Has anyone recognized actors anywhere but a show?

[Broadway Buddy]

Im just curious. Has anyone recognized any actors in public? This has happened to me before. One time my friend and I were walking around the city (dont remember the reason why we were in that day) but suddenly, Jessie Muller just walked by. That was pretty exciting. Also in line buying a ticket to a show I swear I saw Seth Rudetsky in the lobby of the theatre. I cant confirm for sure that was him, but I recognized his voice from the radio (he was talking to an old lady) and I know what he looks like, but then again, it couldve just been an usher. Im not going to make this an essay but more incidents have happened like these. Share your stories!

[dramamama611]

It happens all the time in the city.
In fact, I'd say about 60% of the time I'm in the city, I see somebody from bway away from the theater...on the subway, Starbucks, restaurants.

 

(And, yes, the first few times ir happens, its very exciting. )

[Wee Thomas2]

I rarely do, but my wife recognizes actors and writers everywhere.

 

We did both recognize Sutton Foster and Joel Grey entering Carnegie Hall, and he looked confused when I asked her if she had kept the boots from Trust.

 

(she did) 

 

Edward Albee denied he was himself at a preview of Me, Myself, and I a few years back, which was funny/odd

[ImAProphet]

I have walked past John Bolton three different times on the same block. Jay Armstrong Johnson in the Port Authority subway station. Harry Hadden-Paton walking toward the Beaumont stage door carrying a takeout bag.

I'm only in the city about one day a month, and not as knowledgeable about Broadway talent as I would like to be, so this is a lot for me...

[JBroadway]

Happens all the time. The funny thing is when you start seeing the same actors in the same places - or even weirder, when you start seeing the same actor over and over, but in lots of different places!

[Broadway Buddy]

I guess it makes sense to see someone out in the city. Especially when the show isn’t going on. That is their home, and their normal people too so they don’t get special vip meals or anything just because they may be famous. (That’s the thing I think I’m always forgetting). I get to see Renee Elise Goldsbery everyday now because I’m doing a show with her kids!

[dramamama611]

Except being famous because of bway isnt really the same as being Hollywood famous. The can often lead uninterrupted  lives easily.

And, to be fair, NYers are a lot less into the whole...gah! A famous person, squee! than you might think.

[Mike Barrett]

Dont live in the city (yet) but I've seen my fair share this past season. Jeremy Pope, who even recognized my bf and I from the stage door a few weeks prior, Andrew Keenan Bolger who was with his bf/husband now I think so I didn't approach him. Denee Benton was at a coffee shop I was at as well but was talking on the phone. 

For non broadway celebs, I've seen Eric Trump casually walking (would never bother saying a word obviously), Timothee Chalamet who was incredibly kind and we have a mutual friend so that was cool. Happens a lot in NYC tbh, you've probably seen more people than you even know! 

[yankeefan7]

" For non broadway celebs, I've seen Eric Trump casually walking (would never bother saying a word obviously), "

I was walking around the United Nations after a tour a bunch of years ago and was walking alongside Dan Rather (CBS) and nobody seem to notice him.

[Mike Barrett]

Ya, no one said a word to him and there was no security with him it seemed which is odd for someone in the first family. Thats just how useless Eric is though. 

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

I ran into Tyne Daly on the street once while she was on her way to film the Terrence McNally documentary. We had a lovely conversation about GYPSY.

Robert Creighton- who I worked with on CAGNEY- and I ran into each other twice. Once at a performance of On the 20th Century, the other on the street near Penn Station. He remembered me both times and gave me a big hug.

Another time, I had an appointment at Roundabout's admin offices, and Santino Fontana just casually showed up. I asked him if he told kids he voiced Prince Hans in Frozen. His response: "No, because then they would hate me."

[haterobics]

Helped Tom Hanks figure out which theater he needed to be at 10 minutes before showtime?

[carolinaguy]

I saw Kyle Mooney on the 6 train this past April.

[Least exciting story in this thread.]

