Representatives for Griffith and Burton did not return calls seeking comment.
Some stars have let fame go to their heads, one employee said. The singer Pink, for example, is not very popular because she shops with a group of managers, who demand that the manager give her “special assistance.”
Some are rare. Val Kilmer, star of the doors“He looked like he was still in the Jim Morrison role: tall, distracted, wandering around the Grove,” one associate said.
Sales associates said some celebrities can be incredibly cheap.
Fred Durst, the leader of Limp Bizkit, always demands a discount, one of the salesmen said. His record company has a special 5 percent discount in the store, and Durst requires it on every purchase, including the $20 iPod cable, which is a $1 savings. Public relations representatives for Durst did not return a call seeking comment.
Another associate said trying to explain wireless networking to actor Jerry O’Connell was “quite an ordeal” because he had “no idea” what Wi-Fi was, but he was friendly and grateful.
In fact, the staff said that most of the stars who visit the stores are nice and friendly.
Outkast’s Andre 3000 graciously posed for photo after photo.
He Daily showJon Stewart “finds what he wants, smiles and walks away.”
Trent Reznor is “super nice” and is always buying gifts for his band.
Robin Williams took his photo on each computer with a camera attached and left the portraits open on the desks. “That was really cool,” said one of the anonymous associates.
Kiefer Sutherland “thanks you about 40 times when you help him,” said another. (In the first season of Fox 24Sutherland and the other good guys used Macs, while the villains used PCs).
Saturday night liveKevin Nealon is “probably the coolest celebrity that comes in on a consistent basis… (He’s) always patient and responsive,” the associate added.
The Apple store at The Grove shopping center is particularly star-studded, thanks to the nearby studios and production houses.
Regular customers include Seal, who is always polite and courteous, and the Wayans brothers, Marlon and Keenan, whose production facilities are in the same complex.
