Celebrity
David Schwimmer's Unforgettable Teenage Job: Serving Divorce Papers to Rod Stewart
2025-01-16

In a recent appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," actor David Schwimmer shared an unexpected and fascinating anecdote from his early career. Instead of focusing on promoting the new run of the children's horror series Goosebumps, Schwimmer revealed a surprising moment from his teenage years when he worked as a process server for his mother, a divorce attorney. This job led him to deliver divorce papers to none other than rock legend Rod Stewart. The story not only highlights Schwimmer's unique past but also raises intriguing questions about whether Stewart ever recognized the young man who would later become famous for playing Ross Geller in Friends.

Schwimmer's journey into the world of celebrity began long before his acting career took off. At the age of 18, during the summer break between high school and college, Schwimmer found himself working for his mother, Arlene Coleman-Schwimmer, a prominent divorce lawyer in Los Angeles. One of his tasks involved serving legal documents to individuals, including celebrities like Rod Stewart. Schwimmer described feeling like a secret agent, meticulously tracking the movements of his targets before delivering the papers. He mentioned one particularly memorable encounter: serving Rod Stewart, who was going through a divorce at the time. Schwimmer humorously noted that he hoped never to cross paths with Stewart again, suggesting that the experience left a lasting impression.

The timing of Schwimmer's revelation aligns perfectly with historical records. In the summer of 1984, when Schwimmer was 18, Rod Stewart's first wife, Alana, initiated divorce proceedings. Given that Schwimmer's mother was known for handling high-profile celebrity divorces, it's plausible that she was involved in this case. Schwimmer's involvement in such a significant event at such a young age adds an interesting layer to his personal history. The question remains: did Rod Stewart ever realize that the man serving him divorce papers would go on to become a household name? Despite the fame that followed, Schwimmer has kept this story relatively under wraps until now.

While Schwimmer's anecdote is undeniably entertaining, it also prompts speculation about the broader implications. For instance, did Stewart ever recognize Schwimmer during the height of Friends' popularity? Considering the family resemblance and Schwimmer's surname, it seems almost impossible that Stewart wouldn't have made the connection. Moreover, Schwimmer's reluctance to share this story earlier in his career adds another layer of intrigue. Did he refrain from telling it out of respect for Stewart or simply because it didn't seem relevant at the time? Whatever the reason, the story has now become a part of Schwimmer's public narrative, adding a unique chapter to his already colorful life story.

Beyond the novelty of the anecdote, Schwimmer's tale underscores the unpredictable paths that lead to fame. From working as a process server to becoming a beloved television icon, Schwimmer's journey is both unconventional and inspiring. His decision to share this story during a promotional appearance for Goosebumps demonstrates his ability to captivate audiences with more than just his acting skills. It also leaves us wondering what other untold stories might be waiting to surface as Schwimmer continues to entertain and surprise us.

More Stories
see more