Many of the ADLFCers have had the good fortune of having an Anthony encounter (or two, or three, or four) and they have taken the time to share their experiences here on the ADLFC website. 

Do you have an encounter you'd like to share with the rest of us? If so, just send it to the ADLFC Webmistress, and it will get posted on this page. 

If you've had your picture taken with Anthony, you can send that to us too and we'll post it on the Photo Gallery's Fan Encounters with Anthony page. 
 
 

Amey Adams

A Special Performance of "A Vampire Reflects", November 4, 2000

At about 6:15 Ronda, Vonda, Lauri and I rode the elevator down to the lobby to find that a crowd had already gathered. Martha arrived shortly afterward with name badges at the ready, and as I checked people off on the list, she and Lauri began distributing them. It wasn't the orderly line Annie had envisioned, but somehow it all worked out. 

The buses arrived right on time, and we began to load up. A few folks had escaped me, but I managed to track them down. We left at 7:00 p.m., just as the last late arrival came running to join us. The bus ride was an adventure in itself, as they careened down the HOV lane en route to the theatre. I got stuck riding on the wheel well, and was clearly and somewhat painfully reminded that these vehicles were built for smaller folks. Our driver took a bit of a detour to get around heavy traffic, and we arrived at the theatre in good time. 

Lauri and I were the last to enter the theatre, and I quickly realized we would not be able to sit together. Mr. Vaughn Armstrong was kind enough to find Lauri a seat, and I went off in search of one for myself. I was quite lucky to find an excellent spot on the stairs on the far side of the theatre, right in front of the "cellar" doors. Ronda sat in front of me on the first stair. It was the perfect spot. The lights dimmed. Anthony made his speech from off stage, complete with his signature laugh. The play had begun. 

Smoke billowed from the cellar doors as "Maddie" shooed the "Housekeeper" from the room. Then the doors flew open and Anthony swept out onto the stage amidst a roar of applause. He surveyed the audience with a barely repressed grin and a twinkle in his eye that said "Oh boy, this is going to be fun!" and, in a perfect impression of Bela Lugosi, intoned: "Good Evening!" The crowd roared again. 

This was not only my first opportunity to see Anthony perform live on stage, but also the first time I would hear him sing. I can now attest that he does have a marvelous baritone, evident in Count Zescu's lament for his beloved Transylvania, which Anthony co-wrote. It is a very physical play, and I watched in amazement as Anthony's Count Zescu caught a leaping Maddie - twice. He also tangoed and square danced with Mrs. Puddlepont during a hysterical scene when Ms. Lionheart, revealed to be a reporter, attempted to warn Mrs. Puddlepont about the Count while calling the dance. It really was as Bob Chapin had described it-"Bugs Bunny with Vampires". The character of the reporter, we surmised later, could have been Bugs, always popping up, usually in disguise, attempting to discover just what was going on. Later, Ronda and I had an excellent view of the table on which lay the "instruments of torture" (which looked like a collection of oddments from someone's toolbox). We watched Anthony select his weapons right before us, while his victims, Colonel and Mrs. Puddlepont, Lt. Crisis (later to be promoted to Major Crisis) and the Mad Scientist, lay strapped and helpless on operating tables. It was also the spot from which the Mad Scientist performed his final operation towards the end of the play. 

When the play was over we sang "Happy Birthday" for Joy Ellison (Mrs. Puddlepont), and were invited to mix with the cast. Anthony very generously sat for pictures with anyone who wished. I finally got up the nerve to get in line, and joined Kay near the end. Kay suggested we have our picture with Anthony together. We handed our cameras to Trish, and Kay asked Anthony if he was willing to have his picture taken with us. He responded "Please do!" and offered an arm to each of us, covering our hands with his. His hands were very warm, and Kay commented on this. He laughed and asked if we'd noticed him sweating during the play. As I said, it was very demanding physically. We thanked him, and shortly everyone filed back to the buses for the trip back to the hotel. Anthony made a last appearance to thank us all for coming, and said he would see us tomorrow. 

Here endeth the account of the "bus lady"-a delightful memory to add to a growing collection. A very special thanks to Anthony, Vaughn Armstrong, and all the cast of "A Vampire Reflects" for a wonderful evening and an excellent beginning to another Highlander adventure. 
 
