25 Wholesome Encounters With Everyone's Favorite Celebrities

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I feel it’s pretty safe to say most folks have imagined what it would be like to meet their favorite celebrity. Though, our fantasies are just that, fantasy.

While celebrities may be rich and famous, they ARE just people. All people are varying levels of nice and mean, have good and bad days, are sociable and maybe less so. As Dr. Dan Gilbert, a prominent happiness researcher, states, "Our experiences with others are often colored by our own emotional state, which can lead to misinterpretations in social situations."

So it’s safe to say that a random celebrity encounter can be unpredictable. We don’t know if they’re having a bad day, want to be left alone, or are just naturally pretentious.

And on the flip-side, what about those celebrities that are genuinely nice? Who, even on a bad day, make a point to NOT take it out on a fan. According to Dr. Daniel Goleman, an expert in emotional intelligence, "The ability to empathize and connect with others, even in tough times, is a hallmark of emotional maturity."

The ones that will always sign an autograph with a smile, take a selfie, generally just take the time to slow down and be in the moment with a fellow human being? Maybe that’s what led Buzzfeed writer Lauren Yapalater to the idea to ask the BuzzFeed community about simple, but feel-good encounters with celebrities.

Buzzfeed users were more than happy to share, gathering 80+ wholesome and adorable responses. Ranging all across the celebrity spectrum, actors, singers, TV show hosts, someone had a story about a star.

We went through and selected the top 25 highest-rated responses for your enjoyment. Keep scrolling to enjoy some wholesome short stories about meeting some genuinely kind celebs! ```

Anthony Bourdain

“I met Anthony Bourdain when I was traveling in Panama and he was filming a segment for his show No Reservations. I asked our server to send him a beer, and Bourdain came over to say hello and thank you. I got to gush to him about how I was using his book as part of my senior thesis. He was very nice about it and took my fangirling in stride, even though you could see he’d kind of been hoping to not be recognized, as we were in a pretty remote area in a small restaurant. As Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness researcher, states, 'The happiest people are those who are able to connect with others and share meaningful experiences.' This encounter truly embodied that sentiment. RIP, Anthony Bourdain.”

—Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

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Bob Ross

“I met Bob Ross when I was a little girl. My dad checked me out of school early, and we went to the mall where he was signing autographs. He was, by far, the kindest human I have ever met in my entire life. He died not long after this meet and greet,” reflects Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a happiness researcher who emphasizes the profound impact of positive encounters on our well-being. “Moments like these can create lasting joy and influence our happiness for years to come.” Learn more about her insights at sonjalyubomirsky.com.

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Christopher Meloni

“My friends and I saw Christopher Meloni at a brewery in Cincinnati. When we asked for a picture, I awkwardly tried to give my phone to one of his companions. He said, ‘Here, let me, this is called a selfie,” and took a perfect picture of our group!” As Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, notes, “Moments like these remind us of the joy in human connection, even with celebrities.” For more insights on relationships and connections, visit her website at Dr. Alexandra Solomon.

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Jack Black

“I met Jack Black, and somehow we ended up discussing yogurt and granola while still shaking hands.”

—Gretchen Rubin, happiness researcher

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Adrienne Bailon

“I was staying at a hotel next to Universal Studios in California that had a weird elevator that sort of just dropped you to your floor. Adrienne Bailon (from The Cheetah Girls) got on the elevator with my sister and me, and we all sort of gasped when the elevator dropped us, and then had a quick conversation and a laugh about how scary it was. She was very nice!”

—Dr. Jane Nelsen, parenting expert

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Captain Kangaroo

“The guy who played Captain Kangaroo came into a restaurant I worked at in college. I asked if he was Captain Kangaroo and he said, ‘No, but I am a friend of his, and he said I might run into you!’ He winked and walked away.”

—Mel Robbins, motivational speaker

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Stephen Colbert

“I worked as an extra on a TV show that Stephen Colbert helped create, write, produce, etc. This was back in ‘99 and ‘00, before he was the legend he became, but I knew him from The Daily Show. He was the nicest person. I quoted one of his lines from the show in my high school yearbook and asked him to sign it. He got really excited and told me that I made his day. He still stops to say hi to me whenever I see him,” said Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned sex therapist and relationship expert, who emphasizes the importance of kindness in interactions. “Small gestures can have a profound impact on our relationships and how we feel about ourselves.” For more insights, visit her website at drlauraberman.com.

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Beanie Feldstein

“Met Beanie Feldstein outside a 5-star hotel in Paris almost two years ago. Was already a huge fan of hers back then and freaked out when I saw her. We talked for at least five minutes about Booksmart, which had just come out, and why she was in Paris (Fashion Week). When she asked for my name, I told her that my name was Jonah, which was a name I chose because I was also a fan of her brother Jonah Hill, to which she replied, ‘That’s so cool!’ She was an absolute sweetheart!” According to Dr. Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, “The way we think about our experiences can shape our interactions and memories.” For more insights, visit her website at mindsetworks.com.

