Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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Utah, has some well-known names ... like Osmond, Redford. But, Nadine Wimmer has interviewed some other big names ... most of us don't associate with, in our state.
They're big names, all right. In fact, the names alone make these Utah residents "Almost Famous."
From actors,
"JAMES BOND: THEY ALWAYS ASK ME WHAT KIND OF CAR I HAVE, THEY ALWAYS ASK ME ABOUT THE WOMEN."
to athletes
"MICHAEL JORDAN:NO REALLY, I'M MICHAEL JORDAN."
To People Magazine's sexiest man of the year, Brad Pitt???
"BRAD PITT: WE WERE GETTING CALLS FROM GIRLS AND STUFF ALL THE TIME, AND I WAS IN THE FRYING PAN MORE THAN ONCE."
Many celebrities share their famous names with some less well-known Utahns.
"BRAD PITT: THEY ASK ME IF IT'S THE BRAD PITT, AND I SAY, WELL IT'S SURE NOT TOM CRUISE."
"CHERYL CROWL: IT'S C-R-O-W-L, BUT EVERYBODY DROPS THE L BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MAKE ME CHERYL CROW."
And in some cases, names aren't the only thing they have in common.
"CHERYL AND I SHARE A PASSION FOR SINGING."
"AND I SING ALL THE TIME, MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY AND EVERYONE WHO KNOWS ME."
"CHERYL CROW: "WELL, OK, I DON'T REALLY BELIEVE I HAVE A GOOD VOICE, NECESSARILY. BUT I MUST HAVE SOMETHING, BECAUSE I LOVE TO SING. "
There are other coincidences....like the Vice President of the United States
Dick Cheney has held political office.
"DICK CHENEY: "I WAS PTA PRESIDENT ONCE IF YOU CALL THAT HOLDING OFFICE."
And Steve Young is quite an athlete.
"STEVE YOUNG: I'M KIND OF A HEALTH AND FITNESS NUT. LET'S SEE IF YOU CAN CATCH A PASS. OOOOH."
Michael Jackson was married to Lisa.
This Michael Jackson still is. He can sing.
"I'M LOOKING AT THE MAN IN THE MIRROR, OH YEA."
And they both dance.
Having a celebrity name is not always such a great adventure.
"HELLO THIS IS MICHAEL J. FOX."
"MICHEAL J. FOX: YOU GET GREAT HOTEL RESERVATIONS, COURSE, THEY'RE KIND OF BUMMED WHEN YOU SHOW UP. OH, IT'S YOU."
and it doesn't guarantee the same fame or fortune.
"MICHAEL DOUGLAS: CLOSEST I GET TO WALL STREET IS THE RETIREMENT FUND."
But it does usually make for good stories, especially if you're Demi Moore,
no, this Demie Moore, traveling on business.
"DEMIE MOORE: ON THAT TRIP I HAPPENED TO BE SITTING IN THE FRONT CABIN. AND I HEARD TWO OF THE ATTENDANTS SAY, DO YOU THINK WE'LL RECOGNIZE HER? AND I KNEW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT SO AS I PASSED THEM I SAID, SHE JUST WENT BY YOU."
James Bond has so enjoyed his name, he passed it on to his son.
"JAMES BOND II: THE NAME'S BOND, JAMES BOND."
And yes, he's been on an international mission...wearing a name tag and dark suit.
"JAMES BOND II: THE SINGLES WARD TYPE, THAT'S MY STYLE OF JAMES BOND LIFE."
ah, no matter that he prefers his milkshakes stirred, not shaken. He and others have learned, a celebrity by any other name, is not a celebrity....and fleeting as it may be, it's not bad to be...
"almost famous."
"EYEWITNESS NEWS AT TEN. GOOD EVENING, I'M NADINE WIMMER. AND I'M DICK NORRIS. WELCOME TO THE NEWS."
