Guess Who I Saw?

They’re as much a part of the Southern California landscape as beaches, palm trees, shopping malls and amusement parks. We’re talking stars. Not the Griffith Observatory kind. The Hollywood kind. But celestial figures--and faces--all the same.

For that reason you can hardly begrudge the visiting relatives when they request a chance to see a “real, live star.” You know how it goes . . . They’ve done Disneyland and the Universal Studios Tour (where they didn’t recognize any of the stunt men). They’ve bought their souvenir T-shirts and coaxed a healthy glow from the wintery Southern Cal sun. Now, if only they could see someone famous before heading home . . .

Sound like a tough assignment? Don’t panic. Instead, get practical. After all, most stars live here. (The actual movie making may take place in other states. But the deal-making is centered here.) Stars, after all, eat, drink, shop, run errands and hang out just like the rest of us. Especially on the weekends, when they’re more likely to be caught doing “ordinary” things (as opposed to schmoozing for film jobs or doing publicity).

Skeptical? Then head on over to the Rexall Square Drugs at La Cienega and Beverly boulevards. One veteran celebrity photographer (no, he doesn’t bring his camera into the store--he shops there) calls it, “the best drugstore in the world.” “You always see somebody,” he added.

Actually, everybody would be more like it. Those spotted at Rexall, at one time or another by our star-gazing sources, include Lynda Carter, Muhammad Ali, Charles Bronson, Jaclyn Smith, Joan Collins, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, John Travolta, Martin Landau, Brooke Shields (her mom was with her) and Cheryl Ladd (“who wasn’t wearing a spot of make-up and looked terrific anyway.”)

The clientele at Roxbury Drugs (on Olympic Boulevard at Bedford Drive in the heart of Beverly Hills) isn’t bad, either. You just might spot Sammy Davis Jr., Jane Fonda, Joanna Carson (Johnny’s ex), Elizabeth Montgomery, Linda Evans and actor-turned-author Tom Tryon. Oh, and, psst, we’ve also heard that Elizabeth Taylor sometimes stops by.

C’mon, no one is really immune to star-gazing. In fact, a lot of the information for this story came from chats with publicists around town, who couldn’t help but ooh and aah over who they’d recently spotted. (In many cases, their observations even included the disclaimer, “And (he/she’s) so short in real life!”)

One veteran publicist--who works on films starring some of the town’s biggest names--is still upset that he didn’t “say something--anything” to Irene Dunne as she shopped at one of the upscale grocery stores (more on those later). “I just wanted to tell her how much her movies have always meant to me. But, I couldn’t quite get up the nerve. Maybe I should have?”

The same publicist was also bowled over by the sight of Rhonda Fleming as she was dropping off dry cleaning at Nonpareil Dry Cleaners (on Little Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills).

Speaking of going to the cleaners, celebrity sightings at Hollyway Dry Cleaning in West Hollywood include Anita Baker, Nancy McKeon, Cheryl Ladd, John James and Gordon Thomson.

A rule of thumb in looking for stars: Look nearly everywhere. Some stars have been spotted at the most unlikely places. One skilled star-watcher (who can rattle off many of the churches attended by the stars!) still recalls her surprise at running into Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters at a Sherman Oaks McDonald’s.

And would you believe Marlon Brando at the Hughes Market (on Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Ventura Boulevard) in Studio City?

You wouldn’t expect to come upon Harrison Ford at the Beverly Hills Public Library. But a longtime card holder swears he saw Ford there, checking out a book on carpentry. That same bookworm reports sighting Jon Voight and Susan Saint James. Another source saw Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss browsing among the stacks.

On the other hand, don’t expect to run into stars on Hollywood Boulevard. At least not anymore. Aside from a couple of restaurants, like the Musso & Frank Grill (still a hot spot for deal-making on weekdays), the stars seem to steer clear of the area. But wait--there are always exceptions. Wasn’t that Michael Jackson--wearing his surgical mask (!)--going through the memorabilia some time back at Hollywood Book and Poster (on North Las Palmas, just off Hollywood Boulevard). Seems he’s a bit of a star-gazer himself--collecting material on The Little Rascals, Shirley Temple and other child stars.

Then there are those places where you’d expect to run into stars--and do--for the simple reason that they give stars their shine. We’re talking health clubs, skin and hair salons and even hair colorists. A reporter was asked not to reveal the name of a particular hair colorist who keeps a certain male rock star a blond rock star. But Ali MacGraw, Victoria Principal, Candice Bergen and Catherine Bach have been seen having facials at Aida Thibiant Skin Salon (on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills). And Jose Eber’s hair salon (on Little Santa Monica in Beverly Hills) has got ‘em coming and going. (Celebs like Alana Stewart and Ann Turkel sometimes shoot in on weekends for quick comb-outs.)

