Old friends aren't 'Risky Business' for Tom Cruise
Cruise reunites with Chicago 'co-star' from film
Chicagoan Candace Jordan got quite the thrill Wednesday afternoon when she ran into none other than Tom Cruise -- along with wife Katie Holmes, baby daughter Suri and Cruise's mom and sister -- shopping at Neiman Marcus on Michigan Avenue.
But this wasn't just a normal fan-spots-a-favorite-star story. Cruise, of course, was here to tape some stuff for ''Oprah'' shows today and Monday marking the 25th anniversary of his breakout role in ''Risky Business'' -- filmed here in 1983. Jordan, then known as Candace Collins, happened to have a small part in that film!
(AP/Sun-Times files)
Without missing a beat, she walked right up to the actor and told him about ''co-starring'' in that iconic film. Among her few scenes in ''Risky Business,'' Jordan had one that many will remember: ''I was the call girl who broke in on Tom when he was having his important college admission interview with the guy from Princeton.''
Jordan, a popular regular with hubby Chuck Jordan on Our Town's social and charity scene, also told Cruise about a running gag she has with friends, telling them, ''He would've been nothing without me!''
The actor loved the joke, took Jordan by the hand and immediately introduced her to Katie, Suri and the rest of his family. Though the Cruises were clearly shopping at Neiman's, Jordan reported there was nary a shopping bag to be seen, ''just a salesgirl standing there'' -- a Neiman's personal shopper assisting them during the 90-minute shopping spree.
While Jordan didn't notice any security guards, there were two quietly on hand as the Cruises hit various departments, including women's, shoes and, natch, children's.
Suri was so taken with one outfit, they cut off the tags -- and she wore it right out of the store.
Even 25 years later, Jordan reports, ''I'm still getting residual checks from the movie,'' in which she was cast a few years after being named Playboy's Playmate of the Month for December 1979.
As Candace Collins, Jordan also appeared in the Chicago-made ''Class'' and ''Smokey and the Bandit, Part 3.''
FUNNY FILM: West Side native Robert Townsend has snared Bill Cosby to participate in his documentary about black comedians, a project that is really gathering steam. Cosby joins Chris Rock, Steve Harvey, George Wallace, Paul Mooney and Katt Williams in the film inspired by comedian and writer Darryl Littleton's book, Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy -- a look at African-American humor and its cultural influence in this country.
ON HIS TOES: Talk about just in time! Given that CBS quickly canceled ''Secret Talents of the Stars,'' it's lucky that Chicago dancer Tre Dumas was seen on its only aired episode -- helping pop singer Mya showcase her tap- dancing skills. Dumas is now back home co-directing the Chicago Human Rhythm Project's upcoming annual concerts celebrating National Tap Dance Day.
'JERSEY' HEADS WEST: It seems appropriate that the latest production of ''Jersey Boys'' opens in Las Vegas Saturday -- which just happens to be Frankie Valli's 74th birthday. The Chicago production of the Tony Award-winning show, about the rise of Valli and the Four Seasons, continues here at the LaSalle Bank Theater, with Jarrod Spector playing Valli.
Bill Zwecker is seen at 5:50, 6:25 and 11:25 weekdays on WBBM-Channel 2.
