Jeter has his mansion on Davis Islands, Kim Kardashian partied at Aja, LeBron James hit the Venue, Mary J. Blige and Liza Minnelli hawked their wares at HSN.

Big names all. But who were the really cool celebrities who passed through town this past year — the people who left a lasting impression?

We asked Tampa Bay A&E folk to share their favorite brushes with celebrities in 2010. Here’s who they chose.

CHELSEA HANDLER

Paul Bilyeu, Straz Center for the Performing Arts: “Handler, who is riding an enormous wave of popularity right now, was great fun to have at the Straz Center. An equal opportunity offender, her observations cut across all social, economic, racial and sexual lines — and our audiences responded by toasting her with laughs, applause and a whole lot of vodka! Handler is a big friend to the gay community and delightfully and happily personalized her book Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang for my partner John and me. Go Gays!”

This article appears in Dec 23-29, 2010.