Meeting the Rain Man

We had just met Tom Cruise on Friday so I was intrigued when Dustin Hoffman was scheduled to give a speech this evening here in Los Angeles. Hoffman is hit or miss, sometimes signing and sometimes not. He usually only signs one each on the occasions that he does sign but in a crowd it is possible to obtain multiple autographs. A lady asked us if we were Dustin fans and then offered for us to go ahead and go into the speech, as there were empty seats in the back of the small auditorium. Dustin was on stage and as he finished signed two or three autographs at the edge of the stage. He was about to sign my item but stopped and was quickly rushed off stage.
This venue was a little tricky as there are multiple exits and we were unsure which Hoffman would use to make his exit. Rounding the building and checking several possible exits, I spotted Hoffman signing autographs for a few collectors as I rounded the corner of the building. I ran up and held out my copy of "The Graduate" DVD. Dustin signed it with the black Sharpie that he had in his hand and then autographed another fan's item. Hoffman's people were saying "last one" and attempting to rush him to his awaiting car but I had the actual DVD for "The Graduate" and he signed it with a signature not as nice as the other one I had just received. Nonetheless, it was awesome to obtain two autographs from this acting legend!

Meeting Tom Cruise

Just got home from a very successful day, wrapping it up by scoring multiple Tom Cruise autographs. After his appearance on a television talk show this evening, Cruise signed up a storm for collectors and fans. As expected with an "A-lister", it was chaotic, with pushing and shoving by people in their pursuit for autographs. Cruise had a black Sharpie which he signed with the entire time, signing photographs in good areas where the autograph could best be seen. Sometimes this is a problem as celebrities sometimes sign the autograph in a dark area of the photo, making it less visually appealing. Cruise seemed to place his signature on the lighter areas of the photographs, where it stands the best chance of being visible. Whether it was the first or last autograph he signed, Cruise is very consistent with his signature. He signs a nice, big autograph with an over-sized "T" in "Tom" and a large "C" in "Cruise" dominating his signature. While not an "every letter" autograph, you can still generally see a lower-case "o" and a line for the "m". Cruise does not pick up the pen when he signs an autograph as the "Tom" part of the signature flows right into the "C" in "Cruise". He makes a little bump for the "r" in "Cruise" and sometimes another bump for the "s" but not always. No matter what, Cruise always seems to sign the lower-case "e" at the end of his last name. Most of the time Cruise puts a dot for the "i" in his last name, though it varies a bit in placement from autograph to autograph, sometimes falling inside the loop of the "C" in "Cruise" yet not existing at all in some signatures.

My sister was in the front row behind a barricade and was getting pushed from behind by the crowd. Cruise noticed this and said to my sister, "Give me everything you've got and I'll sign it". Handing him her photographs, he signed them all and asked her how she was doing. Even in the hectic situation, Cruise was still attempting to converse with fans (especially those in front) and even posed for photographs with some people.

RUSH Gets A Star In Hollywood!

Canadian rock band RUSH received a star this morning on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring their presence as one of the biggest and most storied bands in Rock 'n Roll history. Forming over forty years ago, RUSH still releases albums and tours extensively to promote them and satisfy fans who continue to clamor, year after year, to see and hear them perform live.

Drummer Neil Peart is renowned for his talents on the skins but is also known for his reclusiveness, very often shying away from the attention of one of the world's biggest rock stars. While a disappointment, it also came as no surprise that Peart did not show up for the star ceremony. Two-thirds of the band did and it was exciting to listen to lead vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson speak and express their gratitude to the fans who have made all of this possible for them. Lee described the ceremony in his speech as being "a beautiful, surreal moment".

After the speeches and posing with the unveiling of the RUSH star, Lifeson and Lee disappeared, going into an alley that was blocked from view by the assembled press. A few minutes later to the cheers of fans, Geddy Lee appeared and began signing autographs with a black Sharpie marker. I managed to get three in the crowd and my sister equaled my score. Lee worked his way over the crowd for a minute or so and then was done signing, disappearing to talk with the media. The crows began chanting, "Alex! Alex! Alex!" and he soon answered the call, appearing from the alley and immediately coming to the section where we were. I managed to get two items signed and my sister got one as well. Lifeson was friendly but did not sign long at all. Eventually, Lee re-emerged and signed a lot longer than the first time. We were fortunate to get three RUSH items with both of their signatures, including a whopping 15 autographs from Geddy Lee! We even scored pictures with the legendary front man, which was a challenge with the huge crowd. Lee took no more than four or five total pictures with fans so we were lucky. When my sister asked Geddy if she could take a photo with him he replied, "Sweetheart, anything for you".

