Call it a strange coincidence. As I was thinking about subject matter for today’s blog, I started to think of the celebrities I have met while traveling. Then I clicked over to see what Alex wrote for her blog, and I saw she wrote about meeting Juan Martin del Potro.
Because of my hobbies, I have met a lot of celebrities. However, running into Jim Thome in the underbelly of the HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis (when the White Sox were in town) isn’t exactly happenstance. I have to eliminate all of those such encounters and concentrate strictly on random celeb sightings.
Earlier this year, at O’Hare Airport, I ran into talk show host Steve Wilkos. He was catching a very early flight and looked exhausted. I greeted him quietly, as not to announce his presence to the world. He thanked me appreciatively and seemed to go unnoticed the rest of the way to his terminal.
A few months ago, while in Novi, MI, for a convention, I saw former pitching great Denny McLain at a local restaurant. I didn’t want to bother him during his meal, so I just waved. I wrote about it on my blog and someone identifying himself as Denny McLain responded by joking that I should have bought him breakfast. I still don’t know if it was him or not.
Many years ago I was in line (for a Coke) behind Chris Zorich, then a member of the Chicago Bears. I wish I was wearing my shirt from his foundation that day, but I did talk to him for a moment anyway.
On a trip to Las Vegas, I saw actor-comedian Marc Price, best known for his role as “Skippy” on TV’s Family Ties. He was pretty cool, posing with me and signing a hat for me.
A few years ago I was staying at the Rittenhouse in Philadelphia and Jackson Browne was also there. My friend Jim ran into him in the elevator, but I missed him. I guess my luck was “running on empty” that day.
I probably have missed a few others, because I am pretty oblivious. It seems that my friends are always telling me about stars they see in Chicago. Somehow I miss them. I guess I need to be traveling to meet any stars!
–John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedMelt into Mediterranean Charm in Barcelona and Costa Brava
Usually regarded for its Modernist architecture, centuries of artistic influence and polarizing football team, Barcelona has come into its own as a growing tech hub. The capital of Catalonia hosts the annual Mobile World Congress each March, and its Poble Nou neighborhood cradles some of the world’s most recognizable startups like TravelPerk and Typeform.
Sponsored Content
Luxury Travel in Chilean Patagonia: Where Refinement Meets the Wild Edge
At the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, Los Lagos opens a landscape in constant motion. Volcanic peaks rise sharply above glacial lakes, mist moves through dense forests, and light shifts across every horizon. Here, luxury travel in Chilean Patagonia unfolds moment by moment, balancing raw energy with seamless comfort.
Daily
Sep 21, 2026Ireland’s Dromoland Castle Announces Landmark Transformation
This November, Dromoland Castle is set to close its doors for six months for its largest redevelopment in its 63 years as a hotel. Set to reopen in June 2027, the 16th-century property in County Clare will debut a one-of-a-kind transformation with updates to accommodations, public spaces, wellness facilities, culinary features and more.
Destinations
Sep 21, 20266 Reasons to Put Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with us.
Sponsored Content
IHG Business Edge: A Smarter Way for Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses to Travel
IHG Business Edge is a complimentary travel program designed to help small- and mid-sized businesses manage travel more efficiently while saving on hotel stays. Members enjoy access to guaranteed discounts, loyalty benefits, and partner offers across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio of 7,000-plus hotels in more than 100 countries.
Daily
Sep 21, 2026Women’s Retreats Now Available at Six Senses Kyoto, Six Senses Kanuhura
Designed to be a supportive experience for women of all ages, The Yin Way Retreat — The Way of a Woman is a new experience available to guests this year at Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives. It’s available Oct. 1 to 4 in the Maldives, and at Six Senses Kyoto in Japan Dec. 11 to 14.
Seven Seas Prestige to Feature New Spaces
September 2026
Sep 19, 2026Daily
Sep 18, 2026Windstar Unlocks Tower of London After Dark and Other New 2027 Experiences
Explore three different remarkable European destinations in 2027 with Windstar Cruises. The brand’s newest 224-guest, all-suite yacht, Star Explorer, debuts alongside complimentary Destination Discovery Events in Livorno, Dubrovnik and London.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
September 2026
Sep 17, 2026High-Spirited Hong Kong: The Dynamic Hub Embraces Its Maritime History and Culture
It was known as the “Kai Tak heart attack” — the thrilling, terrifying final approach into Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport. Airliners were required to bank sharply at the last moment, dodging hills and apartment blocks to line up with a runway jutting out into Kowloon Bay. The airport is long gone, but international visitors are arriving at Kai Tak again, albeit more sedately. Their cruise ships dock smoothly at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, a modern gateway designed by Sir Norman Foster.
ShareThis