CELEB SIGHTINGS: CELEB SIGHTINGS 61

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CELEB SIGHTINGS 61

Let’s kick the year off right with my latest Celeb Sightings. I know it looks to be the first Celeb Sightings of 2019, but it’s really the last one of 2018! I kept meaning to publish them way before this, but so much happens in my life that I just could never find a free date in INAM for them. I seem to always be reviewing some time-sensitive event or another.

But to make the lack of great timing up to you, this is one of my favorite groups of Celeb Sightings ever!!! And truly the juiciest! And, for sure, the longest!!! That’s because they span five months!

John Legend.  Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one of Tobey Maguire and fam at the top of this page.

John Legend. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one of Tobey Maguire and fam at the top of this page.

Even though there are only eight (among the forty-two of them) of whom I’m really a fan myself,* I love the true variety. *[Note: I’ll leave you guys to figure-out which ones they are. And then you can share your guesses in the Comments section below, and I’ll reply to you, both yay and nay.]

And, to give you a heads-up in the “celeb talk” category, I’ll be tweeting my thoughts on the Golden Globes this Sunday, so you might want to follow me now, if you don’t already. I’m @MajorCelebrity, of course! I plan to start tweeting early, with the arrivals.

Now let’s get to these Celeb Sightings already!

8/24/18  I was standing right next to two show biz biggies on opening night of Ain’t Too Proud at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown LA: Lily Tomlin before the show, and John Legend after. What a lovely guy he appears to be—he took selfies with every single person who asked! (In case you’re curious—I did not.) (Here’s my review of that Broadway-bound new musical: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-aint-too-proud-the-life-and-times-of-the-temptations.)

Scott Disick.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

Scott Disick. Photo by Karen Salkin.

8/27/18  Evan Ross and Scott Disick at a very sad private event in Burbank. But through my tears, I was shocked at how good-looking Scott is! I’ve seen only thumbnail pix of him before, and he always looks like a dork, but he’s shockingly handsome in person. Especially because he stands so straight which shows off just how tall and thin he is.

9/6/18  This was an interesting crew at the opening of the new movie Warning Shot in Beverly Hills: a long-gray-ponytailed Patrick Duffy, with his Dallas co-star Linda Gray as his date, supporting star David Spade on his first non-comedic role. (You can read about the entire premiere here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/movieeventparty-warning-shot-premiere.)

Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray. Photo by Karen Salkin.

9/9/18  Jason Alexander at the opening night of Native Gardens, a new play he directed at the Pasadena Playhouse. I was a bit surprised that he was there because it was the first night of Rosh Hashanah, but I was, too, so I’m not judging. (I just hope that God lets us both off the hook, since we were both there to work.)  (Here’s my review of that fun play: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-native-gardens.)

RuPaul.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

RuPaul. Photo by Karen Salkin.

9/15/18  This was a trifecta day at the L’Ermitage Hotel in BH! First, my friend Denise and I spied David Alan Grier on the roof, at the GBK gift lounge. Then, as we exited the elevator back down in the lobby, Anthony Anderson was going up, and gave a nod to Denise, (which she was thrilled-by, of course.) And finally, RuPaul and I had a charming tete a tete in the lobby lounge, about the suit that he was rocking, which I owned when I was sixteen!!! He was adorable, and even figured-out when I was that age from the fashion of the day. (He may have gotten it a tad wrong, but let’s just say that I was a big fan of his guess!!! And my guess is that I still have it, baby!) (You can read all about the rest of that day here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/gifting-lounge-gbk-2018-pre-emmy-awards-luxury-gifting-lounge.)

Billy Zane.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

Billy Zane. Photo by Karen Salkin.

9/21/18  I not only sat right next to Billy Zane at the Silver Spur Awards in Studio City, but I also got to catch-up with my old gym buddy, former football superstar, Rosey Grier. Also in attendance were more former acquaintances of mine, Stefanie Powers and Patrick Wayne. (To learn how I know them all, and more about the awards banquet, click here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/awards-showevent-silver-spur-awards.)

Tyra Banks.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

Tyra Banks. Photo by Karen Salkin.

9/22/18  These two were my kind of celeb sightings!  They’re not only real, very-known celebrities, but they’re two whom I’ve never seen in person. And they were just out and about among the public, not at one of my usual invitation-only events. First I bumped into Tyra Banks, with her mother and baby, and then Tobey Maguire with his ex-wife and daughter, (who are the trio in the pic at the top of this page,) at the opening of the new shopping center in Pacific Palisades, just like us regular folks. Loved that!

Lee Meriwether.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

Lee Meriwether. Photo by Karen Salkin.

