Autograph hunter reveals his A-list of friendliest stars
A BUSINESSMAN who has come face-to-face with a host of A-list celebs at more than 2,000 red carpet events has revealed the identities of the nicest stars in Hollywood.
Jason Thanos has spent more than 25 years sourcing autographs of the rich and famous around the globe and posing for pictures with legends of the big screen.
He has more than 5,000 photos and autographs of himself with celebs, but it was Mission Impossible movie icon Tom Cruise and Oscarwinning Lara Croft and Changeling beauty Angelina Jolie who impressed him most during his time rubbing shoulders with film icons.
Now Jason has opened a business selling movie and music memorabilia – including what is dubbed as the largest collection of Harry Potter merchandise in the world.
He said: “I have met so many stars – from Tom Cruise and Tom Hardy to Angelina Jolie, Jack Nicholson and Sylvester Stallone.
“I have shaken hands with and have photographs with them all. It is really important to get the photographs with the stars, so my clients can be sure the signatures are genuine. Unfortunately, there are so many fakes out there.
“Tom Cruise will arrive at red carpet events more than half-an-hour before he needs to be there so he can chat to fans, have photos taken and give out signatures. He is a true star.
“The same with Angelina Jolie. She is a wonderful lady who is friendly and patient with her fans.
“But there are many who are not. It is a shame. They don’t need to be like that.”
His autograph mission began when Jason, who loves all things Hollywood, was 18 and his friends wanted him to help them get autographs. It became a dream to set up a bar dedicated to memorabilia, similar to the Hard Rock Cafe but he didn’t have the money to fund it so instead continued collecting autographs.
His first was from Black Sabbath ‘Prince of Darkness’ Ozzy Osbourne, and the first autograph he sold to a fan was from Matthew Perry who played Chandler Bing in the US sitcom Friends. He got £40.
Jason says “I have been to over 2,000 red carpet events from Star Wars to Pirates of the Caribbean, from Terminator to Rambo. The last few I have done have been Mamma Mia and the new Tom Cruise Mission Impossible film.”
Jason has now launched his new shop, The Magical Emporium in Altrincham, a ‘treasure trove’ of collectibles and memorabilia and all his pictures with the celebs are on display.
He added: “This has been a dream of mine for more than 25 years. Since then I have been travelling the world and spent thousands and thousands of pounds following Hollywood celebrities and music icons to capture their signatures for my clients.”
Jason’s most treasured signing is a Rocky robe and belt selling for £5,000.
Most of his collected autographs are for sale but Jason also has a personal collection which aren’t for sale because the autographs have been made out to him.
Some of the collectibles can be found on magicalemporium.co.uk