Celebrity Sightings:
I’ve never actually met a celebrity one-on-one. But walking around New York City over the years, I’ve seen a few who live there or stay temporarily while on film sets or in Broadway productions.
Sightings are fairly common. But residents respect the privacy of their famous neighbors going about their everyday work and personal business. They don’t crowd around them for questions or autographs—or snap photos like paparazzi. They are New Yorkers and we protect them.
Many years ago, as I was turning the corner near the Harvard Club from West 44th onto Fifth, ELLIOT GOULD crossed my path.
While waiting for the doors to open at a Broadway theater, MARTHA STEWART and a group of her friends were standing nearby. She was dressed in all black—New York black. And she is tall. ALAN ALDA stood in front of a poster, accommodating a fan for a photograph.
While having breakfast at Nice Matin, Upper West Side, JOHN LITHGOW was seated at the next table.
WILLY GEIST was eating appetizers at an outside table at a popular restaurant, Playa Betty’s.
Crossing an avenue midtown, I spotted ALEC BALDWIN in a trench coat, walking in my direction.
My daughter sometimes sees TINA FEY with her child at the elementary school playground across the street.
My son-in-law spotted LEONARDO DiCAPRIO riding a bike in Central Park with his leggy and gorgeous model companion.
I stepped into an elevator and there was ELIE WEISEL with two other gentlemen, all dressed for a formal event.
Walking through a public courtyard behind the now defunct Lincoln Center Cinema, I spied GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS at a cafe table, his feet stretched out on the adjacent chair, carrying on an intense cellphone conversation, most likely putting together a story for the evening news.
Two years ago, I attended a Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit at the Whitney with my art and architecture tour group from the Detroit Institute of Art. Wandering through the rooms set up for the show, I saw GLORIA STEINEM with two young women friends. She was dressed in a black leather jacket and black leggings, looking . . . well . . . just like Gloria Steinem with her signature haircut and aviator glasses. She emitted iconic star power, even as an art patron minding her own business.
These encounters bring to mind my stellar experience as a nine year old in 1955. My mom Rose took me by train from Jersey into the city for the Broadway musical Fanny. We waited at the stage door of the Majestic Theater after the show, and out she came, the radiant FLORENCE HENDERSON, at that time just twenty-one years old but already loaded with talent. She chatted with us and autographed my Playbill, such a kind and gracious lady.
I was star-struck at a very young age. She emanated high wattage star quality with her dazzling smile and—there are no other words—her wondrous presence.
My Most Recent Visit:
I just returned home from a family visit for the Jewish New Year. I managed to carve out some free time roaming Central Park, busy midtown streets, and Upper West Side neighborhoods. New York in the fall is the best place and time to people-watch. Restaurants and cafes set out tables on the sidewalk. No one is wrapped in down coats bracing against the wind.
I hold my iPhone in hand, on the ready for candid photo ops. I decide on the theme of the color red sometimes veering into orange or intense pink. You could say I am obsessed to the point of following potential subjects down the street if wearing the chosen colors, under cover of my own intentionally unobtrusive (meaning not bright red) look.
Street Fashion:
Family Fashion:
Working Fashion:
Young People and Senior Citizens: Subway and Central Park
I think I found perfection walking in Manhattan this week, most often in the urban look and dress of young women on their way, fanning out purposefully in every direction. In a similar edgy style, I wear black leggings, a short leather jacket with suede ankle boots, a rhinestone clip in my hair—the monochromatic and slightly theatrical look that I favor. I may look like I’m minding my own business, but I have a purpose too.
I marvel at the younger ones swiftly passing, in their twenties, in their thirties. How naturally striking they are, humans strong and vigorous as gods, with thick and lustrous hair tossed over shoulders, a swish of red matte velvet across their lips, life force glowing from within.
Standing over the honey-toned face of the girl in the subway hunched over her phone, holding aside her volumes of curly hair hanging in the way, I tamp down my awe at the length of dark lashes and the strength of dark eyebrows at close range.
I drape my striped scarf twice around my neck and stand tall wherever I go, keeping stride while occasionally catching their eyes in a passing glance, the head-on photos I wish I could take but mostly could not.
Maybe they would’ve stopped for Bill Cunningham, the acclaimed street fashion photographer riding his bicycle in all seasons, capturing clothing trends over decades for his New York Times photo montages. No one has stepped up to take his place and the city seems a tad diminished for it. Speaking of sightings, my daughter once saw him on his bike while on her way to work, her own stellar moment unique to the magnificent city.
I admit to never having lived here, but I claim dual citizenship. On the train back to Boston, I watch the Manhattan skyline recede into the distance. In a matter of ten minutes, the sight of it, and the time I spent there, gone . . . until next time.
