Seeing a famous person in the flesh can be exciting, particularly if you are a huge fan. Besides the good, old autograph, most of us now also want to get a quick selfie in, proof that we really came face to face with a star.
The “Not Really Famous” internet group gathers examples of misguided people taking selfies with what they think are celebrities. Instead, a random person on the street got to feel what it’s like to be famous just for a few moments. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote the best examples in the list, and comment your own experiences below.
This post may include affiliate links.
Omg Matt Damon
So Matt Damon was on the Graham norton show and said that apparently him and Mark Wahlberg get mistaken for each other a lot and they now have an agreement that the just roll with it and are cool dudes about it so as to not fück with each other's image lol
Load More Replies...I like that he just understands regular people are not obliged to know the names of all celebrities and this mistake is very understandable
I remember Melanie Griffith saying years ago in an interview that she has signed more autographs as Meg Ryan than as herself - she didn't correct people because she didn't want to disappoint them since Meg Ryan was a lot more famous than she. Haha, good sport!
I am convinced that Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio & Matt Damon are basically the same person just from different realities...
“Hulk Hogan”
I saw him from afar when he was doing a signing at a sports shop at KOP mall in PA, back in the day when wrestlers would frequent the mall
Bond, James Bond
"Ok, I will humor the crazy lady and hope she goes away, leaving my family unharmed."
No respect for anyone who wants to take a picture with an abuser of women.. 🤢
A bit too late for Halloween, this list still shows us what may have been the origin of the “Doppelgänger,” which has multiple variants across all sorts of different mythology. As it so often is, every mythological tale has some connection, however faint, to real-life phenomena. People who look like other people are no exception.
Ancient Egypt and much of European folklore has some variant of a creature that looks, acts, and talks like a real person. While this no doubt featured heavily in folk tales and stories to frighten children, one wonders if, perhaps, it was the creation of a particularly wily individual who needed to get out of being placed at the scene of a crime.
Who Indeed
They once did an experiment with 12 year old kids and VR goggles. The kids engaged in simulated swimming with orcas. Keep in mind this was like a decade ago, so the graphics would have been poor. Years later they interviewed the kids, now young adults, and upon questioning, many of them were absolutely convinced they swam with real orcas.
LOL!! I need more details... did this person actually pretend to be MJ?
Steve Jobs Hiding In Egypt After Faking His Death
Whoa I met Steve Jobs and this likeness is uncanny. Shame he was actually 30kg lighter from cancer before he passed.
George Clooney - Perfect Similarity
This guy with a stylist and some grooming and a crisp haircut could double for George
Interestingly, even in the ages before smartphones, people were encountering doppelgängers all the time. English metaphysical poet John Donne swore that he saw his wife in Paris, in 1612. “I have seen a dreadful Vision since I saw you: I have seen my dear wife pass twice by me through this room, with her hair hanging about her shoulders, and a dead child in her arms: this, I have seen since I saw you,” he wrote to his friend, a Sir Robert. While John Donne perhaps mixed up a dream with reality, there are still many cases of people who just look quite similar to others.
Johnny Derp
Hahahaha I can’t😭😭😭 how drunk was this chicks? He looks so intoxicated and gotta be thinking ‘wth do they wanna take picture with me?’ I hope he didn’t ’fed one of the girls with his hot dog’ if you know what I mean🤣 Edit typo
My Friend's Special Bachelorette Party Guest: Morgan Freeman
This would definitely fool me. I’d ask if he sails and see if he’s wearing an earring in each ear. The real Morgan Freeman sees himself as a sailor and like the sailors of old he wears earrings worth just enough to bury him when he dies wherever he is. If you look at the original post on Reddit, they showed this picture and compared it to a photo of Freeman and the consensus seems to be that this is him.
I'd ask him to talk. Freeman has a very distinctive voice.
Load More Replies...I actually think so. Compare other photos. Look at the blemishes.
Load More Replies...The blond woman behind does not look impressed🤣 I’m sure she knows it’s not him but don’t wanna ruin ‘their moment’. He looks like a very kind sweet old man though but he’s not Mr Freeman.
