OC Plumber Once Mobbed in Las Vegas

You can ring Crocodile at 714-960-0208.

By Chris MacDonald

A Huntington Beach plumber was once mobbed by 400 people in the streets of Las Vegas. They all wanted autographs and photos taken with Rob Champion. The Australian native, a "dead ringer" for Crocodile Dundee (Paul Hogan), was just outside Binion's Horseshoe, when the flash mob scene occurred.

"The fast-growing crowd grew so quickly, streets became blocked and police came to assist," Champion recalled with a chuckle. "I was pushed up against a wall and forced to sign T-Shirts, hats, hands, you name it."

Such occurrences were not unique for the affable "spitting image" of one of the world's most handsome and popular actors.

In fact, he looked so much like Crocodile Dundee (the first 1986 movie sold over 46 million theater tickets in North America alone) that even Hogan couldn't believe his eyes when he saw him at a UCLA event.

The global icon had Champion take his place to do Subaru and theme park TV and print commercials. He had a rich Australian accent, could hold small crocodiles and even wield a big knife like the one Hogan made famous in his movie series.

Champion, who grew up north of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, also ended up doing commercials all over the globe for Foster's Beer, Outback Steakhouses, Quantas Airlines, a potato chip company in Holland and many more between 1980-2015. He also appeared in TV series, like "Great Adventure."

He first came to Huntington Beach to do promotions for a wine company and never left. Champion gave up his love of the Outback for the Ocean and now lives within walking distance to the beach. "I no longer have to watch out for salt water crocodiles like I did in Queensland," said the man with a great sense of humor. The outside of his Champion Plumbing truck says, "Your #2 Business is our #1 Business" and "Warning—Danger—Snake Inside Vehicle." (He actually has a rubber snake as well as his plumber's snake, too.) He even autographs Crocodile Dundee look-alike photos of himself for customers.

Not only was he born to be a celebrity stand-in but a plumber as well. For nearly 60 years, in addition to his Crocodile gigs, he has put in toilets and garbage disposals, fixed water pressure, leaking pipes and faucets, just like his grandfather, father and other relatives did. "I had no choice. My pop started me off working with him when I was 14."

Both plumbing and acting require training, talent and the ability to work with your hands as well as succeed in some tight and often dirty situations. It also helps to have a warm smile and a native Australian's "No Worries" attitude. I love it when he talks Australian, using such phrases as "G'Day, mate." He has become my favorite plumber!

Unusual Christmas Surprise

Twas' the day before Christmas when all through the house
Not much was stirring except for my computer mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Out on the lawn there rose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Hopping from a van so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it wasn't St. Nick.
But Crocodile Dundee, saying, "G'day Mate."
He'd come here last week to use his snake.

The plumbing is fine, but he returned with a smile.
He came back to show us his acting guile.
This was no crock but stardom big time.
Our famous plumber now gave us a sign.
He brought us a copy of his photo 8-by-10,
And said, "Merry Christmas," I'll see you again.

It turns out our plumber, Rob Champion, from Queensland, Australia has performed internationally as Crocodile Dundee in tourism promotions and advertisements such as Suburu, Foster's Beer and Outback Steakhouse restaurants. This goes down as one of our most unusal Christmas surprises! G'day and Merry Christmas from SeeCalifornia.com.

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