About the autograph policy

I was a tremendous fan of Dirk's growing up. Huge fan, very dedicated, followed his career faithfully obtaining every possible piece of media that touched him. I was a paying member of the Dirk Benedict International Fan Club for years. I was one of those fangirls with notebooks full of fanfic, a zillion Dirk pictures on my walls, and copies of his books read so avidly and so often, the bindings were cracked.

I stopped by the website today on a whim, because I remembered how much I used to love this guy...... and got the most disheartening shock. I feel physically ill over this, I really do. I am SO embarrassed for you.

One of the first pieces of information I'm confronted with when opening the page is the new "autograph policy", which states that Dirk CHARGES fans $20 for his autograph, and then further states that personal correspondences are never answered.

I'm not sure if you folks are completely OBLIVIOUS...but what you've just told Dirk's longtime fans (those loyal handful of us who still give a damned about him enough to look for a website) "You fans are so much of a pain in the arse that you have to PAY US to deal with you, and don't bother sending any sincere heartfelt letters because we don't bother with them."

In other words....Gee, thanks for all the support over the years, but it didn't mean a damned thing.

It's a heck of a slap in the face, and it's more than a little offputting.

Few actors have the time to dedicate much to fans, and I think most fans understand that. But a gentle explanation of these limitations, expressing kindness and appreciation for support, goes a long way to sooth these disappointments. What you did was unacceptably rude.

Even Tom Cruise, money driven maniac that he is...recognizes the VALUE of his fan's loyalty and their TREMENDOUS IMPACT on the advancement of his career. This guy has enough money to last a thousand lifetimes, and he STILL takes an AMAZING amount of time to be kind to his fans, take photos with them and sign anything they ask. I saw him sit for over seven hours in one day of the Mission Impossible 3 promotions in Italy, greeting fans and signing things. His management literally had to drag him away and tell him...Tom, you've done enough, you have to rest now. A young up and coming co-star in MI3 followed Cruise's ethic, and did not leave until every person hoping to talk to him had the chance. This co-star is certainly not a rich actor. However, he is a gentleman, and his good natured attitude seems to be taking him far.

I'm not suggesting that all celebrities are required to put this part of their job above other responsibilities, (and yes, I do think Tom's dedication is excessive) but I WILL say that I DO feel it's PART OF THE JOB of an entertainer. You DO have an obligation to treat with respect the very people who gave you good word of mouth, who bragged your performances to friends, who made you a part of other people's favorites lists.

Dirk, if it's a matter of needing money, take down the insulting dismissive material directed at fans, and open an online store at your site. You could offer signed items at any price you choose, and explain to fans that with your family obligations you are simply not able to take custom requests. Don't forget to THANK people for their support over the years. It would still be pretty cheap of you, after years of free support...but at least it would be a bit less insulting. Our time was VALUABLE too, all the time WE TOOK to support your career.

I am so completely disappointed in you. Downstairs, I have a trunk of things I collected following your career that has stayed with me through five moves. I've actually shown my daughter my grand collection from my "movie star crush". I'm just terribly sad you turned out to be such a petty classless person.


Most sincerely,

M. James

[Lt. Templeton TLoS Peck]

I understand this policy, although 20$ is maybe a little bit much. It's the same price you have to pay on conventions, and you always get a nice conversation during such a visite.

Sending autographs etc. costs money, etc., and there are people on ebay who sell them for money. so understand he can't be sending autographs for free.

On the other hand: the text about the autopraph policy sounds rather direct. And it does sound like fan mail is a real pain in the ass for Dirk. "Personal correspondence sent to the PO box will not be answered. ALL business requests can be e-mailed to the site master . " Sounds a little bit like: I hate fan mail, but if you want me for a new role in a movie or a visit for a convention, you can contact the site master.

There's also a little bit of a contradiction between "I want my private life back. I don't consider myself a star any more. I can't keep reading and answering fan mail because I played Starbuck and Face 20-25 years ago", and having a website, visiting conventions, asking 20$ for an autograph, restart acting, etc.

I understand the policy, but maybe there was a better way to explain the policy.

I think some fans who have read the message will be disappoinited. Not because of the policy, but because of the way it was formulated.

[horselightning]

Hey Peoples! Dirk had a web page not to long ago called kamikaze cowboy were he sold copies of pictures for 20 dollars and autographed them. He took it down leaveing a message he didnt have the time for it anymore and fans could now call this his offical sight if they wanted too.

Over the years i've been astounded by all the people who have popped up online telling of how they wrote Dirk and he has responded with an autograph or letter. Usually all they did was send SASE. I was never aware he ever charge untill recently myself. I've never been to a convention either were he charges 20 bucks there too i've recently been told.

I have written him last march and sent him a birthday present and card I made both myself. I inclosed some pictures of him I made myself , one was bought. Also incloseing a SASE. Told him if he didnt want to sign them I didn't care. It was up to him I just wanted to give him a birthday gift. To my suprise he answered back signng all four and left a nice message on the one I bought.

