Drew McIntyre has met plenty of celebrities during his wrestling career, but one awkward run-in with Robert Downey Jr. still bugs him. McIntyre had the perfect chance to chat with the Hollywood star and accidentally walked away from it because he was trying to be polite.
Speaking with Sidewalks Entertainment while promoting Agent of Shadows, McIntyre explained that he doesn’t usually get starstruck around famous people. He’d rather have a normal conversation and learn something from them, but that approach backfired when he unexpectedly found himself standing next to Downey outside a Los Angeles restaurant.
“Yeah, I don’t really get that excited about that. I’m excited to talk and learn from a lot of people. Like, I remember one time, I got out of an L.A. restaurant, I turned around to get in my car, and Robert Downey Jr. was there. And I was like, ‘Oh, hey man, I’m a fan of your work.’”
McIntyre immediately started walking away after introducing himself because he knows what it’s like when strangers invade your personal space. There was only one problem — he quickly realized Downey apparently wasn’t done talking.
“And I started turning away because I know what it’s like when people are kind of up in your business. And I realized as I turned away, he wanted to keep talking, but I committed to turning, so I kept turning.”
Instead of just turning back around, McIntyre decided he’d already committed too hard to the exit and kept going. That left him regretting the decision almost immediately while he and Downey awkwardly waited around for their cars.
“I was like, ‘Damn it, he wanted to keep talking,’ and I’m turning. We’re both awkwardly waiting for our cars. So, I kind of wish I continued that conversation because I am a fan, but I also know what it’s like when people are up on you and asking too many questions.”
McIntyre apparently gets much more excited when he runs into someone connected to the movies he loved growing up. One of those moments came at a signing in Knoxville, Tennessee, when he spotted Sam J. Jones, the actor who played Flash Gordon.
“Somebody I really was excited to meet—it’s usually cult figures. I did a signing once in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Flash Gordon was there, the actor that played him. I can’t remember the name, Sam, off the top of my head. But I was leaving, and I was like, ‘Ah, my brother loves him,’ and, you know, I’m a big fan of Flash Gordon as well. My brother’s obsessed.”
McIntyre was preparing to leave when he suddenly heard Jones calling his name. The whole thing immediately reminded him of a scene from Ted, complete with the Flash Gordon theme playing in his head.
“And then I heard my name getting shouted, just ‘Drew!’ in a big, booming voice, and I knew he was right there. And as I turned, it was like a scene from the movie Ted. I just heard the Flash Gordon theme. He was motioning me over, and I went over, and I did exactly say the line from the teddy bear movie where he says, ‘Thanks for saving every one of us.’”
That encounter went considerably smoother than the Robert Downey Jr. one. Jones signed something for McIntyre’s brother, and Drew walked away with a much better celebrity story to tell.
“He was lovely. Signed a picture for my brother. My brother proudly has it on his wall. But I’ve met so many Hollywood actors and stuff that, again, I kind of talk on the same level. But it’s more people, cult-like figures from when I was a kid, that I get excited to meet. And I feel very fortunate. Every country I’ve been to has been amazing.”
McIntyre has crossed paths with plenty of famous faces over the years, but apparently it’s the conversation he didn’t have that still sticks with him. He was only trying to respect Downey’s space, but by the time he realized the actor wanted to keep chatting, Drew was apparently too committed to the awkward walk-away to save it.
What do you think about Drew McIntyre’s awkward encounter with Robert Downey Jr.? Let us know in the comments below.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
