2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsPitt-Jolie family surprise staff with visit to local pizzeria
Server recounts celebrity run-in
Deena Smulski
Issue date: 1/15/08 Section: Features
For over five years, I have been joking with my co-workers and friends that Brad Pitt would return to Arris' Pizza one day to find me, sweep me off my feet and take me away to, well, wherever it is that he goes. I missed his appearance back in 2004 when he came to Arris', but after some recovery time I was convinced that he would return.
Finally, on Jan. 2, it happened. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie came to Springfield and into Arris' Pizza on a night when I was working.
Most people would say that "Brangelina" are just normal people, and though I would like to agree, that didn't stop me from jumping up and down and squealing when I heard the news. Thankfully, I had about an hour to calm myself. After a few breathing exercises, I prepared for their arrival.
On top of the anticipation, none of the employees was allowed to tell anyone that they were coming in. The owners of Arris' wanted the family to have the chance at a normal dinner together, so we all put our phones away and managed to keep quiet, though it was not easy.
The radio was announcing the Jolie-Pitt appearance before they were even finished eating.
When the family of 16 people came in around 5:30 p.m., the restaurant wasn't too full yet and they headed to their table without any trouble. Amazingly, they ate their pizza the same way that I do, their kids colored on pictures like all of the other children in the restaurant, and they relaxed with their family like it was no big deal.
Brad was constantly turning around to check on his son, Maddox, as well as the other children in his family.
There was nothing snooty or stereotypically "celebrity" about their behavior.
"They were very polite and down to earth," Autumn Rodden, who served the Pitt family, said. "I was nervous at first, but as time went on, everything felt really casual. I mean, when it comes down to it, they put their pants on the same way we do."
Brad and Angelina were nice enough to take a picture with all of the servers before they left. From what I saw, it was the only photo that was taken all night.
That photo is now plastered all over the Internet and in magazines, though co-owner Gary Whorton said that none of the owners gave it to any of the press that asked for it.
In the end, Brad didn't exactly ask me to run away with him, but I finally got to see my favorite celebrity, as well as Angelina and their gorgeous children.ind me, sweep me off my feet, and take me away to...well, wherever it is that he goes. I missed his appearance back in 2004 when he came to Arris, but after some recovery time I was convinced that he would return.
Finally, on Jan. 2, it happened. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie came to Springfield and into Arris' Pizza on a night when I was working.
Most people would say that "Brangelina" are just normal people, and though I would like to agree, that didn't stop me from jumping up and down and squealing when I heard the news. Thankfully, I had about an hour to calm myself. After a few breathing exercises, I prepared for their arrival.
On top of the anticipation, none of the employees was allowed to tell anyone that they were coming in. The owners of Arris' wanted the family to have the chance at a normal dinner together, so we all put our phones away and managed to keep quiet, though it was not easy.
The radio was announcing the Jolie-Pitt appearance before they were even finished eating.
When the family of 16 people came in around 5:30 p.m., the restaurant wasn't too full yet and they headed to their table without any trouble. Amazingly, they ate their pizza the same way that I do, their kids colored on pictures like all of the other children in the restaurant, and they relaxed with their family like it was no big deal.
Brad was constantly turning around to check on his son, Maddox, as well as the other children in his family.
There was nothing snooty or stereotypically "celebrity" about their behavior.
"They were very polite and down to earth," Autumn Rodden, who served the Pitt family, said. "I was nervous at first, but as time went on, everything felt really casual. I mean, when it comes down to it, they put their pants on the same way we do."
Brad and Angelina were nice enough to take a picture with all of the servers before they left. From what I saw, it was the only photo that was taken all night.
That photo is now plastered all over the Internet and in magazines, though co-owner Gary Whorton said that none of the owners gave it to any of the press that asked for it.
In the end, Brad didn't exactly ask me to run away with him, but I finally got to see my favorite celebrity, as well as Angelina and their gorgeous children.ind me, sweep me off my feet, and take me away to...well, wherever it is that he goes. I missed his appearance back in 2004 when he came to Arris, but after some recovery time I was convinced that he would return.
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