Weird old story about this guy...

When I was in the 4th grade he showed up at my elementary school. Seriously. At the time I'd never heard of him! The reason I remembered it is because I just found that "Night at the Museum" shirt he'd signed. It's so strange to have seen his movies years later and wish I'd known about it all. Back then I at least knew about the Danny Kay version of "Walter Mitty" but the Stiller remake wouldn't be around for a while.
If I remember correctly his nephew (or someone) went to the same school as I did and convinced him to make an appearance.