On my way to New York, I sat next to a man whose name was Edward Albee …a Pulitzer Prize playwright winner, he wrote Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf. It starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Elizabeth Taylor won the Academy award for her performance.
He also wrote the Sandbox and The Zoo Story. When we arrived we walked outside. He was going to get in a taxi but I had a car waiting. I said, “Come I will take you to your home.” We arrived at a beautiful brownstone and said our goodbyes.
While walking through the the airport I saw Robert Redford and his wife. He won an Oscar for best directing for the movie Ordinary People. I said to myself, “I would like to look like him for one day.”
Once Billy Crystal and his manager were on my flight. I went to the little kitchen put on an apron picked up a tray and walked over to them. “What can I get you both to drink?” He looked at me and asked if I am crazy or what. I said, “Yes I am… and what can I get you to drink?”
I met Wanda Sykes in another plane. She was wearing a black leather coat. I asked if I could give her a little hug. I wrapped myself around her cute self.
Then there was Alec Baldwin. His hands looked very swollen so I started to rub them. He said, “How long can you do this?”
I got to fly with Willie Nelson. His wife had the most beautiful turquoise rings necklace and bracelets.
Richard Gere was wearing a cashmere sweater, glasses, and reading a book. “I really don’t want to bother you but wanted to say that you are a great actor.” He said thank you and went back to reading.
I also bumped into John Goodman twice. I looked at him and said “You don’t know how famous you are going to be.” In front of me on another flight was Helen Reddy.
I first saw her in Jesus Christ Superstar when she sang I Don’t Know How to Love You.
Charles Burke designed my salad bar. It was all white. Mr Burke brought Tivoli lighting to the United States. It was little lights in a circular plastic tube. He had a party and invited me. Standing there was one of the most famous Broadway actresses… Ethel Mermen. She starred in Broadway shows. There’s No Business Like Show Business and Call Me Madam. Ms M was also Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. I asked her if she was thirsty and I got her a drink.
I was in CVS pharmacy getting some mouthwash and Crest toothpaste.There was Neil Sedaka the famous songwriter and singer with his wife Leba. I was wearing a chain with a medallion that was made for me from an artist in Norway. “That’s the most unusual pendant that I have ever seen.” I took it off and put it in her hand. “I can’t take this” she said. I said, “Oh yes you can… just think of me when you wear it.”
I had to go to the Hyatt Regency on Sunset Blvd to pick up a friend. In the lobby I met Little Richard. His hair was in a large pompadour and had a tiny mustache around his upper lip. He was dressed very colorful. He came over and kissed me on my cheek…and began singing Good Golly Miss Molly as only he could sing.
There is a specialty store called Fred Segal. I was shopping and I saw one ringy dingy…Lily Tomlin. She went into the dressing room and tried something on. I gave the sales lady my credit card and said “Whatever she buys I will pay for.” Then I left the store. Years later Ms T and I were speaking at a conference. I found out what room she was in and…I knocked on the door and said “room service.” Then I laid in front of her door, she opened the door and saw me lying there and began to laugh. “Richard get up” and I did and kissed her hand.
I was having lunch in New York at Barney Greengrass in Barney’s department store. Two tables over was Candice Bergen and a friend dining. Ms. B is a stunning lady. She was in a movie called The Women which was haunting. How much did you laugh at her show Murphy Brown?
Her father was an amazing ventriloquist.His name was Edgar. There was no one like him. Ms B and I shared a waitress. I called the lady over ”I want to pay for Ms B and her friend’s lunch.” I gave her my credit card and she brought me the bill. Because I was a waiter, I knew the art of tipping. “I think you made a mistake on the tip” …I looked at her and said “No that tip is for you.”
As I left the restaurant Ms Candace said “That wasn’t necessary for you to do. I said it is my pleasure for I all the laughs you gave to me.” To be continued…
