I am but a humble servant to Bruce Campbell. From the too-young age of around 6, my brother showed me Campbell’s work, and throughout the years, I’ve come to realize that my taste in men has been formed by how much I loved Campbell as a kid.
He was a tall, smart-ass of a man who said things like “groovy” and “yo, she-bitch,” and somehow, little me said, “I choose him.” It has resulted in a lifelong love of Campbell that made me watch Burn Notice and a whole range of his work just because I loved him. But it has also meant that I have been gifted throughout the years because of the friendship that Campbell has with director and creator Sam Raimi. The two grew up in Royal Oaks, Michigan together and have been friends since high school, and have obviously worked on The Evil Dead franchise together.
Raimi also calls Campbell “Baby” just to break you a little bit.
Because of this bond, though, we’ve gotten many a Bruce Campbell cameo in Raimi’s work. Notably, the Spider-Man trilogy gave us Campbell’s character giving Spider-Man his superhero name, working at the theatre that MJ is performing in, and botching a proposal. His most recent cameo, though? It is now my favorite and perfect in a way that only a Campbell/Raimi mash-up could be.
So let’s talk about Pizza Poppa.
The joy of the Pizza Poppa
The most recent cameo for Bruce Campbell came in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and was the iconic brashness of Campbell mixed in with whatever element of the movie he was in. In this case, his character was part of a universe where America Chavez tried to tell Stephen Strange that the food she took was free, and Pizza Poppa quickly corrected her—Campbell being the Pizza Poppa. It was just like his cameos in the Spider-Man trilogy in that it was quick and VERY much a “see, he’s here” scene. Maybe it’s just because it’s felt like so long since I’ve seen a Bruce Campbell cameo that Pizza Poppa just instantly became a favorite.
He ended up being cursed into slapping himself for three weeks straight because he was being rude to Stephen and America, but still, [SPOILERS] giving Bruce Campbell the end credits scene of a major Marvel movie? That’s something that I wish I dreamt of. Instead, it’s a gift that keeps on giving. Right now, I feel like it’s an “I don’t know man, I just love it a lot” kind of situation, but also, it’s just proof as to why Campbell is so good in things like this. He comes in, makes a lasting impression, and you’re left sitting there going “hell yeah, Pizza Poppa” long after you’ve left the movie.
So from now on, this is officially a Pizza Poppa stan account, and I will continue to revisit my love of all things Bruce Campbell because he’s just so good.
(image: Rosebud Releasing Corporation)
