8 Things I Learned From Curtis Armstrong

This past weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Redford Theatre and help out with the screening of Revenge of the Nerds, and got to meet Curtis Armstrong himself, AKA "Booger." I hadn't seen Revenge of the Nerds (yet) and I had no idea what to expect at an event like this or what my job as a volunteer would actually entail. I have also never met a famous person before. Are they any different than non-famous people? Does he hate when people ask what working with Bruce Willis is really like?! What are the rules for mere mortals like me?!

I am sure there are plenty of Hollywood actors out there who ARE difficult and arrogant, actors who believe they are superior and don't give their fans the time of day because lets face it, cliche's are often true for good reason. Curtis Armstrong is not one of them. I had an absolute blast and could never imagine that someone with such an interesting and noteworthy career/life could be so down to earth. The man is simply captivating I tell you! The best part is that not only did I have an unforgettable experience, I actually learned quite a bit. So without further ado, here are the 8 invaluable life lessons I learned from the fabulous Curtis Armstrong.

1. Never lose your sense of humor

Laughter is truly the best medicine. I was reminded of this truth sporadically throughout the evening, and it was obvious why he has had such a successful and unwavering career that has now spanned decades. I am grateful to have met Mr. Armstrong, because I hadn't realized how important it is to not take everything in life so seriously. Remembering to laugh and cherish small moments can be very easy to forget. BUT it is such a beautiful feeling when you do.

2. Bullying is real and it happens more often than you think.

Bullying happens all the time and needs to be talked about. Success or fame and fortune aren't indicators that bullying leaves no scars or lasting effects. We need to remember to be compassionate and stand up for others, because at the end of the day we are all human.

3. Always be gracious and stay grounded.

I learned that no matter how successful or powerful you may become, never forget where you came from and the journey you took to get there. Mr. Armstrong was very humble and the most gracious man. It was quite refreshing to see someone with such an illustrious career remain modest and see that he really cares about his fans.

4. Don't forget your roots

Curtis Armstrong was born in Detroit. He made sure to give credit to the people who helped shape his life in a positive way. He talked about how excited he was to reconnect old friends and people he knew from school.

5. Teachers truly have the power to change lives.

Which brings me to my next point. In his book titled, Revenge of the Nerd: the Singular Adventures of the Man Who Would Be Booger, he spends a good portion talking about two of his teachers who he credits with igniting his passion for acting and appreciation for comedy and ultimately, changing the course of his life.

6. Always follow your dreams and believe in yourself

It can be hard to convince yourself that you are good enough to make your dreams a reality, and sometimes life just gets in the way. I realized that no matter where you are from or what obstacles life has put in your way, you should never give up or lose hope. Believe in yourself, fill your life with positive and supportive people and there is nothing you can't do.

7. Be kind.

Life can be unfair and cruel. Even though Mr. Armstrong was bullied and was given plenty of reasons not to trust people, he turned that part of his life into a positive lesson learned. Knowing what it feels like to be a target, he treats everyone he meets with respect and compassion.

8. Be yourself and people will love you for it.

Most importantly, never stop being who you truly are. Even if people criticize you or try to make you feel inadequate. People bully others because they wish that THEY could find the courage to be themselves. They choose not to because they know from experience that there are people who make self-acceptance difficult, and they don't have the strength of character to taste their own medicine.

I would now consider myself a full blown Curtis Armstrong fan and I gained a new appreciation for his work as an actor and storyteller. I had no choice but to pre-order his book. I knew that Mr. Armstrong was donating half the proceeds from the sale of his book to the Redford Theatre, and each person who bought a book received a "book plate" for him to sign. When it came time for him to sign one for me, I told him to,"write whatever you want."

After I looked at it, I was able to leave the theatre and this unforgettable experience happily, because Curtis Armstrong thought that I was "wonderful." :)