When I was 11 years old I wrote my first of many fan letters. The very first autographed photo came from Valerie Bertinelli. She was on One Day At A Time. The most important fan letter was sent to Michael Gregory. He played Rick on General Hospital. I asked this man to marry me. He wrote back a beautiful note that explained I was too young to get married and how the love I have for a television person is different from the love I would feel for a husband. He said when I got older I would understand. I'm older and do understand, but this still makes me smile. This beautiful man took the time to explain this to me in a sensitive way and included a great autographed photo.
Today I'm 40 and I've noticed a disturbing trend. Celebrities asking the fans to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with their fan letters, if they want an autographed photo. Not all celebrities do this to their fans but more and more have started. This disturbs me for many reasons but mainly because the celebrity has more money than the average fan.
Fans will spend money on books, movie tickets, DVDs, anything associated with their favorite celebrity. The important point is they support the career of the celebritiy. The fans spend money even if just for the electricity to watch a favorite show. Which turns into ratings and a nice salary for the actor/actress. So when an established performer asks for a SASE, I think its greedy and insulting.
I tried to get an autographed photo for a friend, from an actress who starred in Lost In Space. I received a letter back asking for $25 and then a photo would be sent to me. Needless to say I threw the letter away.
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Article comments
1 - Mary K. Williams
Right on Ruthie!
I had not heard of this SASE trend, but it seems ridiculous. Same with pro atheletes who ask for money for an autograph. I don't care if they make millions or they play Class A ball. Sure, the recipient could go sell the autograph on eBay and make some money - Big frickin deal! Not ever fan is an opportunist.
2 - Trinket
The SASE trend is pretty sad.
3 - dyrkness
When I was in the 3rd grade,I wrote a fan letter to Vincent Price.He not only sent me an autographed photo but wrote a 2 page letter to me as well,both of which I still have.He even asked me to write back! I did,but he was too busy filming in Italy,so his secretary took the time to write a personal note.How things have changed.Need I mention he never asked me for a cent?How things have changed,although I think I WOULD have sent a SASE if he had asked,lol.