Plumber Can't Leave House! (I Know, I'm Ashamed Of That Title Also..)
Dude, tell me something inexplicably insightful, knowing, and invasive!
These days, perhaps taking some of the magic out of it, people can even upload images of their faces to sites that will find their doppelgängers in the wild. While this might require sacrificing some privacy, it could help someone scratch that itch of finding people just like them on the internet.
Wow, What Are The Odds Of Finding Robert Downy Jr. In A Small Texas Mall?
I was gonna say. I'd be thrilled to meet this guy too, haha
Load More Replies...Someone Pretended To Be Tom Cruise In A Small Chicken Shop In North Eastern Thailand And Is Remembered There Forever
If you’ve ever seen Tom Cruise in person you’d know that he’s really, really short. Jarringly short. Amazingly tiny. Itsy-bitsy adult male. But enough about that small-fry.
Tom cruise?? The guy looks like his 30 max? This list made me laugh so much ands I’m so curious what the ‘not celebrity people’ are thinking when ransoms act crazy and ask to take pictures🤣😂 it’s a funny story for them to tell their friends.
These Guys Thought They Met Ed Sheeran
Yeah it's insane that lots of posts that are actually meant as jokes people take seriously and are like whaaat how is this person so stupid. When in reality the foolish person is them for actually taking everything seriously
Load More Replies...dude... i'd get if they thought it was Louis Capaldi, and even then...
What is truly spooky is when scientists actually get some living doppelgängers together in a room to study them. Naturally, they often have an above-average number of genes in common. After all, this is what decides what we look like, the shape of our faces, and the overall dimensions of our bodies.
Hugh Jackman's Wolverine On The Street
That looks more like a wolverine.. not the superhero, the actual animal..
Load More Replies...Peter Dinklage Bought Us Drinks!!
Okay they must have had rather a lot of "adult beverages" before, because that guy looks*nothing* like Peter Dinklage.
Guessing they r just barely 21, if that... "adult beverages" kinda gives it away. I really only used that term when I was younger, but maybe that's just me
In the UK (where I think this was taken) the term "adult beverage" is used by people as a sort of slang/ funny term. Also they could be 18+ as that's the legal drinking age here
Load More Replies...It’s Wee Man, you morons! That’s wicked cool! Waaay more cool than Dinklage!
Told You Tupac Was Still Alive. Just Saw Him At The Barbershop
However, the similarities don’t end there, as researchers have found that, more often than not, these people will also share personality traits. Unfortunately, this means that your doppelgänger is probably not acting in such a way that would convince others it isn’t you. Regardless, this research has helped scientists figure out what parts of epigenomes and microbiomes contribute to what we look like.
Danny Devito Works A Shift At The Airport Now
He's just preparing for his next role, like all good method actors
"Me And Criss Angel. He Keep Sayin His Name Was Dave But I Know It Was You Criss"
That's Dave Navarro...or I just made the same mistake of everyone I'm criticizing...oh the hypocrisy
Imagine being so dense you don’t know Dave Navarro and mistake him for a flash in the pan douche magician
I haven’t heard about him until now. Not all non Americans (I assume he’s American?) have heard about all your celebrities. I will remember his face and name now after seeing this post though. Very handsome guy❤️
Load More Replies...the crazy thing is that the new kids only know him from ink masters. he commented on a guitar post and someone told him to “stick to tattoos”
You're Not Convincing Me That I Didn't Get Day Drunk With George Clooney
Which one of them is supposed to like George Clooney? I don't know....
Damn, you needed the guy from the subway and I would have believed you
Of course, it’s a whole different ball game when a person who looks like you becomes famous. As the various people in this list no doubt already experienced, you will probably end up approached by groups of drunk people demanding selfies. If you are unlucky enough, they won’t even tell you why they want a selfie.
During The Filming Of Anchorman 2 In Atlanta This Bar Got Overrun Due To A Rumored "Will Ferrell" Sighting
My Friend Met Chuck Norris In Switzerland!
Not sure what's going on there but Chuck looks like a Halloween mask of himself 😬
Load More Replies...Swiss cheese has holes in it because Chuck Norris glared at it for a second.
