Often during holiday gatherings where people meet for the first time or the first time in a long time, conversations run a variety of directions including what or who is popular at the moment. Someone will inevitably drop a name and say, yeah, I went to high school with [insert famous person] or [insert famous person] grew up in my hometown.
So here is our contest for the day, in an effort to draw out those who don’t post very often. Everyone is invited to reply with the name of the most famous person who you personally know.
Rules:
1) This MUST be someone you actually know, not someone you have only seen in person. The test is that if walking down the street, and said person saw you, he or she would come over to you shake your hand and say, wow, I haven’t seen you in a while. In other words, the famous person can actually recognize you.
2) The famous personage must still be alive or only recently deceased. Otherwise, Walt will win easily by dropping the name Alexander the Great.
3) The winner will be chosen by the site administrators as the regular here who knows the most famous person.
I will go first. Personally know the men’s basketball head coach at the University of Alabama.
GO…
–DW
The Hedgehog Report - Phoenix Edition 
69 responses to “Who do you know?”
Kelly Ayotte – Governor-elect of NH and Villanova Law School 1993.
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Hmmm….
If we have a thread about famous people we met I have quite a few to list. Will wait for that.
I do know someone who is a high official in the Biden Administration that everyone here would recognize, but I don’t feel comfortable divulging the name or why I know this person.
My congressman Scott Perry would recognize me and might come over to shake my hand if he saw me at an event. That is what politicians do. Not sure he would remember my name, probably not. On the other hand Incas for Perry is kind of unique.
I do know a famous guy who ran for Congress and got 12% of the vote. He even invited me to dinner.
I do know a famous guy who ran for Congress and got 12% of the vote. He even invited me to dinner.
I do know a famous guy who ran for Congress and got 12% of the vote. He even invited me to dinner.
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I am trying to make myself important, but those 3 famous guys who ran for Congress are actually the same person.
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I met Hillary and lived lol.
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I also went to high school and was in a play with Robert Sean Leonard (Dead Poets Society and tv show House)
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Dan Scavino Jr.
@DanScavino
·
Rather than post about a famous person I’ve never met, I’m sharing the above kitty/tiger picture. My husband, OTOH, grew up with a Hollywood crowd so used to drop all kinds of names.
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Okay, so far we have…
a) Nate Oats, Alabama head basketball coach who was in the Final Four last April.
b) Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte of NH
c) Congressman Scott Perry (shaky standard of him ‘knowing’ jason)
d) a high official in the Biden Administration
e) Actor Robert Sean Leonard
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Jan – You must know somebody famous.
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Outgoing Sen. and former WV governor Joe Manchin,
Current Sen. Shelley Moore Capito,
incoming Senator Jim Justice,
outgoing WV Senate President Craig Blair,
incoming WV Senate President Randy Smith,
former WV head basketball coach Gale Catlett (he–like me–is from Hedgesville, WV),
current President of Shepherd University Mary Hendrix,
outgoing long-time WV Talk Line radio host and WV icon Hoppy Kercheval, (he is retiring on Jan. 6)…
Have to put my thinking cap on for others…
****************
I have MET and had a 10-minute one on one meeting and conversation with just us two and had photo with Mitt Romney but he would not remember that.
Same with John McCain. He would not remember, because he is dead.
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Since Walt is immortal and the oldest living creature in the Universe, he would probably claim knowing the first single cell animal or a T-Rex.
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I do know a commentator on cnbc. He used to appear on squawk box often.
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We won’t ask what Walt means by “knowing” Lucy…
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So far…
a) Nate Oats, Alabama head basketball coach who was in the Final Four last April.
b) Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte of NH
c) Congressman Scott Perry (shaky standard of him ‘knowing’ jason)
d) a high official in the Biden Administration
e) Actor Robert Sean Leonard
f) Joe Manchin, WV former Gov and outgoing senator
g) Current WV Sen. Shelley Moore Capito,
h) incoming WV Senator Jim Justice
i) former WV head basketball coach Gale Catlett
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So far…
a) Nate Oats, Alabama head basketball coach who was in the Final Four last April.
b) Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte of NH
c) Congressman Scott Perry (shaky standard of him ‘knowing’ jason)
d) a high official in the Biden Administration
e) Actor Robert Sean Leonard
f) Joe Manchin, WV former Gov and outgoing senator
g) Current WV Sen. Shelley Moore Capito,
h) incoming WV Senator Jim Justice
i) former WV head basketball coach Gale Catlett
j) an unnamed commentator on CNBC
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Bonnie Raitt, Casey Silver (writer, producer, ex head of Universal Studios),
Larry Wood son of the head of Dot Records (early record company who the Beatles wanted to sign with), some minor actresses from “The Seventies” and “Thirty Something” shows.