[magictodo123]

I saw Heidi Blickenstaff in a Duane Reade in Midtown Manhattan a few years ago. 

I also ran into Christian Borle a few days before he won his Tony Award for Shakespeare in Something Rotten! He's a member of a gym in my old neighborhood. 

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Don't live in NY, but have seen several actors in Midtown before:

Cheyenne Jackson crossing street (when he lived there)

Corey Cott eating in restaurant

Jeremy Jordan-in audience at Pippin revival

Nick Adams-crossing street

Never spoke to any of them except: Harvey Fierstein alone coming up sidewalk.

[veronicamae]

JBroadway said: "Happens all the time. The funny thing is when you start seeing the same actors in the same places - or even weirder, when you start seeing the same actor over and over, but in lots of different places!"

My friends and I see Ryann Redmond EVERYWHERE. It's basically a running joke between us at this point. Doesn't matter where we are or how random it is - she will be there.

My most exciting unexpected moment thus far has been stepping onto a hotel elevator to find Tatiana Maslany on it here in NYC. And just when I was getting over the excitement, crossing paths with her again the next morning in the lobby where I nervously and quietly said hello and that she's an amazing actress (to which she said, "Oh, thank you!"

I've been on the subway with Jason Tam, Elizabeth Reaser, and Marc Kudisch. Saw Josh Lucas when I was waiting in line to enter The Cher Show. Eden Espinosa in the restroom line at invited dress of Allegiance (but like, lots of actors' actor friends were there, so...).

Passing actors on the sidewalk in midtown 1-2 hours before a show is basically a gimme!

[BrodyFosse123]

When you live in NYC, this is a normal occurrence, especially in Brooklyn. 3 major film actors (1 Oscar winner and 1 Oscar nominee) are regulars at the Daily Press coffee shop in my neighborhood. You see them using their laptops on occasion so it’s not just to get coffee.

[carolinaguy]

Oh wait, how could I forget? Kyle Mooney was nothing. I was in the men's room line at the Cort before King Lear and Matt Damon came down the stairs. He saw the line and grinned and said, "Guess everybody knows it's long, right?"

 

He turned around and left. I wondered if maybe he got to go backstage and use one of the cast restrooms. :)

[Dollypop]

Last summer my grndchildren and I were on a tram at the "Olde Wisconsin" open air museum when Jane Kaczmerac (sp?) came aboard and sat behind us.

[52889j]

Working at a prominent off-broadway box office is great for this if it's something you enjoy. I started writing them down because when we have a really hot show, it's a Broadway A-lister (and often, Hollywood A-listers) almost every night. I've seen and "met" hundreds.

Who is the kindest you might ask? Judith Light with no competition.

[Mike Barrett]

As a die hard SNL watched I would be beyond thrilled to see Kyle Mooney around. I've heard from people who've met and know him that he's pretty personable which is awesome to hear. 

Also forgot but I saw Bon Jovi at TKAM on his bday. 

[kdogg36]

I'm not the best at recognizing celebrities, but it's happened to me a few times. The most memorable incident was when I saw Daphne Rubin-Vega waiting for the subway at 23rd St. and she sat next to me when we got on the train. I mentioned how much I liked her in Bernarda Alba (as well as how much I admired the show itself), and we then had a nice little conversation. She was extremely gracious and friendly, and complimented my NOH8 tattoo. I suspect she was happy for a fan to talk to her about something other than Rent!

[Pashacar]

I was really into Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and ran into Greg Jbara by Columbus Circle during the run. Said hi and we had a nice little conversation.

Saw Ethan Slater outside a supermarket in Brooklyn during the Spongebob run. Considered running in and buying a sponge for him to sign, but he was with his wife, so I didn't bother him.

[Kad]

If you live in uptown Manhattan, or in Astoria, or Jersey City, odds are good you'll be seeing theatre performers all the time. 

[InTheBathroom1]

I see actors everywhere in the city but one of the more random places was seeing Joe Iconis at a Starbucks in St. Louis.