Celebrity Sightings
While living in New York, I had the opportunity to be part of a few Hollywood film productions working as an extra on set.
Movies included:
The Yards - Director James Gray
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron and James Caan
I was an extra on the street.
The Seige - Director Edward Zwick
Starring: Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Bruce Willis and Tony Shalhoub
I was an extra as a muslim.
I got to work with a couple of friends Maurico, Hank and Joey.
Cradle Will Rock - Director Tim Robbins
Starring: Hank Azaria, Ruben Blades, Joan and John Cusack, Cary Elwes, Philip Baker Hall,
Cherry Jones, Angus Macfayden, Bill Murray, Vanessa Redgrave, Susan Sarandon,
Jamey Sheridan, John Turturro and Emily Watson
I was dressed in a suit marching down Madison Ave to the theatre.
I got to work with a couple of friends Maurico, Rebecca and Harold.
Summer of Sam - Director Spike Lee
Starring: John Lequizamo, Adrien Brody, Mira Sorvino and Jennifer Esposito
I was an extra in a disco club scene.
I also had my share of meeting a few Hollywood celebrities while working downtown in Manhattan:
Brad Pitt - "A Devils Own". He was walking to the set dressed in black with an umbrella and an entourage
of body guards. I was able to say hi and get an autograph. All he did was smile a lot.
Harrison Ford - "A Devils Own". He was on the set drinking either coffee or water and was dressed down
wearing a t-shirt and jeans and a blue cap.
Ruben Blades - "A Devils Own". I got to talk to him and about his music. Very nice to talk to and he kept
making little jokes. He was surrounded by friends and family. I was able to get an autograph.
Andy Garcia - "Night Falls On Manhattan". I was waiting on the corner with a PA while Andy was filming
a scene. I stood for about a half hour waiting for an autograph while my co-workers watch
outside the window on the third floor. Two things went through my mind, I hope I get to meet
Andy and I hope I don't get introuble from my job. After Andy shot the scene, he came over,
asked my name and asked me if I wanted to eat lunch with the cast. I was in shock first of all for
meeting Andy Garcia, but I said no because I didn't want to lose my job. You can either call it
being responsible or losing my one shot of getting connections.
Keanu Reeves - "The Devils Advocate". This was interesting. Keanu Reeves was filming on Lafayette
Street. The scene before jumping in to the train with Al Pacino. I asked him for his autograph and
he said, "Not right now". I asked him again and he said a little firm voice, "Not Right Now". Talk
about persistent, I asked Keanu again for his autograph and he yelled, "NOT RIGHT NOW!"..."I
just wanted an autograph, sorry". Then he collects himself and say's, "Not right now, I'm busy
with my lines".
Al Pacino - "The Devils Advocate". He stepped out of a limo and yelled "HI!" to everyone on our building. He was on set on with Keanu for the walk on Lafayette before entering the subway.
Alec Baldwin - I don't remember what he was doing, but he was sitting on one of those director chairs.
Miley Cyrus - We were one of the lucky ones who were able to purchase tickets for the Hannah Montana
Concert. They had a raffle outside the Sprint Center for prizes and we won meet and greet
passes. Our girls loved it.
Ashley Tisdale - We got to meet Ashley Tisdale in the Independence Mall thru the local radio station
Mix93.3.
Tim Robbins - "Cradle Will Rock". A very mellow guy. I took the picture for my friend Harold and
because he said that we shouldn't be doing this while they are working, all I got to do was say hi.
There was one scene in the theatre when the cast got on stage after their singing scene and danced
with celebration when two extras rushed to the stage and started dancing with the cast. I
remember Cary Elwes turns to him and he realizes that this kid should be here, Cary just turns
around and continues with his scene. When Tim called cut, everyone stayed quite because we all
new what had just happened. First of all, it is summer time, we have been on set for over 12
hours and it is almost midnight and a scene that should have been the final shot, had to be reshot,
because of these two extras. No one made a sound and everyone understood the frustration. Tim
marched up to the stage and let this guy have it. He told him who did he think he was wasting
everyone's time and money. He told him to get out and don't ever come back to work. This extra
grabbed his jacket and walked out with his head down and all you can hear is his footsteps while
everyone turns their head to watch him leave. After a moment of echoing footsteps everyone
screams and yells like if someone had just won the Super Bowl. After that, Tim apologized to
everyone for his outburst and everyone understood. We did one last scene and it was a print.
Hank Azaria - "Cradle Will Rock". I was able to take a picture of Hank and me but my friend Harold,
never came back to work to give it to me. Hank was really funny and was making different
character voices before he realized he was there to work.
Helen Hunt - "Cradle Will Rock". I got to say hi while she was running down the street to meet Hank.
Cary Elwes - "Cradle Will Rock". I got to meet Cary and Angus Macfayden at the same time. It was
break time and they were both sitting on these steps in front of an apartment talking. It felt weird
because it was like everyone was just hanging out. No attitudes just because they are celebrities.
Very humble guys to talk to.
Vanessa Redgrave - "Cradle Will Rock". I got to say hi for a moment. She was preparing for her seen in
the theatre.
Matt Dillion - "Cradle Will Rock". Matt was visiting the set and he was sitting on the stairs in the back of
the theatre talking with someone when I got a chance to say hi and shake his hands.
Angus Macfadyen - "Cradle Will Rock". I got to meet Angus and Cary Elwes at the same time. It was
break time and they were both sitting on these steps in front of an apartment talking. It felt weird
because it was like everyone was just hanging out. No attitudes just because they are celebrities.
Very humble guys to talk to.
Denzel Washington - "The Siege". I got to meet Denzel on the set on Randall's Island. I was playing a
muslim with my friends and we were celebrating our freedom and during our scene, Denzel and
Tony Shalhoub walk thru the crowd between me and my friends as the camera pulls away on a
crane. We were excited because we were going to be seen on the screen. I guess it ended up on
the cutting room floor. Anyway, what did happen on set, there were these two girls who were
misbehaving and when Denzel was shooting his seen, the girls must of grabbed him, I'm not quite
sure, but after they called cut, hey pointed to the director and then to the two girls. The girls were
then kicked out of the movie and were sent home. After that, everyone was serious on the set
because no one wanted to be sent home.
Two classmates from High School made it to the silver screen. Yancey Arias and Tara Crespo.
Tara was in a couple of movies which included "A Murder of Crows" and La Cucaracha". I guess she
stopped making movies and became a mom.
Yancey continues on many projects and has also released a song "True Love".
Congratulations to you both for continued success.
My next two celebrities which are the most important ones in my life are my two daughters.
Our oldest one Alyssa Cassandra who is 14 years old is currently performing with the Kansas City Ballet,
"The Nutcracker". Her current dream is to continue as a professional dancer.
Our youngest one Alexiya Lourdes who is 10 years old is currently performing in a World Premiere
Pre-Broadway musical, "A Christmas Story" at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Her current
dream is to continue as a performer in acting, singing and dancing.
I can't forget my wife. She is the one who holds this family together and is the backbone of our girls career.