Demi Moore

My sister got Demi Moore to sign this photograph from "A Few Good Men" after a television appearance here in Los Angeles recently. Enjoy!

Some New Acquisitions

I recently picked up some nice autographed photographs from a fellow collector. Check them out:

Celebrity Rehab's Kari Ann Peniche!

Kari Ann Peniche is known for her "bad behavior" on VH1's Celebrity Rehab and Sober House shows. Under the care of Dr. Drew, Peniche is known for acting out and verbally and physically attacking staff members. Despite her reputation, Kari Ann is a sweetheart in-person, signing everything I put in front of her. I was the only collector waiting on her and soon spotted a car pulling into the parking lot. Kari Ann was in the passenger seat, spending a few minutes applying makeup and lipstick before exiting the car. I called over and asked if she would sign for me. Kari Ann replied, "Sure" and walked over to me. She was dressed up, wearing a red dress and high heels. I complimented her appearance and told her that I had a few photographs for her to sign, if she didn't mind. Peniche autographed all eleven photos, adding hearts and signing some with her full name, "Kari Ann Peniche" and others as "Kari Ann". Peniche had no problem signing her Playboy shots as she remarked, "This is my favorite picture." She talked with me as she signed, telling me that she had family in the state where I am originally from. Peniche also said that she would like to act in movies in Hollywood. I thanked her for her time and she made her way into the studio for her appearance on a national radio show.

Two Hot Celebrity Couples In Hollywood

Tonight we spent the evening at a Hollywood theatre as "Iron Man 2" was released this weekend and that means lots of celebrities would be going out for the hottest movie of the summer. Things heated up in hurry as one of the biggest celebrity couples out there, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, left the movie theatre. Moore actually signed one autograph for another collector before the elevator arrived and she and Ashton jumped on. We were more successful with another Hollywood couple, singer Katy Perry and comedian Russell Brand. We saw them rush into the theatre quickly so we headed over to a record store and bought a Katy Perry record album to have her sign on the way out. A couple hours later, Russell Brand walked out the front door and began signing for collectors and posing for a couple of photos with fans. Katy was still inside but I spotted her in the lobby. I was waiting when she walked out and had to coax her a bit, even telling her she could personalize the record to my name if she would autograph it. She took my blue Sharpie marker and places a beautiful signature on my vinyl LP. She then rushed past the remaining collectors, only signing for one collector in the lobby and myself. Russell was very protective, asking collectors to, "Don't put stuff in her face!"

We also spotted Tony Kanal from the band No Doubt arrive and figured we would catch him on his way out but we never saw him again. Actress Lake Bell willingly signed as she left, signing all 4 photographs we put in front of her. Actress Olivia Wilde is always great to collectors and this evening was no exception as Wilde signed for fans as she left the movies. She said that she had just seen Iron Man 2. Mark Paul Gosselaar aka Zach Morris from "Saved By The Bell" signed and took photos with collectors. Singer Chris Brown showed up a bit before midnight and refused to sign for collectors but my sister did manage to grab a photo with him as he made his way into the theatre.

