Celebrity Watching in NYC
 

I will be in NYC next Tuesday. Where is the best place to spot celebrities?

In my experience the best place to see celebrities is the neighborhood they live in - that's where I have run into the most (ie supermarket, shopping at tower or B&N etc) unless you're looking for someone currently in a particular show - then obviously its the stage door.

Its relatively rare to see them in night spots -since they're usually in the private rooms regular folks don;t get into - even if they can get into the club at all.

If you have some specfic celebrities in mind provide names and perhaps someone can let you know a good spot.

I agree with NYTraveler that you often see them in the neighborhood they live in. I have occasionally spotted celebrities in the middle of a weekday shopping along Madison Ave. Other than that, there are some Broadway after-show haunts where celebrities congregate -- Joe Allen, MacIndoe's, etc. You can always try Elaine's uptown, if you fancy the writer's crowd.

My friend found Central Park to be a great spot last week - and she wasn't even looking. In the space of a half hour she saw John Boy Walton (can't remember his real name), Will Smith and Kevin James together on the steps of the Met filming something and then Joan Rivers up a few blocks.

I'd really like to see Kelly Rippa. Which neighborhood does she live in?

I thought Kelly Rippa lived in the suburbs.
I ran into celebs all the time, never where one would expect. Walking down any street at any time, you can run into someone.
Soho is a good place to start .. but where we lived on the East side, I saw someone interesting all the time.
Have fun!

*ps*
I was walking down E 60th street and "John Boy" was walking toward me. I smiled because he looked familiar, I thought he was one of my husbands clients. He gave me a big grin back and kept on walking, it wasn't until after that I realized who he was :)

I agree with Central Park, particularly in the early afternoon on a weekday, when the park is least crowded - I think celebrities feel "safer" then. I have seen more than I can remember while running in the park, but among them in the last year or so: Jerry Seinfeld (and family), Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas (and kids), Madonna and Guy Ritchie and their son (but not daughter), Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols, Bette Midler, Woody Allen, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, Robert DeNiro, and TONS of soap opera/Broadway stars (people that I don't necessarily recognize at first but then see as I'm flipping through the channels/at a show and I say "Oh yeah, s/he lives in my neighborhood..."). But there is no real "hangout," at least not ones that us mere mortals could get in to.

Oh, and I see Kelly Ripa all the time on Columbus Ave - the ABC studios are on 67th and Columbus.

I was going to suggest hanging near the ABC studio but why not try for tickets to the show??

Kelly Ripa lives downtown in a loft in Soho...I believe on Spring St. close to Broadway.

Cool! so does Sting :)

Is it considered rude to discreetly photograph a celebrity if you see one, or do most just expect this?

I think it would be taken as rude. No one wants someone to just take their photo, and a celeb especially .. You must ask first, that means you have to interrupt them while they are doing something else..it is difficult to not be rude in such situations.
I had a friend who was an actor and he was unfailingly kind to children who would ask for autographs but I remember how tired he got of never being able to finish a sentence without someone coming up to him while he was eating or talking and asking him for autographs or to take a photo with him.
I would just look and be happy that I saw this person.

Walk around the streets in the West Village, Charles St., Perry St., W. 11th St., all between W.4th St. and Bleecker and you're going to see celebs.
I know because I'm there 2-3 days a week. I own a plumbing and heating company and my clients in that area include Liv Tyler, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah-Jessica Parker/Matthew Broderick and others.

Among New Yorkers the unwritten rule is that you can glance at celebrities but not obviously stare. You do not approach them, ask for autogrphs or take pictures. They have a right to lives just like anyone else - unless you see them in an "official" situation. You may approach/ask for autographs if you catch them leaving their place of work - theater or sports arena etc - or if you see them at another offical event - film opening for example - which they are attending as a celebrity rather than just as a person.

So - offical event yes - but if you run into someone at the market or Tower records - NO!

Best place to see Kelly Ripa will be right outside the ABC studios at 67th and Columbus. She goes in the side door on 67th. Hang out there about 2 hours or so before show.

Does anybody know the exact address of Kelly Ripa? I think it's either 56 or 66 Crosby Street. As far as I know she lives in the same building as Nicole Kidman.

Hey Tpog,
Please tell us where you live. I'm sure you'd feel safe knowing that complete strangers have your address and that your children can be on exhibit for everyone to see.

Anyone who becomes a celebrity should recognize that they lose some of their freedom. But, does that loss of freedom include in your mind the right to show up outside their home?

I had the extreme pleasure of seeing Chris Noth (aka Mr. Big)at the Cutting Room, his jazz club in Chelsea. Unfortunately he did not see me or I'm sure he would have run off with me! :)

I don't know how you all even recognize celebs. I never realize until afterward who they are.

I once spent 20 minutes in Sephora discussing lipstick colors with Drew Barrymore and never realized it was her until I walked out of the store.

Duh.

