Have hunted boar on my family's property with Gerald McRaney (Major Dad) a couple of times....hunted with a gun given as a gift from Charles Heston (it was engraved).
Roomed in the summers with NY Jet Center Kevin Mawae at LSU...we were in the same recruiting class (1989)
Ex-fiancee's dad was Joe Fortunato of the Chicago Bears (OLB-#31)....one damn impressive man!
Cousin is former Buffalo Bill center Kent Hull.
I'm friends with Sammy Guy, Buddy Guy's brother....been back stage many times.
Bought a beer for Brittany (seriously)....shame on me.

Charlton...sorry

Something I haven't posted would be my following of the PGA tour, both Senior and regular tours! I have had several Jack Daniels with John Daly (did not help him become addicted to booze) and have met the following: Arnold Palmer (one of nicest humans in the world), Fuzzy Zoeller, Dave Stockton, Payne Stewart, Davis Love III, Jim Dent, Curtis Strange, Jack Nichlaus, Paul Goydos, Julius Boros, Tony Lema, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelsonm and Freddy Couples among others.

No, they do not know me and I have worked at several golf tournaments as a volunteer. My favorite golfer is Davis Love III, a cigar smoker!!!!

Charlie

Honorable and courageous just don't come close to famous! I'd take a hero over any of those listed BUT it's stated "Most Famous"!

The defination of famous is: fa·mous Pronunciation Key (fms) adj. Well or widely known. The word I believe you're trying to reference or completely has you confused is hero. It's defination is: he·ro Pronunciation Key (hîr)n. pl. he·roes. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.

The hero that I had a chance to rub sholders with is MSgt. Gary Gordon. There's a HERO! Col. Hackworth is another HERO. They're not famous. While I applaud ALL veterans for time served it hardly ranks as fame. Most of the heroes I know wouldn't even let you buy them a beer. They were ordinary men that rose to extraordinary occasions.

Everyone needs a good spankin' now and then...thanks Doc! I was so impressed and taken up in the moment with NATO, that I failed to understand what you so graciously pointed out.

I'll add that I also met the dad from 8 Is Enough (can't think of his name) at the beach in Del Mar a couple of years ago. He and his wife were in town for the racing season (she was recovering from a knee injury or surgery) and have a beach house near a friend of mine.

I think that most of the people I've met that I consider to be a type of celebrity, may actually not be considered famous...so I guess that you can forget everything I've said...LOL!

Dr. Madd Vibe-

I completely understand the definitions of famous and hero, prior, to you regurgitating their definitions (good work…by the way). However, in my opinion, and only my opinion, I look at those soldiers who stormed the island of Iwo Jima, collectively, famous. Most people are familiar with Iwo Jima, and that’s why I think Nato’s dad is famous, as well as a hero (in addition to).

This is just my humble opinion.

Xrundog: here is a couple sites re: Lenny

http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-13718 

http://www.zeal.com/exit.jhtml?cid=10110464&wid=100603374&so=&xr=/website/profile.jhtml%3Fcid%3D10110464%26wid%3D100603374 

Neither link has his complete credits...and he also won a Tony Award for (I think this is it) the 1959 Broadway musical REDHEAD...it's in his entryway at home...

I guess I lead a sheltered life. I've been in the presence of a couple former presidents but given the opportunity I didn't go out of my way to shake their hands. Just didn't seem like a big deal you know. Stand in line with hundreds of other people just to say you shook the president's hand. I've met a couple congressmen, a few 4 star generals, and a couple of the Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force . Inside my circle I guess they're famous.

And just add to the famous/heroes debate, I guess it depends on your point of reference. How many of you have ever heard of John Levitow ?http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/ep/eh12.htm

If you're an Air Force enlisted member his name is probably indelibly printed on your brain. But outside the Air Force few people probably knew who he was. I had always hoped our paths would cross some day but unfortunately Mr Levitow passed away 2 years. Standing in line just to shake his hand would have been an honor.

Penzt8: Levitow is very famous among those of us who serve in the USAF. I recently sat through a briefing with Gen Jumper, who spoke about Levitow. What a truly remarkable man!

I'm surprised that Longashes didn't mention any famous people...seeing how he started it...

wswmcj

Like I said, it all depends on your point of reference. Who knows, Gen Jumper may be famous some day (outside Air Force circles). Just look at Gen Powell. If it wasn't for Desert Storm he'd probably be just another retired 4 star on the payroll of some big defense contractor.

I've met George Carlin, Robert Parish (Celtics), Daryl Dawkins, ****** Gephardt, Walter Mondale, "Irish" Micky Ward, and a bunch of lesser knowns.

Ann Margret....in a verrry small elevator in the Ritz Carleton in New York years ago. One of my favorite visual and aromatic memories to this day. That lady could turn night into day with her body chemistry!

I've met some famous people in my life, but the most memorable was when I was about 10. I was still living in Los Angeles area and my uncle was the head engineer for Dodger Stadium. He used to give my mom and dad tickets all the time, and we would all go and see the Dodgers play. One time he met us up stands and handed me an official Dodger ball and asked if I would like to meet them. I drooled like the kid I was, and he took me down to the locker rooms and I waited while the team exited, and as they exited I was introduced and they all signed my ball. Back in 76 some of the people on that ball are Steve Garvey, Steve Yegger, Don Sutton, Dusty Baker and a lot of other guys I can’t think of right now. Anyways, I'll always remember that.

The most odd experience was when I was about 16. We had a lodge on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. It was a small lodge, about two acres of property on the lake side and about 23 units. Herve Vallachez (sp?) the midget from Fantasy Island came and stayed with us for about two weeks. I remember he was very nice, and had dinner with us several times. We had a few celebrities stay with us while we had the lodge from about 79 to 92, but they pretty much didn’t want to be bothered and kept to themselves, and as proprietors we respected their privacy.


Chris

E, Willy Wonka is on right now. Look it's Leonard!

Mostly sports guys:

Mark Messier & Wayne Gretzky (were summer vacationing on LI.
Dinner with Rod Gilbert #7.
Joe Klecko, Mark Gastinuea, Marty Lyons of the Jets.
Phil Simms, Joe Morris, Ottis Anderson, 1990 NY Giants.
Kerry Collins, Jeremy Shockey, Michael Strahan, Tiki Barber and John Madden(very full of himself!) - Hall of Fame game in Canton Ohio. (friend is sports reporter).

Film Stars:

Al Pacino, way back when he did Scarface.

Gwenyth Paltrow, Mel Brooks, Robert DiNero - While filming on LI.(was doing security)

Thats about it.

I spoke to Elvis last night when I beamed up to the mothership. Yes, he is one of THEM.

I actually got drunk once with John Lee Hooker at a bar (before it opened) where he was going to do his show ... he gave me an 8x10 photograph of him that he signed at least 4 or five times. He just kept signing it until he got it right ... LOL!

I also met Tina Turner (many years ago) at the Saddle Back in San Jose ... I was so close to the stage, I could taste her sweat ...

Kidding, right?

If you are referring to my comment ... which one?

... either way, both are true.