funlover

There have been some really popular peole who were all sweetness and light onscreen but were nasty in real life. Comedians seem to top the list. I once saw Patrick Cargill coming out of a stage door and fans ask him for his autograph. He said to them "eff off I have no time for you people" The north east funnyman [I never thought so though] Bobby Thompson was equally rude to his public. If they can't appreciate the folk who put them where they are/were then they don't deserve to be there.

ShirlGirl

Australia's "Mr Movies" - Bill Collins - interviewed numerous stars over the years and when asked about this, he said there were two in particular he could name, but wouldn't. However, years later, after he had retired, he said that Danny Kaye was the nastiest, rudest, most thoroughly unpleasant of all.

christoph404

The curious and annoying thing about being a celebrity is knowing that you can't really go down to Tescos and do your shopping like every one else because many members of public think that you are "on show" 24 hours a day and not just when you are on screen or on stage. Im of the opinion that quite often it is the public who are being quite rude and insensitive in approaching a well known face at the most inappropriate of times and celebrities are often just reacting to that, especially if they have had a whole day of people demanding autographs when all they want to do is have a day out with the wife and kids. I think Bogart once said that what he owes his public is the best performance he can give on screen for the price of the theatre ticket and no more than that. Having said that, I would say part of the tradition of appearing on the stage in the West End of London is that there will always be people at the stage door waiting for an autograph, I would say that it is still part of the job for an actor to greet people at the stage door and sign a few autographs, the working shift is not quite over and if Patrick Cargill told well wishers at the stage door to "go away" as it were, then I would say that is nasty and rude. I think once you have left the theatre and reached the pub around the corner for a drink then I would say you are entitled to be left alone to unwind after a hard days work and if people start bothering you there I would say its fine to tell people to get lost unless of course they are buying you drinks but even that can be intrusive!

ShirlGirl

I agree, there's a time and place for requesting autographs.

Once when I was at a concert at the Sydney Opera House, I saw Robert Helpmann sitting in the audience just a few rows in front of me. This was not long before he died. At interval, his companions and everyone else in his row went outside, whilst he remained in his seat, completely alone. I thought, what a great opportunity to get his autograph. I stood up and moved out into the aisle with the intention of approaching him. Suddenly I stopped, realising what an awfully rude intrusion that would be. I never did get his autograph, but so what! I'm very glad I didn't invade his privacy. I'm pleased to say nobody else did, either.

cully

It's only hearsay but I always understood Charlie Drake was pretty awful in the flesh.

Steve Crook

I agree. And sometimes it just doesn't seem right to ask. After you've been having a nice chat with someone it seems wrong to suddenly go into "fan mode" and ask for an autograph

Steve

christoph404

Well having a chat with someone is a proper encounter whereas many people see having an autograph as proof of meeting someone and perhaps knowing them in some way, but of course it isn't because all the signature proves is that you are a bit star struck and don't know them at all but are simply the recipient of a meaningless mark along with hundreds of other autograph hunters. Much better to say you had a normal chat about a common topic and I think celebs quite like it when you just talk to them normally without being star struck, and asking for an autograph is the most obvious sign of that affliction. By the way, maybe I should use this opportunity to shamelessly name drop and tell you that I met Dustin Hoffman last week at a wedding here in Central London, I had a nice chat with him about various things including movies and It did not occur to me for one moment to ask him for an autograph, at least in the unlikely event of me meeting him again he will hopefully not run to avoid me......well he might, but at least it won't be because I asked for an autograph!

bhowells

At the height of Russ Abbots fame people were saying that he wasnt very obliging when it came to siging autographs.

Eileen Derbyshire of Corrie fame doesnt sign autographs according to her Wiklopedia entry.

francesgumm

I bet he'd pay for someone to ask for it now

funlover

So Would Patrick Cargill I dare say. Still they have the satisfaction of knowing that they will not be bothered any more.

smudge

The late Patrick Cargill certainly won't be - and I must say here that he was quite charming when I wrote to him many years ago.

As for Russ Abbott, the implication being he's gone and forgotten now he's off the small screen, you will find he's carved a niche for himself as a very good actor. He's still appearing on stage and is to my knowledge still being asked for his signature...

Smudge

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

harryfielder

I've met a few in my time.....No names....

Aitch,

http://www.turnipnet.com/aitch/aitch/gallery.htm

batman

Ditto.

Having pain is the worst thing in the whole world!

susanduic

............for what its worth I met Patrick Cargill several times and he was always the same pleasant, patient but wary!

susanduic

Windthrop

IMHO all the public is ever owed is a performance

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