It gave me the conception he appreciated the sentiment and all. I was never charged a thing. I did how ever send a thank you note back and replace his stamps. I was off a couple stamps and felt real bad. Knowing the time and effort it takes to read and answer fan mail I sent him a replacement stamps. I really can understand the need to feel compensated for his time expsecially sence he is semi retired and a full time dad these days and if he is mostly getting greedy collectors who just want the autographs to sale , not because there a true fan. It is the c ollec tors greed that ruiens it for the fans.

The big problem with fan mail is the bulk of it because if becomes costly and tjme consuming to deal with. Those are understandable aspects of it. I never gotten that he dislikied fan mail or acknowlegement by the fans from anyones expreriences or from my own. In fact I think he likes reading what we say the avid reader that he is. But I belive it would be nice if Dirk himself would let people know how he feels about the whole situation and explain it a nicer and kinder tone then done on the front page. So fans can understand a little better and not be so upset or hurt. Cause the fans , really truly like Dirk and just want to show their apprecuation and admiration to him is all. :D

[ostarella]

I just went back and re-read the policy and I have to say I didn't find the way it was written to be offensive, or the policy itself to be unreasonable. I mean, really - do people have to take offense at *everything* connected with Dirk? Good grief...

[jigglypuff]

I can understand his position of wanting to spend more time with his family rather than the fans, especially being that he considers himself to be semi-retired. I, also, agree that $20 is rather a bit much. I went to a convention with Richard Hatch and Herb Jefferson Jr. Each only charged $15 for autographs. I'm just wondering, is he saying that he's better than those two? Especially when he goes to a convention in a poor area, like the one coming up in Chicago. I know if he charges $20-25 an autograph, I would NEVER be able to afford one. And, yes, I was also a paying member of his fan club back when I was little.
I also noticed that Mr.T is coming out with a new show called "I Pity the Fool". After Katrina, he says he refuses to ever wear all the gold again. I thought that the article on him was very heartfelt with what he felt for the victims and for the celebrities that were only there for a "photo op", not to help. I have asked in a different section of the forum, if Dirk is still helping the people in the Appalachian mountains. I have not received a reply, so I guess not. Which I find a true shame!
Just thought I'd put in my two cents.

[facestar67]

$20 is average rate for autographs. Everyone at the two convention I went to charge $20. He is not saying he is better. Herb and Richard just picked a lower price. Maybe they do not sell as much and think the low price will being in more people or maybe that is the price they just set. Who knows. Ann Lockhart, Dwight Schultz, Hacksaw, and Lou Ferrigeno and etc. charge that amount. Also to set in The dukes of Hazzard car and Kit is $20. Wait to you have one that wants $50 just to be in the room with him. That was done by a actor name William years ago. He also makes his autographspersonal and he talks and takes a picture with you.

I never knew he did work with the Appalachian region. I live on the out skirts of that region and I have done some reading on the events that created the culture and the poor land that is in the area.

I read that article about Mr T. It was a very good article.

Terri L.

[Dawg]

Thanks, Terri - I was going to point out that $20 is about average for that sort of thing.

Ladies and gents, gone are the days when celebrities of any stripe can afford to a) take the time and b) go to the expense of responding to every person who wants a piece of them. There are simply too many of them now. Add to that the sad fact that some of them are mental - how many have been assaulted and even killed in the last decade by fans? Security is a very real issue.

It's no surprise that personal correspondence through this website is discouraged. Again - there are too many who want that one moment with their star - see the above paragraph.

Cruise, beyond being an idiot, has a team of studio people to choreograph his appearances. I'd bet he gets "dragged away from his adoring fans" at the precise moment they scheduled him to be "dragged away" - not that anybody would admit that. It would tarnish his carefully crafted "fan-friendly" image.

Sorry, "M. James", but Dirk Benedict is a gentleman, genuinely fan-friendly but guards his family jealously, which means he has to put limits on his interactions with the public. Neither I nor 99% of his other fans fault him for that. Seen in person he is a charming, personable man.

So I take your words for the value they are worth - nothing. You only seek controversy and discord, so you are to be ignored. I consign you to nothingness, and urge the rest of the members of this board to do likewise.

I am
Dawg

[Tracy]

For many years Dirk has done his very best to accomodate those letter writers and autograph seekers who have sent him their bits and bobs *because* of his appreciation for his fans. Many have received back hand written letters of thanks as well as free autographed photos.
Dirk, as well as many folks out there, is a very busy hands on single parent of two who is semi retired from acting, and it is regrettable that the demand has become simply too much for *one person* to accomodate so many, so the Autograph Policy has become necessity.

This does not mean that Dirk does not or has not appreciated the kind words, thoughts, good vibes, etc that have been sent his way throughout his career, but the requests for *personal* correspondence has become too great.


It is unfortunate that this need for change has angered some, but do know that *each and every* query sent to him in the past years since his semi retirement, photos, memorabilia , requests, etc were given Dirk's own personal attention. No pre-typed mail forms, no fan club presidents answering mail for him. He has done it all himself.

The fan seeking an autograph has always had the option to pay or say no thank you if they do not wish to incur the expense be it at a convention or through Dirk himself. Dirk does make himself available to chat, at length, with fans and pose for personal keepsake photos at every convention appearance.

Again it is regrettable that Dirk cannot answer all letters in kind.
We hope for, and appreciate your understanding.

Regards,
Tracy
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