I was priveleged to meet Claude Akins back in 1987 when he came to Indianapolis for a new store opening. Was able to get
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theconman21 — 19 years ago(May 11, 2006 01:05 AM)
Dear Karen,
My name is Conrad Akins, and I am Claude's grandson. I was just wondering what part of Georgia you live? And you said you were related? I was told by my mom that most of our family and her cousins 7ecstill possibly live back East. Hope all is well.
Conrad Akins -
wabatl — 19 years ago(November 02, 2006 07:55 AM)
I was able to meet him here in Atlanta when I was a young teenager in the late '70s. He was at what was known then as the Atlanta Hilton as a guest.
My father worked in the office building behind the hotel and he took us around to show us the place. On the way out through the hotel, we bumped into Claude at a bar on one of the middle floors.
I think he had a drink with him and a couple of friends or associates. As a boy, I recognized him right away from movies and TV. My eyes must have lit up because Claude looked genuinely happy to see a fan (my parents, too!). We all chatted for a minute or two and had a few laughs.
We didn't have a camera, so no picture with him, but I did get a nice autograph, a pat on the back and a hand-shake from his BIG hand! A really nice, casual and genuine guy and one of my favorite character actors. -
bohn007 — 14 years ago(October 08, 2011 03:49 AM)
I met him back in 1975, when he came to a Kenworth dealership, in my home town of Little Rock, Arkansas, to do PR for Kenworth, and 'Movin' On'. I shook his hand, and took a Polaroid of him, which he autographed. Unfortunately, the picture got lost in the shuffle of many moves, since that time. See my IMDb list of other famous people I've met.
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purelight1959 — 13 years ago(August 19, 2012 06:00 PM)
I can't say I exactly MET him but i saw him and got his autograph when he came to my small southern town to promote Movin On back in the early or mid 70s. He was sitting in front of a factory outside of town signing autographs. I have no memory of how I knew he was going to be there or how I ended up there in line to get his autograph I just remember feeling kind of sorry for him that he had to do this tour that included these tiny southern towns in the middle of nowhere. He signed something I had - I think a picture I must have bought at the signing, and he didn't say anything. Like I said, I just felt he was there to do his job, meaning signing autographs around the south for publicity and I felt it must have been terribly boring for him to do that. Now that I have left the south and lived in Boston for more than 30 years I realize what a great actor he was and I feel privileged to have seen him (although I have no idea what happened to that autograph).
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lubbock_gail — 13 years ago(August 20, 2012 09:48 AM)
Never had the pleasure of meeting him, but my Mother worked with his wife. Both my Mother and Claude's wife were nurses in a mental health facility in California. Mama told me that Claude liked being in "BJ And The Bear" - except for one of his co-stars. The other actors were great, but he hated working with the chimp. Chimps are a pain to deal with, they bite and spit and aren't much fun -
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ben-thayer — 11 years ago(August 13, 2014 09:23 AM)
Joining this conversation very late! Sorry
I was privileged to meet Mr. Akins around 1988 I believe (give or take a year).
It was in Myrtle Beach, SC. My father drilled water wells, and I joined the family for the South Atlantic Water Well convention (I was living in DC at the time).
Mr. Akins was a guest of one of the vendors, and he was posing for pictures with folks attending the convention. My brother and I both got a shot with Mr. Akins.
Despite having to deal with the public hour after hour throughout the week, he was incredibly cool. Very personable, with absolutely no assuming, Hollywood-type attitude whatsoever. Very down to earth.
After taking our pic, I chatted with him for a moment. I had just seen a rerun of the original Night Stalker Movie of the Week, with Mr. Akins playing the sheriff against Darren McGavin, and I mentioned how great he was in the role.
He said he recalled the part fondly, and he never thought the film would be as popular as it was.
Still got the pic.and some great memories. Mr. Akins was definitely a class act. -
Producer5_2005 — 11 years ago(January 04, 2015 05:27 PM)
Yes! I was an extra on an episode of The Master in 1984. Claude was gracious and genuine. He dished chow for the bunch of us with a smile that would melt granite. Extras aren't suppose to hassle the stars but before I left that night I got close enough to say, "I have to tell ya' I've stolen more of your schtick then any other actor then I can think of. Thanks for this paycheck and probably a few more to come." He laughed and s2000aid he was glad to have been of help.
Nice man. Where have all of all of ours heroes gone?