Fan mail

[Admiral]

Re: Fan mail

Glad you had such a pleasantly memorable experience, Jacqueline. Actors seem to be something of a mixed bag when you attempt to contact them: they're either friendly and welcoming, and, indeed, appreciative of your interest, or, frankly, they can be pretty obnoxious. Of the former category, I have some wonderful memories: in my business, I occasionally have had to engage actors as narrators, and I have either spoken to or met some wonderful people of the "old school" you might say, who were sheer joy to deal with. These included the now late Sir Michael Hordern and Peter Barkworth, plus Richard Briers, who was charm itself. Sadly, however, on the other side of the coin, there is an all-too-lengthy list of folk who seem to struggle with even basic courtesy. I remember, for example, I had to speak once on the phone with Derek Nimmo (who died some year ago) who, quite unprovoked, was extremely unpleasant, which was regrettable. The actress to whom I alluded in my posting which started this thread, and for whom I run a fan site, is the delightful Jan Francis. Jan, however, is intensely protective of her private life, and fan mail is, sadly, not welcome. If you gently persist, as I once did, her agent intervenes in no uncertain terms! So, as I said, they're a mixed bag!

[Jacqueline]

Re: Fan mail

I wrote a letter to Eric Richard (Sergeant Bob Cryer in The Bill) back in the 80's asking about other work he'd done etc. I had a really nice handwritten letter back giving lots of info. What a lovely man! I must still have it somewhere as I'm sure I haven't wittingly thrown it away.

[mazzer]

Re: Fan mail

I've only ever written one fan letter in my entire life - aged 21 - to the singer Martyn Bates, of Eyeless In Gaza. Didn't know where to write, but sent it c/o of Cherry Red records, his former label. Enclosed an SAE for his use, as I was enquiring about current music projects/upcoming gigs. Forgot all about it, but many months later had a response from the man himself, giving info about his musical activities and generally being very nice, written on the back of a postcard provided by him.And he wasn't even with Cherry Red any more! It's still one of my prized possessions today, some 22 years later.

[Admiral]

Re: Fan mail

Comments removed, whether the person in question may or may not respond to fan mail is up to them.

A little harsh I think, but you're the boss. Replying to fan mail is not quite as cut and dried as your dismissal of my message suggests. The rationale I was trying to put across was that those who have enjoyed a successful career in the public eye have at the very least something of a moral obligation to respond to the support derived from fans, whose activities, after all, however peripherally, are part and parcel of the success such actors enjoy: who is it, for instance, who turns on their TV's to watch their favourite actors, watches the repeats on satellite stations, and buys the merchandise (DVD etc.) - if not the fans, and as such I would suggest there is -or should be - a quid pro quo to reciprocate this support by responding to fan mail. Ignoring fan mail without good reason is unprofessional and discourteous, and that was the essence of the point I was making. I am sorry my comments were misinterpreted.

[Admiral]

Re: Fan mail

Comments removed, whether the person in question may or may not respond to fan mail is up to them.

[Shirl]

Re: Fan mail

I have always been a fan of the actor BEN MURPHY, i wrote once to him at a CARE OF Address and i had a sighned photo of him sent back to me.

But then a few monthes later i decided to send him a small photo of him which i had had for a long time for him to sighn and send back, i even enclosed an international reply coupon, never did get it back:cry:

Maybe one day it will come back, fingers crossed.

[Admiral]

I run an online fansite for an English actress who was particularly busy in the 70's, 80's and 90's - and, indeed, still active today. She's hugely attractive and a first-rate performer, but sadly she shuns all off-screen publicity and declines to reply to most of her fan mail. I'd be interested to hear from any DYR members who have sent fan mail and whether they received a response or not. I am trying to gather an impression of how actors respond to admirers who write to them, and thereby compare it with our own experience. Thanks.