Oh my god, I can't believe it! Gene Wilder was signing books at a local movie theater here. As I got to the head of the line, there were only three books left and I decided I didn't really want to buy one. Maybe someone else would want one more than me. So I kind of stood around a few moments and after people had him sign their books, there was a bit of lull and I said,

"Can we just say hi?"

Gene's signing hand was resting on the table and his fingers moved in a little "hi" wave.

So I stood before him beaming and said, "I'm a major fan! You were really important to me when I was a kid."

We made eye contact and he almost imperceptibly nodded. And I stood there for a moment more and I think he nodded again, quietly listening.

Then I did this and said "Thank you". Then I skipped off.

It was fabulous.

i met him once when i lived in new york and worked at pearl paints. he came in to look at watercolors, and everyone on the floor was like "oh holy crap, gene wilder is here, let's go look at him!"

he was very gracious - he kinda nodded and smiled at everyone. he seemed a little meek and timid, but not at all weird or fragile about it. apparently he used to shop at pearl fairly regularly.

Anxiety said:

Even the biggest stars get weak in the knees when confronted by your exceedingly formidable intellectual aura.



spelling edit
[Edited 4/12/05 19:24pm]

AsianBoi777 said:

shaddap, ya freakin' ninny.

After meeting him last night, me and my friend stayed to watch a double feature of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Young Frankenstein. Today I was all star struck replaying our meeting again and again in my head. I'm such a groupie.

Then today I thought I'd try to get tickets to see him be interviewed live on stage in the city. I was surfing the net for tickets at 7:15pm when I realized it was TONIGHT at 8:00pm! On a ridiculous whim, I drove into the city, parked and went to the theater which was SOLD OUT. There was a small line at the booth so I stood in it. And just like clockwork a woman came up and said:

Do you all have tickets? Or are you looking for them?

Everyone in the line was like doped up or something because they said nothing. So I said:

Looking

Then she handed me a ticket and walked away.

So I went in to enjoy a complimentary interview of Gene Wilder from THE SECOND ROW. Ah, Willa Wonka really is full of magic.

I wonder if he recognized me from last night?

I'm such a groupie.

Anxiety said:

That's how he was when I saw him too, but a little tired. Evidently he and his wife are really into watercolor painting. He has a show of his paintings going up this summer.
[Edited 4/12/05 23:11pm]