 

Debbie Thurlby

Highlander Cruise III, November 5-8, 1999

Ok... so there I was, minding my own business. Well, not really. Bob Chapin and Anthony were looking for a volunteer from the audience to help demonstrate how they teach a sword fight to an actor that doesn't have clue one about stage combat. I was hooting and hollering at Bob, hoping he'd pick me. That is, until Bob spotted me, and turned to Anthony and said "Anthony, do you remember at the Sword Spectacular when we were doing The Process and that woman stood up and said, 'Do it one more time?'" At this point, my friends and my husband were hooting and hollering... and I was attempting to crawl under the carpet. 

Bob came and got me, and up to the stage I went. I looked at Bob and said, "Don't hurt me!" and he told me to calm down. Anthony smiled and in that magnificent voice of his told me to relax, and then they both proceeded to teach me the choreography. 

Step left, together. 
Step right, together. 
Bow. 
Bow. 
Right hand up. 
Left hand up. 
Right hand down. 
Left hand down. 
Arms up, cross hands. 
SMILE! 
Throw arms wide. 

Sounds easy, right? 

While they were teaching me, I had one eye on Anthony, and tried to keep the other on Bob. I was just certain that Bob was up to no good, since he had vowed vengeance on me. I was pleasantly surprised. 

After a few rehearsals, we all shifted places and went through it at about 1/4 speed. Suddenly, the light bulb clicked into place. I realized that they weren't having me do some warped version of the Funky Chicken up there - I was fighting! With a rapier and a dagger, even! Anthony started off in front of me, and Bob was to my left. 

Anthony started by swinging to my right, at which time I stepped away to my left. The same thing happened again as I stepped the other way. I had to "bow" because Bob was trying to remove my head. Twice. Then Bob shifted to the front, next to Anthony, and as they swung at me, I was blocking head and hip cuts with both hands. Finally, they both go for a head cut, and I block both of them with both of my weapons. Smile for photo op, and then when I threw my arms wide, it was to knock their swords away. 

We went through it the first time, and I goofed. Anthony looked at me, and in that calming voice of his he said, "It's ok. It's rehearsal. Relax, and we'll take it from the top." The next time, I did it as perfectly as I could have hoped, and was grinning from ear to ear. 

Anthony thanked me, and as I was about to head off the stage, Bob pipes up with "Hey, don't we want to see Debbie do it One More Time?" Well, of course they did! Only this time, they did have a dastardly plan up their sleeves: I had to do it blindfolded! I was mildly paranoid, but figured that if they were going to do something wicked to me, I probably deserved it. 

According to my friends and my husband, I actually did the fight better blindfolded. The only reason I can come up with is that the distraction of seeing all those faces out there was gone, and I really had to concentrate so I wouldn't get clobbered. When it was all over Bob gave me a hug and Anthony held his arm out for me, and escorted me from the stage. Wowsers. 

I have to thank Anthony and Bob for being such wonderful teachers. They proved that they can make just about anyone look good doing swordy stuff. They also gave me a memory that will last a lifetime. 

Barb Webb

Anthony stole my heart in Anaheim (Highlander: The Celebration, 1998). He must have quite a collection of them by now. The man has an uncanny ability to make a dowdy, dumpy middle-aged woman feel like a giddy teen-ager, and I will remember him for that forever. I was very impressed with him. I never saw any rudeness, condescension, or superiority from him. He seemed to treat everyone like he was happy to meet them. I don't think I have ever met anyone with that much charm before. 

Ryn Woll 

Anthony was born to be what he is. I cannot imagine this man being anything else or doing anything else. He seems to brim over with a real, honest joy of life. In today's world, and probably in yesterday's as well, that is rare. 

Bravura! That's ADL. Just slightly larger than life. Magnificent posture. Constantly tossing off silly accents, flexing a muscle for a laugh, mugging for the audience, I have never seen a better Snidley Whiplash impersonation! And he really does laugh... Brewww Ha Ha! 

Gallant. That's ADL, too. One reads about men giving the impression of having kissed a woman's hand without actually doing it. Well, that's just what he does. Always hugging someone! Excellent manners without being too obvious about it. In other words, he adheres to good manners, not so it will *show* him in a good light, but because it's ingrained, and he knows it's the right way to act. 