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So far, I think Walt has the edge both in terms of quantity, and popularity. I think Oats has the edge over Gatlett, given Oats has reached the final four and is currently considered one of the top coaches in the nation.
But Manchin is a pretty big name, particularly because his time in the senate kept him perpetually in the news as he was often a critical vote. So Manchin is more of a household name than Ayotte, although that could change in the future.
If the high official in the Biden Administration is Kamala Harris, then jason is ahead.
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Ayotte also served as NH Attorney General and Senator. But she does not have Manchin’s legacy of doing nothing for decades.
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So far…
a) Nate Oats, Alabama head basketball coach who was in the Final Four last April.
b) Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte of NH
c) Congressman Scott Perry (shaky standard of him ‘knowing’ jason)
d) a high official in the Biden Administration
e) Actor Robert Sean Leonard
f) Joe Manchin, WV former Gov and outgoing senator
g) Current WV Sen. Shelley Moore Capito,
h) incoming WV Senator Jim Justice
i) former WV head basketball coach Gale Catlett
j) an unnamed commentator on CNBC
k) Bonnie Raitt
l) Casey Silver
m) Larry Wood
Sorry Jan, I have never heard of any of the names you dropped.
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Briefly met and talked with Billy Graham at a InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Illinois back in the 1980’s.
Shoot hands with Richard Pryor.
Shoot hands with Steve Garvey.
Had a firm conversation with my representation, Adam Smith, about abortion, right in my own driveway sometime in the early 2000’s.
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Excuse me, shook hands…
I need another Americano.
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Bonnie Raitt is a singer/songwriter. Legit success and worthy of consideration.
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John, that’s great…do you think Adam Smith would recognize you if you met on the street?
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DW, they’re in entertainment rather than politics. I’m surprised,though, Bonnie Raitt is unfamiliar to you. Casey is in film production, now has his own company, and is well known in the movie industry collaborating with people like Alan Sorkin.
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No, and he did not like my answers.
Also, when I was young, got the autograph of Desi Arnaz….didn’t recognize him but my father said he was Rickey Ricardo on the I Love Lucy Show.
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“I Love Lucy Show” killed the thread.
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Carville sounds the alarm:
https://dailycaller.com/2024/12/19/james-carville-democrats-border-child-sex-change/
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Why? It’s a classic. When she started in Hollywood she was supposed to play in sexy/glamorous roles. The studios then find out she had excellent comedic skills.
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No reason…just commented that there was a good influx of new comments that suddenly stopped when John mentioned the Lucy show. Funny was the later show where she got caught up in the draft, and at the end Gomer Pyle stepped into the scene.
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PFC Gomer Pyle stayed in the Marine Corps from 1963-1968 and was never sent to Vietnam. Lucky bastard.
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US Senators Budd, Tillis. Congressmen Bishop, Mark Walker, Former Lt. Govs Robinson and Forest. Many prolife NC legislators who would know me and recognize me.
Candice Owens, Dr. Ben Carson, and many MAGA Leaning activists that most of you wouldnt recognize, I dont think.
Entertainers would be actresses Eileen Fulton, Anna Maria Horsford and Cindy Pickett.
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David Avella is the chairman of GOPAC (former student of mine in high school)
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OT
Anthony Gockowski
@AntGockowski
BREAKING: A judge rules that MN Democrat Curtis Johnson “did not meet the residency requirements and is not eligible to serve as the representative for Minnesota House District 40B.” The case has huge implications for the tied 67-67 Minnesota House
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Terrorist has driven a car through a crowd of Christmas event pedestrians in Germany. At least 20 injured no reports of fatalities yet, but you can imagine some of the injuries will be gruesome.
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So far…
a) Nate Oats, Alabama head basketball coach who was in the Final Four last April.
b) Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte of NH
c) Congressman Scott Perry (shaky standard of him ‘knowing’ jason)
d) a high official in the Biden Administration
e) Actor Robert Sean Leonard
f) Joe Manchin, WV former Gov and outgoing senator
g) Current WV Sen. Shelley Moore Capito,
h) incoming WV Senator Jim Justice
i) former WV head basketball coach Gale Catlett
j) an unnamed commentator on CNBC
k) Bonnie Raitt
l) Casey Silver
m) Larry Wood
n) NC Senator Tillis
o) NC Senator Budd
p) Congressmen Bishop
q) NC lt. gov Robinson
Wait a minute, oahodges, did you read the rules carefully? These are people who would recognize YOU on the street. This is not a contest of people you have met.
