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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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Thanks so much Mona for sharing your first-hand "Culp Connection" with us!! (I was thinking about you all day yesterday. )

Our man Culp looks good .... and he looks like he has almost as many photos as Tatia.

I wonder how he views being at these shows? They certainly draw a wide range of well-known and prestigious celebs these days. But being at a 2-day event like this ... that's a lot of long hours. There used to be links to several articles on the Court's Autograph Show site. Some of the celebs interviewed at the time said they were there either for the money (for themselves or favorite charities), or because they really enjoyed seeing and meeting up with their fans (a.k.a. it is nice to be remembered), and to catch-up with their old friends who were appearing at the shows, also. (I think Don Adams said "it beat watching golf on TV all week-end long.")

And Bob is no stranger to promotion during his long career - guess no one out there is!





And it was great getting to see a photo of you, Mona!!!


All my best,

Tatia

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The young man that was assisting Bob is Hughes Hall, a childhood friend of Bob's youngest son, Joseph. Hughes, like myself, is something of a "surrogate Culp son" - he is also a very talented musician and composer and a good friend.

I think regarding the autograph shows, though I have never talked to him specifically about them, he probably views them as do all the stars who attend, with a great deal of ambivalence. On one hand, I'm sure it's nice to know people out there still appreciate your work, also it's nice to get a pay check, but I also think there's a sense of being put out to pasture - that one's time has come and gone and now you are something of a living piece of memorabilia. I certainly don't think of Bob that way, but I think that for most celebs, they'd probably rather be working, than signing pictures.

I know that Bob has been busy putting a website together to sell his pics, as I think the shows get taxing. I remember reading about sports stars like Ted Williams, who simply got dog tired of showing up place after place, signing away.

Also, it should be noted, relating to Tatia's posting of the "Trackdown" personal appearance poster, Bob only made those appearances because he was essentially blacklisted by his "Trackdown" producer and the only avenue left for him to make money, was through these appearances.

MBF

Hello, MBF,

Thanks for explaining about Mr. Hall. He really was VERY nice at the show. I'm not surprised he is a musician, as I know this will sound odd, but he had that kind of creative aura around him.

What about Bob's eye sensitivity to glare/flash lights? Are his eyes okay? Has he always been that sensitive to light, thus wearing his sunglasses for a real medical reason vs. he looks SO cool and SO good in them?

Last, your explanation about his being "ambivalent" about the shows is exactly the kind of feeling I'd expect him to have. Of course I hope he feels good knowing his fans are completely loyal and still love/respect him, but yes, I can fully comprehend the feeling that one's time is past. It makes sense an actor would have those exact emotions. It's kind of sad, but on the other hand I'm so grateful he attends these events to allow us fans to stop and shake his hand and see him smile at us. If he stops going, which would be understandable, then I'm doubly happy I went to this one.

Mona

Regarding Bob's eyes, all I know is that he is blind as a bat without glasses or contacts, though the cool factor has always been a good reason to wear shades. As a funny aside, both Jason and Joe particularly inherited their father's ocular issues and back in high school, Jason could often be found wearing a pair of Bob's prescription "I Spy" shades - not for the look, just to be able to see.

Regarding the autograph shows, though I know he appreciates the fans, Bob's motives, as are all celebs, is money. What was once the domain of only the most irrelevant minor league denizens of episodic television, has exploded into a cottage industry for celebrities at all levels of the Hollywood food chain. Fact is, Bob has never liked signing autographs. His maxim was, "Paul Newman doesn't, so why should I?"

Evidently, the most ridiculous autograph request Bob ever got was at the Los Angeles Zoo, in which some guy wanted Bob to sign a plate with a mustard squeeze bottle. After that, how can you take any request seriously? In fact, in the 30 years I've known the man, I have not one picture bearing his signitature.

As always,

I remain faithfully

MBF

A few years ago, before he started filming for his latest tv project (the BBC's HUSTLE series, which I understand has aired in the U.S,), Robert Vaughn was doing the rounds at autograph events here in England. He's one of the last people I would have imagined doing something like that, and indeed, he didn't look especially happy (or comfortable) sitting surrounded by pictures of him 35 years ago in The Man From UNCLE!

As for Mr Culp's appearance mentioned at the start of this thread, I'd just like to add that had I been in attendance I'd have spent whatever money I needed to spend to buy autographed copies of every I SPY script available on his table!

Should Mr Culp get the website off the ground to sell pictures, I'd like to suggest that his scripts be available the same way!

