A Star In The Making: Owner Of Cranford's Craven BBQ To Appear In New Film

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford residents may recognize a familiar face in the upcoming film "Maybe I Do," featuring actors Diane Keaton and William H. Macy who were recently spotted in town shooting some scenes.

Isidro Rodrigues, the owner of Craven BBQ in Cranford, said he did not expect to make a cameo in the new feature film with massive talents like Keaton and Macy.

"I had no idea how big the movie was when I agreed to it," Rodrigues said.

Last week, both Keaton and Macy were spotted filming in Cranford for a film that will also feature actors Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey. Besides Cranford, production is also taking place in Paterson and Montclair.

A location scout approached Rodrigues about two months ago, asking to use his Portuguese BBQ restaurant for the film, as the scene called for a "chicken moment." Rodrigues said he was excited that his restaurant would be featured, as it was free publicity, but he never thought the opportunity would lead to his acting debut.

"I just kept joking around [with the production crew], saying 'I mean, hey guys, if you need an extra, who's gonna play the server? Who's gonna play the cook?"

But what started out as a joke became reality when the production crew actually took Rodrigues up on his offer. They needed a cook for the scene, and Rodrigues was up for the gig.

"I just can't believe it," Rodrigues said. "Without casting or auditioning or anything ... all of a sudden calls are coming in from the Screen Writers Guild, the Actor's Association, [saying] you have to register as an actor."

Although Rodrigues isn't really acting in the scene, just cooking in the background as he normally would, he went through the lengthy process of getting a background check, a COVID test and even registering for payroll.

"My bar was set so low," Rodrigues said. "As they kept coming back with like, 'but wait, there's more' ... it just kept getting better."

"It's not everyday somebody's gonna knock on your door to use your place for a movie in Hollywood," Rodrigues joked.

Rodrigues said he was amazed by how the crew transformed his restaurant into a movie set, with what felt like 50 people crammed into the space and filming equipment everywhere.

He was also surprised when the makeup artist came in and even he received some touch-ups.

He said it was so surreal, he had to take a selfie:

Rodrigues also snapped selfies with Keaton and Macy and had some brief conversations with the two of them in between takes. He said Macy was "super down-to-earth" and was more than happy to sign his Frank Gallagher poster — the character Macy plays in the television show "Shameless."

Unfortunately, Rodrigues said he has no lines in the scene, but he said if it was shot at the right angle, you can see him in the background cooking.

Rodrigues opened Craven BBQ seven years ago, but he said it hasn't been an easy road maintaining his business — especially during the pandemic. He said he felt like the shooting of "Maybe I Do" in his restaurant was a sign that he needs to keep the business going.

The Portuguese restaurant is located directly across the Cranford Theater in the heart of town. Check out Craven BBQ on their Facebook page.

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