Some people have become obsessed by “celebrities” and it can get very unhealthy. The news is full of stories of celebrities who’ve found themselves being stalked by overly-fanatical fans and I’m definitely not condoning that kind of behavior in How to Guarantee Seeing a Celebrity in LA! The first thing to know about famous people (and I’ve got this on good authority, I don’t know many) is that they’re just people, exactly like you and me. Well not exactly like me (I’m not rich or famous), but you know what I mean.

If you do come across someone famous while you’re in Los Angeles (probably by following this guide), please be respectful. Remembering that they live here and that, though seeing them may be a big deal for you (and maybe millions of others), they’re just going about their everyday life. Nevertheless, there are likely actors, artists or singers that you like, and in whom you’ve become interested, perhaps because you’ve grown-up with them or they’ve touched you in some significant way, and it can be very rewarding to see them in the flesh. I know it has been for me.

10 Legit Ways to See Someone Famous in LA

Before I delve into how to guarantee seeing a celebrity here, let me start by letting you in on a secret. I can guarantee that you WON’T see someone famous while doing any of the celebrity homes minivan tours that run from Hollywood Boulevard. No self-respecting celebrity is going to let themselves be seen by them if they can help it (and they can – that’s why they’ve got security). Legitimate stars don’t want to encourage the tour operators to hound them anymore than they already do!

There’s a plethora of articles and blogs about LA that share tips with eager visitors on where they can find these mythic creatures, from hip bars in Silverlake to hidden eateries on Melrose, but there are exactly 10 ways to GUARANTEE seeing a celebrity in LA. In fact, if you follow this guide, you’ll not only see the celebrity but probably hear from them too.

1. GO TO A HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR DEDICATION CEREMONY

Celebrities (if they’re alive) are obliged to go to the unveiling of their own star on the Walk of Fame and they usually bring along a few of their (famous) friends. You can just show up at the ceremony, where they give a speech, sign autographs and take selfies with fans. There are dedication ceremonies on an almost weekly basis, check here for news on upcoming events. We’ve often caught these ceremonies while we’re doing the Real Hollywood or LA in a Day tours, since they’re usually in the morning.

2. GO TO A RED-CARPET MOVIE PREMIERE GALA

TCL Chinese Theatre, El Capitan Theatre and various other movie theatres around town hold premieres, where most of the cast of will show up to give speeches, sign autographs and take selfies with fans. They’re free to attend and always fun.

3. GO TO AN IMPRINT CEREMONY AT THE TCL CHINESE THEATRE

Several times a month there’s an imprint ceremony in the famous forecourt of the Chinese Theatre. What could be more Hollywood than seeing your famous star putting their hands and feet into wet concrete? Even for the biggest stars getting honored in this way is a big deal. Check here for details.

4. GO TO A TELEVISION SHOW TAPING

A lot of TV shows tape in front of a live audience. That includes big sit-coms (like Friends and Seinfeld, in the past, and many network shows now) and chat-shows. It’s free, it can be a lot of fun (the producers need to keep it that way, so you keep laughing at their jokes) and you can see how the whole thing works, but you need to sign up online. Make sure you turn up early too, as these events are always over-subscribed. Here’s an updated list of shows that tape with live audiences in Los Angeles, with links to obtain tickets.

5. GO TO THE THEATRE

Los Angeles may not be a theatre town, like New York or London, but we do have a lot of great theatre here, believe it or not. Why not go and see some while you’re here? The Center Theatre Group is the main Broadway style theatre company in Los Angeles and a lot of very famous actors have appeared in their plays. But there are also performances at the Center for the Art of Performance UCLA, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and the Odyssey Theatre. If you like stand-up comedy, keep an eye out for performances at the Pantages Theatre and other venues too.

6. GO TO A FILM OR TV SHOW SCREENING

Every week there are movie and Television show screenings, followed by Q and A’s, at venues like the Paley Center, the American Cinematheque, the New Beverly Cinema and the Ace Hotel in DTLA. If you go to one you may be able to ask your favorite actor that burning question you’ve always wanted answered. And they’ll have to respond.

7. GO TO A CONCERT

There are concerts, featuring the very biggest artists out there, in Los Angeles all the time. Why not enjoy one while you’re here? Do this and we guarantee seeing a celebrity in LA! Check here for updated listings.

8. GO TO A SPORTS MATCH

We’ve got a LOT of great sport and great sports teams here in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Dodgers, The Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, The Los Angeles Kings, the Los Angeles Chargers, the Los Angeles Rams, L.A. Galaxy and Los Angeles F.C. all call the city home. Catch a game. All of these teams have celebrity fans, who’ll often show up to games, and you’re guaranteed to see the team’s stars.

9. GO TO A FAMOUS AUTHOR’S BOOK-SIGNING

If the stars you’re interested in are writers (and some writers are big stars, such as J.K. Rowling) then why not go to an author book-signing or reading? Vroman’s Bookstore, in Pasadena, as well as Central Library and the Last Bookstore, both in DTLA, all have events of this type on a regular basis.

10. GO TO A HALL OF FAME INDUCTION & PERFORMANCE AT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM

Every month the Grammy Museum, in downtown, holds events to honor music artists which you can attend and it hosts the annual Grammy Awards Show itself, which obviously has a host of star artists performing. Check out what’s happening there while you’re in Los Angeles here.

To learn more about how Los Angeles was ground zero for the birth of celebrity culture a hundred years ago, read Beverly Hills and the Stars Houses Tour.

If you have any feedback on How to Guarantee Seeing a Celebrity in LA please email us or reach out on social media, we’d love to hear from you.

– By Damien Blackshaw. (Twitter)