Alex Buscemi
Working behind the scenes with celebrities can lead to some interesting stories, and sometimes those stories reveal a side of the rich and famous that most of us never get to see.
From surprising habits to unexpected acts of kindness, people who’ve worked with celebrities have shared their experiences on Reddit, pulling back the curtain on what these larger-than-life figures are really like.
Whether it’s about their off-screen quirks or moments that humanize them in unexpected ways, these stories give a glimpse into the lives of stars when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Here’s a roundup of some of the most intriguing secrets shared by those who’ve worked with celebrities—an inside look at the moments that make them feel a little more real.
1.
I’ve met a fair number of musicians but probably the nicest was Weird Al. My daughter was shy but really wanted his autograph and he was so kind. I understood why the line (after a show) was so slow. He took time with each person, made a little personal connection, and left them feeling seen and heard. It was honestly amazing.
2.
Worked for the first time with a major A-List talent many years ago when I was first starting out. They have quite the reputation for being phenomenally talented but also rude, abrasive, and arrogant. I went in expecting to walk on eggshells, but they were surprisingly friendly to me from the start. Over time, they opened up, sharing how their abrasive personality stemmed from years of feeling exploited and treated like a “zoo animal.” It taught me not to always judge a book by its cover—sometimes abrasive personalities are defense mechanisms.
3.
Owen Wilson is one of the most introverted people I’ve ever met. He turns it on for the camera and then goes to his chair and totally keeps to himself. Not rude by any stretch, but just very, very introverted and quiet.
4.
I’ve known a bunch of minor B-C list celebs. One of my very best friends is a C-list working actor. At Hollywood parties, I noticed many of them are just the same theatre kids from school—singing Sondheim in the hallways and full of emotions. They’re not the “cool kids” people imagine. It’s a good reminder to take celebrities off the pedestal we tend to put them on.
5.
Celebrities often freeze at the age they become famous. Christina Aguilera always seemed like a 13-year-old girl. Adam Levine feels like a horny 18-year-old guy. Robin Williams was forever a hilarious and kind 25-year-old. Fame can halt emotional development because the systems around them stop saying “no,” and normal growth becomes harder.
6.
People really need to stop pretending celebrities are their public personas. Most of the actors I’ve worked with are very different in private—often weirder or more introverted than their public appearances suggest. The truth is, they’re usually playing a version of themselves when in the spotlight.
7.
A lot of celebrities are incredibly insecure. At a party, I saw one actor, adored by their fandom, acting schmoozy and charismatic until the party ended. Then, they started obsessing over their breath, asking their entourage if it smelled like garlic and complaining that the event sucked. It came across as desperate and deeply self-conscious.
8.
I worked for one long day on Batman Vs Superman and got to talk briefly with Zack Snyder. My friend and I were extras, and despite being the director of a big-budget movie, he was approachable and happy to chat about sports during a break. He made us feel like we weren’t out of line for talking to him.
9.
I make movies and TV for a living. There’s a huge difference between actors and “movie stars.” Most actors are normal, quirky people, but movie stars have this specific charisma that makes them stand out. For example, my boss said George Clooney made him feel like the only person in the room when they met.
10.
I used to work at a famous sporting event that attracted celebrities. James Garner was charming and joked around. Florence Henderson was delightful and professional. Paul Newman was kind but very quiet. Regis Philbin was high-strung and rude. Dick Clark was friendly and gave great advice: “Always be on time.”
11.
A close friend of mine was a nanny for a celebrity who was very lonely and didn’t trust anyone. Once trust was built, the celebrity hired another nanny for the kids and kept my friend around just as a companion. It was both sad and sweet.
12.
You’d be surprised at the bad hygiene and bad teeth of some celebrities, especially men. Many mansions are filthy, with pets using the floor as a bathroom. A lot of their clothes, cars, and houses are borrowed from actual rich people who want proximity to fame.
13.
My friend worked with Billy Bob Thornton and said he was a total a*****e who screamed at young women because the antique furniture in his dressing room wasn’t from the correct period. He literally threw things and berated people.
14.
One of my husband’s friends worked for Tommy Lee Jones on his ranch. He said Jones is very private and socially awkward, which might explain his reputation for being difficult. On the other hand, Gisele Bündchen was kind and insisted on paying for Super Bowl memorabilia for her kids, but she fiercely defended Tom Brady when a reporter crossed the line.
15.
I work in TV, and most actors are nothing like their characters. They’re distinct personalities playing roles written by others. It’s easy to feel like you know them through their characters, but you really don’t.
16.
The B/C-listers are often the worst to work with, and their entourages are even worse. No one is as wealthy as they seem.
17.
Celebrities are usually much shorter than you’d expect.
18.
I lived near many actresses and singers, and I noticed three things: a lot of famous women end up with trash partners, many are overly anxious parents, and even millionaires have things they refuse to buy for their kids—like Lego men.
19.
A friend worked on Queen Charlotte and said India Amarteifio, the lead actress, was professional, kind, and hardworking. She also had no idea several male extras had huge crushes on her.
20.
I had lunch with Martin Scorsese during final auditions for Shutter Island. He was funny and down-to-earth. Kate Winslet was equally kind and spent breaks playing games and eating snacks with the crew.
21.
I worked at a large celebrity PR agency in NYC and learned how calculated public personas are. Celebrities know exactly what to say and do to maintain their image. However, some clients were nightmares. One “America’s sweetheart” wouldn’t even speak to me directly, only through her assistant while I stood in the room. Another client had a heroin problem that, if exposed, would have ruined their career. The industry is dark, toxic, and full of fakery, which is why I left after a few months.
22.
Many celebrities have voices that are completely different from what you hear on camera. It’s surprising how much they adapt for their roles or public appearances.
23.
I worked in TV for 12 years, and most actors are nerdy weirdos who are surprisingly nice. However, there’s always at least one diva on a show, often a B-C lister who’s rude to the crew and other actors. But sometimes their behavior makes sense—like January Jones, who kept her distance because she had a stalker who repeatedly snuck onto the lot.
24.
Most celebrities are much smaller in real life—short, thin, with large heads—and often socially awkward. They rarely eat at events, likely due to insecurity, and many are incredibly cheap, expecting everything to be comped. Despite their glamorous lives, many of them are not as intelligent as you’d assume.
25.
I was close friends with one of Ewan McGregor’s kids in high school, and Ewan is the loveliest man. He was sweet, down-to-earth, and incredibly engaging. I was intimidated at first but quickly realized how kind he was.
26.
Many celebrities secretly smoke cigarettes. They go out of their way to hide it, but it’s a lot more common than people think.
27.
The worst kind of actor to work with is a hangry one. A lot of them are constantly dieting and it shows in their moods. Hunger often turns them into absolute nightmares on set.
28.
Lee Pace is jaw-droppingly beautiful in real life. He’s so stunning that I couldn’t help but gasp and stare the one time I saw him. His height only adds to his striking presence.
29.
Actors with a background in theater tend to be much more grounded and down-to-earth compared to those without. There’s a level of humility and professionalism that theater training instills.
30.
Nicole Kidman’s personal stylist is borderline abusive and absolutely insane. My sister worked as a PA on one of her projects and said the stories about the stylist overshadowed anything about Nicole herself.
Read more: 40 Hilarious Off-Brand Celebrity Lookalikes That Made Us Do A Double Take