Lee Majors

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The Club 22 at the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto was a hub for the who's who of the film industry in the 70s and 80s. Many big-name actors frequented this spot when they were in town shooting movies. It was also a de facto office for many movie people. One sunny afternoon, I found myself hanging out in the quiet ambiance of the Club 22, when none other than The Million Dollar Man, Lee Majors, walked in accompanied by a very young actor, Chris Makepeace. Lee had been a familiar face over the past few evenings, often spotted with Karen Kain, the renowned ballet star he was dating at the time.

I was an assistant producer back then, working for Jerome Simon. We had offices both at the Park Plaza and around the corner, but the real business took place here in Club 22. We had just wrapped up a film titled "Double Negative" and were in the midst of negotiating another project. With nothing pressing on my schedule that afternoon, I found myself striking up a conversation with Lee.

Lee and Chris had just completed shooting "The Last Chase", and while Chris sat there looking slightly awkward, Lee was the picture of cool charm. Daytime Don, the waiter, approached the table to take their orders. Lee ordered a drink and Don, with a twinkle in his eye, turned to the underage Chris and said, "You are an actor; I guess you can act 21," before handing him a glass of milk. It was a smooth move that avoided any potential awkwardness.

To my surprise, Lee was much cooler than I had anticipated. Friendly, funny, and remarkably self-effacing, he easily won everyone over, including me. Over the next couple of days, Lee became a regular sight at the Club 22, sometimes joining a group of us, other times engaging in one-on-one conversations with me. One afternoon, I even saw him act as an extra in a nearby shoot, exemplifying his down-to-earth nature.

One particular moment stands out vividly in my memory. It was an afternoon like any other, just the two of us at the bar. After a few drinks, Lee glanced at a tabloid photo of him and Farrah Fawcett, his long-time love and wife from whom he was separated. With a deep sigh and a wistful tone, he admitted, "I am still in love with Farrah, you know." I could see the ache in his eyes as he spoke, and in that moment, any shred of Hollywood glitz fell away, revealing the real man beneath. I bought the next round.

Lee Majors was truly a nice man, full of surprising qualities that made those days at Club 22 unforgettable. Meeting him and spending that time together left a lasting impression on me. It's a memory I hold dear, tucked away in the annals of my experiences in the vibrant Toronto film scene of 1980.