Back when Startrek became the hottest television show since the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, I was a huge fan. Still am. My sister and I never missed an episode. I idolized Spock, thought he was super cool, and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I attended a special service at my friend's temple, where Leonard Nimoy, shaved eyebrows and all, made an appearance to speak with the congregation. I'm not Jewish, but Leonard is, and so is my friend. She used to come to church with me sometimes, but my church never had anything so cool as Spock on stage. *Swoon!*
So what does this have to do with Mr. Nimoy almost becoming my stepdad? Nothing. At least not yet. I'm just pointing out that he was a regular guy in spite of his stardom.
I was born in Hollywood, California, and we lived in a cozy little Leave It To Beaver type suburb in L.A. It wasn't uncommon to see a movie star at the zoo, mall or grocery store, or come across a movie set in the middle of a parking lot somewhere. I suppose it still happens, but Los Angeles was much smaller forty-five years ago and celebrity sightings weren't as rare as they are today. I remember watching a scene from Mod Squad being shot in a parking garage a few blocks from my house.
My dad died when I was nine, and a year later, my mom's friends were trying to get her back in the dating game. My mom didn't know many celebrities, except for Sebastian Cabot (Family Affair), who she met at the hospital when my dad was sick. I even got to talk to him on the phone a few times.
Some of Mom's friends talked her into going on a blind date with a man they thought would be perfect for her. It was all arranged. He'd pick her up Saturday night and they'd go out to dinner. That perfect man just happened to be Leonard Nimoy.
Did I know this was going to happen? No. And thanks to my mom getting cold feet, it never did. She didn't feel comfortable dating anyone yet, so she cancelled the date and Mr. Nemoy never made it to my house. *sniff*
Are there any celebrities in your life? Do tell!
22 comments:
Cute story. Well, let's see . . . I could say that Kirk Douglas almost became my stepdad, but the truth is not even close. He was on a movie set in Colorado, saw my mom in the drugstore, and asked her out on a date. She knew he was married and turned him down flat.
Wow, great story!
Haha, Peg, I'd say that counts as an "almost." LOL. Just spin the what-ifs and you could end up with a stepdad, half brother, and a bit part in one of Douglas's movies! Woot!
BTW, sorry, for my major faux pas of misspelling my almost-stepdad's last name. What kind of an almost-stepdaughter am I? :)
I should say it is actually Leonard Nimoy. I served Monty Hall dinner at the downtown Denver Hilton when I was 21. He was not very nice. But Dana Cain, entrepreneur extraordinaire, has brought tons of celebrities to town. Tiny Tim called me Miss Thea all weekend.
Oh, okay, you caught it. Snicker. Fumble fingers and excitement catches a lot of people at the worst time and Murphy just chuckles.
Thanks, Trudy! I thought about this when I was reading a friend's blog about an author who actually uses false connections to celebrities on purpose just to ride on their fandom coat-tails. Yikes! Too unscrupulous for me, but it did make me think of this story, and another one that I may share in the future. Heehee.
Ooh, Thea, Monty Hall! Too funny. And Tiny Tim. My friends and I followed David McCallum (he played on the Man From Uncle TV show) and his family around the zoo one day. He was not amused. We such brats, lol.
What a fun story, Karen.
This is an awesome story Karen. A great "what if" moment! I've met a few celebs in my day (Ed Asner, Joyce Dewitt, Walter Koenig). But my fave, by far, is when my hubby took me to Austin TX for our 10th wedding anniversary to see Russell Crowe and his band. While we were waiting in line, Russell drove by on his Harley! And the venue was so small, we were all up close and personal Totally fun experience!
Thanks, Pat! :)
Wow, Casey, that's so cool! Russell Crowe? *faints* He's definitely drool-worthy. I hope you took pictures!
I could pick several different celebs that I've met. Long ago when I was writing kids' books, I did some work for Parachute Press. My editor was Jane Stein. She's the wife of Bob Stein (Goosebumps) I got to know him through her and still see him at Thrillerfest. Another writer I got to know is Ken Follett. I'd written him a fan letter long ago, and asked to meet him. We did meet in London several times, and he invited me and my daughter to dinner at his house. Very exciting.
Rebecca
Ultra cool story, Karen. I love Leonard.
PS, See you Saturday!
Apparently I lead a celebrity-deprived life.
But my dad's picture was in National Geographic back in the 60s. The article was on the Trust Territory Islands of Micronesia. Dad was a pilot for Pan Am who flew to those islands. The photo shows his back and the side of his face as he walls away from the photographer.
Us kids figured that made him a celebrity! LOL
Thanks to my uncle (dad's brother) marrying Florence Turner (yep Ted Turner's mom) I was related by marriage to Ted Turner and Jane Fonda for six years.
How cool, Rebecca. I often fantasize about getting some face to face time with Stephen King. He's my writing hero.
Yay, Mary! It will be so good to see you there! :)
Sarah, your dad was a celeb to his kids and that's what counts. Did you watch the series PanAm? I loved that show this year. Not sure it's coming back, but it's one of the few historical tv series besides Mad Men.
So, Paulette, did Ted and Jane ever come for Thanksgiving dinner? :)
Hi Karen
My sister was into Leonard too. I was a huge Beatles fan. No celebrities here, sorry.
Nancy
What a great story!
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