Dale Werthing, 34, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has reportedly gained over 40,000 Instagram followers in the past week after a photo surfaced of him standing approximately six feet away from an A-list actor outside a Los Angeles smoothie shop. Werthing, who was in town for a plumbing supply conference, says he had no idea he was even in the photo until his cousin sent him a screenshot with the caption ‘IS THIS YOU???’
The image, which shows Werthing mid-sneeze while the unnamed celebrity checks his phone in the background, has since been shared across several fan accounts dedicated to the actor’s daily movements. Entertainment blogs have variously identified Werthing as ‘a mystery man,’ ‘possibly the actor’s new bodyguard,’ and, in one widely circulated post, ‘definitely having a secret affair with someone, we’re just not sure who yet.’
Talent agencies have already begun reaching out. ‘We don’t know what Dale’s talent is exactly, but he was undeniably present at a location where fame occurred,’ said Brenda Kowalski, a junior agent at Silver Line Talent Group. ‘That’s basically 90% of the job these days. We’re thinking a reality show, maybe a fragrance line called Proximity.’
Werthing, for his part, says he’s simply trying to get back to his normal life installing water heaters, though he admits the attention has been ‘kind of nice, if extremely confusing.’ He has since deleted his old Instagram bio, which read ‘plumber, dad, Chiefs fan,’ and replaced it with ‘public figure.’ His wife has requested he stop referring to himself that way at dinner parties.