Have you ever wondered what happens when Hollywood’s A-listers go out to eat? When it comes to the best and worst celebrity tippers, the stories from the service industry are fascinating. From generous tips to stingy moments, restaurant workers have shared what it’s like to serve famous customers. Note that every story below is an anonymous, unverified account shared on Reddit and collected by BuzzFeed, which describes them as alleged.
Here at Elits Buzz, we love a good insider story. Whether it is a foul-mouthed chef acting like a perfect gentleman or a beloved sitcom star leaving a meager few bucks, a person’s restaurant etiquette says something about them. Let’s dive into 15 anonymous server stories about the best and worst celebrity tippers.
Exploring the Best and Worst Celebrity Tippers in Hollywood
A celebrity’s public persona doesn’t always match their private behavior, especially when the check arrives. Let’s break down the experiences waiters say they have had with these 15 famous faces.
1. Tyler Perry: The Ultimate Best Celebrity Tipper
According to an anonymous server, Tyler Perry takes the crown for the best. The server said they worked at an Atlanta brunch spot and had only two tables during the busy holiday season. One was a notoriously rude, complaining patron who left next to nothing. The other was Tyler Perry. After sitting quietly, reading a book, and being polite, Perry reportedly left a $1,200 tip. He also reportedly wished the server a Merry Christmas and apologized for the other customer’s behavior.
2. Jason Priestley: An Unconfirmed Tipping Story
According to an anonymous Reddit post that BuzzFeed calls alleged and did not verify, a server recalled that a group the server believed included Jason Priestley ran up a $600 bill and left a $20 tip. The server was not certain it was him, and the claim is unconfirmed.
3. Gordon Ramsay: An Unexpectedly Sweet Customer
Given his fiery television persona, you might expect Gordon Ramsay to be a server’s nightmare. According to one anonymous server, the opposite was true. The server said Ramsay was “probably the most polite customer I’ve ever had.” He reportedly asked to personally thank the head chef and left a £100 tip for the staff.
4. Drew Carey: Class Act and Top-Tier Tipper
This account is secondhand: a poster said their cousin witnessed it. According to that poster, after wrapping up a gig, Drew Carey visited a local bar, bought a round of drinks for every patron, and wrote a check large enough to ensure every employee went home with an extra $100 tip.
5. Dave Chappelle: The “BAM!” Tipper
According to anonymous accounts compiled by BuzzFeed, Dave Chappelle left a $100 tip. A separate anecdote describes him playfully spoiling an episode of Breaking Bad.
6. Rashida Jones & Adam Scott: The Perfect Comedy Duo
Parks and Recreation fans, take note. According to one anonymous server, Rashida Jones and Adam Scott were friendly diners. While eating out, Adam reportedly joked with the server about the history of a potato side dish. When the server joked back that “potatoes originally came from Ireland,” the stars reportedly laughed. The server said the group paid the bill and left a 30% tip.
7. John Goodman: Lightning-Fast Generosity
One waitress said she waited on John Goodman, Morgan Freeman, and Steve Carell. When Goodman pulled out a cigar, she said she had a lit lighter ready for him without missing a beat. She said Goodman then handed her a $100 bill.
8. Brian Baumgartner: The Real Office Hero
He plays the lovable but clueless Kevin Malone on The Office. After officiating a wedding at a hotel, a server said, he hung around the bar chatting with the bartender all night. The server described him as having a normal demeanor, an excellent tipping record, and being a “stand-up guy.”
9. Robert Plant: The Humble Rock Legend
A bartender said that Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant was incredibly chill. According to that account, he ate a bun-less Philly cheesesteak, tipped a solid 20%, and joked with a young bartender. When she asked if he was in a band she might have heard of, he reportedly replied, “No, probably not. We never hit it that big.”
10. Willow Smith: Bringing Good Vibes
A server recalled that the singer and actress was “super nice” during her visit and left a “really good tip” before heading out.
11. Bill Nye: Generous Down to a Science
According to one service worker, Bill Nye the Science Guy is down-to-earth and consistently leaves a great tip for his servers.
12. Charlie Sheen: A 10/10 Experience
A café worker said that Sheen came in with one of his daughters and was “super polite.” The worker said he tipped extremely well and rated the encounter a “10/10 celebrity experience.”
13. Tony Hawk: Landing the Perfect Tip
A college student waiting tables roughly 20 years ago said they served the skateboarder and recalled him being “one of the kindest humans out there” who also left a fantastic tip.
14. Nick Carter: Tipping Backstreet Style
A server said that Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter paid his $110 restaurant tab with a debit card and added a $30 tip (nearly 30%). The server said the pop star was friendly throughout the meal.
15. Anthony Kiedis: Chill and Charitable
Rounding out our list of the best and worst celebrity tippers is Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis. A server reported that Kiedis was “chill” and tipped his waitstaff well.
The Final Verdict on Celebrity Tipping Habits
Working in the service industry is no walk in the park, and serving famous customers can make a shift memorable. As these best and worst celebrity tippers stories show, a lot can come out when the check hits the table. Remember that all of these accounts are anonymous and unverified, so treat them as stories rather than facts.
Which of these celebrity tipping stories surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments below, and keep checking Elits Buzz for more Hollywood stories.
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