowly getting to and from the cars
Dave Foley - talked to him for a few minutes about NewsRadio and Phil Hartman and he seemed to enjoy the conversation
Ric Flair - a *lot* smaller than I expected, didn't engage in conversation when I drove him, heavy on the cologne
Mick Foley - if he still has a dozen teeth in his mouth I'd be surprised; quiet but appreciative to the staff
May Hong (voiced a character in K-Pop Demon Hunters) - absolutely overwhelmed by the fan response and the 7 conventions she's done in the past 3 months (said she was waiting tables before the film), but was very kind to my wife who drove her to the airport and shot a selfie video with her
Robbie Daymond (voice actor) - had an animated conversation with him about hiking and the trails we've both done; suggested one nearby to him and he went and had a good time
Posted: 09/29/2025 at 07:12 AM ET
Thread Replies (7)
the annual dropping of the names
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-- HokieMacDaddy
Sep 29, 2025 at 07:12 AM ET
HokieMacDaddy
•
09/29/25 07:12 AM ET
How does one get into this line of work?
-- Burruss Writer
Sep 29, 2025 at 08:17 AM ET
Burruss Writer
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09/29/25 08:17 AM ET
As with anything else it's about who you know
-- HokieMacDaddy
Sep 29, 2025 at 09:58 AM ET
HokieMacDaddy
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09/29/25 09:58 AM ET
Should've gotten Mick talking about Liz Kitley!
-- hoosnowahokie
Sep 29, 2025 at 08:06 AM ET
hoosnowahokie
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09/29/25 08:06 AM ET
Love Henry Winkler's show Hazardous History on the History Channel**
-- pburg_hokie
Sep 29, 2025 at 07:36 AM ET
pburg_hokie
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09/29/25 07:36 AM ET
I've seen pictures of him with really large fish recently.
-- EDGEMAN
Sep 29, 2025 at 08:02 AM ET
EDGEMAN
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09/29/25 08:02 AM ET
I knew some of those names. This would be tons less interesting if I did
-- PhotoHokieNC
Sep 29, 2025 at 07:17 AM ET
PhotoHokieNC
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09/29/25 07:17 AM ET