STERLING K. BROWN

Dinah's Family Restaurant

Culver City, CA

November 27, 2019

Photo credit: Sterling K. Brown

A friend invited me to meet her for breakfast at a local coffee shop. I was tempted, but it was raining outside and to us Angelinos, this is a serious obstacle. People in other parts of the country might have called this a light sprinkle, but, in this town, precipitation of any sort is a game changer. That said, I put on my galoshes (just kidding, nobody in LA needs galoshes), set my windshield wiper speed to intermittent, and headed over to this throwback diner that serves enormous cinnamon rolls under a mid-century modern roofline.

When I opened the door I was surprised to find the charming and talented, Emmy Award-winning actor, Sterling K. Brown standing only a few feet in front of me at the counter paying his bill. I recognized him from his role in This Is Us, and he also played Christopher Darden in Inside Look - The People vs. OJ Simpson. He was dressed in casual workout wear: black track pants, a black t-shirt, and a black jacket. A person could walk right past him without giving him a second look, which might have been his goal. Like most famous people, he was probably hoping he could sneak out without anyone blowing his cover.

Speaking of covers, later that day I saw him on the cover of Men’s Health magazine showing off what he’s got going on under that tracksuit. Yowza! He’s got muscles on top of muscles.

We made eye contact as I walked in, then he finished with his bill and turned to retrieve his son who was waiting for him in a nearby booth. He looked pleasant but was somewhat closed off to the public as he was in dad mode, but when they returned to exit I politely said, “Excuse me.” “Yes?” he said formally. “This is kind of different, but I have a celebrity photo album. It’s just a bunch of pictures of me taken by celebrities. Will you take my picture?”

His face relaxed and he exhaled a relieved laugh. “You just want me to take a picture of you?” he chuckled. “Yes, please,” I said. His smile broadened.

“Okay,” he said as he reached for the camera. I smiled. He took two quick photos of me in my raincoat (documenting the fact that it does occasionally rain in Los Angeles), I thanked him, he handed my camera back, and they headed toward the door. 

On their way out, a young family approached him. I didn’t hear what they asked, but I know it was different from what I asked because to them he replied, “I’m sorry, I don’t do that when I’m with my son.” Oooh, bummer. He and his boy proceeded out to the car, and though he was appropriately covered to brave the stormy weather, this kindhearted man of few words couldn’t cover up his strong, confident presence. Speaking of strong, did I mention I saw him shirtless on the cover of Men’s Health magazine? 

Thank you so much for taking my picture, Mr. Brown. And thank you for letting someone else publish that picture of you. You brightened an otherwise gloomy day. Twice.