Proper way to address a celeb when writing

[Bizzy]

I've never written a celeb before, all the autographs I have are preprints from SFM, bought on eBay or obtained in person.

When writing to a celeb, is it more proper to address them as "Mr. SoNso" or by their first name? The celeb I'm getting ready to write is 20 years my senior, however I'm not a child either so I'm questioning which way I should do it. I don't want to seem disrespectful, when meeting him in person I would probably address him by his first name.....that is if I could even speak at all if I met him. Knowing me my tongue would get all tangled up and I'd sound like an idiot.

I've read many of the other helpful hints on this website about writing but I haven't run across any topics that address this question. Any helpful hints are appreciated.

[KellyMBel]

This is how I start out almost every letter:

Dear __________,
Hey! I totally loved seeing you play _________ in __________.

I do not start out like that if I am writing to a singer though.

Kelly

[DanTheMan]

always remember to be honest to a celebrities when writing to them. and don't end your letter with..." your #1 fan" or "your biggest fan". I'm pretty sure celebrities receive alot of letter ending that way. The best way i find to end a letter is... Sincerely yours

[Bizzy]

Thanks for the help but that's not exactly what I was after.

Take Beverley Mitchell as an example. If you were writing to her would you start out:

Dear Beverley

or

Dear Ms. Mitchell

Maybe I'm being too anal about this and should go with my gut but since he has absolutely no clue as to who I am, etc. I don't want to seem disrespectful by being too personal. Does that even make sense?

[KellyMBel]

When I wrote to Beverley Mitchell I wrote

Dear Beverley,


I normally always close with Yours truly or Your fan.

[Bizzy]

Cool. Thanks for the help.

[barmy_army008]

For nearly all of my requests, I would start with;

"Dear 'Person's Forename'"

There are some occassions where it seems weird to use there first name though, because of who they are or something. So for instance, if I was writing to Tony Blair, I wouldn't start with 'Dear Tony', it would be 'Dear Mr Blair'.

[Bizzy]

I agree with you 150%. Not that the celebs haven't earned respect, but public office holders or those recognized by a government (Sir Ian McKellen for example) should be addressed with their proper titles.

[TheCollector]

Hi all,

For what it is worth, I always address the envelope as:

Firstname Surname,
Address.

But I always begin the letter as Dear Firstname.

The only time I don't do this is when the celeb has a title for example:
HRH Sarah, Duchess of York, or Sir Ian McKellen. Then I would address it as "Dear Sir Ian", or "Madam", in the case of an HRH.

Have a look here for appropriate ettiquette on writing to titled people:
http://www.debretts.co.uk/etiquette/cor ... dress.html
of course it is totally a matter of personal choice, but it seems to work for me!

Hope this helps!
Ian

[Ashley364]

I usually write Dear Mr. ..., or Dear Ms. ...