Friend Encounters: Adrienne Barbeau and Jack

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I am not the only one who recognized the talents and work my pal Jack has contributed to Johngy's Beat. At Wizard World several years ago, actress Adrienne Barbeau gave him props.

Jack has been my photog on and off for many years. During our interaction with Barbeau, I took a picture as I always do. Then Barbeau surprised us by asking if my camera man wanted a picture, too. Actually, it was more of a suggestion than a question. Who are we to deny Barbeau. 

Barbeau might be best-known for her role as the daughter on television's Maude. Of course, she also has a lengthy resume of other work. Perhaps a bit of a surprise, Barbeau has a great singing voice. I was very impressed when I found some songs she performed.

Our Barbeau encounter is just one of the many fun moments we've had at Wizard World and many other conventions. Every celeb isn't as engaging as Barbeau, but many have given special moments to me over the years.

Wizard World was bought by Fan Expo. Now it is basically the same show with a different name. For more info on the great convention, go to fanexpohq.com.

Adrienne Barbeau and Jack in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

"Interviewing" Adrienne Barbeau

At Wizard World Chicago, actress Adrienne Barbeau was on my short list of interview requests.  Unfortunately, I did not get to formally interview her,. but I did get to talk to her at length, which really was plenty of fun in itself.

One of Adrienne's earliest and best-known roles was as Maude's daughter Carol Traynor in television's "Maude."  Adrienne was quite a sex symbol back then, yet "Carol" was an independent, strong woman.  I wanted to ask her about that juxtaposition.  Did her being a sex symbol conflict with her wanting to portray Carol in certain light.

Adrienne retold the story that is in her book "There are Worse Things I Could Do."  She didn't realize just how much of a sex symbol she was.  She didn't realize that a lot of her scenes on "Maude" involved walking down the stairs, running or other such things which would cause her to bounce a bit.  She also didn't realize that it wasn't so much her athletic ability that landed her on the various "Battle of the Network Stars" competitions, but rather her physical assets.

I just found it interesting that Carol was so opposite of just a sex symbol.  I think if Carol was more fully developed (sorry, no pun intended), we would know that she was okay with being both a sex symbol and a very strong woman of the 1970's.  Carol could have it both ways, just like Adrienne did.

As big as "Maude" was and as popular as Carol was, Adrienne is better known to comic con fans for her roles in several horror films, like "The Thing" and "Creepshow."  Of course, some also fondly recall her role in "The Cannonball Run."

At 70, Adrienne was still looking incredible.  I really have no idea if she has had any surgeries, but I can tell you she looks quite natural.  Even better, she was super sweet and very funny.  It was a pleasure meeting and talking to her.

Adrienne Barbeau and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

Yo Adrienne Barbeau

A friend of a friend was involved in the Flashback Weekend, a convention of mostly horror movie items and celebrity guests. A few years back, I was on hand to help out and I ran into Adrienne Barbeau. Ms. Barbeau's first big role was on tv's Maude. Barbeau later did some classic horror movies, such as The Fog and Swamp Thing.

Adrienne Barbeau and me at Flashback Weekend in Rosemont, IL-2006.