Who’s Who in Wilmington
Celebrity Sightings in the East Coast’s Hollywood “It” Town
By Diandra Simmons and Natasha Pearce
The next time you’re walking down the streets of downtown Wilmington, make sure to bring your camera. You will need it as you run into some of the familiar faces that have graced the big screens and our television sets. Residents of the historical city are buzzing over the sightings of some of the most well known A-list celebrities in Hollywood.
If it sounds too good to be true, it’s not! Just last fall, Colin Firth and Emily Blunt traveled to Wilmington for Arthur Newman Golf Pro, and cooking show host, author, and restaurateur, Paula Deen visited Brunswick Community College to share her life story at a fundraising luncheon.
These are not the only celebrities who have been spotted in the charming town. One Tree Hill stars Hilarie Burton and Henry Darrow are residents of Wilmington and have been seen downtown in local bars and theaters such as City Stage at Level 5. Since it is so common to see the cast of the show mingling with the residents, don’t be surprised if you step inside the Reel Café for a bite to eat and see Chad Michael Murray sitting down for a meal!
It’s not just TV shows either. Plenty of films have been and are planning to be shot in and around Wilmington. Within the past year, the movie Hornet’s Nest, starring Virginia Madsen was filmed in December and will air on TNT next spring. John Corbett (Sex and the City’s Aiden) and Jessy Schram (Falling Skies) were in town recently filming an upcoming Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, A Smile as Big as the Moon. The Warren Files, starring Patrick Wilson, was shot this past February as well as HBO’s Eastbound & Down.
It has been said that John Travolta visits the town often; yet you will never catch him picking up his luggage in the baggage claim or even walking through the terminal since he flies his own plane into the airport using the Fixed-Base Operator facility. This allows him to fly into the local airport undetected by the public. He even has his own yacht docked in the Port City.
For more than a decade, Wilmington has become the ideal location for filming a new television series or movie. Nicknamed “Hollywood East,” its quiet, historic charm surrounded by beaches and cobblestone streets, provides the perfect scenery for any storyline with the small town atmosphere filled with friendly neighbors who think of each other as family. Unlike Hollywood, this southern community provides a great escape from the city while making film accessible for shooting.
Wilmington is also known for its incredible selection of fine and casual dining which attracts celebrities throughout the year. Stars such as Dakota Fanning, Alicia Keys and Ben Stiller love dining at the chic and upscale restaurant Deluxe because of its stimulating atmosphere and fine selection of cuisines. Caprice Bistro is another popular hot restaurant choice for celebrities such as Nick Lachey, Paul Bettany, and Robin Wright. The unique and casual restaurant is known for its French cuisine and creative lounging in the popular Sofa Bar.
Other star-studded restaurants in Wilmington include Dockside Restaurant, Odessa Bar and Lounge and Caffe Phoenix, a favorite to Sissy Spacek, Tony Hawk and Jason Schwartzman. A few years ago, residents have seen Andy Griffith at a local restaurant in Wrightsville Beach enjoying a glass of wine and some lobster in the company of dearly departed actor John Ritter. Fans reported that Griffith was very friendly and inviting to those who had noticed him.
While you are visiting Wilmington, take a tour at EUE Screen Gems Studio. You will be given the chance to view the 50-acre film lot that is home to more than 350 productions. One-hour public tours are offered on Saturdays from noon−2 p.m. throughout the year with the exception of major holidays. Make sure you arrive early; this popular tour draws a crowd waiting in line for as early as 20 minutes before the tour.
If you happen to see some red and white trucks parked on the streets while you are on your tour, get ready to start snapping pictures since on location filming is going on nearby and you are bound to catch a few celebrities! Iron Man 3, which is expected to air in 2013, is being filmed at the studio, so be on the lookout! For more information about EUE Screen Gems Studio, call 910-343-3433 or visit www.screengemsstudios.com