Celebrities remaining true to their roots? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 08-22-2003, 10:37 PM

The Red Sox are on now, and Beantown boy, Ben Affleck is sitting in on the announcer's booth. He and Matt Damon do this periodically. They're always taking part in Boston's sports and charity events.

Denis Leary has never left his Boston roots far behind either. He makes frequent Boston references on talk shows.

This got me to thinking about famous people staying close to their hometowns. Can you think of anyone famous from your hometown who still comes back for commencement addresses, charity work, sporting events, etc?

Dick and Jerry Van Dyke are from Danville, Illinois. On both The Dick Van Dyke Show and Coach, their characters were from Danville as well. It was a nice personal touch. On one episode of Coach, Luther Van Dam even went home to Danville.

AllIWantIsYourClutch · 08-22-2003, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice

This got me to thinking about famous people staying close to their hometowns. Can you think of anyone famous from your hometown who still comes back for commencement addresses, charity work, sporting events, etc?

Dick and Jerry Van Dyke are from Danville, Illinois. On both The Dick Van Dyke Show and Coach, their characters were from Danville as well. It was a nice personal touch. On one episode of Coach, Luther Van Dam even went home to Danville.

*claps for Illinois*

Well let's seeeeeee....Andy Dick went to my school. I think he came back a few years ago....Lionel Richie went to one of our "sister schools" that got closed and I personally think he's ashamed of our little screwed up town cuz he never comes back. Cathy Boswell (WNBA basketball player)'s mom goes to my church. She comes back all the time....yah.

TJL · 08-22-2003, 10:43 PM

Famous New Jersey rockers Bruce Springsteen, who is the Boss, by the way, and Jon Bon Jovi participate in numerous benefit concerts and charity events in the Garden State.

Both remain firmly attached to their Jersey routes. As do I.

Although no one asks me to play at any charity concerts.

Crimson and Clover · 08-22-2003, 10:47 PM

Kevin Millwood went to my school. He comes back occasionaly and talks to the students. He donated money to the school and there is a park here named after him.

Ewan's My Man · 08-22-2003, 11:07 PM

Well, I know one person who ain't staying true to HER roots.

Lil Miss Jenny from the Block.

Becoming a Red Sox fan b/c Benny Boy is? Puh-lease. Yeah...SHE'S still Jenny from the Block.

JT · 08-22-2003, 11:24 PM

Regis Philbin went to Notre Dame, but never made the football team. He attends many of their games nowadays......at least that's what they said on "Biography"

Janice · 08-22-2003, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ewan's My Man
Well, I know one person who ain't staying true to HER roots.

Lil Miss Jenny from the Block.

Becoming a Red Sox fan b/c Benny Boy is? Puh-lease.

Not according to Ben. Tonight he was telling the announcers that he's trying to convert Jenny into a Sox fan but isn't having much success.

When they were interviewed on PrimeTime Live last month, they were asked about the New York/Boston baseball thing and how they would raise their kids. Ben said they'll be raised as Sox fans, but Jennifer protested. Ben joked that no pinstipes will be allowed in their home.
Jennifer stated that her family is split between the Yankees and the Mets.

Ewan's My Man · 08-22-2003, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
Not according to Ben. Tonight he was telling the announcers that he's trying to convert Jenny into a Sox fan but isn't having much success.

When they were interviewed on PrimeTime Live last month, they were asked about the New York/Boston baseball thing and how they would raise their kids. Ben said they'll be raised as Sox fans, but Jennifer protested. Ben joked that no pinstipes will be allowed in their home.
Jennifer stated that her family is split between the Yankees and the Mets.

That's a relief...

Janice · 08-22-2003, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ewan's My Man
That's a relief...

That's good, lol. Although, I have seen them together at Sox games. Ben's such a fanatic about the Sox and she's so nuts about him, that it really wouldn't surprise me if she finally gives in.

Swimfan85 · 08-22-2003, 11:33 PM

hahah ya I caught the end of ben in the booth, he looks weird with a goatie, but thats not the topic...but umm when I get famous Ill stay true to beantown as well

PZelda · 08-22-2003, 11:39 PM

Phyllis Frelich (famous deaf actress) graduated from my school in 1962 and both her parents are still alive (the dad graduated from the same school in 1936 and the mom, also from the same school, in 1942) and still live here in town. Phyllis comes to my school when she can and visit with each one of us. I even correspond with her via email when she can.

MonarC · 08-22-2003, 11:42 PM

if ben & J-ho get married and she takes his name is she gonna go by J-Af

Janice · 08-23-2003, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
Although no one asks me to play at any charity concerts.

