Before they were famous...

[oneamongthefence]

We all seem to know people that are famous now. Celebrities, athletes, criminals, etc. Its also incredibly easy to get famous nowadays with youtube being what it is. Do you know some of these famous people before they were famous? What were they like? How did they change? Do you still know and talk to them?

[Blzer]

Re: Before they were famous...

I guess I know people who can possibly achieve greater fame later down the road, but I guess I can throw Tom Brady out there. My parents have known his parents since before little Tom Jr. was born, and I met him after he was drafted and signed with New England, but before he stepped up as starting QB. Considering "we" know the Brady's, I'm sure my dad can tell plenty of stories about his childhood. I won't know any myself, however.

It's only a matter of time before one of my friends hits another spotlight, though. My friend Daniella has been stepping up big time going to Hollywood, hosting shows, doing the red carpet, etc. I can't wait to see till she hits E! or something like that. What's great is that, so far, her only change has actually seemingly been for the better. Before she was a bit ditzy, in the popular crowd and what not. Now she just seems to be an "everybody's buddy" people person, and is looking more model-like every day (minus the whole "80 pounds" thing).

[Scottdau]

Re: Before they were famous...

Grew up with Billie Joe and Mike from Greenday. Haven't talk to them in years. Talk to Billie's sister and brother on Facebook. Played football and grew up with Gino Torretta and DeMarco Farr. That is pretty much it. Did meet a lot of Rock Stars before they were really big. Kirk H lived right next to my dad's house. Used to go to his mom's basement and watch him rock with his band (Exodus).

[acts238shaun]

Re: Before they were famous...

My wife's uncle is a high ranking US congressman on several committees (who could be House Speaker one day) and when I lived in Arkansas I used to go to church with the 1st cousin to several members of the Kings of Leon. That's about as close as it gets for me.

[areobee401]

Re: Before they were famous...

Guess I'll do some name dropping as well

Rocco Baldelli - Played AAU ball with and against him (Retired MLB Player)

Peter Manfredo Jr. - Had mutual friend and always crossed paths (Pro Boxer)

Jamie Silva - A good friend of mines cousin. (Colts Special Teams and FS)

Paul DelVecchio (Pauly D) - Grew up together and still talk time to time. (Reality TV)

Deon Anderson - Played Pee Wee ball together and was close with his brother until he went to jail. (Dolphins RB)

[oneamongthefence]

Re: Before they were famous...

For me its Derrick Sherrod. Wouldn't really call him famous yet but he was a quiet guy. When the scouts say he doesn't have a mean streak, he's way too nice. We used to harrass him in Algebra. I don't think he's the type of guy to forget his roots. But then again he hasn't been paid....yet
Rar

[Sublime12089]

Re: Before they were famous...

Father did legal work for Brad Pitt and his parents in Springfield, Missouri, were personal friends, and gave me a gift as a baby. I also briefly attended the HS he went to. That town is a ****hole.

Also, I went to HS with a kid whose father is Carlos Tosca, former manager of the Bluejays.

[sydrogerdavid]

Re: Before they were famous...

Father did legal work for Brad Pitt and his parents in Springfield, Missouri, were personal friends, and gave me a gift as a baby. I also briefly attended the HS he went to. That town is a ****hole.

Also, I went to HS with a kid whose father is Carlos Tosca, former manager of the Bluejays.

Boo the Poo! (That's Kickapoo HS. School colors are brown and yellow. Ironic.)

[Sublime12089]

Re: Before they were famous...

Boo the Poo! (That's Kickapoo HS. School colors are brown and yellow. Ironic.)

lol, yup, they sure are. Hated that place though. Was very happy to move back to Florida after only one semester! Mom still lives there so I still go back to Springfield occasionally though.

[Equinox831]

Re: Before they were famous...

Its also incredibly easy to get famous nowadays with youtube being what it is.

How is getting famous easy? Getting noticed on YouTube now is as much of a long shot as getting noticed in the real world now. YouTube has around 500 million unique members every month... It still takes a lot of effort to get famous.

My whole family is in the music industry and I'm following that line and the most notable person I have met is Paula Abdul. She has been to my house and my Grandmothers house and I've talked to her maybe 10 times now, I can actually consider her a friend

[TripleCrown9]

Re: Before they were famous...

Not necessarily before fame, but I met Brock Lesnar at the height of his WWE Championship reign. Got his autograph and still have it, nearly 5 or 6 years later.

[mburke2]

Re: Before they were famous...

I went to HS with Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu. His dad (former Patriots RB Mosi) was a football coach and special ed teacher at the HS as well. The awesome part is that Lofa still remembers his roots, as I believe he still gives shoutouts to "The Tri-Town" when they do those personal intros/player profiles during nationally televised games.

[Blitz1942]

Re: Before they were famous...

My mom went to high school with Jeff Jagodzinski. A friend of mine from grade school is pretty good friends with Chellsie Memmel. A friend of my dad's raced against Matt Kenseth at Slinger Speedway a couple times back before Kenseth got to NASCAR.


I was friends with Ricky Wagner, one of the Wisconsin Badgers' offensive linemen.

Otherwise, I'm a bit too young to know anyone who is now famous.

[Po Pimp]

Re: Before they were famous...

Had a class with Deron Williams my junior year of college (his freshman year). I wouldn't say we were friends, but he was cool...regular dude who sat back in the cut during class. I hooped with him once. I also hooped with Dee Brown and Luther Head more than a few times.

It's funny how Deron ended up becoming a star when back then, I never imagined him, Dee or Luther ever becoming NBA players.

[Blzer]

Re: Before they were famous...

I guess I should throw Steven Strasburg into the mix, though he's not like a big personal friend of mine or anything. Although, he is a really good guy... let's see if I get to say the same thing ten years down the road.

Oh, and this wasn't me, but my friend's mom was asked to prom by Rob Schneider, and she declined. Supposedly he was a doof then, just as he is now, and she still wouldn't have said yes.