An old John Wayne movie was on yesterday and Fabian (some of you MAY remember him) had a role in it. WJJ said, “Do you remember meeting him at our house?” I responded, “Oh yes, I do.” Back in the late-70’s a Boston “talk show” was doing an article on UndercoverWear at our home and he was part of the show.
It got me thinking about how many “famous” people I have met. So I’m going share some of them with you --with of course some comments. For some of the “older” ones I’ve included links so my younger readers know who I’m talking about!
Early Childhood:
First three are from an early childhood TV show:
Howdy Dowdy
Buffalo Bill
Clarabell the Clown
From the original Mickey Mouse Club (before Britney, Justin and Xtina!)
Jimmy the Mouseketeer
Mickey Mouse
Singer Theresa Brewer (They thought I was her daughter)
Al Martino (My Dad knew him)
OK truth be known, I was an adorable well-behaved child. So anytime any “kids” programs would come to New England, I would be chosen to appear with them. Hmmm wonder how I became the UCW “actress”?
Teenager:
Paul Newman
Really interesting story. I was 18 and driving close to my house. My brand new Mustang seemed to be swerving a little so I pulled over to make sure that I didn’t have a flat tire. As I did a fellow in a jeep pulled up beside me. He got out and of course asked if I needed help. I just kept looking at him and finally I said, “You have the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen. Has anyone told you you look like Paul Newman?” He laughed and said, “Yes on occasion.”
He then asked me if I wanted to leave my car and he’d be happy to drive me home. Of course no self-respecting 18 year old Italian-Catholic is going to get into a jeep with a stranger, so I said “no.” He asked if I’d like to go have coffee. Again, I declined.
I went home that evening and literally dreamt about those gorgeous blue eyes and what might have been a missed opportunity. It hadn’t occurred to me to give him my phone number nor did he ask.
Next day, I was listening to the radio when the DJ said, “Oh and by the way ladies, you just might spot Paul Newman hanging around the Boston area. He’s filming a movie in New Hampshire and rumor has it he’s just cruising in his jeep.”
Frankly, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I had just said “no” to Paul Newman.
Of course, I was young and single. He was older and very married. One wonders what would have happened if I had simply gotten into that jeep. Would he have been a “gentleman”? Better question, “ Would I have been a lady --if I knew it was him --Paul Newman.” Hmmm who knows?
I guess it worked out for the best. I can always believe in my “fantasy world”, that Paul would have fallen madly in love with me--dumped Joanne Woodward-- married me and instead of being the “lingerie queen”, I would have been the salad dressing diva. Lingerie or salad dressing --which one would I choose? I’ll stick with lingerie.
And equally important, I think WJJ and I have done just fine.
Now, that just covered my early years. Thanks to UndercoverWear I have spent many hours, days, and weeks on the road and I’ve met a TON of people in my Adult life as well. For today, I’ll just list a few more “celebrities” I have not only met but with whom I have spent time. In a future blog, I’ll tell more of the fun and interesting stories about some of them. If you have a favorite you want to hear – let me know!
Cybil Shepherd,
Phil Donahue (GREAT STORY for this one),
Willie Nelson,
Henry Kisssinger,
Frankie Avalon,
Tom Bergeron,
Bill & Hillary Clinton, (Would love to spend time with her again),
Montel Williams,
Jay Leno,
President and Mrs. Reagan, (They actually stayed at our home – great story)
Meatloaf (I called him Meatball several times)
Caroline Sapp (Miss America)
Phylis Day George (Ms. America)
Maryann Mobley (Ms. America)
George Bush Sr.
Gary Collins (talk show host + Married to Maryann Mobley),
Danny Bonaduce (Partridge Family],
Wayland Flowers and Madame (the puppet --had a ball with them),
Belinda Carlisle,
Cathy Hilton (Paris’s Mother)
Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark),
Walter Cronkite,
Jimmy Walker (Good Times)
Jack Lord (Hawaii 5-0)
James McArthur (Hawaii 5-0),
Don Ho,
Charo,
Jacqueline Smith,
Jerry Springer,
Cher,
Paula Abdul ( I had no idea who she was at the time)
Steve Wynn,
ML Carr,
John Elway,
Larry Bird,
Kevin McHale,
Dave Cowens,
Michael Feinstein,
Burt Bachrach,
Linda Eder,
President Carter,
Robert Redford
and last but not least Oprah!
Anyway if you’re at all interested in asking me a specific question about someone I’ve met or someone I want to meet feel free to ask.
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