Here are a bunch of people’s awkward portraits with celebrities from FanExpo
Fame isn’t eternal; it requires constant maintenance. That’s why, at fan conventions around the world, a few actors—usually ones whose IMDb profiles are starting to grow a little bottom-heavy—eschew celebrity mystique in favour of a retail approach.
This past weekend, at Toronto’s FanExpo, visitors paid as much $195 to have their pictures taken with the nerd idols of yesterday and today. These portraits are destined to be cherished mementos, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But look at enough of them in rapid succession and you start to get a sense of how draining it must be to spend hours living up to the expectations of people who are, at least some of the time, moderately to severely too excited to make your acquaintance. Observe:
Mark Hamill
A.K.A. Luke Skywalker
His career revived by a 10-second appearance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Hamill was the headliner at this year’s FanExpo, where he commanded $195 for a photo-op. How did he cope with the crowds? Mostly by pointing:
Three Men and a Jedi: "We are your fathers." @HamillHimself #StarWars #StarTrek #MarkHamill @starwars @StarTrek pic.twitter.com/oSwUntlUVi
— Matthew Shoychet (@M_Shoy) September 4, 2016
And pointing:
Dear @HamillHimself you're the actual best guy. I'm the happiest 225 pound, 6 ft. bearded six year old there is. pic.twitter.com/iWyTtTPjfu
— Adam Hindle (@hindle_adam) September 4, 2016
And pointing at the camera:
I gave all my $ to .@HamillHimself .@FANEXPOCANADA & all I got was this epic bucket list life experience! #thankyou pic.twitter.com/427ifgNxq2
— Sue Maynard (@marajade29sm) September 4, 2016
And here he is using the force, or something:
@HamillHimself tells me that @squadron_42 is going to blow our minds. I believe him. Such a great guy! #StarCitizen pic.twitter.com/DMppdxBCta
— Geoff Trueman (@trueman832) September 3, 2016
John Cusack
A.K.A. Joan Cusack’s brother
Cusack is also a fan of the point:
Thank You @johncusack ! #FanExpo2016 #tdot #mademyday #yourock Gotta love me some #JohnnyCash ?? pic.twitter.com/cUcdVPpKUO
— Laura Lawton (@LauraLawton) September 4, 2016
William Shatner
A.K.A. Captain Kirk
Shatner’s photo-op pose has been expertly honed over decades of fan convention appearances. He’s now 85. The captain’s chair is probably less a prop at this point than a necessity:
@FANEXPOCANADA @habster Live Long and Prosper with William Shatner. So lucky to have met him in person. pic.twitter.com/xkBAGabWYY
— Kimmy Beland (@decemberkimmy) September 3, 2016
Gillian Anderson
A.K.A. Dana Scully
Anderson has a remarkably consistent half-smile:
Great to see @GillianA today at @FANEXPOCANADA pic.twitter.com/FfJHQiDfil
— John Dinh Nguyen (@JohnDinhNguyen1) September 4, 2016
just wanted you all to look at me and my cool aunt and uncle @GillianA @johncusack #FanExpo2016 pic.twitter.com/jKlTfcJwwk
— granny garbanzo (@rcrchl) September 3, 2016
@BryanFuller I met thee #AMERICANGOD @GillianA & found a leg for poor BEDELIA! #Hannibal #TheXFiles #FanExpo2016 pic.twitter.com/j624i4SDuU
— Hannibal_Obsessed (@hanni_obsessed) September 3, 2016
@FANEXPOCANADA @habster Posing without Mulder with Gillian Anderson. So grateful to have met her. pic.twitter.com/0NKJ3mPSh8
— Kimmy Beland (@decemberkimmy) September 3, 2016
.@GillianA moment of the year at fan expo pic.twitter.com/EMbKrb8H7c
— Hussein Saafan (@BlitzkriegSoda) September 2, 2016
Aw, there’s that smile:
Best Photo Op EVER @GillianA @FANEXPOCANADA (hq repost) pic.twitter.com/9VB6BP2x4p
— maegay for ga™ (@gillytrash) September 2, 2016
Jack Gleeson
A.K.A. King Joffrey
Another very consistent facial expression, albeit with a much different effect:
Highlight of #FanExpoCan was meeting @JackGleeson_ ❤️ what a quality human being. pic.twitter.com/KpmJQDI4Yj
— Michelle Lynne (@MusingsBookBlog) September 5, 2016
Jack Gleeson is so dang cute ? @FANEXPOCANADA pic.twitter.com/0FLehoMeO5
— ko (@ko_star) September 3, 2016
Met the hilarious @JackGleeson_ yesterday at #FanExpoCan pic.twitter.com/3tghfha5Wg
— Kelsey Inkol (@kelseyinkol) September 3, 2016
It’s nice that we can all laugh about the poisoning now:
We bought @JackGleeson_ pie and a chalice of wine to wash it all down. Definitely made our bucket list! pic.twitter.com/Yem6mI0rfX
— James (@SausageHippo) September 3, 2016