Michael Shannon Watched The Oscars Like Rest Of Chicago: On TV

CHICAGO, IL — If performers could win an Oscar for blowing off glitzy, Hollywood award shows, then Michael Shannon would be the Katherine Hepburn of that category. And like a true master of the form, the actor would have Barbra Streisand accept the honor for him.

At the 90th annual Academy Awards this past weekend, Guillermo Del Toro's "The Shape of Water" won four Oscars, including best picture and best director. Even though he wasn't nominated for his supportig role in the film, Shannon could have enjoyed the red carpet treatment with the rest of the cast and crew Sunday. Instead, he spent the night at one of his favorite nightspots in the city were he earned his bones as a stage actor.

"Michael Shannon watching the film he starred in, 'Shape of Water', win best picture while sitting in the Old Town Ale House," wrote Bruce Elliott, the painter and current owner of the Old Town neighborhood bar at 219 W. North Ave. "No sound on the TV, just sub-titles. … Where else would you want to spend Oscar night?"

On his blog, Elliott explained that Shannon was in Chicago for the closing night of A Red Orchid Theater's "Traitor," a play he directed for the theater company he helped found.

"Michael came in just as they were announcing best picture," Elliott wrote. "He sat down at the end of the bar closest to the TV and looked up at the screen. When Shape of Water was announced best picture, all the Red Orchid actors let out a cheer. If Michael smiled, it was a very feint smile."

This wasn't the first time Shannon eschewed the West Coast in order to spend time on the Third Coast during movie awards season. In January, he channeled his inner Iggy Pop for a David Bowie tribute with the band Sons of the Silent Age at Metro. Meanwhile, his "Shape of Water" co-stars and director were attending the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills.

And don't think Shannon's award show absences have upset Del Torro. If anything, it has probably made the director fonder of the actor if his tweets are any indication.

Watch out, Bill Murray. You might have competition as Chicago's favorite, fun and relatable celebrity with roots in the city.

Michael Shannon (Photo by Noam Galai | Getty Images for Paramount Network | Getty Images)