Who is the most pleasant actor you've encountered at the stage door? — Page 3

I've met so many really kind actors, especially ones who are in the ensemble, who are flattered that you noticed them. Specifically, my best stage door experiences have been Kristy Cates at her last show in Wicked Chicago (she took the time to speak to everyone, sign, and take pictures despite the 30 degree weather, and she couldn't have been nicer or more appreciative), and Kerry Butler at Xanadu (it was my birthday and she seemed so excited to wish me a happy birthday, and she was so gracious and kind to everyone).

I'm intending on a career in musical theatre, and I always remind myself of my amazing and not so great stage door experiences. I'm making a promise to myself to ALWAYS be kind to everyone person at the stage door no matter how tired I may be, because they will have taken the time to come out to meet me and were moved by my performance. I know from the fan side that it can mean SO much, so I plan on taking the time to get to everyone, just as the two above actresses did.

Greg Jbara hands down.

I no longer stagedoor but, without a doubt, the nicest people I ever encountered after a show were Jack Lemmon and Dustin Hoffman.

The entire cast of the Sunday in the Park With George revival.

They were all EXTREMELY kind and each took the time to talk to each person. (There actually weren't that many people at the stage door to begin with) Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell were so thankful that their fans wanted autographs. They were both extremely dear.

Just wanted to mention that some actors do consider it their duty to meet with fans after shows. Alexandra Silber and Ruthie Henshall both consider it their third act of an evening at the theatre.

Maria Friedman, and the rest of her costars at The Woman in White, Broadway, were unbelievably kind and sociable to those interested in discussing the show.

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Marian Seldes is an absolute doll. I have to say the same thing about Estelle Parsons, obviously. These two women give me chills just thinking about their talent. What a treat when I realized they had kindness to match their talent.

David Hyde Pierce is also exceptionally kind, and Frank Langella is the essence of class.

Phylicia Rashad was also clearly tired when I stagedoored "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof," and yet she took time for each and every person waiting for her, and so I thanked her for stopping for us. It was very sweet of her given her energy level.

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Sort of surprised no one has said it yet, but the prize in my book goes to the [title of show] cast. They were all so gracious and took time with every single person, no matter the time, no matter the weather. It was a breath of fresh air in comparison to a lot of people.

I have a few favorites -- Gavin Creel, Will Swenson, Billy Crudup, Kristen Chenoweth (although not really a stage door experience - met her at a SAG Event), Cheyenne Jackson

Just met Hugh Jackman over the weekend...what a sweetheart..he held my hand :)

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Tim Howard, the sweetest person ever.

I've never had an unpleasant experience, really. I just don't go in with expectations and if you're polite and smiley and engaging but not pushy than you really can't go wrong.

Christpher Eccleston after A Doll's House in London this past summer is my all time favorite. He just hung out, smoked a cigarette with me and was super chatty and hugged me twice lol.

Hmm, who else... I remember Max Von Essen, Donna Lynne Champlin, Euan Morton, and Ben Eakeley are all really super cute and talkative and huggy. IA with the whole cast of Sunday In The Park, they were all so sweet too. More recently, the guys from Hamlet (not including Jude) are all nice, I guess because no one ever stops them, ever. Gwilym Lee in particular is a cutie.

Daniel Craig is a sweet man and gave my mom a huge hug because it was her birthday. And after he hugged her he held on to both her hands and said happy birthday 3 times in a row, lol, thought that was really sweet of him.

As for bitchy people: I can only think of Lupone and Amanda Peet.

-and omg, how could I forget. Drew Sarich, he's so cool, lol lol.

Updated On: 12/6/09 at 03:59 PM

This goes back many years. In fact, I'm not even sure of what the play was. ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR? The original NORMAN CONQUESTS? Maybe it was SEASCAPE. Yes, I think that was it. Barry Nelson was incredibly nice. He took me out for a couple of drinks after the performance. I didn't know him then.

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I very rarely stagedoor, but I just had to commend Quentin Earl Darrington on his work in Ragtime. What an absolute sweetheart! Ran into him the following day and I was so impressed that he remembered my name!

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John Tartaglia was super nice! Met him during Shrek's Seattle run. He was the first actor I never had to approach. He just came up and started chatting, then posed for pictures and autographs.

One of the nicest actors I've ever met is Karl Warden. It was closing night for Catch Me if You Can so there was a pretty good sized group at the stage door. He signed Playbills and posed for pictures for awhile and then picked up all of his stuff to leave, so I decided against bothering him, but he saw me and said "Oh did I miss you?" then put down all the stuff in his arms just take another picture and sign one more autograph. Definitely one of my favorite stagedooring experiences.