Don’t stand in front of a global audience, at a Hollywood awards show, after a lifetime in the spotlight, with Mel Gibson at your table…and preach to me about the importance of privacy. Sorry, but that don’t wash.

There were two studios where actors would come in to loop additional dialogue (also known as ADR). So during my lunch hour I’d sit in the lounge outside one of the studios hoping to spot an actor. First day or so on the job I met Kelly McGillis who was in that movie too. I chatted her up about books and theater.

A few weeks later I was hanging around eating lunch when Jodie Foster sat next to me. It was just the two of us outside of the studio. I only had a vague notion of how harrowing her role was in that movie. She was reading the NY Times and I blabbed and blabbed. She was cordial but after awhile I realized I was being a pain in the ass, that I should just shut up and leave her alone. So I left, feeling like a dope.

(By the way, her hair was blond and long and she looked really gorgeous. Wore brown circular glasses.)

So I left her alone and felt relieved that she hadn’t balled me out. But felt badly that I’d been such a talkative ass.

Few hours later I’m in the back of a crowded elevator going up. Door opens on the third floor, and she’s standing there, waiting for an elevator to go down. She sees me in the back of the elevator, makes eye contact, and waves hello.

It was such a small thing. At the time I felt relieved that I hadn’t pissed her off too bad. Also, special that in a crowded elevator she acknowledged me. It was just a decent, real thing, as if she was saying, “Hey kid, nothing personal, I was just in the zone, you’re okay.”

Never forget it.

http://thebea.st/NBXqLB

I actually enjoyed Anne Hathaway’s speech. A little ‘canned’ as well, but I felt an immense amount of sincerity in her comments towards Sally Field.