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Hello, all,
I had great fun meeting Robert Culp.
I flew out on an 8 a.m. flight to L.A. and took the free Marriot shuttle to the hotel. The convention center is about 2 minutes from the lobby.
$15 to get in for one day; $25 for two days. You got a blue paper bracelet allowing you to go in and out all day long. There was a long line to meet Tony Curtis. Angie Dickinson was also there, and Elliot Gould, and Richard Kiel, among other actors and poster/memorabilia folks selling TV/movie stuff. I walked into the building, saw the line for Curtis in the hallway, ignored it, and walked into the main room. Robert Culp was right there at a table about 20 feet in. He had a number of different photos of himself from various roles, plus some scripts of his from "I Spy", for sale, $15 for him to sign them. A photo taken with him was $15. There was a younger fellow there, very nice, very pleasant, around late 20s/early 30s (although I'm bad with ages), helping Culp out. Culp sat in a tall, wood, director's type chair, in jeans and an off-white long sleeve shirt, his large watch ever present on his left wrist. His narrow face was still very handsome, and his white hair still covered head.
It was great watching him, seeing him naturally have facial expressions that I so associate with his acting. He swiped his tongue across his lips once, did a hesitant smile, and the like. Various scenes of his various roles filled my head when I saw his face slip into another habitual motion. Fun! I was a little concerned because he seemed to be very sensitive to the light. He was quite vocal that the little bit of glare he got facing out to the main hallway and the windows letting the morning sun in was almost painfully bothersome. One fellow paid to have his picture taken, and Culp was REALLY anxious about the flash of the camera; he actually put his fist to his mouth and his eyebrows raised high--like a child about to get a shot--in nervous anticipation of the irritation the flash would cause his eyes. It was odd as his eyes looked perfectly healthy to this doc's point of view. But, this seemed a very serious problem to him. In fact, Culp got up out of his chair and closed one side of one of the two double doors leading into the main room, to block the sun, but someone else quickly opened it back up, obviously ignorant of Culp's discomfort. I hope he wasn't too uncomfortable the rest of the day. Where were his infamous sunglasses when he needed them?
I only had 2-3 people before me before I got to meet him. I had chosen a Bill Maxwell photo for him to sign and also paid for a picture of me with him. I gave the younger guy my camera. I denied my urge to leap into Culp's lap and took a very civilized photo beside him, my arm somewhat slipping around the back of him, but not actually touching him. You can see the dazed look on my face. The younger fellow asked me to view the shot to see if it was okay, but around Culp my mind was on slow motion, and so I just glanced at it and nodded it was fine.
Culp was good for a very welcoming smile, a "hello", and a solid handshake where he leaned eagerly forward to you. But, he really wasn't that chatty and certainly didn't draw one into really feeling like one could have a good talk with him for a minute or so. Myself, and everyone else I watched for the next 25 minutes really only said a kind word or two and then moved on. When one fellow said he was a fan of Culp's since "Trackdown," Culp didn't really even answer. He was not "chummy" and there was a decided air of reserve emanating from him. It wasn't outright off-putting, but it definitely held everyone back from being too effusive or staying too long trying to prolong a conversation with him. I know that is a very typical part of his personality, so even though he didn't invite me over for dinner later that evening, I wasn't too surprised or disappointed.
I mean, he couldn't spend five minutes yakking with everyone who came to see him about his career; it would be exhausting after six hours, and no doubt very boring for him. Anyway, he at least didn't scream at me to stop wandering back and forth in front of his table, staring at him, as I did for those 25 or so minutes, "cunningly" standing by another table now and then to "appear" to not be staring at him, when I obviously was (I would have failed spy school). So, that was nice of him! After all, there were almost as many cops with Glocks around as there were fans!
And, that was it! When my internal clock said "You have hovered around him long enough. You are becoming a pest," I skedaddled out of the convention center. The proverbial "short but sweet" life incident. I had a lovely lunch with my mom, sister and niece, who live in the LA area, and then flew back home.
Although it was a hectic day, it was totally enjoyable. I consider myself very lucky to have finally been in the presence of Culp, even for just a minute. It's psychologically interesting why we place some folks over us in importance; the whole celebrity phenomenon fascinates me, not solely because I'm personally involved in it. What makes an individual so deeply resonate with some show(s) or some actor? It's mysterious and mystical and yet brings such profound joy to so many. And, the truth is, I've been a fan of Culp's for years and years, so this was a real treat, and a remarkable way to spend a Saturday. I'm very grateful to him that he goes to these types of events, because I got to meet him! Of course, the memories will last forever.
Mona
PS--Sorry I'm not that good a photographer!
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