10/2/18  Batman actress Lee Meriwether at a party at the Hollywood Museum. That was interesting because she was sort-of fresh in my mind because just two days before, I was at a screening of a new web series that she and I both had the same cameo in! I have to admit that my tiny bit was funnier, but that former Miss America (from over sixty years ago!,) is still so gorgeous!!! (Here’s my review of that reception: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/partyart-30-years-of-make-up-monsters-and-magic-opening-reception.)

Steve Carell. Is that his phone in his pocket or was he just happy that some woman was bothering him for a selfie? Photo by Karen Salkin.

Steve Carell. Is that his phone in his pocket or was he just happy that some woman was bothering him for a selfie? Photo by Karen Salkin.

10/4/18  Steve Carell and Maura Tierney in Hollywood, speaking at an industry screening (yes, it’s that season again!,) of their new film, Beautiful Boy. Here’s a heads-up on it—it’s definitely not an upper! But what was a positive that night is that Maura, who was hit by a car while riding her bicycle in Marina del Rey just two months ago, looked like she has totally recovered from that physical trauma. That was the happiest thing I witnessed that night, for sure.

Jonah Hill.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

Jonah Hill. Photo by Karen Salkin.

10/15/18  Jonah Hill, in West Los Angeles, speaking on a panel with all the main actors in his new film Mid90s. (He’s not in it—he wrote and directed it; hence “his” film!) He could not have been nicer to absolutely everyone, even the idiots in the industry audience whose self-serving “questions” the rest of us hate. As to the film, Mr. X loved it, but I’m not a fan. I totally recognize the merit of the work, but there is just way too much life tension, and too many unanswered questions, for my taste.

Katy Perry.   Photo by Karen Salkin.

Katy Perry. Photo by Karen Salkin.

10/19/18 What a juicy, celeb-filled opening night of Dear Evan Hansen at the Ahmanson theatre in downtown LA this was! But there were two that were the most interesting to me. Sitting just a few rows in front of me was Katy Perry with her entourage of six. (One was a true weirdo. Don’t ask.) Katy was rocking a sequined gown, looking like she was going to the Oscars, which was a tad misplaced because no one gets that fancy at theatre openings in this day and age. And then at intermission, I wound-up watching the snacks of Maya Rudolph and her cute daughter, while they went to the stalls in the Ladies Room. I almost missed getting back to my seat in time for the Act II curtain, but I can’t help treating others as I wish they’d treat me. (If you’re curious to know if I was as gaga over this show as everyone else in the world seems to be, you can find-out here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-dear-evan-hansen.)

Karen Salkin and Vincent Rodriguez III.   Photo by Vincent Rodriguez III.

Karen Salkin and Vincent Rodriguez III. Photo by Vincent Rodriguez III.

10/23/18  What a seemingly disparate group of celebs this was at the World Choreography Awards in Beverly Hills! But the one thing they all have in common, (outside of all knowing me, of course, which is totally true,) is their love of dance! Both stunning Gleb Savchenko (from Dancing With The Stars,) and Jeff Goldblum were there with their choreographer wives, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s adorable Vincent Rodriguez III insisted on taking our now-annual selfie with me. I was in heaven from it all! (If you missed my review of this amazing presentation, you really should read all about it here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/danceeventawards-show-world-choreography-awards-2018.)

Screen Shot 2018-12-27 at 11.09.45 PM10/28/18  Friends star Lisa Kudrow at the opening night soiree for the new play Quack at the Douglas Theatre in Culver City. (Here’s my review of that show, in case you missed it: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-quack.)

Hugh Jackman and Alfred Molina.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

Hugh Jackman and Alfred Molina. Photo by Karen Salkin.

11/3/18 Be still my beating heart—Hugh Jackman smiled at me!!! OMG! In Beverly Hills, after one of the many industry screenings, (thank goodness I’m still partially an actress,) of his new film about Gary Hart, The Frontrunner, Hugh did a Q-and-A, (along with one of his co-stars, Alfred Molina.) And as he ran down the aisle to the stage, he must have sensed my love for him pouring out of my being, because he just sort-of slowed-down and smiled at me with that gorgeous face of his. (Or maybe he was just laughing at my desperation, as Mr. X always does.) What a darling, charming, pleasant man he is! And his individual fingers are as long as my arm!!! Have I mentioned I love him? Or do I even need to?

Nicole Kidman. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Nicole Kidman. Photo by Karen Salkin.

11/12/18  Nicole Kidman speaking after a screening of her trying-way-too-hard new film, Destroyer, in West Los Angeles. She’s always such a lovely lady.

11/17/18  The interesting celeb trio of Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Tyler Perry doing a very amusing Q-and-A after the very first industry screening of their new film, Vice. (What’s with all these one word movie titles this season???) If only the movie was as entertaining as the actors speaking as themselves were.

Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Tyler Perry. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Tyler Perry. Photo by Karen Salkin.