As for the health club set, well, suffice it to say that the list of celebs and their clubs is virtually endless. (Figure, everyone’s gotta have that figure.) But, if you’ve got a case of Madonnamania, you might keep an eye on Jane Fonda’s Workout on Robertson Boulevard (in Beverly Hills), where Madonna is said to work out regularly. Randi Brooks is said to work up quite a sweat on the equipment at Nautilus Plus in Studio City. And that imposing white limo parked outside the Holiday Health Spa in Beverly Hills usually means that (uh-oh) Mr. T is inside, doing a work-out.

Meanwhile, action queen Sybil Danning is at the Beverly Hills Gun Club, taking careful aim. “Knots Landing” hunks William Devane and Kevin Dobson might be riding at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Griffith Park. And, at a nearby stable, you just may spot “Colby’s” star Claire Yarlett out for a gallop.

Parks and playgrounds are also good bets. Soccer fan Rod Stewart has been seen scoring goals at Coldwater Canyon Park (where Beverly Drive and Coldwater Canyon meet).

Don’t forget those weekend workouts for the car. Yep, even stars have to hit the car wash. There are lots from which to choose in La-La Land, though the Santa Palm on Santa Monica Boulevard near San Vicente gets especially high marks from star-watchers. (Which is fitting, considering the hundreds of 8-by-10 autographed glossies that adorn the office walls.) Vincent Price drove in just a few weeks ago. (“He’s such a doll,” said a fan who happened to be there.) Joan Collins has been by, reportedly with and without makeup.

Customers have also spotted Jerry Vale, Roger Moore, Melanie Griffith, Jack Carter, James Farentino, Rita Coolidge, Dionne Warwick and Smokey Robinson. Oh, and Alexander Gudonov (who arrived in a black Volkswagen Rabbit convertible).

It all goes to show that a really industrious fan could come away with an autograph as well as a hot wax.

Stars also have to take home the bacon--and the rest of the groceries. So why not go where they shop?

Upscale edibles are the thing at Gelson’s at the Century City Shopping Center. So are stars (well, some of them send their maids . . .). Recent sightings at the recently redecorated (in fuchsia and pink) store: George Peppard at the checkout stand, a browsing Burt Lancaster and the shopping-songwriting team of Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss also come in. So does Sally Field, Richard Anderson and, famed for his bad guy roles, Henry Silva.

The crowd is no less starry at the Irvine Ranch Market at the Beverly Center where patrons have spotted Sidney Poitier, Glenn Ford, Lauren Bacall, Gregory Peck, Dinah Shore, Robert Wagner, Jameson Parker, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dolly Parton, Heather Locklear, Vincent Price and talk radio’s Michael Jackson. (Some celebs, like Teri Garr, shop both markets.)

After checking out the produce (and the personalities) at Irvine Ranch Market, grab an elevator to the mall area and wait patiently. You’ll be rewarded as stars hustle from shop to shop.

Still star-searching? Try the Brentwood Country Mart (in Santa Monica, at San Vicente Boulevard and 26th Street) where scripts can often be spotted on tabletops. The 40 shops and eateries (which surround a courtyard) frequently entice Anne Bancroft, Mel Brooks and Dom DeLuise. And a fan reports (somewhat breathlessly) having seen William Hurt there, with both script and canned soft drink in hand.

And don’t forget those special stores favored by certain stars.

Barbra Streisand has long shopped the Melrose Avenue area’s Art Deco shops (as does Michael Caine, when he’s in town). The area’s ‘50s kitsch shops are more to John Stamos’ liking.

The gift and accessory store Lynne Deutch Ltd. (on Melrose Place), has found fans in Jacyln Smith and Diahann Carroll.

The one-of-a-kind (and special design) clothing at Sable, on Sunset Boulevard, attracts Judy and Audrey Landers, Ann-Margret, Cher, Connie Stevens, Lisa Hartman and Jane Seymour.

Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Peter Graves, Joseph Cotten, Hal Holbrook, John Travolta and Adam West shop Colvey’s, the Pacific Palisades men’s shop.

Rick Pallack’s, the men’s shop on Sherman Oaks Boulevard in the Valley (San Fernando, that is), is a favorite of Joan Collins, Jermaine Jackson (and brothers), George Hamilton and John James.

Of course, if you’re willing to fork over some serious money for wining and dining, you can always see stars--and we’re not just talking about the kind that materialize when they present you with the tab.

During a recent night at Nicky Blair: Pam Dawber (no, fiance Mark Harmon wasn’t along), Robert Wagner with Jill St. John and “General Hospital’s” Steve Bond. And that was before the main course!

And who isn’t at Nate ‘N Al’s?

Then again, if you want to do your looking for free, wait for weekdays. Then amble over to the Unemployment Office.

Boy, will you see stars!

STAR GAZING The Beverly Hills area is a center for orbiting Hollywood stars. 1. Gelson’s market 2. Jose Eber hair salon 3. Aida Thibiant dkin care salon 4. Beverly Hills Public Library 5. Santa Palm Car Wash 6. Roxbury Pharmacy 7. Irvine Ranch Market and the entire Beverly Center 8. Rexall Drugs 9. Melrose Avenue area