Notoriety can get you out of a jam. Tired of being identified as James Bond, Sean Connery took an unusual step for Hollywood leading man by publicly revealing his baldness on screen, beginning with The Man Who Will Be King (1976). On location in Casablanca, Scotsman rejected use of a chauffer and limo, choosing instead to drive himself in Volkswagen Bug. One day he drove around town dressed in a sweat shirt and shorts and was stopped for questioning by local police. The former Mr. Universe runner-up had unfortunately left his passport back at hotel and was arrested as a suspicious character. Just as he was about to be locked up, Connery shouted,"007! I'm 007 damn you!" They recognized him and let him go.

If you lose your hair, you can keep your privacy. Rob Reiner's big break was Harrison Ford turning down role of Meathead on All In Family (1971-1980) because Ford couldn't stand Archie Bunker's bigotry. When show first went into production, Reiner and his fellow castmates would leave CBS lot to eat lunch at neighboring Farmers Market. Initial low ratings meant they were mostly ignored by tourists. A few months later All In Family was a monster hit and they received Beatle's like attention. From then on cast generally preferred to stay in their dressing rooms at lunchtime. All except ever hungry Meathead who removed toupee he wore on show and continued to eat at Market in peace.

Sometimes legends don't recognize each other. After twenty years in Hollywood Alfred Hitchcock finally became super rich after producing low budget Psycho (1960). His agent Lew Wasserman convinced him to trade movie rights for shares of stock in Universal, making director third biggest owner of studio. From then on Hitchcock loved picking up Wall Street Journal to see if he was wealthier. While directing his last film Family Plot (1975) Hitchcock would arrive at Universal early, sit in his chair and joyfully read about Jaws (1975) which was adding millions to his stock's value. One day his morning routine was upset by an uninvited young man hovering around movie set. Hitchcock, who seemed to have eyes in back of his head called a crew member to have intruder removed. It turned out to be Jaws Director Steven Spielberg who wanted to meet his idol.

Just because you're recognized once doesn't mean you will continue to be. After losing his driving privileges because of drunkenness Sean Penn was forced to ride city bus. One day another passenger came up to him. "Hey you look like Sean Penn. But I know he wouldn't be riding a bus." Penn replied," How do you know? Do you know Sean Penn?" "Yeah I worked on a film he starred in." "Oh yeah? Well, what do you think of him?". "Oh God, he was a total $%#%!"

Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.