David Harbour, the actor famed for playing Chief Jim Hopper in Netflix's Stranger Things, has found himself at the centre of a peculiar incident involving a snatched hat at a Californian bar. The 50-year-old star was reportedly captured on video in a confusing confrontation at the Encinitas Ale House in Encinitas, California, last Saturday.
The Bizarre Bar Incident Unfolds
According to a report by TMZ, the unusual event began when a patron recognised Harbour outside the gastropub and went to greet him. Harbour was with a friend who mentioned plans to meet women, but the actor himself allegedly suggested going to the man's house instead, leaving the fan perplexed. The man returned inside, and Harbour is said to have followed him into the bar shortly after.
The situation escalated quickly. Harbour allegedly grabbed the man's white cap, ran outside with it, and was heard shouting, 'C'mon, dude, f****** get me!' as he looked over his shoulder. Video of the mishap reportedly exists, though it has not been publicly released. The frustrated hat owner followed him out, demanding, 'What the f*** did I do to you, dude?'
Witnesses told TMZ that Harbour then 'spiked' the hat onto the floor, asked questions about the Iraq War, became emotional, and dropped to one knee to pray. The man eventually retrieved his hat and returned to the bar, with onlookers urging them not to fight. No physical altercation occurred, and the two went their separate ways.
Connection to Personal Life and Health
The incident comes during a turbulent year for Harbour, who publicly split from singer Lily Allen earlier this year after four years of marriage. Allen's latest album, 'West End Girl', details the collapse of their union in raw detail, notably in a track called 'Madeline' which accuses Harbour of an affair.
The woman identified as 'Madeline' is costume designer Natalie Tippett, 34, who has since denied having a three-year affair. She stated she felt 'extremely violated' by Allen's portrayal and emphasised she does not 'weaponize women against women for the behaviour of men'. Tippett reportedly met Harbour on the set of the 2021 Netflix film 'We Have A Ghost'.
A source close to the situation suggested Harbour's recent behaviour may be linked to the immense stress he is under. 'David has always been honest about managing his bipolar disorder,' the source told TMZ. 'Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what he’s dealing with here after working non-stop all year and having his personal life under public scrutiny.'
Harbour's Candid Advocacy on Mental Health
David Harbour was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his twenties but only began speaking openly about it after finding mainstream success. In a 2019 interview on Marc Maron's WTF podcast, he explained his previous fear of being seen as unreliable by the industry.
'As an actor, you're worried about getting hired, but now I'm at a place where I can talk about this,' Harbour said. He hoped his candour would offer support, particularly to parents of children with similar diagnoses. 'I want to say if you admire this profession... I'm no different to that child,' he expressed, aiming to dismantle the stigma.
The Daily Mail contacted representatives for both David Harbour and the Encinitas Ale House for comment but has not yet received a response. The actor's actions, while strange, highlight the intense pressures faced by those in the public eye, especially when navigating personal health challenges alongside relentless scrutiny.
