As the chief architect of Connecticut's film tax credits, former House Speaker James Amann has been the biggest supporter of bringing movies - and movie stars - to Connecticut.
With his closeness to directors and actors, Amann has actually appeared in three movies over the past five years as an "extra'' without a speaking part.
As part of his advocacy, he met two of the nation's best-known actors - Robert DeNiro and Bruce Willis - during the filming at a Shelton factory for a movie called "What Just Happened.''
The picture above, showing Amann standing next to Willis with half a beard, provides a glimpse into the movie. In the film, Willis even mentions to DeNiro how much time he spent growing the beard.
"I watched a scene they did, and it was hysterical,'' Amann told Capitol Watch on Tuesday.
DeNiro and Willis came to Connecticut because of the film tax credits that provide a major boost to movie studios and filmmakers. The credits have become controversial as the New Haven-based Voices for Children thinktank and some legislators believe that the state has allowed too much of a giveaway of taxpayers' money to Hollywood.
Amann arrived on the set with former state Rep. Cameron Staples, the former co-chairman of the tax-writing finance committee who is pictured on the left. Amann released the photo this week, even though it was taken several years ago.