The man in the red hat who delivered three pizzas (just three?) for Oscar attendees in the first group of rows wasn't part of the show, but a pizza man doing his job. In fact, Edgar Martirosyan is part-owner of the local franchise, Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria (one of 20 in the Los Angeles area). Instead of his normal duties, he happened to be on the delivery scene that night because it was busy, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Whether Martirosyan actually was needed or heard that the site of the Oscars needed pizza (even if it was just supposed to be for backstage staff) and assured himself the delivery may never be known. What Martirosyan does know -- an appearance before a near record 43 million viewers and one $1,000 tip later -- is he made the right decision.
Oscars staff made the call the day before, informing Big Mama's and Papa's they'd be ordering a pizza after 5:00 pm the next day. Still, when the 30 year-old Martirosyan (who co-owns the parlor with his brother) arrived at the Dolby Theatre, he didn't expect to be led onstage by Ellen Degeneres.
"I was shocked," Martirosyan told the LA Times. "When I realized I was onstage, I didn't understand what was going on. Like, 'What am I doing here?' "
Martirosyan received $600 of the tip of his when Ellen passed around Pharrel's hat after he'd brought the pizza. He picked up an extra $400 when he appeared on the "Ellen" show the next day.
The man from Moscow was most excited to meet Julia Roberts.
"She was actually more beautiful in person," he said.
