Beer commercial celeb delivers to region

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BY HEATHER AUGUSTYN
Times Correspondent | Monday, January 21, 2008 | (9 comment(s))

VALPARAISO | He drives around in a Miller High Life delivery truck, revoking snooty people's right to sell his beer.

He tells those who post a $20 cover charge or price a hamburger at $11.50, "Mess with the High Life and the High Life will mess with you."

He is Windell, and on Sunday afternoon he came to visit patrons at the Franklin House in Valparaiso and other bars in Porter and Lake counties.

He says it's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

"If you call drinking Miller High Life and visiting with people a hard job, then sure, it's a hard job," jokes Windell Middlebrooks, who resides in Los Angeles.

This beer delivery guy is really an actor, who trained in Shakespeare, shoots movies and even sings the national anthem at pro football games. He has appeared on such shows as "Hannah Montana," "The Entourage," "The Bernie Mac Show" and "My Name is Earl."

But it's the beer commercials that have made Windell somewhat of a cult figure.

Those who came to see him Sunday say they think he's an OK guy.

"I'm a Miller High Life drinker for many years, and I wanted to see him," Rick Leyba, of Portage, said after calling his wife and sending her a photo of Windell on his cell phone.

"Guess who that is? That's the beer delivery guy!" Leyba said to his wife.

Windell took photos with customers and signed autographs for the crowd of about 200 people.

"This is a beer of the people. It's economy priced and a quality beer. It fits in well here in Northwest Indiana because it's a working man's beer," said Scott Milligan, on-premise manager.

People like Pinky Elkins, of Valparaiso, just wanted to see their working man, Windell.

"I wanted to hear him say, 'Y'all must be crazy,'" Elkins said.

Windell didn't let his fans down.

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Beer fan wrote on Jan 22, 2008 1:45 PM:

" My husband and I like to try different beers, ranging from average to expensive. But for me, when I don't want to spend a lot, I love High Life, plain and simple. It's not watery, it goes great with pizza. And to WOW!!! You were probably home, watching Lifetime Channel, helping your wife/girlfriend knit an afghan. You also sound kind of bitter....I bet you wanted to be on television but never quite had the "look" to be an actor, huh? "

To Wow Comment wrote on Jan 22, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Stop being so boring!! What were you doing on a cold Sunday in The Region that was so much more important than those of us who were enjoying one of lifes simple pleasures, beer? Not too mention the comraderie and the fun that was involved with Windell. You, my friend, need a life...a HIGH LIFE. "

to hammond resident wrote on Jan 21, 2008 3:45 PM:

" exactly. In te commercial he says that meaning people shouldn't pay that much for a hamburger. Sticking with the idea that Miller High Life is an affordable beer. Next time know what's going on in the commercial before making a comment that doesn't make sense. "

barwenchers wrote on Jan 21, 2008 1:47 PM:

" nwi is closer to chicago can't you visit all the bars in scherville or highland, merrilleville we got lots of high lifers out here "

"working class people"?? wrote on Jan 21, 2008 11:16 AM:

" In VALPARAISO??? "

Windell fan wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:17 AM:

" I was at FH when he arrived and the bar erupted as he walked in. The bar was full of those who wanted to meet him. He was the most kind gentleman and signed hundreds of autographs and took tons of pictures with however asked. A smile never left his face and thanks to the staff at FH for having him there. "

wow wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:53 AM:

" How sad is that, when a pitchman is signing autographs. Those people need to get a life. "

Journalistic Quality? wrote on Jan 21, 2008 6:47 AM:

" This is front page news? When did The Times turn to a pseudo E-Online website? "

Hammond Resident wrote on Jan 21, 2008 5:18 AM:

" $ 13.50 for a hamburger? You must be crazy. That's not living the High Life! "

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