I guess I should have added a constructive comment. I've seen celebrities all over town doing the same things that the rest of us do. I've never staked these people out nor planned to "celebrity spot" but they tend to live in neighborhoods like Soho and Tribeca where we often dine.

Some sightings, Eric Clapton reading a book at a shop on Astor place circa 1991, Mick Jagger at the now defunct Louisiana Bar & Grill watching a phenomanal zydeco band Loup Garou, David Byrne of the Talking Heads having dinner at Il Buco in the Village, multiple NBC news personalities walking near RockCenter, Christie Brinkley at a Yankee game.

GoTravel, I'm ashamed of you #-O. I've got the quickest eyes in the west. Once recognized Harrison Ford from the <i>back&gt;/i&gt; of his head ;;) as I entered a restaurant. Saw Drew Barrymore standing in the pouring rain in Kauai once in Hanalei. ((r))</i>

Here's a sort of interesting story. One Sunday we ate brunch at Rachel's on 9th Avenue. My partner and I had a very nice table for four, although there were two of us. Just as we were about to leave, Rosie O'Donnell and partner entered for brunch. By then the place was packed and they were about to be seated at a tiny table for two wedged between other diners. When the hostess saw we were getting up from our table, she offered Rosie that one. &quot;No&quot; she said. &quot;These people look nice, we'll stay right here.&quot; Boy was I impressed!

Supposedly lots of celebs eat at DaSilvano's and Bar Pitti on 6th av between Bleecker and Houston (both with outdoor dining). I walked by there a million times and never recognized anybody, but my teenage daugher has seen Kate Hudson and some other actors that do teen tv. Lot's of celebs do live in the village area and I have seen some ont the street, in the playground, at the greenmarket, etc.

Hey Ryan,
She did mention her address once on Live with R&amp;K, I just can't remember. And you could find out my address if you knew my name.

I can't help it mclaurie! It's the blonde!

Jackie O in an elevator, just the two of us. I managed not to request an autograph, gasp, gawk, take a picture or get a snip of her hair. We talked, like any two normal people. Hey, they put on thongs under their minks just like you and me.

&quot;And you could find out my address if you knew my name.&quot;

Yes, but I'd consider it really creepy to show up outside the home of someone I didn't know personally.

My daughter and walked down a SOHO street with David Bowie and his daughter (I think)
We were careful to NOT make him feel too uncomfortable. There were punk types talking to him and then following him and he looked really nervous. He walked a few blocks next to us and we let him get a little ahead of us and took a photo from behind.
Funny... it still looks like him.
I just feel it is very intrusive to bother people when they are not &quot;on&quot; if you know what I mean. I am sure they fear for their children... especially
those who have a kooky following.
I heard there is a Barnes and Noble that attracts a regular famous crowd.

&quot;Hey, they put on thongs under their minks just like you and me.&quot;

I must admit, I've never ever put on a thong under my mink!

I think Blacktie/aisleadjoining
/oddscreennames.. would wear his thong under his mink so he expects the rest of us to live up to his standards, as weird as they are :D

Ryan: &quot;Yes, but I'd consider it really creepy to show up outside the home of someone I didn't know personally.&quot;

I don't want to show up at her home, don't want to talk to her, don't want to stalk her, don't want to send her anything, in short: I don't want to do anything that the Pope or the Dalai Lama would consider immoral or that any law of this world would consider illegal. It's just extremely important for me to get that information. Whatfor? I can't tell. But if you or anybody else happens to know it I'd be very grateful if you could help me. It's up to you if you trust me. If not I'll have to ask somebody else. Please contact me via E-Mail: [email protected]

LOL, oooh, the green eyed monster rears ... upset that some can wear a thong and look thongy! Or, lack a nice mink! You can still wish the world a good day! MWAH, of course. :&gt;

S&amp;P (ooh, Standard and Poors, lol), lets see now ... hmmmmm :-?, I can offer an assortment ... =:) or perhaps &gt;) .... or maybe even :&amp;. Ya'll enjoy :-P

&quot;It's just extremely important for me to get that information. Whatfor? I can't tell.&quot;

Uhhh....this is even creepier. I feel the need to warn Kelly Ripa to be on the lookout.

Possibly threads like this one need to be deleted by fodors, they lead to zip of travel interest, but apparently attract all sorts who've overlooked their morning meds.

&quot;or that any law of this world would consider illegal. It's just extremely important for me to get that information. Whatfor? I can't tell.&quot;

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(The above is a visual representation of me being SPEECHLESS.)

hey tpog, if you need to get an extremely urgent message to kelly, why don't you pass it along to me? i will probably be seeing her this weekend in the hamptons. unless she stays at her new pool and skips the beach. i will not though, divulge her address--in ny or in the hamptons.

LOL, this thread is bizarre!
tpog and blacktie/aisleadjoining should have coffee together and work out their new stalking techniques!
But I really hope someone takes photos of at least one of them, showing up in his black shoes, black socks and mink coat with only a thong underneath!
What a hoot!