11/25/18  Billy Crystal hosting the Tree Lighting festivities at Palisades Village in Pacific Palisades. He walked right by me when he got off the stage, but my camera was focused on the tree, so I did not get a snap for you. But he looks exactly as he does on film.

Julia Roberts. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Julia Roberts. Photo by Karen Salkin.

11/29/18  Julia Roberts speaking after an industry screening of Ben Is Back in West Hollywood, dressed in head-to-toe red. (And it wasn’t even December yet!)

11/29/18  Perennial sitcom actor (and current professional krump dancer,) Ray Buktenica, at the opening night reception for Dixie’s Tupperware Party in Culver City. He told me that he really enjoyed the show, especially my one-night-only cameo. (If you’re curious about just what I was doing in that production, you can find-out right here:  itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-dixies-tupperware-party.)

12/8/18  Maria Shriver walking by her lonesome at the Montana Avenue Holiday Walk in Santa Monica. We chatted for a bit because we’ve known each other for years when she used to watch my TV show, Karen’s Restaurant Revue.  When she was married to Arnold Schwarzenegger, he told me that they used to “lie in bed” to watch me and they’d “laugh and laugh.” I loved that. She was rocking blonde hair that night, and a hat, and looked so young that I actually thought she was Keri Russell for a minute!

Don Murray. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Don Murray. Photo by Karen Salkin.

12/9/18  Don Murray, who played the naive cowboy with Marilyn Monroe in the movie Bus Stop, sitting in the audience to watch a new stage version at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills. He’s eighty-nine now, but looked even more handsome than he did in that classic film. And he has a head of hair that many men half his age would envy! (You can read my review of that play right here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-bus-stop.)

Jenna Dewan and Steve Kazee. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Jenna Dewan and Steve Kazee. Photo by Karen Salkin.

12/12/18  Jenna Dewan supporting her new bae, Steve Kazee, on his opening night of the show, Love Actually Live, at the Wallis in Beverly Hills. I first spied her at halftime in the line for the ladies room, and then again at the after-party. She was very animated then, and the new duo could barely keep their hands off each other!  Very cute. (Here’s my review of that whole opening: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatremusic-love-actually-live.)

Juan Pablo Di Pace and Karen Salkin. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Juan Pablo Di Pace and Karen Salkin. Photo by Karen Salkin.

12/14/18  This was a really fun one. Adorable multi-talented actor, late of Dancing With The Stars, Juan Pablo Di Pace, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for the opening of the panto, The Wonderful Winter of Oz, in which he plays The Lion. We were introduced at the after-party, so I was thrilled that I got to tell him how robbed he was to have not won this past crazy season of that television dance show! And get this— he actually held my hand, and looked into my eyes, the entire time we chatted! And you know me—my chats are far from brief.  So we stayed like that for a loooong time. Lucky me, right?! (Here’s the rest of that story, along with the review of his show: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-the-wonderful-winter-of-oz-panto.)

Mischa Barton. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Mischa Barton. Photo by Karen Salkin.

12/15/18  Mischa Barton walking into the FabFitFun holiday fete in Hollywood, right along with…me! I’m happy to report that she looked really good and healthy again. (Here’s everything you need to know about that party: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/party-fabfitfun-2018-winter-party.)

12/16/18  Former Frasier actress Peri Gilpin in the audience of It’s a Wonderful Life at the Pasadena Playhouse.  She was in the holiday show at that theatre last year, so it was good of her to come back to support this new production. The strange thing is that I chose to go to a plain old Sunday matinee, as opposed to the opening night, so I didn’t expect to see any celebs at all that day. And Peri picked that same regular-day performance! (In case you missed it, here’s my review of that staged radio play: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-its-a-wonderful-life-a-live-radio-play.)

12/24/18  My old buddy, “Real Housewife” Kyle Richards, with her husband and daughters, walking around the Glen Center at the top of Beverly Glen in Bel-Air. I guess it was the place to be for all us cool kids on the day of Christmas Eve, before the real partying began!

And that brings us to the end of my longest Celeb Sightings column in the history of INAM! It’s also the one that put a wrap on 2018. Let’s hope the first one of this new year is even close to as juicy as this one is! (And don’t forget to follow my Golden Globe tweets on Sunday–@MajorCelebrity. It should be a fun show.)

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2 Comments

  1. My picks for fav celeb sightings are as follows (in no particular order)…
    RuPaul, Jonah Hill, Billy Crystal and last but not least Ray Buktenica!!!!!
    How’d I do?

    • You got one right. And that is–drum roll, please–Ray Buktenica!!!

      But my biggest celebrity crush is in there somewhere.

      (And, the other three you mentioned are nothing to me. RuPaul was nice, but I’ve never seen his show, so I know nothing about him, outside of our fashion convo that day.)

      Thanks for trying, though. And I love that you got Mr. Buktenica right–he is my true fave celeb!

      Karen

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