SAEDNEWS: From Mike Tyson’s explosive confrontation to Rihanna’s nightclub stunt, celebrities regularly test whether fame grants them special treatment, but sometimes it backfires spectacularly. Here are 14 reported incidents where famous figures supposedly tried the old “Do you know who I am?”
There’s a recurring pop-culture image: a hurried celebrity, a bored staffer, and the infamous demand — “Do you know who I am?” It usually ends in embarrassment, confrontation or a story that lives on in tabloid lore. Below are 14 reported episodes, presented in the order originally compiled, that capture the messy collision of fame and everyday life.
A British witness later claimed he intervened during an altercation between Mike Tyson and Naomi Campbell, at which point Tyson allegedly thundered: “Do you know who the fuck I am? I’m the heavyweight champion of the world!” The exchange is often cited as a classic example of bravado meeting resistance.
According to the same account, philosopher Sir Alfred Jules Ayer — who stepped in alongside the witness — met Tyson’s boast with dry calm: “And I am the former Wykeham Professor of Logic. We are both pre-eminent in our field; I suggest that we talk about this like rational men.” The story’s comic reversal — intellect answering intimidation — is part of its enduring appeal.
At Wimbledon, a bouncer reportedly refused Hasselhoff entry to a players-only area. The actor was said to have replied, “All I want is a drink. Do you know who I am?” and the exchange became another tabloid shorthand for a celebrity failing to cut through routine security.
In New Jersey, rocker Sebastian Bach was reported to have been restrained by fellow patrons after threatening a bartender and allegedly shouting, “Don’t you know who I am?” Witnesses recounted a heated scene in which tempers and allegations of brandished weapons were later claimed in press accounts.
Known for erratic public stunts, Shia LaBeouf was also reported to have been removed from a Broadway show while yelling, “Do you know who the fuck I am?!” The incident followed a pattern of provocative — sometimes self-sabotaging — behaviour that has punctuated parts of his career.
When stopped by police for cycling the wrong way in New York, Alec Baldwin allegedly protested vehemently. An exchange captured in media reports shows him supplying a profanity and the rhetorical “Don’t you know who I am?” when questioned by officers — another instance of fame colliding with ordinary law enforcement.
Dina Lohan, mother of actress Lindsay Lohan, reportedly tried to push into a nightclub with her daughters and was stopped by security. According to accounts, she responded with the familiar demand for recognition — “Do you know who I am?” — and was subsequently refused entry.
At Cheeseburger Baby in Miami, a companion of Busta Rhymes was reported to have attempted to jump the queue, asking staff to take their order first because they were “very important people.” The delay led to a confrontation that outlets later described as escalating into abusive language from members of the group; reports say homophobic slurs were used, sparking further fallout.
While shopping in 2013, Tara Reid reportedly demanded a “celebrity discount” at an All Saints store and became upset when the staff did not recognise her or extend any preferential pricing. Onlookers say she was escorted out after raising her voice — another tale of entitlement clashing with retail policy.
When a card transaction failed at a Banana Republic, Faye Dunaway was reported to have reacted by asking if she qualified for some form of celebrity line of credit — a moment that was recounted in celebrity anecdote columns as an exasperated attempt to skirt an ordinary payment problem.
Following a roadside incident in which her husband was pulled over for erratic driving, Reese Witherspoon was reported to have leaned forward and warned officers with the line, “Do you know my name? You’re about to find out who I am!” The episode was picked up as yet another instance of a star invoking status in a tense encounter.
When arrested after an alleged confrontation with a paparazzo, Sam Worthington is reported to have asked police rhetorically whether they had seen his big-screen hit, saying, “Have you seen the movie ‘Avatar’?” — a variant on the entitlement script that substitutes professional recognition for personal import.
At the height of her Hannah Montana fame, Miley Cyrus allegedly ordered a burger in Manhattan and expressed disbelief when the cashier asked for a name: “Are you serious? You don’t recognize me? I’m Miley Cyrus!” According to the account, the cashier maintained composure and handed over the order without fanfare — a brief deflation of star power.
Rihanna’s nightclub episode is one of the better-known stories: while partying in 2012 she reportedly danced on a glass tabletop, broke it, and was briefly restrained by staff. As she was being removed she screamed, “Don’t you know who I am?!” — and, in this instance, staff realised who they were holding and returned her to the party. It’s a rare example in the list where the famous name actually changed the immediate outcome.