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The terrorist in Germany was someone from Saudi Arabia.
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The footage is difficult to watch, even with them putting the blotches over the victims after they were hit. How could there be no fatalities?
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leave it to ABC news to craft the headline this way:
“Car drives into crowd at Christmas market in Germany”
You know because they don’t want to mention the Saudi driver. It was just a random car that did this….the car, all by itself weaved back and forth to maximize the carnage, then rounded a corner to keep going on the next street.
Now they are confirming one dead.
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only the NY Times headline admits it was a ‘driver’ who plowed into the crowd. All the rest said it was a car.
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I only listed people who would know me. I have been an active leader in the prolife movement in NC since the 1980’s. And a careful review of campaign finance contributors’ lists in NC would provide you the evidence you might would need if you doubt me.
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okay, just asking…thanks
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a) Nate Oats, Alabama head basketball coach who was in the Final Four last April.
b) Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte of NH
c) Congressman Scott Perry (shaky standard of him ‘knowing’ jason)
d) a high official in the Biden Administration
e) Actor Robert Sean Leonard
f) Joe Manchin, WV former Gov and outgoing senator
g) Current WV Sen. Shelley Moore Capito,
h) incoming WV Senator Jim Justice
i) former WV head basketball coach Gale Catlett
j) an unnamed commentator on CNBC
k) Bonnie Raitt
l) Casey Silver
m) Larry Wood
n) NC Senator Tillis
o) NC Senator Budd
p) Congressmen Bishop
q) NC lt. gov Robinson
r) Candice Owens
s) Dr. Ben Carson
t) Eileen Fulton
u) Anna Maria Horsford
v) Cindy Pickett.
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OA – I have no reason to doubt that these people know you. Do you want to name somebody outside of NC politics/pro-life movement?
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The only names I could come up for you Bitter, besides Candace, Dr. Carson and other national prolife leaders would be Pat Buchanan, who is still alive and someone I have known since he ran against Bush I. Otherwise, my interactions have been strictly Catholic or prolife leaders.
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Bitter, any thoughts on who we should declare the winner?
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Arthur Aidala, FoxNews/talk radio guest, grandson of Artie Aidala (older posters may know him as one of the judges in the Ali-Frazier MSG fight).
My sisters were in dance school with him, his younger sister and I were good friends, and I still see his parents around the neighborhood (in the last couple of years, anyway. They are getting up in age now),
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Wasnt asked but of those listed, Manchin would be first with Ayotte being the second most famous except for the basketball coach in the final four last year could also lay claim to the title.
in my opinion.
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I also know Kerry Butler, from Broadway fame, but she is on a first name basis with my wife, not me. Hang out once every couple of years.
I am on a first name basis with Terence Mullin, brother of NBA star Chris Mullin…….do we get 6 degrees here?
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maybe what I could do is take the top five, then check to see which of the five has the longest wikipedia page?
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that might not work, as wiki is so biased, they took 19 pages, plus footnotes to document how evil candace owens is.
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oa,
You don’t know Aidala?
He is more famous than those others!
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I will say this has been an interesting and illuminating look into our HHR regulars. Thanks everyone for playing.
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NYC:
Unfortunately, I was a fat kid when I was a child and was bullied in both public and private military schools growing up. I had a dog and lots of book and didnt really watch tv, listen to radio or have friends until I finished high school. Zero interest in sports.
Good evening, folks. As DW stated, it has been an interesting and revealing look at some of the regulars here. May He bless you all with Christmases filled with family, good food, love and Him.
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The contest was written up to be a winner for THE most famous person, and understandably, many of us listed several names. I am leaning toward Walt being the winner with Manchin, with oahodges and Bitter close seconds with Ayotte for Bitter and Ben Carson or Candace Owens for oahodges. Carson ran for president and was talked about quite a bit at the time, though not sure his popularity has been sustained.
But in the end, Manchin has been a nationally known name for an extended period of time due to the number of times his vote on matters made the difference in the senate.
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One guy I forgot – Jason Calacanis, from the All-In podcast – went to grade school and high school with him – more friendly with his family now.
He is a friend of Elon Musk, and I believe he owns the 2nd Tesla ever built.
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Until you declare a winner wait to see who Scooter Boy knows.
