Mr Holly and I were driving through Wickenburg, AZ this evening and feeling hungry. I used my newly installed Yelp app to find the nearest restaurant with a #1 rating. Yelp showed El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant. It was packed when we got there, not just because it was rated #1 in Wickenburg but because this is Rodeo weekend and there were people everywhere! (BTW, it was the best Mexican food in Wickenburg)
The only open seating was in a little off-shoot area about 8 feet wide that was just deep enough to hold 6 two-person tables. We sat in the middle table on the right. After we got our drinks and placed our order two men walked in and sat at the third table on the left. Mr Holly said, "Wow, that man looks like Wilford Brimley." When he walked passed me and sat down facing me I said, "Honey that IS Wilford Brimley."
My father was a huge western movie fan so I have seen just about every old western movie at least a few times. As a child I could do a pretty good "Duke" impersonation. (The "Duke" is John Wayne for those who were not western fans in the 60's.) And I am very familiar with what Wilford Brimely sounds like, so if this man spoke, I would know immediately if he was the Wilford Brimley or a look-a-like. The server approached his table to take their drink orders and the man asked a question...It WAS Wilford!
Mr Holly said he thought he heard that Mr Brimley lived somewhere near here in Arizona. So I googled it with my phone and learned that he is in town for a performance at the Del E Webb Center for Performing Arts.
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I didn't want to stare at him because he probably gets that all the time. He seemed like he was trying to blend in...he was wearing denim bib overalls over a crisply pressed light blue dress shirt and a tan cowboy hat (just like the one in the photo above promoting the event). So I didn't bother him. I just enjoyed listening to him talk to the young man he was dinning with. Judging by the age it could have easily been his grandson. I love the sound of Wilford's voice, it is so fatherly and comforting. Makes me want to have a bowl of warm oatmeal.
We had breakfast with Willard Scott once, in Alexandria, VA. He was close enough that I could have touched him if I had leaned over and stretched out my arm, but we didn't bother him either. Several other patrons did, though, and he was most gracious.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. I am not a celebrity chaser and don't think anyone should bother them when they are trying to have a quiet meal. I just love the sound of his voice and his gruff -yet kindly manner...it reminds me of my dad.
DeleteMy husband is a Jimmy Buffet fan and we often stop at Margaritavilles as we are traveling (they are friggin everywhere). And, my husband must have the magic touch, because at least 5 times Jimmy Buffet has showed up! While I sit there amazed at the odds, he shakes his hand and hob-nobs with Jimmy. It's very fun- I hope you had as much fun as we had. Virginia- FirstClassWoman
ReplyDeleteWhat fun that must have been for your hubby :-) He must have the magic touch...or Jimmy spends too much time in Margaritaville Ha ha!
ReplyDeleteTotally awesome. Wolfgang Puck was cooking at his restaurant in FL (Downtown Disney) when we went, but that's the only celebrity sighting we've had (unless football players count ;) ).
ReplyDeleteOh I would love to see Wolfgang Puck in action! I don't know if football players count...I wouldn't know any even if I bumped in to them :-)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
"I love the sound of Wilford's voice, it is so fatherly and comforting. Makes me want to have a bowl of warm oatmeal." So true!
ReplyDeleteSee, I'm not the only one who feels that way. lol
DeleteThanks for stopping by Paula!
How much fun! I am not a celebrity chaser either, but when I see them my heart does skip a beat. Once I saw Peter Jennings next to me (RIP) at Newark Airport and I saw David Halberstam (loved his books) at Rockefeller Center. My bestie makes movies so I MET Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro - that was a biggie. Fun stuff to think about and I loved Wilford Brimley in "The Natural" - he a fine actor. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow you have met lots of celebs! I wouldn't be able to even speak in Robert DeNiro's presence, lol.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by :-)