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Express and Echo news story 1
Published August 2004
Our brush with movie star Hutch
An Exeter woman who watched two films featuring Owen Wilson on a holiday flight to Las Vegas was stunned when she later bumped into the hearthrob actor at her hotel. Mary Bate, who was on a break with the Devon Social Club, had to pinch herself when the star of Starsky and Hutch was spotted playing blackjack with a pal at the pool bar. Starstruck Mary then plucked up the courage to go over with her friend Cathy Haglington to grab a once-in-a-lifetime picture with the movie idol. The uncanny meeting at the Hard Rock Hotel could have come straight out of a Hollywood script. Mary, 38, said Owen was the perfect gentleman. "He was playing the tables and looked so chilled out and relaxed that we felt quite bad about disturbing him. "But he was really laid-back when we asked for a photo and wasn't in the least bit stand-offish. "It was weird as well especially after watching two of his videos, Starsky and Hutch and the Big Bounce, on the plane from Gatwick." Mary who works as an IT tutor at St Sidwell's Centre, said Owen looked tanned but not over-muscular. "He was only there for a few days and was with either a friend or a bodyguard." Cathy Haglington, who helps to run the Devon Social Group, added: "I was too shy to go up to him myself so my husband went and asked him if he would pose for a photograph with myself and Mary. "I was absolutely amazed when he called us over. "What struck me was show pleasant he was and not one of those spoilt, pampered celebrities. "We also saw him wandering about the hotel and having breakfast. "The pool area is regarded as one of the best in Vegas. It has a tropical theme to it and is not as busy as other hotels." A party of 28 from the Devon Social Group went to Las Vegas. The group regularly organised holidays and meals for members. The quiet secluded hotel is a popular haunt for American celebrities and the women said that rock bands the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Blink 182 were also staying there. Owen starred as Hutch in the slapstick big-screen version of the cult 1970s TV cop show alongside Ben Stiller ealier this year. He also starred with Stiller in Meet the Parents.
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