By Mike McCarthy
Everyone dreams about meeting their childhood heroes and crushes, but who actually gets to do that? Unless you become an actor and work in the business, it is a rarity that you get to do that. Well Staff Sergeant David Guilfoyle has defied the odds and done both of those in one fell swoop.
We met up with David at Rhode Island Comic Con back in November when he got to meet the woman he was going to marry…when he was seven years old. Now, happily married, David got to meet Amy Jo Johnson and thank her for the signed photo that she had sent to him while he was overseas protecting our country. We can not give any more info about where he was stationed or what he was doing for the military due to sensitive information, which we all can agree is important to keep everyone safe. Let’s just say that it was a nice surprise for him when he came home.
Once David found out that Amy Jo was going to be returning to Rhode Island Comic Con this year, he had to find a way to say ‘Thank You’ in person for the signed photo. It wasn’t just the signed photo that touched David, but the interaction between Amy Jo and the other celebrities and his wife, who wanted to surprise him with all of the signed photos. We sat down with David after he got to meet Amy Jo to discuss the whole situation and what he was thinking and feeling during it. We also want to thank David for his service to our country and to Rhode Island Comic Con for making this all possible him and for us.
Wingman Magazine: Last year you got a package from some of the celebrities at Rhode Island Comic Con. Can you tell us what you got from them and who sent you what?
David G.: I received a handful of personalized autographed photos. The contributors were Ron Perlman (“Clay” Sons Of Anarchy), Tim Murphy (“Galen” Sons Of Anarchy), Ryan Hurst (“Opie” Sons Of Anarchy), and Amy-Jo Johnson (“Kimberly” Power Rangers.)
Wingman Magazine: Without saying where you were or what you were doing for the military, can you tell us what you were doing when you opened the package you got and what it meant to get the package?
David G.: So it was a pretty special package to say the least. I was totally caught off guard, I opened it when I got home. the original plan was my wife Marie was going to send me the package when I was still overseas but rather than risk it getting lost and/or damaged she waited till I got home. I seriously felt like a kid on Christmas morning and was completely overwhelmed with joy. I’ve been a fan of all of them for a long time, As far as the guys from the Sons Of Anarchy, Tuesday nights at my house for my friends and I was like going to church. The show was just so suspenseful and full of action. I was very upset when the final episode of season 7 aired. I was very excited to be able to receive autographs from all of them.
Wingman Magazine: I know that Amy Jo Johnson sent you something. Were you a fan of hers when you were younger? What made you want to reach out and thank her specifically?
David G.: I have been a fan of Amy-Jo’s since I was a little kid. I was about 7 years old when the first Power Rangers episode aired in 1993. I mean growing up as a kid in the 1990s the Power Rangers were practically a way of life (laughs). Amy-Jo was every boy’s first crush from my age group. I actually told my mom when I was about 7 or 8 years old that I was going to marry her someday hahaha. Also from being a military police officer and a law enforcement graduate seeing her nail the role of Jules Callaghan on Flashpoint so effortlessly was just amazing. What made me want to reach out to her was the fact that when my wife went to the convention last year she was escorted around by an event volunteer and Amy was able to sign the photo real quick and take a few quick seconds to engage with my wife before her autograph session got out of control. My wife told me that she was extremely personable and friendly, which speaks to how much of a genuine person she is. All of that combined with the fact that she is from Massachusetts I felt like she deserved to hear from a very appreciative fan once I heard she was coming back this year. So I reached out to the convention and thanked them for everything they put together for me I requested to see if meeting Amy in person was possible and they made it work which I will be forever grateful for.
Wingman Magazine: You got a big hug from Amy Jo when you met, which we were able to see. How nervous were you when you met her, and what did she say to you, if you remember?
David G.: Hahaha well to be honest the hug by her was the icebreaker (laughs). I’ll be honest I very rarely get nervous about certain things, like being deployed I was nervous for obvious reasons, when I got married I was nervous. This was totally different knowing that I was about to be face to face with someone who I grew up idolizing and seeing on my TV growing up as a kid. So when she hugged me I said “I can’t believe this is actually happening” she replied with “Well believe it because it is ( laughs again)”. She then asked me how it felt to be home and what was being overseas like and you know we talked briefly about what being over there was like and how hot it was. She then said to me that she was glad I came back unharmed and safe. I then expressed to her my gratitude to her about doing the meet, I told her that she and Jason David Frank were an inspiration to me to join the martial arts due to the nature of their characters in the Power Rangers TV series. Even though her character was a gymnast and not a martial artist but there were some martial arts involved. I let her know that her signing that picture for me from the 2015 convention meant a lot to me. Even though it’s something so small it goes to show you that there are actually many actors and actresses that appreciate their fan base and she is the total embodiment of that, and that this was something that I will never forget as long as I live. After that she said that she was glad to do this for me, and good luck with the rest of my military and martial arts career.
Wingman Magazine: Is there anyone else that sent something to you that you would love to say thank you too?
David G.:
- To Ron Perlman: Hey Prez!! Just wanted to reach out in some capacity and say thanks for the autographed photo I received from you from the 2015 convention. Also I got your message from my wife that you passed on to me through her (Stands up from table) “Tell your husband that I thank him for his service and salute him. There are not many people on this earth that will willingly volunteer to go to where he is and that he gets home safely.” Ron you have no idea what it meant to hear this. I have been a fan of you for a long time, even before the Sons Of Anarchy. I was actually upset when your character started going to the darkside and ultimately plunged to his brutal death (figuratively speaking) in season 6. Overall it was a great show, was sad when it was over and Tuesday nights have never been the same (haha). Take care brother.
- To Tim Murphy: Tim I just wanted to pass on my gratitude to you for the autographed photo that was given to me from the 2015 convention. When my wife Marie said she got to meet you she stated that when she told you I was in the Air Force, you seemed really intrigued by it and wanted to hear all about it. I appreciate the kind words passed on to me from you it meant a lot. Glad to hear that so many people back here at home are behind what we do. I am a huge fan of the Sons Of Anarchy and you brought such life to your character “Galen” it was scary how you were just such a natural at it, and it was awesome to watch unfold. Take care and God Bless.
- To Ryan Hurst: RYAN!!! Just wanted to reach out and say thank you for the autographed photo from the 2015 convention. Also wanted to say thanks for taking some time to talk with my wife and for giving her this awesome hug that she keeps talking about (haha). In all seriousness, thank you, I was a huge fan of the Sons and yours. I Was very sad with the way your character went out. I think my friends and I after watching that episode in Season 4 all thought we were going to need intense therapy (haha). Thanks again and good luck to you in the future.
Wingman Magazine: We met at Rhode Island Comic Con. How was the rest of your visit to RICC? Were you able to jump any lines to meet any of the attendees after parted ways? I believe it was your first Comic Con. How was the overall experience for you?
David G.: The rest of the convention was awesome!! I never thought I would see so many celebrities in one place at one time. At times I felt like I was on a set in Hollywood (laughs). The fans really get into it too which is pretty awesome to see it was like halloween in November. I didn’t jump any lines, I waited my turn in line just like anybody else. I requested to meet with Amy-Jo and I was not going to do anything to tarnish that and make it seem like I was using my military status to get more out of something that was very generous to begin with. Lastly just wanted to thank the convention again for making this all possible.