2 Bradys and the "Tough" One Racks

A charity event was held at the Hollywood History Museum on Thursday (5/6/2010) featuring several actresses from the the golden age of Hollywood and some television legends on the 1970's and 1980's. We missed arrivals and even a few of the departures, including Stephanie Powers and Donna Mills. This, combined with some no-shows and cancelled celebrity appearances made this a small event with only about a dozen people waiting for the celebrities. We immediately found the caliber of celebrities to be substantial as Florence Henderson, television's "Carol Brady" from "The Brady Bunch" exited. Rope barriers had been set up earlier and Henderson came over and began signing. Security was adamant that she would sign "one each" but we were able to get three total from her. Henderson has a beautiful, every single letter signature and was drawing a heart underneath each autograph, as she typically does. Susan Olsen, "Cindy Brady" on "The Brady Bunch" had been scheduled to appear at the event but did not attend. However, one of the hardest and key signatures to obtain from the living cast members of "The Brady Bunch" did attend so collectors were clamoring to obtain some autographs. Eve Plumb was "Jan Brady" on the iconic television show and is one of the most sought-after signatures from the cast as she does not make a lot of public appearances and is not on the convention circuit. Plumb is often referred to as being the "tough" one to get. She exited the building and collectors quickly became excited, asking if she would sign. Security and Plumb told everyone to remain calm, as she would sign everything anybody wanted. Now we often hear this claim in Hollywood, but few ever live up to the promise. Plumb was true to her word, moving down the line of collectors, signing their items one by one. After she would sign one or two, security made their best effort to move her along in the line and asked collectors to get back in line and Eve would sign their other items. My sister and I really racked, getting Eve Plumb to sign nine Brady Bunch photographs, including a photo signed earlier by Florence Henderson. After everything was signed, collectors approached Plumb, one at a time, and she happily posed for photographs with each of us. In the parking lot afterwards, Alison Arngrim who portrayed "Nellie" on "Little House on the Prairie" signed for us. We have met her previously at another event and both times she was friendly and talkative. She asked her husband for some flyers which she gave to us, promoting her upcoming book on her experiences on "Little House on the Prairie". Rip Taylor was also at the event but we did not ask him to sign. Child actress Margaret O'Brien also appeared at the event as did Hollywood golden era actress Rose Marie.

Dancing With The Stars Mid-Season Party

Dancing With The Stars held it's mid season party for season 10 at STK, a club in Hollywood this evening. Some of the guests had already arrived and others arrived quite late, attending another party across the street beforehand.

Niecy Nash was the first to leave, signing all 6 of my photographs. I had previously met her and she is always a sweetheart. She also has a very nice, artistic signature to boot. Mark Ballas arrived, signing for everyone who asked. He also has been extremely nice every time I have met him, signing whatever is put in front of him. Show host Brooke Burke signed for us on her way in and as she departed about an hour later. She sometimes is difficult so it was nice to get multiple signatures from her. We spotted Olympian Evan Lysachek and Erin Andrews leaving KOI across the street and making their way to STK. I crossed the street and along with paparazzi and other collectors, secured several signatures from Evan. He usually will sign a couple but he continued to sign autographs as he walked down the sidewalk and as he waited to cross the street. Andrews did sign a couple of autographs but most of us were more focused on Evan. Lysachek sometimes bums over blue sharpie, even asking at times if a collector has a black marker for him to sign with. Some celebrities have gotten it into their heads that dealers use blue Sharpie marker though most of the dealers I encounter here in Los Angeles could care less what it is signed with, as long as the marker is flowing well with ink. Dancer Chelsie Hightower signed multiples on her way into STK and also signed another autograph for me as she left. Erin Andrews signed a photograph for me as she left in blue marker. Most collectors were waiting for Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls so when she exited, we got a marker in her hand right away. She signed a bunch, stopping a couple of times but we were able to coax her into signing "just one more" a couple of different times. Host Tom Bergeron signed and posed for photographs with those who asked, though most collectors did not even bother. Derek Hough signed a couple of autographs for me as he left and Cheryl Burke autographed my photos as well. Burke generally signs one or two autographs per person but I was able to get her to do two and then asked if she could sign one more, which she did. Male dancers Tony Dovolani and Damian Whitewood signed for collectors on their way in and as they left the club as well. Most of the professional dancers are super-friendly, signing multiples and posing for photographs with collectors and fans. I am told the only exception is Anna Trebunskaya, who generally signs one each and is always in a hurry to rush off. Tonight was no exception as Anna quickly signed an autograph for three of us before she said, "I have to go."

In LA you just never know who you might run into. As we were waiting, I spotted Maria Kanellis, former wrestling diva and currently starring on The Celebrity Apprentice. She signed and posed for photographs with us. She wasn't going to STK but appeared to be going to another club down the street.