I met and had decent length conversations with Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Greg Maddux, and John Roberts. (paying for me to get into an event where Maddux was speaking and meeting with a small group after was a Fathers Day gift from my awesome wife. I was very involved in Democratic politics in the 90s and met a lot of famous politicians of the time through that work. I met Roberts at a legal event I still regret attending).
I also went to HS and college with two NBA first round draft picks who had pretty good careers and are fairly famous in the sports world. I didnt have deep friendship with those guys, but we were acquaintances who would say hi in the halls and go to the same parties and such. I got to play some basketball with both, and they were amazing to watch even when they were taking it easy.
Edited to add that I was with a group of college kids who ran into Senator/actor Fred Thompson in a local cheesesteak spot in DC when he was at the height of his career. He hung out with us and talked politics for a couple hours. I dont have much use for Republicans generally, and he is not exceptionally famous, but I always thought it was cool that he took the time to engage with some interested students about politics. It was such a different time.
An opinion does not turn into a fact simply because the person holding it feels strongly about it.