Beau Bridges

When I was younger, I played hockey at a local ice skating rink located inside the Topanga Plaza, a popular shopping mall. On one side of the rink were series of huge windows which overlooked a Seven Kitchens Restaurant. Some of my teammates and a handful of "regulars" (The Rink Rats) were skating during public session when someone noticed Beau Bridges sitting at one of the tables in the restaurant, having a cup of coffee and reading the paper. He quickly noticed that he was recognized and gave us a wave and a smile.

I told my friend and teammate Bruce to go ask for his autograph, and without hesitation, Bruce pulled off his skates and made his way to the table at which Mr. Bridges was sitting. We were all amazed when Mr. Bridges invited Bruce to sit down. After about five minutes of watching Bruce and Beau chatting like they were old friends, Bruce waved to our bewildered crowd and motioned to us to come and join him. Of course, we did. We each introduced ourselves and addressed Beau as Mr. Bridges. He insisted we call him Beau and said that his father was Mr. Bridges.

After a few minutes of talking about our hockey teams' standings and our thoughts about school, he said he was ready to have lunch and would we like to join him--his treat! Beau generously bought lunch for thirteen kids he had never seen before! We were thrilled. While we were eating with Beau, many other patrons of the mall approached the actor and asked for his autograph. He seemed happier to be signing them than the recipients were to be receiving them. He was the most pleasant celebrity I have ever met, and I have met many. The thing I remember most fondly about that afternoon was that we all introduced ourselves to him once, and he remembered every one of our names without having to be reminded of them.

Obviously, I still talk about that day and remember it like it was yesterday. I would like to bump into Beau again, and ask if he remembers that afternoon and if he recognized me from it. I have the feeling he does, and probably would recognize any of us that were there. Needless to say I'm a big fan of Beau's and all of the other Bridges in the industry. From what I hear, they are all just as pleasant and outgoing as Beau was that day he bought me lunch.