This is such a fun thread. It got me thinking about how many celebrities I’ve crossed paths with over the years. I’m guessing I’m probably a little unusual for a boring suburban mom who doesn’t frequent celebrity hot spots or live in NY or LA
As far as politicians:
Joe Lieberman’s granddaughter went to the same k thru 8 school as my oldest child. The senator showed up for the 8th grade graduation. My sister in law tried chatting with him. He was cordial but obviously didn’t want to make small talk with people. To be fair, my sister in law can be very annoying.
Jimmy Carter was a regular on Campus when I was a student at Emory. I shook his hand once after a town hall but never had an actual conversation with him
John Edwards - I already recounted my story of being groped by him backstage at a charity concert on another thread. This was almost ten years after the Rielle Hunter scandal. For those of you who need a refresher: he had a baby with his mistress, tried to get his campaign manager to claim paternity, used campaign finances to cover it up - all while his wife was dying of cancer. He made light of the whole incident referring to it as “his little problem” and talked about how tough the fallout was on HIM. No mention of how horrible it must have been for his family. He also stated that Clinton did much worse. I’ll leave it at that.
Now for athletes:
My oldest son is a close friend one of Evander Holyfield’s kids. To be fair, Evander has so many children that everyone in Atlanta has probably met one of them. My son was invited for family outings to six flags, baseball games, a couple of movie premiers, and to an Easter Egg hunt at Evander’s mansion. My son always commented that he felt sorry for Evander because he could not just enjoy a normal day out with his kids. Everywhere they went, he was swarmed by people wanting pictures and autographs. He was too nice to say no to anyone.
Chris Chelios - I don’t follow hockey so I had no idea he is famous. He was at the same charity event where I met John Edwards. Really nice guy (Chelios not Edwards lol)
Joe Namath - I taught summer school at a prep school the summer after I graduated college. They hosted a Joe Namath football camp before classes started and I was asked to lifeguard for the camp since I had the certifications. He popped into the natatorium to say hello to the camp staff. He was very full of himself and wanted everyone to make a fuss over him. But - props to him for actually showing up at a camp with his name on it and spending time with the kids. I was surprised that he is shorter than I am . Lol
I knew both Brian Leetch ( hall of fame hockey player) and Brad Ausmus ( MLB ball player/manager) growing up. I guess they both count as famous athletes?
My husband spent a year of his medical training as an NFL team doc. We were invited to social events like the team family picnic and Christmas party. I have pictures of my oldest son as a toddler with most of the players.
Actors:
I went to highschool and was on the swim team with Paul Giamatti. You ain’t seen nothin’ until you have seen Paul Giamatti in a speedo 
In all seriousness, he was one of the smartest,funniest and most talented people I have ever met. He was kind of a wise ass kid and the swim coach gave him the honorary job of “scuzz ranger”. He was the guy that had to dive down to the bottom of the pool and remove all the gross stuff that was clogging the drains.
James Van Der Beek was the best friend of the kids I baby sat for back in the day. He was a permanent fixture at their home and I was at one point under explicit instructions to sit between him and the family’s daughter when we were all watching TV or movies. (Both James and the daughter were about 13 or 14 at the time and there was nothing going on between them.Just best friends) He was an exceptionally sweet kid. I was so heartbroken to hear about his colon cancer diagnosis.
Lisa Rinna (Melrose Place, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) is the niece of my late parents best friends. I met her at a family gathering when she was first starting out (and before she did whatever the hell it is to her lips). She seemed a little ditzy but was very friendly.
Musicians:
Honestly too many to list. My husband has a relative and several close friends in the industry. Back in the 90s, a lot of well known artists recorded here in Atlanta - so it also wasn’t unusual to run into famous musicians at local bars or music venues. My list includes:
The Who (Roger, Pete and John - Keith Moon was long gone). Roger Daltrey is much friendlier/social than Pete Townsend is.
Pink Floyd- (Dave Gilmour, Nick Mason, Rick Wright).
B-52s- Kate Pierson is hands down the coolest woman I have ever met.
Carlos Santana - my husband knew his tour manager back in the 80s and 90s. When my husband was in med school, the manager called my husband and asked if he would play tennis with Carlos. My husband picked them both up in his hand me down Toyota Cressida. Carlos lit up the biggest joint known to mankind. They went to a local park to play tennis and then went to some local record shops. Carlos was wearing a t shirt with his picture on it and was then annoyed by all the people who recognized him.
The Allman brothers - again hubby knew someone high up in their organization. My husband was told not to tell Greg that he(hubby) is a doctor. We always got to sit on the stage and one time I got to put the gel on the slides they used to create the psychedelic blob light show they projected behind the band.
Indigo Girls - Emily Saliers dad was my freshman college advisor. I met her a few times back when they were still playing in local bars near Emory’s campus.
Chris Robinson (Black Crowes, ex husband of Kate Hudson) Ran into him in a record shop in Durham,NC after my son toured Duke. We said hello but didn’t bother him.
Roger Waters - not much to tell. He was friendly enough and signed an autograph for my son as did Jeff Beck who was hanging out with him
Pearl Jam- my absolute favorite guys - so humble and down to earth. Met them back in the 90s when they were recording their second album here in Atlanta.
Kenny Rogers- saw him quite a few times at little league games. His twins are the same age as my youngest son but they weren’t ever on the same team. Never spoke to him, but I thought it was really cool that he was just being a regular dad .
Elton John - owned the penthouse in the same building as my father in laws long time girlfriend. ( Do we refer to 85 year olds who are seeing each other as boyfriend and girlfriend?) People living in the building were told not to bother him or talk to him in the elevator. He shared his extensive art collection with the entire building. There were a couple of Maplethorpes hanging right outside of father in law’s gf’s unit. I saw him in the lobby once but respected his privacy.