Post by mmderdekea on Oct 7, 2007 10:22:50 GMT -5
Hello, all,
I had great fun meeting Robert Culp.
I flew out on an 8 a.m. flight to L.A. and took the free Marriot shuttle to the hotel. The convention center is about 2 minutes from the lobby.
$15 to get in for one day; $25 for two days. You got a blue paper bracelet allowing you to go in and out all day long. There was a long line to meet Tony Curtis. Angie Dickinson was also there, and Elliot Gould, and Richard Kiel, among other actors and poster/memorabilia folks selling TV/movie stuff. I walked into the building, saw the line for Curtis in the hallway, ignored it, and walked into the main room. Robert Culp was right there at a table about 20 feet in. He had a number of different photos of himself from various roles, plus some scripts of his from "I Spy", for sale, $15 for him to sign them. A photo taken with him was $15. There was a younger fellow there, very nice, very pleasant, around late 20s/early 30s (although I'm bad with ages), helping Culp out. Culp sat in a tall, wood, director's type chair, in jeans and an off-white long sleeve shirt, his large watch ever present on his left wrist. His narrow face was still very handsome, and his white hair still covered head.
It was great watching him, seeing him naturally have facial expressions that I so associate with his acting. He swiped his tongue across his lips once, did a hesitant smile, and the like. Various scenes of his various roles filled my head when I saw his face slip into another habitual motion. Fun! I was a little concerned because he seemed to be very sensitive to the light. He was quite vocal that the little bit of glare he got facing out to the main hallway and the windows letting the morning sun in was almost painfully bothersome. One fellow paid to have his picture taken, and Culp was REALLY anxious about the flash of the camera; he actually put his fist to his mouth and his eyebrows raised high--like a child about to get a shot--in nervous anticipation of the irritation the flash would cause his eyes. It was odd as his eyes looked perfectly healthy to this doc's point of view. But, this seemed a very serious problem to him. In fact, Culp got up out of his chair and closed one side of one of the two double doors leading into the main room, to block the sun, but someone else quickly opened it back up, obviously ignorant of Culp's discomfort. I hope he wasn't too uncomfortable the rest of the day. Where were his infamous sunglasses when he needed them?
I only had 2-3 people before me before I got to meet him. I had chosen a Bill Maxwell photo for him to sign (naturally!) and also paid for a picture of me with him. I gave the younger guy my camera. I denied my urge to leap into Culp's lap and took a very civilized photo beside him, my arm somewhat slipping around the back of him, but not actually touching him. You can see the dazed look on my face. The younger fellow asked me to view the shot to see if it was okay, but around Culp my mind was on slow motion, and so I just glanced at it and nodded it was fine.
Although it was a hectic day, it was totally enjoyable. I consider myself very lucky to have finally been in the presence of Culp, even for just a minute. It's psychologically interesting why we place some folks over us in importance; the whole celebrity phenomenon fascinates me, not solely because I'm personally involved in it. What makes an individual so deeply resonate with some show(s) or some actor? It's mysterious and mystical and yet brings such profound joy to so many. And, the truth is, I've been a fan of Culp's for years and years, so this was a real treat, and a remarkable way to spend a Saturday. I'm very grateful to him that he goes to these types of events, because I got to meet him! Of course, the memories will last forever.
Mona
I had great fun meeting Robert Culp.
I flew out on an 8 a.m. flight to L.A. and took the free Marriot shuttle to the hotel. The convention center is about 2 minutes from the lobby.
$15 to get in for one day; $25 for two days. You got a blue paper bracelet allowing you to go in and out all day long. There was a long line to meet Tony Curtis. Angie Dickinson was also there, and Elliot Gould, and Richard Kiel, among other actors and poster/memorabilia folks selling TV/movie stuff. I walked into the building, saw the line for Curtis in the hallway, ignored it, and walked into the main room. Robert Culp was right there at a table about 20 feet in. He had a number of different photos of himself from various roles, plus some scripts of his from "I Spy", for sale, $15 for him to sign them. A photo taken with him was $15. There was a younger fellow there, very nice, very pleasant, around late 20s/early 30s (although I'm bad with ages), helping Culp out. Culp sat in a tall, wood, director's type chair, in jeans and an off-white long sleeve shirt, his large watch ever present on his left wrist. His narrow face was still very handsome, and his white hair still covered head.
It was great watching him, seeing him naturally have facial expressions that I so associate with his acting. He swiped his tongue across his lips once, did a hesitant smile, and the like. Various scenes of his various roles filled my head when I saw his face slip into another habitual motion. Fun! I was a little concerned because he seemed to be very sensitive to the light. He was quite vocal that the little bit of glare he got facing out to the main hallway and the windows letting the morning sun in was almost painfully bothersome. One fellow paid to have his picture taken, and Culp was REALLY anxious about the flash of the camera; he actually put his fist to his mouth and his eyebrows raised high--like a child about to get a shot--in nervous anticipation of the irritation the flash would cause his eyes. It was odd as his eyes looked perfectly healthy to this doc's point of view. But, this seemed a very serious problem to him. In fact, Culp got up out of his chair and closed one side of one of the two double doors leading into the main room, to block the sun, but someone else quickly opened it back up, obviously ignorant of Culp's discomfort. I hope he wasn't too uncomfortable the rest of the day. Where were his infamous sunglasses when he needed them?
I only had 2-3 people before me before I got to meet him. I had chosen a Bill Maxwell photo for him to sign (naturally!) and also paid for a picture of me with him. I gave the younger guy my camera. I denied my urge to leap into Culp's lap and took a very civilized photo beside him, my arm somewhat slipping around the back of him, but not actually touching him. You can see the dazed look on my face. The younger fellow asked me to view the shot to see if it was okay, but around Culp my mind was on slow motion, and so I just glanced at it and nodded it was fine.
Although it was a hectic day, it was totally enjoyable. I consider myself very lucky to have finally been in the presence of Culp, even for just a minute. It's psychologically interesting why we place some folks over us in importance; the whole celebrity phenomenon fascinates me, not solely because I'm personally involved in it. What makes an individual so deeply resonate with some show(s) or some actor? It's mysterious and mystical and yet brings such profound joy to so many. And, the truth is, I've been a fan of Culp's for years and years, so this was a real treat, and a remarkable way to spend a Saturday. I'm very grateful to him that he goes to these types of events, because I got to meet him! Of course, the memories will last forever.
Mona
) I have met famous people, sure, but they typically were people who were famous, but of whom I was not necessarily a fan. For me, I think meeting someone who means a lot to me in my mind could have the potential of "ruining" the fantasy, I guess. 