The nerve. Don't they know who you think you are?

Rockapella722 · 08-23-2003, 01:58 AM

Scott Leonard is from Indianapolis but lives in Tampa Bay, but Rockapella's tour frequently brings him through there. He goes home every once in a while, when his schedule permits him. I imagine he's there right now, as Rockapella has all of August and part of September off from touring.

Jeff Thacher, Sean Altman, Barry Carl and Elliott Kerman are always in NYC.

Kevin Wright still lives in Winter Haven, FL.

George, however, lives in FL. I haven't heard of him visiting Philly recently.

Tony Shalhoub is never here in Green Bay. He's the uncle of my brother's ex-gf.

AKA · 08-23-2003, 04:05 AM

Mark Rypien and John Stockton are two Spokane athletes that have returned home after finishing their professional careers. Bing Crosby only came to visit a few times (sometimes coming for the sole purposes of using our golf courses to tee off with Bob Hope), but he donated to local causes quite a bit.

08-22-2003, 10:37 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Celebrities remaining true to their roots? The Red Sox are on now, and Beantown boy, Ben Affleck is sitting in on the announcer's booth. He and Matt Damon do this periodically. They're always taking part in Boston's sports and charity events. Denis Leary has never left his Boston roots far behind either. He makes frequent Boston references on talk shows. This got me to thinking about famous people staying close to their hometowns. Can you think of anyone famous from your hometown who still comes back for commencement addresses, charity work, sporting events, etc? Dick and Jerry Van Dyke are from Danville, Illinois. On both The Dick Van Dyke Show and Coach, their characters were from Danville as well. It was a nice personal touch. On one episode of Coach, Luther Van Dam even went home to Danville.

08-22-2003, 10:43 PM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Famous New Jersey rockers Bruce Springsteen, who is the Boss, by the way, and Jon Bon Jovi participate in numerous benefit concerts and charity events in the Garden State. Both remain firmly attached to their Jersey routes. As do I. Although no one asks me to play at any charity concerts.
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08-22-2003, 10:47 PM	#4
Crimson and Clover Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 09, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 17,345	Kevin Millwood went to my school. He comes back occasionaly and talks to the students. He donated money to the school and there is a park here named after him.
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08-22-2003, 11:07 PM	#5
Ewan's My Man I'll Cover You Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 29, 2001 Location: Beneath the opera house... Posts: 5,682	Well, I know one person who ain't staying true to HER roots. Lil Miss Jenny from the Block. Becoming a Red Sox fan b/c Benny Boy is? Puh-lease. Yeah...SHE'S still Jenny from the Block.
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08-22-2003, 11:24 PM	#6
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	Regis Philbin went to Notre Dame, but never made the football team. He attends many of their games nowadays......at least that's what they said on "Biography"
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08-22-2003, 11:33 PM	#10
Swimfan85 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Posts: 7,030	hahah ya I caught the end of ben in the booth, he looks weird with a goatie, but thats not the topic...but umm when I get famous Ill stay true to beantown as well

08-22-2003, 11:39 PM	#11
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	Phyllis Frelich (famous deaf actress) graduated from my school in 1962 and both her parents are still alive (the dad graduated from the same school in 1936 and the mom, also from the same school, in 1942) and still live here in town. Phyllis comes to my school when she can and visit with each one of us. I even correspond with her via email when she can.
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

08-22-2003, 11:42 PM	#12
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	if ben & J-ho get married and she takes his name is she gonna go by J-Af

08-23-2003, 01:58 AM	#14
Rockapella722 .B.A.D.G.E.R. .G.I.R.L. Senior Member Join Date: Oct 28, 2001 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,489	Scott Leonard is from Indianapolis but lives in Tampa Bay, but Rockapella's tour frequently brings him through there. He goes home every once in a while, when his schedule permits him. I imagine he's there right now, as Rockapella has all of August and part of September off from touring. Jeff Thacher, Sean Altman, Barry Carl and Elliott Kerman are always in NYC. Kevin Wright still lives in Winter Haven, FL. George, however, lives in FL. I haven't heard of him visiting Philly recently. Tony Shalhoub is never here in Green Bay. He's the uncle of my brother's ex-gf.
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08-23-2003, 04:05 AM	#15
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Mark Rypien and John Stockton are two Spokane athletes that have returned home after finishing their professional careers. Bing Crosby only came to visit a few times (sometimes coming for the sole purposes of using our golf courses to tee off with Bob Hope), but he donated to local causes quite a bit.