Martin Freeman, known for his roles in big movie franchises such as The Hobbit, recently appeared on The Graham Norton Show and shared his dislike for getting recognized at urinals. During the talk show, Freeman mentioned a conversation he had with Benedict Cumberbatch, who also starred in The Hobbit, about being recognized in unexpected places.
Cumberbatch revealed that he was once recognized while filming in Nepal, and the person recognized him from his role in Sherlock. This prompted Freeman to share his own experiences of being recognized. He humorously admitted that he often gets recognized in Hobbiton, the fictional village from The Hobbit, but he explained that the demographic of recognition varies depending on the show. If it’s a female between the ages of 16 and 25, Freeman knows they’re likely recognizing him from Sherlock.
The conversation then shifted to the oddest place Freeman has been recognized. He recalled a moment in Mozambique while shooting the film Ali, where he and the crew stumbled upon a village with no electricity. Despite the remote location, a woman washing her clothes in the river recognized Freeman and exclaimed, “Big Willie.” The audience burst into laughter, imagining what that phrase meant in her language.
Freeman further discussed the challenges of getting recognized in queues for the toilet, particularly in women’s bathrooms in theaters. He described how being stuck in a long queue and having conversations with fellow patrons while knowing that everyone is listening can be quite uncomfortable. He even hilariously recalled an incident in which he was recognized at a urinal, causing two men to exchange looks and comment about his “big one.”
But unlike his fellow actor, Freeman mentioned that he rarely gets recognized, which he finds fantastic. He attributes this to his “chameleon face” and claims that he can go almost anywhere without being recognized. He even joked about riding the tube without anyone noticing him.
Overall, Martin Freeman‘s appearance on The Graham Norton Show provided an entertaining and insightful glimpse into the ups and downs of celebrity recognition, as well as the humorous anecdotes that come with it. Whether it’s being recognized in remote villages or while using the bathroom, Freeman’s stories showcased the amusing side of his fame. The conversation added yet another memorable moment to the long list of entertaining moments on the popular talk show.
