Saturday, April 16, 2011

Bo Darvill, Lewis Medlock, Gator McCluskey. Recognize the names?

They are all characters portrayed by one of America's most famous film and television actors, Burt Reynolds. Reynolds is in Chicago this weekend for a Movie Tribute at the Hollywood Cinema Theater in Woodridge, Illinois.

Reynolds met fans, signed autographs, and took photos before and after screenings of Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, Cannonball Run, and The Longest Yard. Without a doubt, he is one of the nicest celebrities I've met. He was warm and genuine. Reynolds made me feel like a friend as we chatted. You don't get that from many "A list" celebrities. He signed a Smokey and the Bandit DVD cover and disk for my collection and then posed for this shot.

Sunday, April 03, 2011

It was Coco, Faith, Huggy Bear, Murphy Lee, and that guy from The Man Show all in St. Louis Saturday.

Conan O'Brien and Faith Hill headlined the annual Bob Costas Benefit for Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.

I pulled up just in time to get this shot with Faith as she arrived at the Fox Theater for her mid-afternoon sound check. In addition to the photograph, Hill signed a promo "This Kiss" CD for my collection.

About an hour later, O'Brien emerged from his hotel to catch his ride to the Fox. I was with a group of fans camped out across from the hotel's lobby. After we called to him, he walked over to us to sign autographs and take photos for all who asked. While signing, he asked how the Cardinals games was going, but he wouldn't divulge what his April Fool's Day prank was at the airport that got him in a little trouble.

Earlier in the afternoon, comedian/actor/talk show host Adam Carolla hosted a book signing at Vintage Vinyl in the Delmar Loop. The always cool and relaxed Carolla took a moment to pose before starting his event. The former Man Show host was in concert later in the evening at The Pageant.

While waiting for Carolla to arrive, I grabbed this photo with rapper Murphy Lee outside the store. Lee and his street time were distributing promo copies of his newest disk.

Finally, after getting Faith Hill, I walked across the street to the Grandel Theater to see if I could find Antonio Fargas. Fargas played "Huggy Bear" on the 70's sitcom Starsky and Hutch. It was my lucky day as I caught Fargas in the lobby on his way to an after matinee snack. Fargas has been in St. Louis the past several weeks performing in the play, The Real McCoy. After chatting about his colorful bathrobe, his stay in St. Louis, and his favorite eating establishments, he posed for this shot.