I've never been a fan of autographs. I've met actors in person but to me it's just like meeting another person. They are familiar only because they are recognized for their work but they are just people like everyone else. I've met some actors that are very different when you meet them in person and realize that they aren't anything like the characters they portray. Some are nice, friendly and personable, others you can tell are just doing it as part of the job to promote their work. Of course, we idolize the characters they portray by collecting action figures to commemorate our heroes but a signature is something that is only enjoyed if it is personalized and is important to the person receiving it. Most actors charge for an autograph at a convention which seems like they are taking advantage of the fans who have supported their careers which seems genuinely insulting. Let me tell you about my Lou Ferrigno story from ComiCon last year...
I'm roaming the floor at ComiCon and my friend says "There's Lou Ferrigno, you should have him sign your Incredible Hulk DVD." Two days earlier, The Incredible Hulk was released on DVD and since I watched it as a kid, I purchased it, had it in my backpack. So I open up my backpack, Lou sees me coming with it, and before I even get up to the table he says "That's new, that's forty." I said, "What?" He says "That just came out so that's forty. If you want to buy one of my pictures it's twenty but that's forty." I was insulted. Here was one of my childhood heroes deliberately taking advantage of one of his fans. I immediately lost all repect for him and I have NEVER watched my Incredible Hulk DVDs and am probably going to sell them on ebay. I used to feel bad for Lou. In interviews he said he became a body builder because he was made fun of as a kid and used to get beat up in school by bullies. I remember watching Pumping Iron and Arnold psyched him out by saying "Lou is like a child and I am like his father" and then he says to Lou "You're gonna lose" and he did and then Lou, in tears after the Mr. Olympia competition throws around the weights in frustration. Worst experience meeting an actor EVER and now I could care less about somebody's scribbled signature. It's just bragging rights only. As a memento of meeting them perhaps it is worth it but when I have to open up the wallet and hand somebody I admire and respect my hard earned cash just to get a quick and sloppy scribble it loses all of its novelty.
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