Fit, active. When you shake his hand you know it's a hand that works. It's not baby smooth, it's muscular, crisscrossed with dings and cuts and scratches. If I were clinging to the side of a cliff (May THAT never happen!), I'd want hands like that holding my safety rope! Muscular, but not Muscle Beach! An altogether useful looking man. And darn cute, too! 

Excellent memory. I noticed that he called many fans by name after having met them only once. He also remembers things that fans have said to him, this is a very kind and personalizing thing to do. I think he actually *likes* us! One gets the impression that he loved being at Access, in the same way that he did at the Celebration. Even seen in an unguarded moment he looked relaxed and content. I think this attitude was very clear to all of us and it, in turn, made us happy right along with him. 

Amey Adams

Highlander Cruise, 1998. It was time for the photo. The HLC staffer fussed at me to "scrunch down" (Scrunch? Vat is dis ting "scrunch"?). I hesitated, confused, and bent my knees, feeling rather stupid. Then she said I should kneel down next to my two friends. Well, I'm tall. I can't help it; it's a gene thing. Nor am I blessed with an abundance of grace (whoever came up with the line "like a giraffe on roller skates" must have seen me dance), so I hesitated again. I really didn't want to kneel and have to struggle back to my feet in front of our illustrious guests. Not wanting to hold things up any longer than I already had, I reluctantly bent my knees again. Suddenly I felt an arm around my waist, gently raising me up. Anthony said, "No, you're with me." He held me against him--a good thing, too, because my legs felt distinctly weak--and the flash went off. Somehow I got through the rest of the hand shaking and managed to say something approaching intelligible to the other guests. In case I neglected to say it then, I'd like to thank Anthony for coming to my rescue. 

Carol Forster

Highlander Cruise, 1998. We were lucky enough to be in the first receiving line to see the guys. The receiving line was on the stairs in the Grand Atrium. We went in sets of 5. Kim (my baby as I was permitted to introduce her as, she is 29, but will always be my baby) was right behind me. I started to introduce her to Bob and then Anthony. I started to talk to Anthony and he said, "Hi Carol, how are you?" Gawd, here I was just this person who never thought she would meet a celebrity in her entire life and he called me by name. I just reached up and Anthony gave me a big hug. Wow, that is all I could say, WOW! He then talked to Kim and he told her, "Tell your Mom she did a good job." Need I say more? The hug was one thing, but to be complimented on your child (I already knew I did a good job) and to hear it from Anthony... well, that did it. This is the best thing. I am now totally endeared to Anthony De Longis. 

Debbie Franko

Highlander Cruise, 1998. Saturday, Breakfast with Anthony and his Fan Club. The excitement is pretty high. We all got here a little early and are getting our breakfasts before he arrives, so he can eat and then make the rounds. He walked in looking as dapper and fresh as a daisy, which kind of surprised me because his bullwhip demo was so late last night. There were about 34 or so members of the ADLFC at the breakfast. First Anthony sat at my table and had breakfast with the 6 raffle winners and me. He ate and we all talked and had a grand time. He is so charming! He opened the present that I brought for him from June and me. The present was a small pewter bowl with two dragon heads on either side for handles. He loved it! He calls it "The Chalice." I told him I thought he might be able to use it for cufflinks or spare change. But he said, "Oh no, I will christen it later." (He did.) He thanked June and me for the gift and gave me a kiss. After breakfast, he made the rounds to every table in our group. He talked and signed autographs and posed for pictures with every single member of the fan club. What a class act! The ending of the breakfast gathering culminated in a big fan club picture with everyone in it. It was a great success, and I'm very proud to have been part of it all. 

Saturday night, we went to an event called "Bedtime Stories with Gillian Horvath and Donna Lettow and Maureen Russell." Surprise! Anthony was introduced as the next writer/speaker. He bounded up onto the stage with a bottle of wine and "The Chalice" in his hands. Before he started reading his excerpt, he told the audience about the fan club breakfast that morning, and held up the "chalice," and said that he received it as a gift from two wonderful ladies that are the Vice-Presidents of his fan club. He said he would like to christen the chalice and toast everyone. So he poured some wine into it, and said "To grand adventures and the new friends to share them with." Then he drank from the "chalice." WOW! I was in Heaven at this point. Does life really get any better than this? 