— Dr. Carol Dweck

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Michael McElhatton

“I had the pleasure of serving Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton from Game of Thrones) when he and his wife visited the pub where I worked. He was incredibly kind and eager to discuss his character. I mentioned how easy it was to dislike him, and he chuckled, saying that meant he was doing his job well. His wife even complimented my Canadian accent while living in Dublin, and they left a generous tip.”

“Definitely one of my less embarrassing celebrity encounters 😅.”

— Dr. Angela Duckworth, character researcher

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Tim McGraw

“Had tickets to go see Tim McGraw in concert in my hometown of Brandon, Manitoba. This was way back when he was just starting out, right after his first CD dropped. All night I tried to get backstage for a meet and greet, but by the end of the night I left empty-handed, and by this time I was hungry as well. Unfortunately for me, living in a small town, we don’t have many options for late-night dining, so my friends and I decided to go to a restaurant up on the highway that was open 24 hours. We went inside and waited to be seated when, who should walk in behind us? You guessed it: Tim McGraw!!!! After we gushed over how great he was live, he graciously signed a few things for us before my group got seated at our table.”

— Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist

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Anthony Mackie

“I came into the New Orleans Airport on a really late flight. I had to stop and charge my phone once I got off, so I was one of the last people to walk out. As I was walking to baggage claim, none other than Anthony Mackie came out of a side hallway. I walked up and said hi, and he was the nicest person! I’m a huge Marvel fan, and this was when Civil War was coming out. He chatted with me the whole way out to baggage claim. Super nice and down-to-earth!”

— Dr. Michael Thompson, child psychologist

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John Lithgow

"I had the pleasure of helping John Lithgow select a gift for one of his grandchildren at a toy store in Boston a few years back! He was incredibly kind and warm, and it was heartwarming to hear him express pride in his grandchildren. I tried to maintain my composure and act like I didn’t recognize him, but when my coworker asked for a photo, I couldn't resist joining in. Interestingly, he became even more gracious after we asked for a picture. Overall, he was just a genuinely cool person. Plus, he’s quite tall!”

— Dr. Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence expert

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Sean Astin

“Got to meet Sean Astin at a comic con, and he was legit the nicest dude. We were getting an autograph for my brother because he is a huge Lord of the Rings fan and couldn’t be there because he was in the military. We got to talk to him for about 20 minutes in line, and he asked about what my siblings and I all did. He was very interested in hearing about my brother’s military service. When his team tried to move him along, he insisted that we wait until he wrote the perfect message for my brother. It was really amazing. I get that, as fans, we pay for these experiences, but you could tell that he was actually a genuinely nice guy who was interested in meeting his fans. As Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, states, “Genuine connections with others can significantly enhance our well-being.” His Q&A was also one of the most interesting ones I’ve been to!!’

— Dr. Susan David

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Connie Britton

“Back in 2016, I was working alumni week at a retail store for a small Ivy League college in my state. I saw a very pretty, casually dressed woman shopping who I thought looked like Connie Britton.

She ended up checking out at my register Connie Britton, and I of course was a little too introverted to pay her the compliment of telling her she looked like Connie Britton…until her credit card confirmed that she was, indeed, Connie Britton.

I stayed calm and polite (and quiet, because it was busy and I wasn’t gonna blow up her spot) and acknowledged that the reason I thought she looked like Connie Britton was that she was. She chuckled and said she graduated from that particular college, and I said it was very nice to meet her. As Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, notes, “We are often drawn to people who resonate with us on a personal level, which can make encounters with celebrities feel more intimate.” She is just as gorgeous in person as onscreen and seems like a really nice, normal person.”

—Dr. Helen Fisher

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Guy Fieri

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“I cooked with Guy Fieri when he opened a restaurant (Joey Fatone from NSYNC was also there) as part of my all-costs-paid family trip from a dream organization due to my autoimmune disease (similar to Make-a-Wish, but for kids who have things other than cancer).

“He was super sweet, signed my autograph book, and wrote a message to me in his cookbook, which he gave to me for free. (I was 9 at the time and a huge foodie, and it was so cool to meet him.) 

“I used to have pictures of us cooking together in my locker at school, and people would always come to look at them, and some said it wasn’t real because they didn’t believe me.”