I liked seeing NYC vicariously through your eyes, literally and figuratively.
When I lived there, I was mostly oblivious to celebrity sightings, though I do remember occasionally noticing actors I’d seen in recent movies, often near Central Park, or off-Broadway actors, often on the subway. More recently, I happened upon Patrick Stewart some 20 years ago, exiting the Met with a much younger brunette on his arm. I resisted the urge to run up to him and express my enthusiasm for his work.
My closest celebrity encounter occurred around that time in Saratoga Springs where, in the men’s room, I happened to be standing next to Saul Bellow for a minute or so. It was tempting to try to start a conversation, in that awkward stance, but I was too awed to get a word out.
Thank you for commenting, I’m delighted that my post encouraged you to share your own close encounters with the famous and talented.
As I have said before….the next Bill Cunningham will be known as Barrie Levine!
Haha, with my iPhone yet! Thanks Betsy for your stellar compliment.
As usual, Barrie, your blog jogged my memory. I once saw Andre Previn at the Russian Tea Room (he smiled), Jerry Orbach running to the theater where he was starring, and a glaring Shirley MacLaine at Bloomingdales (she clearly didn’t want to chat!). But several years ago, while waiting for a train from Newark to Boston, an imposing, attractive, figure almost stepped on me (as you know, I’m only 4’11). He turned around to apologize profusely (he looked familiar but I couldn’t place him). I realized later that it was Cory Booker, and he couldn’t have been nicer.
Sandie, these are amazing sightings! It is true how it happens in New York more than anywhere else. Stories everywhere!
I liked your essay on the joys of walking around New York.
Very nice pictures too.
Thanks Donna, I thought I’d do something light-hearted for a change!
I enjoyed reading this. What a great colorful theme of bold pinks and reds! Ive never been to nyc but felt for a moment like i was there! Thank you!
Rosa, such a nice thing to say, thank you. Maybe next time I go there, I’ll pick another color. Stay tuned!
I loved your celebrity sightings in NYC. Many years ago I worked at the shops at The Watergate, next to The Kennedy Center. Many stars stayed at the hotel and would stroll through the shops before performances. I almost knocked down Rex Harrison on my way to mail a package, refused to loan a then teenage Maria Schriever an expensive pair of earrings for an evening and almost rejected her father’s check for gold jewelry. ( He had come from the barn and was wearing muddy jeans and boots with no ID.) Robert Redford, fresh from the movie opening, quickly walked by with a smile and a wink! As a twenty something I had to act very cool and professional. So much fun.
Whoa, a wink from Robert Redford! You are one of the blessed!
Okay, I will play the celebrity sighting game.
Jeff Koons, Salman Rushdie, Richard Avedon, Tom Bergeron, Fareed
Zakaria……I love New York!
Carol Krim
Thanks for sharing your own New York experience. The city never ceases to surprise me!
As always Barrie I really enjoyed this story. I’m seeing the world through your eyes.
So glad you liked this one, Remas. I had fun writing it!
Enjoyed the story and the accompanying photos. The last time we were in New York, we saw Stanley Tucci walking toward the theater which was showing the play in which he was starring. We saw Elton John sitting in a car in Paris many years ago. Danny Glover was once on our plane. We met the rapper Flavor Flav in the Atlanta airport, and he posed for a picture with us. I never fail to get excited when random things like this happen. New Yorkers are obviously way more used to celebrity sitings than we are!
Nice collection of random sightings, Judy! I recall that my mom chatted with Ethel Kennedy near her house in Hyannis. Rose was never afraid to go up to anyone, famous or not, and interview them for a Rosie-gram.
The next time I’m in New York I will remember this post and give myself a “mission” to shot. I’m usually more interested in the flowers, landscapes, and happenings than in celebrities. I do love New York. It has an energy that is hard to define. Paris does the same for me. I think it’s the walking and really getting the sense of the place, although I still don’t know what neighborhood I am ever in.
Your post are always interesting and informative. I love how you feel free to move around by yourself and that you don’t let too much grass grow under your feet.
Thanks for sharing Barrie
Thank you Cheryl for your response to my post. I was in Paris in January but so enamored that I’m afraid I did not take many photos. Even in dead of winter, Paris and its denizens worthy of the camera.
Barrie, quite an impressive parade of celebs. To me however their star power is no match for “the younger ones swiftly passing, in their twenties, in their thirties. How naturally striking they are, humans strong and vigorous as gods…” Great passage ! Perfectly captures a space in time soooo blessed and oh too brief. Remarkably, they are completely oblivious to their might. Nice one.
Frank
Frank, thank you for your wonderful comment. You made me realize that I sensed the undercurrent beneath it all, the inevitable and joyous uprising of young humanity, in New York and the world over . . . .