'This guy is down-to-earth': Bear Clan patrol member shares experience with Woody Harrelson in Winnipeg
A security assignment at a church in Winnipeg turned into a chance celebrity encounter with Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson.
Michael Thiessen jumped at the opportunity to volunteer for a security and community relations job during a movie shoot in Winnipeg’s Point Douglas neighbourhood.
“He told me the address, 137 Euclid, and I’m going like, well that’s the church my parents help build, so I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll definitely do that,’” said Thiessen.
The Bear Clan, a community group that operates in Winnipeg, was hired for the movie “Champions” to act as a liaison between the community and the production staff to minimize any potential disruptions.
It was during the post-shoot debriefing near Harrelson’s trailer that the actor made his appearance.
“We were just standing there talking, and there were community members going like, ‘Can we take pictures with Woody?’ and I said, ‘I don’t think so unless he gives the OK’ and then Woody comes out of the bus and comes and sees us and says, ‘Hey guys, you want a picture?’” said Thiessen.
It wasn’t just a group picture either. Harrelson took the time to take individual photos as well as spending time talking to people.
“This guy is down-to-earth,” said Thiessen. “He’s concerned with people, with what’s going on out on the streets. There’s nothing pretentious about him.”
Thiessen discussed his role with the Bear Clan, what the organization does, and even offered up an invitation to participate in one of their patrols. However, Thiessen said he’s not sure if that went any further than talk.
This was the first movie shoot Thiessen has been involved with through the Bear Clan, but it’s not the first movie shoot the Bear Clan has provided services.
Bear Clan executive director Kevin Walker said they started providing services to the movie industry in recent years. It began with the movie 'Burden of Proof' and has grown since then.
“I think it’s important that we are able to engage with the community rather than (be) security,” said Walker. “We have a way of approaching people and dealing with people with pretty good rapport. I think it’s just an easier way on the whole community as well if we are all involved.”
Walker said for the most part, his members and the movie actors don’t interact out of respect for what they do, but if the actors choose to mingle, it is a different story.
“I look at all the movie things that we’ve gone through and done, and it’s a great experience for our volunteers to have that opportunity and get that opportunity to meet famous people,” Walker said.
This isn’t the only Harrelson encounter during his stint in Winnipeg. On November 9, Marie Manitopyes met Harrelson in Point Douglas after she went to pick up her grandson and his friend. She also got a picture with the actor.
As for Thiessen, meeting Harrelson was a highlight now immortalized in a picture, but more so it was an opportunity to serve the community differently.
“We’re making a difference. The community trusts us,” said Thiessen.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.