How did op suddenly die? Chuck Norris stuck his thumb through both eye sockets in a millisecond.
Funny story. My dad looked a bit like Chuck Norris when I were a kid, and he was questioned about it many times. I didn’t knew who it was until I was an adult.
She Jay-Z
LOL brah LOL she does look like him though and that's not a compliment
To perhaps shed some light on the situation, there was a 2010 internet meme, commonly referred to as Doppelganger Week, where folks would post an image of themselves and a celebrity they, supposedly, looked like. Most examples were perhaps a bit generous, but there were a good amount of people who truly could pass as someone famous.
This Girl Thought She Met Drake
Girl? It’s two girls but she’s half cut out of the photo. Maybe the other girl was jealous🤣 he does look a bit like Drake ngl.
This dude is seriously getting the remainder trim from overly zesty drake fans.
Ran Into "Stan Lee" Yesterday In Miami
I was wondering why 'hardware store' was the first place I thought, untill I remembered the tools brand.
Load More Replies.../U/Sorentius Meets "Jake Gyllenhaal"
When I worked in the West Village, I used to pass the actual Jake Gyllenhaal every morning—during his run. He is very, VERY handsome in person. We passed each other so often we’d wave good morning!
But, to return to the spirit of the mythological doppelgängers, there is a psychological condition in which a person starts to believe that someone close to them has been replaced by an identical clone. The exact nature of this “replacement” might differ, some believe it’s a paranormal creature, others a clone or just a very convincing actor.
Walked Into Class And Thought Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) Was My Teacher
"Last Night, I Met Lorde, In Spain!"
Just Chatting It Up With Rod Stewart Himself!
Ok, it’s one thing if you look like that because you ARE Rod Stewart, but this dude chose to do that to his hair, knowing full well he had other choices.
Tbf that guy comes from an age where that hair was the epitome of "it" and probably his fav decade
Load More Replies...Thought I met Willie Nelson on my 21st, he was in town at the time and staying near the bar I was patronizing. Saw him many times that year, because it was just some local guy with braids named Dave.
Called Capgras delusion, after Joseph Capgras who first discovered it in 1923, it describes a variety of delusions, all focused on someone impersonating a loved one or family member. The details will vary, in one case, a woman thought her husband had been “replaced” by her long-dead father. There isn’t a general treatment method, beyond therapy and trying to get the individual to see reason.
Dwight Howard
That's so humiliating these people are jerks. It might be cool to look like a celebrity but come on. I would be so embarrassed if I was doing this to people
Just based on the photo, it's impossible to say who was the jerk---quite possibly no one was the jerk. Sometimes 'fans' are really pushy and won't listen. Or sometimes the look-alike is really confused and doesn't understand what's happening.
Load More Replies...Its Either Common Or A Cool Black Guy
This looks like Common gave up on his entertainment career and became regional manager for wholefoods is Sacramento
Obama Visiting Paraguay
Isn’t it the guys mom? Maybe I’m wrong but he kinda looks like her and she’s older so I thought it was mom, not wife. Also he hasn’t no ring 💍 like she does.
Load More Replies...Fortunately, these folks simply got a bit mixed up. In their excitement, it seems, they did not consider why this famous person happened to be hanging out at their local bar or mall. And if you want to see other examples, Bored Panda has got you covered, check out our article on the “Walmart” version of celebrities that people have encountered in the wild.
I Thought They Were Friends With Matt Leblanc (Joey)
"How drunk were you last night?" "This drunk " *shown pic*
Load More Replies...I see some similarities. But not enough to believe it’s actually him.
Maybe he played the “Joey” character on a clone of f Friends from another country.
Tupac Is Alive!!!!
Girl From My Facebook Feed Swore She Met Macklemore
Yes. Yes they do. I'd probably do the same, especially after a few drinks. Lmao. .
Load More Replies...What I can’t begin to fathom is why these people are picking strangers out and swearing they’re celebs when they’re very clearly not (save for one or two real ones.) Anyone have a theory what’s wrong with them? I’m dying to know.
