Posted on 02/03/2007 11:28:37 AM PST by BurbankKarl
The buzz on Hollywood Boulevard on Friday was over the Chewbacca who police say crossed over to the dark side in front of hundreds of tourists at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
LAPD officers arrested "Star Wars" street performer Frederick Evan Young, 44, of Los Angeles in his furry brown wookiee costume Thursday on a charge of misdemeanor battery for allegedly head-butting a tour guide who complained about Young's treatment of two visitors from Japan.
The incident — witnessed by Superman and other impersonators — is the latest clash outside the landmark cinema between visitors and performers dressed as movie and cartoon characters. They collect tips from tourists who pose for pictures and watch them perform in front of the theater, where generations of stars have placed their footprints in concrete.
Two years ago, actors dressed as superhero Mr. Incredible, Elmo the Muppet and the dark-hooded character from the movie "Scream" were arrested for aggressive begging. More recently, an actor portraying slasher movie favorite Freddie Krueger was taken into custody for allegedly stabbing another man, although no charges were filed.
Thursday's altercation comes as police and Hollywood officials are trying to rein in the colorful assortment of actors and wannabes who perform for crowds.
A police source said that a Superman performer witnessed the altercation and was interviewed by police. Other street performers said that before police arrived Superman called producers from ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Show," which is taped across the boulevard from the theater, and a cameraman videotaped Young being led off by officers.
"The city will do something eventually. Yesterday's incident probably shortened that time span," said Thomas Fox, wearing a pirate's suit reminiscent of Capt. Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Yeah, who knew you could order a Chewbacca suit with bell bottoms?
In Joe Wambaughs Last Book, it described something like this happening...
What a strange place Hollywood is
Guess what we have here is a typical case of Wookiee profiling. Are could be walking while wookiee, but then it could be a case of head butting while Wookiee. :)
Beats the hell out of having to take down gangs, serving outstanding felony warrants, or raiding crack houses.
"Besides," said one city official on the usual condition of anonymity, "we don't receive any tax or license fees from these characters, and that is an intolerable situation. We have a bureaucracy to support, you know."
ping
Not in Wookie years.
How true!
Wait till the Wookiee Anti-Defamation League hears about this!
What's the conversion rate between dollars and Galactic credits? There's gonna be some serious reparations demanded!
So you're busy making Wookie?
Are you kidding? I got married. Wookie is but a distant memory.
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