Simon Helberg pictured with Fahrenheit staff Thomas Wright, Khrystal Parkes and Hunter Brown.
Plenty of theories have arisen as to why “Howard Wolowitz” from the Big Bang Theory was in the Waipā on November 30.
Simon sat at this table facing the booth, likely hoping to go unrecognised. Photo: Jesse Wood
American actor and comedian Simon Helberg, and fictional aerospace engineer/astronaut, fittingly dined at Fahrenheit, a restaurant and bar on the main street of Te Awamutu.
“Not us casually serving Howard from The Big Bang Theory last night,” a Fahrenheit Facebook post last Monday said.
“So epic, what a guy! Thanks for dining with us, Simon. It’s not often we stumble across someone of your calibre in our wee town.
“Hope to see you again!”
It took the Fahrenheit crew a while to recognise him. Khrystal Parkes verified it was him via Instagram – wearing the same hat in a post four days prior.
“There were no other tables sitting around them,” Parkes said.
The Instagram post said it was his first time in New Zealand.
Helberg was in a party of four containing two New Zealanders and was very polite but cagey when asked what he was doing in town.
He told Parkes they were in town for work. Upon leaving, Helberg told the crew he would see them again.
Maybe he was being polite, but only time will tell.
Helberg turns 45 on December 9, was it an early birthday trip? Or maybe preparing to film nearby.
“He was very polite and actually talked to me,” Parkes said.
“When you wait on people’s tables, they don’t always acknowledge you. But they asked my name and talked to me.”
A big fan of the show, Hunter Brown cooked Helberg a chicken salad.
Brown said he couldn’t believe it was him at first.
“I’ve watched the series about four times,” Brown said.
“He sounded very American, he didn’t sound like Howard at all.”
“It was awesome to get to meet one of those main characters of one of my favourite shows.”
Parkes said Helberg enjoyed the food and told her it was really good.
“We didn’t think we would be so lucky to have someone like that [in our little town].”
Simon Helberg pictured with Fahrenheit staff Thomas Wright, Khrystal Parkes and Hunter Brown. Photo: Fahrenheit Restaurant & bar.