I think your pictures came out beautifully Mona. Thank you for the thoughtful and detailed report. Yes, the whole celebrity phenomenon is fascinating, and I certainly don’t claim to be totally immune. Your description of yourself wandering back and forth in front of his table, trying not to be conspicuous certainly resonated! I have done it too, maybe not for as long or as well, but I have done it.

There is an undeniable fascination upon seeing some of these folks. One example for me was Arlene Martel. A couple of years ago she was signing at San Diego Comic-Con (they maintain a large celebrity autograph area in the “Sails Pavilion” on the roof of the convention center). I think I developed sort of a crush on her as a young teenager when I first saw her in “Demon with a Glass Hand” with Robert Culp. So I walked by her table a few times and stood a safe distance away and contemplated her. I couldn’t come up with any compelling reason to go talk to her, and feeling conspicuous, I finally moved on.

Even in my encounter with Robert Culp back in February when I went to see a screening of Hickey and Boggs up in Santa Monica, I had to be pushed into engaging him. Fortunately “Ms. Clavell” came along. She describes herself as a professional groupie and she made the necessary overtures. Otherwise I would have walked right past him with only a nod, by way of greeting and recognition. (But of course in the murky and mysterious world of male bonding, a nod can convey so much!) He certainly responded to the requests graciously and signed my Cushman & LaRosa book and posed for a photo (should I send him 15 bucks?). He did initially assume (or wished) that it was Ms. Clavell who wanted the autograph and I made some lame joke about it to straighten him out, for which he had absolutely no reaction. He had been talking to a couple of guys from the theater when we accosted him, so I didn’t try and engage him in further conversation. (My questions about the pole vaulting scene in “To Florence, With Love” will have to wait for another time.) He very pleasantly wished me well by name as we moved on to our seats. I felt really good about the encounter—so good that I felt guilty about it, like I had suddenly become incredibly shallow. Why should a brief encounter with the guy give me such a buzz? I don’t know. But there you are.

Anyway, I very much enjoyed reading your impressions Mona.

Jimmy

Hello, Jimmy,

THANKS for your great post with its similarity in feeling regarding meeting Mr. Culp. I only began feeling guilty and anxious after hovering too long; one wishes to extend respect and gratefulness, not annoyance to him!

Anyway, it's helpful to learn that others share this ill-defined sense of awkwardness and almost embarrassment in the presence of an actor one has held in such high regard for so long, really, decades.

Thanks, Tatia, too, for your supportive post. That was very appreciated.

Mona

I’m happy for you, Mona. I remember being so high after SpyFest I didn’t sleep the whole night! It really is dreams come true to finally meet The Man.

So you’re a doctor in real life? Hmmm. Well, that provides you with a built-in excuse for peering closely at his anatomy. (The rest of us females, I’m afraid, are guilty of baser motives.) Not that you did peer; I’m sure you were the soul of discretion—even suppressing the urge to climb into his lap! I’m not a doctor, but from personal experience I know this to be one of the warning signs of advanced Culpophilia. (The urge, not the suppression of it.)

I do hope there’s nothing seriously wrong with his eyes; eye problems are scary.

Regards—

I peered, and not quite medically. ))

Mona

What Mona - you "peered" ????

Heavens, I have no idea what you are talking about !!






Guess a good number of us have made "contact"!! (Carl Sagan would be so proud!)


O.K. Here's Our Personal Rogues' Gallery


(I don't think "photo time" would be a good time for a blood pressure cuff, huh?? ...)

And I guess that "sparkly" eyed look goes with the territory - for all of us, Mona!!






Clockwise - Mona and the Big Guy (Oct. 2007) - Tatia with The Big Guy and delightful Don McGregor (SPYFEST 2003) - Jimmy Mitchell with Frank Boggs at the Aero Theater showing of "Hickey & Boggs" (Feb. 2007) - Bulwer-Lytton and Kelly Robinson (SPYFEST 2003) - and Suite 635 in earnest discussion with our Mr. Culp, discussing Hong Kong maybe?? (SPYFEST 2003)


And the FORUM Gang at SPYFEST in front of the GREAT WALL OF CULP (circa 2003)





We know the feeling, Mona!

(If anyone else has photos with our Mr. Culp, we'd love to see them! Or you can use my e-mail address [click on my name at the top right], and I'll be happy to post them for you. )


All my best,

Tatia


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Wow, it was great seeing so many folks from the Forum with The Man! It's lovely putting a face to the posts.

Looks like everyone had a wonderful time at SpyFest.

Thanks, again, Tatia for that great collection of photos.

Mona