To be fair, most of us haven't seen a famous person in real life and there's often lots of makeup and photoshop or CGI going on so we don't know what they actually look like. Plus if I'm your BFF and I'm a huge fan of "the celebrity", you might not have the heart to tell me "girl, that's not who you think it is" until later (if at all). Just a thought :-)
Load More Replies...That's Not Iron Man Mate
Marilyn Manson
And was a completely different person. Like, truly zero resemblance.
Load More Replies...Buddy Was Stoked To Meet Vin Diesel
Applause for the name. I'm just going to call him this now.
Load More Replies...Yes! Couldn't remember the boxer's name, I was like 'nutella? Nope...something to do with bread and spread on it"
Load More Replies...Spielberg Is A Big Sushi Fan
The fact that that’s hanging up in a restaurant somewhere makes it so much funnier
That Time I Totally Didn't Drink With Gandalf At A Russian Bar
Russian bars are one of the typical places in which to not drink with Gandalf. Other examples are every other bar in the world, malls and beaches.
Don't disrespect Sir Ian McKellen like this! Looks nothing like him! If anything, it looks a little bit like Sir Patrick Stewart (in the eye crinkles specifically) but with hair and a beard. They are close friends in real life though (Patrick and Ian). *Also, Gandalf is the character, not the actor, and had a much longer beard. And I don't even really like LoTR that much (don't come for me in the comments, it's just not my thing, to each their own) and I know this!
Not Samuel L. Jackson At A Bus Station
Tom Cruise Out For A Stroll Between Takes!
If anyone would it would be that 4 foot lizard man
Load More Replies...actually could be his stunt double - he has like 2 or 3. Keanu reeves has like 5 or 6 - Dwayne Johnson uses his brother so yeah i could see how that is an innocent mistake.
My Cousin Thought He Met Christian Bale And Orlando Bloom
The one looks nothing like Orlando and maybe could pass for Christian if he was trying to be in disguise.
Obviously the were doing method action prep, undercover. 🙃
Load More Replies...The ‘Orlando bloom’ guy’s skin is amazing. I’m curious what skin routine he has😅
He Is A Superhero Though
She just needs to take them off her head and put them on!
Load More Replies...Isn't this Josh Allen? He's a one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and playing for the Buffalo Bills.
Yep, it is. One of the reasons Bills fans love Josh Allen is his sense of humor. https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-josh-allen-chris-pratt-airport/
Load More Replies...she got her celebrities wrong. That is Josh Allen, quarterback of the Buffalo Bills. Love that he kept the gag going.
It Makes Sense Zach Galifinakis Would Wear A Shirt From His Own Movie, Right?
Met Shia At A Kebab Shop In Edmonton, Alberta
Met Peter Dinklage In Vegas!
i feel like every white male whose a small person (with dwarfism) will run into this on so many occasions and eventually get annoyed lol
She Thought She Met Usher
My Boyfriend Gets Stopped All The Time Because People Think He's Spike Lee
My Dad Tagged Me And My Sister On Facebook In This, His Friend Sent Him This From Hawaii. He'd Thought He Met Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart never smiled that big a day in her life, that should have been the first clue.
Omg it's so much more embarrassing to just smile and be like "yes that's me!!" Than to mistake someone for a celebrity
At least this girl has the sense to look uncomfortable...
"Met An Idol Tonight. Maisie Williams"
Bruno Mars
That’s Bruno Uranus not Bruno Mars, girl. And he’s an a**s for copping a feel.
Wasn't it supposed to be people similar to well-known persons? Who is Bruno Mars???
You mean the world-famous, multiple award-winning, SNL hosting superstar Bruno Mars?? Go to YouTube and look up Uptown Funk.
Load More Replies...Met Tyler, The Creator Today!
But is obviously a joke guys. Everyone know TTC is not a freaking 8.yo kid.
Kanye East
Hugh Hefner Would Definitely Be Hanging Out At A College Bar
He's looking in good shape for someone who has been dead for six years
That guy looks like he did some sleepwalking and just woke up before this picture was taken.
Friend Thought She Met Zach Galifianakis
He is literally lifting up his hand so he doesn’t touch her a*s
Load More Replies...Mindy Got A Free Tour
Did she introduce herself as Mindy? How else would you make such a deduction?
