I Went After Tom Cruise and Came Home with Tarantino

This week the Academy Awards are being held here in Hollywood so there are lots of galas, parties and events all over town this week. All the celebrities are out, with the LA collectors and autograph dealers from Chicago and even as far away as New York in town, pursuing the autographs of Hollywood's actresses and actors. The problem with all of this is that sometimes the bigger the event, the more collectors, the tighter the security and such and what seems like a promising opportunity for many autographs leads to just the opposite. I personally have noticed that some of the large events ultimately lead to even less autographs in quality and quantity than a typical day.

Tonight (Thursday, March 4, 2010) was the US-Ireland Alliance Pre-Academy Awards Event at the Ebell Club of Los Angeles and producer JJ Abrams was one of the evening's honorees. Chosen to introduce Abrams was none other than superstar Tom Cruise, so this was the big draw of the evening. The stated guest list included Andrew McCarthy, Richard Chamberlain, Tim Roth, Dana Delany and Ed Burns. Prior to me arriving to the event, one collector was able to get Delany to sign 20 photos for him. We spotted Abrams who told us that he would sign on the way out, which I believe he would have because I am told he is quite good with collectors.

After waiting for the arrivals and then some, I decided to check another entrance on the other side of the building. Sure enough, a large group of collectors and paparazzi had assembled, awaiting Cruise. After about half and hour, Cruise was in the parking lot and getting onto his motorcycle. He revved the motor and took off out the back exit, taking the long way around the block. I ran with some other collectors, hoping to catch up with Cruise at a red light. Unfortunately for us, Cruise hit all greens and roared past us, finally pulling up to a red light, turning right and he sped off into the night. Even though we didn't get any autographs, I have to admit that as far as departures go, I had never quite seen one like this. I decided to move on to another event than to put any more time into this location.

I left this event and went to the Palihouse, which was hosting a Vanity Fair charity party. Hosted by Amy Smart and guests including Elijah Wood, David Arquette and Rosana Arquette, I was hoping that this event would be more successful. Bonnie Somerville, who was a guest star for several episodes during season one of "The O.C.", signed autographs and posed for pictures for everyone on her way out of the party. She was super-friendly and put her arm around me for our picture.

Hearing that Madonna was at BOA, I headed there where I saw several celebrities including Dustin Hoffman, Zachary Quinto, Juliette Lewis, Matt Dillon, Emile Hirsch departing the parking garage. My only success was snagging and autograph on an index card from one of my favorite directors, Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino makes a lot of appearances at events and banquets and I have already met Tarantino several times over the past two months. He always is friendly and this encounter was no different. A bit of a side note, I thought it was ironic that in the same evening I had seen both stars, Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, from "Rain Man". I never did see Madonna or Elton John who was also at the party earlier in the evening.

I went to the club Voyeur on Sunset Boulevard to try my hand at trying my luck with the celebrities leaving the club at the end of the night. I once again saw Emile Hirsch but he quickly rushed to his car and did not sign. Brody Jenner spent some time talking with his friends but I did not ask him as Voyeur was closing and everyone was coming out all at once. Jamie Foxx also left Voyeur without signing any autographs. Stacy Keibler had also been at the club, but I did not see her.

That's how it goes, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. As a big fan of Somerville's "The O.C." and Tarantino, I was glad to meet and add both of their signatures to my collection. Still, it was a bit of a letdown to not get Tom Cruise after investing so much time. Yet onto another day, more pursuits and more autograph collecting successes!