He’s one of the best known television stars on the planet and rumoured to have sealed a recent $30 million deal in the United States but Simon Baker showed he still loves hanging out with his mates watching the football.

 

Baker was spied at the Lennox Head versus Casino rugby union match at Lennox Head on Saturday enjoying a few beers with his old school mates.

 

On a break from filming his hit US TV show The Mentalist, it did not take long for many in the crowd to spot the successful star who once called Lennox Head and Ballina home. He still has family in the area and owns property.

 

Lennox Head club officials missed the chance to approach the home-grown star about being the club’s number one ticket-holder. "I didn’t even know he was there,” chuckled Trojans club president Barry Kiddle. "I was on the scoreboard all day and it wasn’t until one of my daughters, Alison, who was working on the bar, told me later. "He ended up with a Lennox hat and stubby holder though after Louise Owen organised it.”

 

Ms Owen, who is also the president of the Lennox Chamber of Commerce, said it was a delight to meet Baker. "He’s even better looking in real life than on TV,” she said. "He was such a nice person. "He had once worked with my brother on E Street and he went to school with my sister. "He was very interested with what is happening in Lennox Head and asked about all the changes.”

 

Ms Owen said the crowd mostly left the actor, who is also known for his roles in movies LA Confidential and The Devil Wears Prada, alone. "I was probably the one bugging him the most but some kids came up after the game to meet him,” she said. "He pretty much flew under the radar.”

 

Baker attended Ballina High and Trinity Catholic College before embarking on his acting career.

 

 

 

SIMON Baker may be one of Hollywood's biggest stars, worth more than $30 million, but the down-to-earth dude can blend right back in with the locals.

 

The Mentalist star has spent much of the past week at Lennox Head, where he grew up, hanging out with old mates and friends from Ballina High. On Sunday he had a few beers -- the mid-range alcohol XXXX Gold -- while watching Lennox take on Casino in the local rugby union competition.

 

"I went up and said hello because we have some mutual acquaintances," Lennox chamber of commerce boss Louise Owens said. "He's been keeping a low profile, just being the local he is, and taking in all the changes around here.

 

"Simon did say he was surprised just how much Byron Bay (20km up the road) has changed since he last had a good look around."

 

No such worries for Baker and his brood -- they've been staying at the secluded $1.5 million farmhouse they bought 16 months ago in Nashua, a small hamlet inland of Lennox and Byron.