Imagine how thrilled you'd be to meet the real Mindy Kaling.😒🧐
2chainz At Red Robin
He doesn't look like 2 Chains in the slightest. Maybe they were confused because he is wearing two tiny chains around his neck.
Can't Believe He Met Reese Witherspoon!
She Met Calvin Harris.. Or Did She?
Met “Jack Harlow” In Newport, Ca This Week… This Kid Had Us Convinced But We Didn’t Realize The Real Jack Is Actually 6’3”
So Mac Is Taking The Picture...right?
The Time I Thought I Met Jennette Mccurdy On Omegle
A LOT like her. And the red head looks like Ariana circa Victorious.
Load More Replies...They weren't friends. Would they be doing that together? Perhaps the studio put it together?
Hugh Laurie Making Some Cocktails
This one looks more like they are saying this guy looks like him when he was younger.
Owen Wilson #starstruck
Have any of these people seen a movie ??? I need to come back after more people comment cause it's much more satisfying than making fun of people alone
Nope. At least never sober... Pretty sure that guys never sober. He looks super stoked though?
Load More Replies...Investigate 711
To Be Honest I Thought Y'all Were Making These Up Until I Found This On Facebook
The Night I Met Russell Crowe At Applebees
BAHAHHAHAHAHAA, I actually read that in your voice!
Load More Replies...On A First Name Basis With The George Rr Martin
My Buddy On The Left Met Leonardo Dicaprio Today
My Friends Thought They Met Bill Murray
President Obama!
This is just disrespect. No way this kid thought that was Obama.
They should title this celebrity beer goggles. How drunk are these people? Kudos to those who went with it just so when they show people the picture they get teased.
There's a rare condition where people are completely unable to recognize faces, but I suspect that quite a few people have a similar, borderline condition.
First rule of celebrities...they don't need to dress in character...unless they're at a children's hospital to cheer up the kids. So if you see "Top Gun" Tom or "Jack Sparrow" Johnny on the street in full costume, it's not them.
Can you imagine being one of these misidentified people? The whole time you're thinking to yourself, wtf, but I don't want to spoil their fun. Lets just go with it.
Or... "no, sorry I'm just a doppelganger I guess." Better than their fun being ruined when they are embarrassed all over the internet.
Load More Replies...Andy Kaufman worked one day a week as a busboy at Jerry's Famous Deli to keep himself grounded. When people would say he looked like Andy Kaufman he would respond " Yeah I get that all the time. "
I used to get mistaken for a celebrity all the time - as in getting meals comped at restaurants, getting let into clubs, etc. I always said I wasn't this celebrity and no one ever believed it. When you say you're not them, people just think you're being an a*****e and trying to get out of signing an autograph or taking a photo. It's easier to play along.
There are people who desperately try to look like others just to be mistaken for them, kind of sad.
They should title this celebrity beer goggles. How drunk are these people? Kudos to those who went with it just so when they show people the picture they get teased.
There's a rare condition where people are completely unable to recognize faces, but I suspect that quite a few people have a similar, borderline condition.
First rule of celebrities...they don't need to dress in character...unless they're at a children's hospital to cheer up the kids. So if you see "Top Gun" Tom or "Jack Sparrow" Johnny on the street in full costume, it's not them.
Can you imagine being one of these misidentified people? The whole time you're thinking to yourself, wtf, but I don't want to spoil their fun. Lets just go with it.
Or... "no, sorry I'm just a doppelganger I guess." Better than their fun being ruined when they are embarrassed all over the internet.
Load More Replies...Andy Kaufman worked one day a week as a busboy at Jerry's Famous Deli to keep himself grounded. When people would say he looked like Andy Kaufman he would respond " Yeah I get that all the time. "
I used to get mistaken for a celebrity all the time - as in getting meals comped at restaurants, getting let into clubs, etc. I always said I wasn't this celebrity and no one ever believed it. When you say you're not them, people just think you're being an a*****e and trying to get out of signing an autograph or taking a photo. It's easier to play along.
There are people who desperately try to look like others just to be mistaken for them, kind of sad.
