Celebrity Sightings – July 2017

 Most often we catch glimpses of celebrities right here in Santa Clarita living their daily lives; shopping, picking up the kids, or enjoying the many trails, bike paths and paseos SCV has to offer. Being just a stones-throw away from the celebrity capital of the world, we are also lucky to see even more celebs, doing what they do best, and sharing they talent with the world.
A true child of the 90’s, my happy meter goes off the charts when I hear a Snoop Dogg song. Santa Clarita resident Tamer Abdel also had the pleasure of snapping a photo with the rap legend, and I am truly jealous. Snoop Dogg, now known as Snoop Lion, is an American rapper and actor from Long Beach, California. His music career began in 1992 when he was discovered by Dr. Dre, and prominently featured throughout Dr. Dre’s solo debut album, The Chronic (1992). He has since sold over twenty-three million albums in the United States and thirty-five million albums worldwide. He has created a lifestyle, a brand and a following that spans the globe and inspires millions of fans.
Local entrepreneur Gunnar Murray was out and about working his magic, and selling his gourmet pickled foods when he ran into actor Patrick Dempsey. Popularized as McDreamy from the ABC7 television show Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey is an American actor and race car driver. He saw early success as an actor, starring in a number of films in his early 20s, including Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) and Loverboy(1989). In the 1990s, he mostly appeared in smaller roles in film, such as Outbreak (1995), and television, before landing a lead role in Sweet Home Alabama (2002), a surprise box office hit. Dempsey, who maintains a sports car and vintage car collection, also enjoys auto racing in his spare time. He has competed in pro-am events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car race, and Ensenada SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. Prior to the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans, Dempsey declared that he would “walk away” from acting if he could and dedicate himself full-time to motorsports.
Gary Dwayne Payton (born July 23, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player. He started at the point guard position. He is best known for his 13-year tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, and holds Seattle franchise records in points, assists, and steals. He also played with the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, the last with whom he won an NBA championship. He was nicknamed “The Glove” for his excellent defensive ability. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on September 8, 2013. Payton is widely considered one of the best point guards of all time and is the only point guard that has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. He was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team nine times, an NBA record he shares with Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant. He was also a nine-time NBA All-Star and a nine-time All-NBA Team member. Considered the “NBA’s reigning high scorer among point guards” in his prime, Payton is referred to as “probably as complete a guard as there ever was” by Basketball Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich.
Have your own celebrity sighting? Share it with us by emailing the photo, along with your name and a few words to contest@santaclaritamagazine.com.