Actor and comedian Robin Williams stopped by Braden Auditorium on the campus of Illinois State University for a sold-out performance of his Weapons of Self-Destruction Tour last night, and he stopped for a large group of collectors and fans upon his arrival.

He signed multiple autographs and posed for everyone. Robin signed this photo of us from the Late Show with David Letterman this past May and a vinyl copy of his comedy album, "Robin Williams: Throbbing Python of Love."

Kudos to Robin! I must say this beats paying $350 for his official "meet and greet."

Oscar-winning (1994's Ed Wood) actor Martin Landau was in Chicago this past weekend as the special guest at the Chicago International Film Festival for a Sunday screening of his new movie, Lovely, Still.

I met Landau as he arrived at his downtown hotel with his daughter and grandson. He signed one autograph for myself and for two other collectors and then posed for this shot.

Landau, who is best known for his roles in Mission Impossible and in Space: 1999, was Gene Roddenberry's first choice to play Spock on Star Trek.

Kelly Clarkson, the first American Idol winner, is in Springfield, Illinois, tonight at the Illinois State Fair. Earlier this afternoon, she stopped on the way from her tour bus to a Starbucks to pose for this shot and sign a CD for me. Earlier this year, her single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," advanced from No. 97 to No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart in its first week of release, breaking the record for the largest leap to the top position in chart history.

About 15 minutes later, I grabbed this photo with Kelly's opening act, singer Eric Hutchinson.

The "Wizard of Waukesha" has played his last note. Les Paul, the man who is credited with the invention of the electric guitar, died today at age 94.

I had the privilege of meeting Les four different times following his weekly Monday night shows at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City (you never knew what music legend would show up to play with Les on a Monday night; Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Slash, Steve Miller, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Van Halen to name a few). Les made you feel like a true pal. He was always ready with a warm handshake and a friendly greeting for each person who waited in line to meet him following the 10 p.m. show. It was a privilege to sit next to Les as he signed and answered my questions. I always mentioned I was from near St. Louis and he'd recall his days playing guitar on KMOX radio. Les was a great signer; one of the best. Guitars, CDs, albums, pickguards, photos, you name it, Les put his name on it.

The above shots are from my last visit with Les on December 9, 2008, my last visit with Les. He hadn't been feeling well, and there was some doubt as to whether he'd make his post-concert appearance. Nevertheless, after about 20 minutes he appeared from backstage and walked over to "his booth" to meet and greet his fans. He signed a CD for me and two, 8 x 10s, all personalized with "To: Kevin" and his trademark "Howdy" greeting.

It was Man vs. Food Saturday at the Cozy Dog Drive Inn in Springfield.

The Travel Channel's Adam Richman was in town to profile three restaurants for his show. He visited Darcy's Pint on Friday, The Cozy Dog Drive Inn on Saturday, and Joe Roger's Chili Parlor today. At each stop, Richman profiled and sampled the restaurant's trademark dishes (Darcy's Pint-horseshoe; Cozy Dog-cozy dog and home cut fries with vinegar; and Joe Roger's-five alarm chili).

During a break in learning how to prepare cozy dogs, Richman signed an 8 x 10 and posed for this shot. The Springfield feature is set to air in approximately eight weeks.

And that's the way it is . . . Walter Cronkite, CBS News, goodnight. The legendary news anchor died today at age 92.

This photograph was taken following a fund-raising event in New York City on May 15, 2006. As Mr. Cronkite was leaving the event, I asked him to pose for a photograph. I don't think he heard me, so as I continued to walk with him, I asked again. He heard me this time and stopped for just a second so I could snap this shot. This was my second time to meet Mr. Cronkite. I first met him following a St. Louis Speaker Series appearance in 2001. There, he signed a copy of his book, A Reporter's Life, for me. I asked for a photo then, but he politely declined as he was in a hurry to get back to his hotel to catch the end of a Yankees World Series game.

The Tony Awards were tonight in New York, and here are your winners for best leading actor and actress in a play:

Marcia Gay Harden in God of Carnage
and

Geoffrey Rush in Exit the King.

Both were generous with their time following their plays last month in New York. Marcia likes to ride her bicycle to the theater as I spotted her several different days either arriving or departing. And, I got both the same night, about 15 minutes apart. How's that for ironic?