Hart Bochner

OK its time I tell this story here since it is the one and only story that I have to tell about any Hollywood stars I've met in person. Its also my favorite story to tell. Back in the early 80's I had the opportunity to see the Hollywood All Star baseball team play in my home town. I've never been a baseball fan but the idea of seeing some Stars up close was certainly a plus. This wasn't the type of thing that happened often being so far from Hollywood and most likely the last chance I'd have to be this close to any stars in my lifetime.
Karen and I went to the game with cameras in hand and autograph books in tow. We arrived early and saw the team of which at first glance I only recognized a few of the team members. Robert Hegyes , who play Juan Epstien on Welcome Back Kotter and one of the supporting role cops on CHiPs. Just before the game was about to begin Karen pointed out that Hart Bochner was on the team. I didn't recognize the name until she reminded me that he was the actor that had played Doc on Terror Train, a movie Karen and I had seen together. Doc was an interesting character and met his early demise in the film. He was such a hottie. Mark Harmon http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001319/ was also there.
Hart was nice enough to pose for some pics for us just before the game began. Karen watched the game while I intently watch Hart. After the game Hart and Mark had lines forming for autographs. Karen was a huge Mark Harmon fan so I accompanied her to get his autograph which we both received along with a very salty kiss. We moved to Hart's line and with each passing moment as we got closer to Hart I became more and more nervous. He was so beautiful. Just ahead of me in line was a young blonde who couldn't have been more than a year or 2 older than my 15 years. When she reached Hart she handed him a motel room key and asked him to join her later. I just knew he would accept, to my surprise he smiled at her and said, "Thank you but my girl back home wouldn't like that." I'm sure she was devastated but I was elated. By the time I reached Hart the butterflies were doing double time and my heart was racing. I handed Hart my autograph book which he signed and I bent down to kiss him on the cheek. I quickly turned to leave covering my lips with the thought of never washing my lips again, when I heard Hart say I was going to kiss you on the lips. Well needless to say I never turned and moved so quickly in all my life. I snagged that kissed and was on cloud nine for days. Truthfully I'm on cloud nine every time I retell this story.
After the signings the stars retreated to the other side of the fence to eat a meal. Karen and I were about to call for a ride home when Hart called me over to the fence, by name mind you, to chat. He was so friendly and talkative. I don't know why I didn't ask him for an address or something but I guess I never thought he would write to me much less remember me after that day. He did however leave me with a wonderful impression of a kind man. He was a star and he certainly didn't have to be so kind to me a complete stranger. I have gone through these last 25 years with a memory that has never dimmed.
So much so that I recently tried to contact him. I was able via some work to get a letter to him about my memories of that wonderful day. I did get a response that I'm sure again is just a testament of the kind man he is, he said he remember that day well and was surprised to hear from me. I know it is impossible that he remembers but how nice was that? Perhaps the letter was not even from the man himself but I will have to for my sake believe that it is.