Gary From Chicago Won the Oscars Wearing Basketball Shorts

Corey Denis
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Gary from Chicago knows, there’s no need to dress up for the Oscars. During the 89th annual Academy Awards, Jimmy Kimmel welcomed an unsuspecting group of tourists into the award show, where they met and took selfies with Hollywood’s biggest stars on live television. A long line of tourists walked in, shocked at their big surprise. Only one of them became a full fledged internet meme.

The first tourist to walk in was Gary. He’s from Chicago.

His fiancé was with him, and Jimmy Kimmel introduced them both to Denzel Washington.

But it was Gary who really stole the show, with his purple phone.

He took a few selfies, too.

Keith Urban filmed it from his seat.

Gary’s popularity grew quickly, and he may even appear on Good Morning America with his Fiancé.

The Chicago Bulls invited Gary to a game.

It didn’t take long for folks to notice his fashion choice. It is the Academy Awards, after all.

Gary’s shorts took on a life of their own.  His shorts started to Tweet.

And Gary became a real meme.

Gary from Chicago won the Oscars, and he did it wearing basketball shorts. He had no idea what was in store for him when he got on the tour bus today, wearing a Hollywood sweatshirt and basketball shorts. One can only imagine what kind of tour he thought he was taking, or who he thought he might meet along the way. It’s safe to say, he probably didn’t think he’d get to take a selfie with Mahershala in the front row at the Oscars. But dreams do come true, even in la la land. To follow all the latest fun, check out #GaryFromChicago.

Corey Denis
Corey lives in San Francisco, where she enjoys teaching herself Dothraki & playing too much Hearthstone.