My One Tree Hill Brunch Encounter

This is the story of how I acted like a fool in front of an actor.

As random celebrity encounters go, I've had my fair share. Britney Spears in the Westminster Abbey. George Clooney on the beach in Hawaii. Natalie Portman and Bono in my office building. Willie Nelson on the street. 

These are but a few of my brushes with the famous, where I've always kept it super cool. Recently, however, when I found myself brunching with a One Tree Hill actor I was just a kidnapping and cornmaze chase shy of Crazy Nanny Carrie.

Last weekend, with my Date Night gift basket in tow, Dan and I went to a engagement brunch for our friends Katie and Kyle.

The Nearlyweds!

It was a really beautiful party, in the prettiest historic home. The hosts even brought in caterers to serve up omlets for all the guests.....

I didn't have an omlet, but I did eat cake.

Everything about this party was perfect, really. The boys found a place to hold court by the bar....

...while the girls caught up at a pretty table.

While I was making my own plate, I saw a very distinguished looking man. I know this guy, I thought...but how? Then, when I sat down to eat, he was there again, the How-Do-I-Know-Him guy, RIGHT by me, talking to Dan's best friend, Dave.

So I ask Dan who he is; he has no idea. I tell him I think he's an actor. Why would an actor be at Katie and Kyle's brunch? I keep staring up at him. The man catches my constast gaze. Dan whispers he can take a photo of him with his phone, then Google-goggle him. I have, shockingly, SOME shame, so I won't allow it. I overhear the guy tell Dave he's been doing plays lately. I share this intel with Dan, affirming my suspiscions. I was right, he is an actor. Still, I can't figure out where I've seen his work. Everyone else is staring at him now, the word must be out, I think, that we have a celeb amongst us...

Finally, the bride-to-be comes over and I overhear her tell the other end of the table that yes, the man - a member of her family-  has been in tons of tv shows and movies. She can't recall all the parts he's played, but he's done small roles in a zillion big things. Then I hear all I needed to know to solve this mystery: One Tree Hill.

He was Peyton's dad.

Photo Credit here 

With that, like a total fool, I looked up at the man, whose real name is Kevin Kilner, and said to his face, "You're Peyton's dad, I finally figured it out!"

Turns out Peyton's Dad is also Dave's long lost cousin - small world!

Of course, he was having a conversation with Dave at the time and didn't know I was talking to, or rather, AT him so, mortified, I got up and left the table where I would hide for the rest of the afternoon from Lucas Scott's father-in-law.

I've never acted so silly before in front of anyone. Not Britney, not Clooney. Not Bono, not Willie. I always excuse my One Tree Hill obsession as just brain candy. It isn't, afterall, the most intellectually stimulating show on television, but I have long been a shameless fan. After "meeting" Peyton's Dad, though, I may need to lay off SOAP Network reruns, as it's clear this show had done a real number on me.