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I am not really tempted to argue for my Final Four coach because its one of those areas where if you are at all into NCAA mens basketball, then yeah, this is a huge name–he is talked about and interviewed all the time on the sports shows. But for those who only follow the march madness and otherwise are not interested, or those who don’t follow basketball at all, then the coach is barely known if at all.
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Walt has asked that we wait longer to declare a winner, so unless anyone objects, we will roll the thread over to tomorrow.
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There is also an NCAA Big Ten football head coach I know, as well as a USA Olympic gold medalist. But they are not as well known as Oats.
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But to be fair, the football coach would not come right over to me with immediate recognition. I would have to go to him, but once he heard my name, he would remember me and we would have a nice conversation.
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Scooter knows a garbage truck.
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The voice of the Little Mermaid? Cool.
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DW – I lean towards Walt’s choice of Manchin. We don’t know the name of the Biden Administration official.
If Ayotte becomes the first female President, I will own this contest.
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Fair enough…and we can give it until tomorrow for any who don’t check this page during working hours, and only post later at night. Maybe we can call the winner tomorrow night. I too would be interested in scooter’s connections.
Walt is in the lead with Manchin, but will he hold out through tomorrow?
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I too would be interested in scooter’s connections.
Does Scooter just have to know somebody or actually have to have a conversation with them? Is there an ADA category?
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HUGE police presence at the local GROCERY STORE !!!
*******************************************************
Police were gathered in the PRODUCE section of the store.
They had seen a sign that said “ARTI CHOKES THREE FOR A DOLLAR” and police suspected a “murder for hire” scheme.
Police did find an artichoke HEART and it was cold as a CUCUMBER.
>>>>>>>>>>
Police got a LEEK of illegal activities supposedly seen by the POTATOES eyes and heard by the CORN’s ears. Authorities think the CABBAGE was the HEAD of a crime group, and they had to SQUASH these illegal happenings.
>>>>>>>>>>>
–The CELERY was arrested for STALKING.
–The GRAPES and CARROTS were arrested on a BUNCH of charges.
–The BRUSSEL SPROUTS and SWISS CHARD were hauled off when they could not produce any immigration papers.
–The ASPARAGUS SPEARS were unregistered weapons.
–Disagreements between the BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER came to a HEAD.
–They discovered the RICE was WILD, and some of the fruit was just BANANAS, and some people were PLUM crazy!
–Underaged shoppers were partaking at the SALAD BAR.
–The RUTABEGA has no permit to BEG and panhandle.
–There was PEA on the floor!
–A PEAR tried to run away with his SWEET POTATO to get married, but the police said they CANTALOUPE.
–One fruit was arrested just for being UGLI.
Can you BEET that?
–Several shoppers were arrested for taking a LEEK and
taking a PEA in a public place.
–Other distraught and upset customers were standing by the ONIONS crying.
*********************************************************************
LETTUCE hope they TURNIP more evidence to SQUASH the criminal activity.
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Back in the 1990’s I answered the phone at home (land line days). It was our teenage daughter, who was active in state politics and the pro-life movement. She was calling from a phone booth outside a theater where a pro-life meeting had just broken up. She said, “Dad, someone wants to talk to you” and handed off the phone. I heard, “ Mr. Shaw, this is Governor Engler. I have Carrie here with me, she’s fine, but we’re having a get together and I’ve invited her to join us. I will personally guarantee her safety, if you and your wife would allow her out past her curfew.” That was my only conversation with real Governor.
Growing up outside Indianapolis, I had an elementary school classmate named Jack Gummer. We became good friends, would spend the night occasionally at one another’s homes and/or just hang out. Jack had 5 brothers, all older. They were all either very musical or artistic, or both. One brother, Don, went on to marry Meryl Streep, a marriage that lasted some 40 years.
Would Don Gummer or Governor Engler recognize me or my voice from Adam? Hell no. But this was a chance to name drop before returning to my mundane life.
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–incoming WV governor Patrick Morrisey
–WV supreme Court justice Tim Armstead
–WV supreme Court Justice Charles Trump
–two Miss West Virginia winners: Carolyn Wagner Miller and Tiffany Lawrence (but sadly Carolyn died a year or so ago)
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Charles Duke was an astronaut. I didn’t know him and he was no relation.
Just thought I would throw that in.
I also worked one summer as a waiter in the early 1970s for a guy who owned the Mariner Inn in Wildwood NJ and he was the head cook there. Hee invented various devices that are used on nuclear submarines. (but he is dead now)
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NT
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