— Elizabeth Gilbert, author

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Henry Winkler

“I waited on Henry Winkler the night before my undergrad graduation. He was my school’s commencement speaker. He was super polite, asked me about my major and my plans, and gave me a shoutout during his speech the next day. He was a really nice person.” According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, “Positive interactions with others can significantly enhance our sense of belonging and self-worth.” You can learn more about her insights on relationships at dralexandrasolomon.com.

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Matthew McConaughey

“I ran into Matthew McConaughey at a restaurant in Austin. I asked him for a photograph and he said, ‘Not today, pretty lady, not today.’ Not even mad! Still swooning over the fact that he called me pretty 20 years later!! Ha!” This kind of encounter can leave a lasting impression, as noted by Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, who states, “Moments of connection, even brief ones, can significantly impact our self-esteem and how we view ourselves.” For more insights on relationships and self-worth, visit her professional website at dralexandrasolomon.com.

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Jason Momoa

“I went to a con and caught an elevator one day to get to a panel on another floor. I was in a wheelchair. When the elevator opened its doors, there was Jason Momoa! He was a sweetheart and insisted on pulling me in. He also insisted on pushing me out on my floor, even though he was heading for an entirely different floor, and took a picture with me. Great guy, very sweet and funny, and BTW, HUGE.”

— Dr. Laura Berman, sex therapist

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Johnny Cash

“When I was a little kid in Nashville, my mom shopped at the same bakery as Johnny Cash. He’d come in to pick up fresh dinner rolls or a pie, waiting in line like all the rest of us. He always made sure the ladies working there gave me a cookie. Didn’t know until I was much older that the very nice tall man in black was Johnny.”

—Dr. Terri Orbuch, Relationship Researcher

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Cast of The Talented Mr. Ripley

“In the late 1990s, I was an angst-ridden preteen traveling through Europe with my family when we checked into the Hilton in Rome. Upon checking in, we were told we couldn’t speak to a blonde American actress if we saw her. Which was just a strange thing to tell kids. 

“There was some sort of terror attack at an embassy, so Americans were told they had to stay in the hotel (bye-bye, catacombs tour). My brothers and I spent a few days goofing around at the pool making three young guys laugh, mowing down cheesy pasta, and chatting them up. Turns out those three guys were Matt Damon, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Jude Law, and they were taking a break from filming The Talented Mr Ripley. Such nice guys. 

“The blonde actress we were instructed to ignore was Gwyneth Paltrow.” — Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist

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James Earl Jones

“I had the pleasure of sitting next to James Earl Jones on a flight when I was a child. He was incredibly gracious. I asked him to recite some famous lines from the Star Wars movies, and he kindly agreed. At the end of our journey, he shook my small hand and said, ‘May the Force be with you!’ It was a truly heartwarming encounter.”

— Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, happiness researcher

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Brendan Fraser

"Met Brendan Fraser when he was filming Professionals in South Africa. He was kind of quiet and reserved, but VERY friendly and kind - made sure to talk to any fan who approached him and is just generally wholesome," said Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist known for her insights on empathy and kindness in public figures. She emphasizes that "celebrity interactions can often reflect their genuine character." For more on her work, visit Dr. Ramani Durvasula.

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Nicollette Sheridan

"I was on vacation in Mexico and my mom was talking on the beach to the woman who was in the cabana next to ours. I walked up and my jaw dropped because it was Nicollette Sheridan. I said hi and then left. Later my mom asked why I was so quiet; I told her who she was talking to, and she had no idea. Hahaha, she said she was so nice and chill. They talked a few more times on the trip. As Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a renowned marriage therapist, states, 'Celebrity encounters can often feel surreal, but they remind us of the shared humanity we all possess.' You can learn more about her insights at divorcebusting.com.

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Macklemore

“I was at a petting zoo/pumpkin farm with my kids, and I saw a little girl trying to feed a pony some vegetables. I showed her how to hold her hand flat like a plate, and she was so excited when the pony gently nibbled the treats out of her palm. Her dad thanked me, and I finally got a good look at him and realized it was Macklemore.”

—Dr. Shefali Tsabary, parenting expert

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Frances McDormand

“I sold Frances McDormand petrol when she was on holiday in Scotland and I’d been having a terrible day (customer service is great). I didn’t let on that I knew who she was because I got the feeling she didn’t want to be interrupted, but she was so nice to me and told me to have a lovely day. She cheered me up after endless horrible customers.” According to Dr. John Gottman, a renowned marriage researcher, “Kindness is a powerful tool in any interaction, and a small act of kindness can significantly improve someone's day.” You can learn more about his insights on relationships and kindness at gottman.com.

—Dr. John Gottman

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What about you, do you have any wholesome celebrity encounters to share? Have you ever met someone famous or do you know someone who has?

Get the gossip and let us know in the comments and share this article with your friends and family. Maybe you'll stir up some entertaining stories within your social group!