Sheila Pickrell

I would like to say something about Anthony. Last May, Anthony was at the Roy Rogers Museum for a Cowboy Mounted Shoot. Anthony took some time to make my eight-year old nephew, Kevin, feel like he was someone special. My nephew then emailed Anthony to say 'Thank you,' and Anthony again took the time to answer him back. Kevin wanted to see Anthony again, so I took him and his friend up to Victorville in December for the Cowboy Christmas at the Roy Rogers Museum. Anthony again took time to talk to him and take his pictures with them. Kevin wrote Anthony a letter and said he would like to grow up and be a cowboy just like him. Great Guy 

Mary Glynn

Wow. Where do I start? The first time I met Anthony was at the Celebration when he was so very kind to my friend Debbie Franko (our VP!). I was so impressed. Then at Access he walked into the room on opening night and stole my breath away. He looked so nice in that tux and opera cape. Then there was the Cruise. 

When I signed up for the Cruise I knew that I wanted to do the snorkling trip, but I am very, very scared of deep water. But I just made up my mind I was going to do this and not let the fear make me stay back on the ship. When I got out there and found out I had to jump off a boat, I was terrified. But I kept saying to myself, "Do it." So I jumped off the boat. They told me to breathe through my mouth. Easier said then done. I was holding my breath and snorkling when I heard a voice. "Hey Mar, how are you doing?" I turned and there was Anthony. He told me that he taught his Mother to snorkle and if she learned I could, too. Well I sort of got the hang of it. But I did have one of the best days and I am so happy that I did this thanks to my friends and Anthony. 

Vonda

Anthony De Longis has to be one of the kindest, most personable, people I have ever met. I was forewarned that he was charming and I would not be disappointed. I wasn't. From the first afternoon on the Cruise, when he passed by our table to gaze not upon the lovely ladies seated there, but TART the mbbBoxer bear, I knew Anthony was special. Never mind the fact that I screeched like a teenybopper, "My gosh, it's Anthony De Longis!" He just grinned. Later that evening, on the way to dinner, TART and I again found ourselves in the dapper Mr. De Longis' company as we searched for the correct dining room. Anthony took one of TART'S feet and started to play with it. "Ah, the dancing bear," he said. (Seems like Anthony saw RJ dancing with TART on stage during Jim Byrnes' concert.) "Yeah," I replied, "I didn't know he could dance until this afternoon." "He's going to dinner, too, I take it?" Anthony asked. "Oh he goes everywhere I go on this Cruise, gets a girl noticed you know?" "Indeed it does," said Anthony and winked before heading to his table. After that, everywhere I went and encountered Anthony he acknowledged TART first then me, right up until Sunday when I gave TART to Peter Wingfield. It was great! I even promised Anthony a bear of his own. It's coming, I promise. Whip, sword, gun, and the works... as requested. 

Neva Huddleston

Short but sweet, was my Anthony encounter. I was standing by one of the big posts in the room where Jim Byrnes was giving his last concert. For some reason I had one hand on my hip and my other hand behind my head, when who comes along but Anthony. He stops, looks at me and says, "Hmm... hand on hip looks like..." I finished, "A Photo Op!" Anthony says, "I'll be right back." I'm grinning ear to ear. He comes back, I grab his arm, we walk to the center of the aisle and then somebody snapped our picture. Photo op! 

Jill Greedy

Highlander Cruise 1998. After the Formal dinner on Saturday night, I saw Anthony talking to some people by the elevators. I wanted to ask him if it would be okay if I shot pictures of Sword Class the next day. I walked over to ask him and when he turned around to talk to me, the first words out of his mouth were, "Hubba-hubba, don't you look gorgeous." Wow! I've never gotten that kind of response in my life. No matter how good I looked. Because of Anthony, I almost thought that I was (you know). Then I asked him if I could shoot class. He asked if I got to go class earlier that day. I said no because I was getting my hair done. He said, "Well then, it was worth it." Oh my! And with that Anthony salvaged what had been the Trip from H---. (I edited out all the "bad" stuff... some of you know the "whole story.") 
 

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All photos featured here are the property of the Anthony De Longis Fan Club unless otherwise noted. Photos may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of the ADLFC and/or Anthony De Longis. All articles and stories featured here are the property of the ADLFC unless otherwise noted and may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of the ADLFC or the author of that particular story.