The Famous People We Forget Are Famous

Who would you actually want as a friend - not a poster, not a “follow,” but a real, human friend?

Reddit asked that question recently, and the answers weren’t surprising: Keanu Reeves. Paul Rudd. Dolly Parton. Steve Irwin. Not the flashiest people. The real ones. Not just the prettiest faces - the realest ones.

And that’s the point. The people we gravitate toward aren’t the ones who let fame consume them. They’re the ones who stay grounded. Who show up as people first. Sometimes they’re the ones who refuse the limelight whenever possible, defiantly standing in their own substance no matter what.

Forgetting the “Celebrity” Part

My crew and I logged more than 500 hours of podcasting with names you’d recognize: Jamie Farr (M*A*S*H), John Lehr (10 Items or Less), William Sanderson (Blade Runner, Deadwood), Steve Pearcy (Ratt), MC Chris, Unwoman, Czarina...the list goes on, but I hate name dropping in the worst way.

But the best conversations weren’t about résumés. They were the moments where I forgot I was talking to a “celebrity” and was just talking to someone who happened to be really good at their craft.

Not icon and interviewer/producer. Just people with common hopes, dreams, fears- and loves.

The Nervous Highs

Don’t get me wrong - the first time I spoke to Christopher Titus, I ran through the hallway jumping up and down. Meeting Weird Al was surreal, then boring (just a quick hello).

And then there was John Cusack. A Q&A, the lights came up, and I bolted for the door. I was sure he had more important things to do than karaoke with me, you know? Nerves win sometimes.

But other times? The nerves melt. Spending a weekend with Raychelle Palmer (King of the Nerds), creating costumes and going to a party together (our creations won best duo btw)— that’s the kind of connection that lasts. The kind you circle back to over and over.

When It’s Real, It Sticks

That’s when Jamie Farr shared stories of filming M*A*S*H and how the reality of war seeped in, and how we both share a love for theater performances, and a tendency to over-rehearse.

That’s when William Sanderson invited us into his home - he and his wife talking about what they truly love, while he stayed “That Guy” in the most generous way. He's still a fatherly figure to me.

That’s when John Lehr officiated our wedding, blending into our family and friend group for the weekend like he belonged there - because he did. He always does.

The kinds of moments where “celebrity” doesn’t even enter the room.

The Real Lesson

Maybe that’s why names like Keanu or Dolly come up again and again. Because deep down, we don’t want their fame. We want their humanity.

And maybe the bigger truth is this: what we look for in celebrities is exactly what we should be demanding in everyone in our lives. Realness. Grounding. Showing up as yourself, not an act.

Because the best kind of “famous” is the kind you forget about.

And remembering the faces you see on screen are more than just “a face” is the best way to show you care. Ask what they think - because you actually want to know them. Work talk is boring AF for most of us; why not them, too?

And for the love of everything human - just because you see someone out doesn’t mean they want to be seen. Maybe they just need a coffee. Like you.

So now I’ll turn it to you:

Who’s the one person you’ve met - famous or not - who surprised you by just being real?

Or if you are a 'celebrity' and just want to be reminded you're a regular schmuck like the rest of us, we're always planning something fun, and we'd love to have you along.

Drop it in the comments. Because maybe the best way to cut through all the noise is to keep reminding each other: connection matters more than spotlight.