Patrick Warburton made a surprisingly subtle guest appearance during D23’s Kuzcotopia Night, a themed event celebrating 25 years of The Emperor’s New Groove during the Destination D23 weekend that took place at Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon.
One attendee accidentally captured the beloved sitcom star on video, sharing a snippet on TikTok that was edited to emphasize their surprise upon recognizing him among a large group of folks floating down a lazy river atop yellow and blue inner tubes.
Warburton was hardly recognizable with a buzzed haircut and a thick mustache, and the comical clip, which was edited to include a series of crash-zoomed crops of the Family Guy voice actor after the fact, ending with a screenshot of his character from the animated Disney film everyone had gathered to celebrate that night, was set to a viral soundbite from Wendy Williams that is often used to highlight someone or something that surprised the poster.
“That’s what she said. And you know what, I…. What was that?! Okay, James?” the former talk show host’s voice rang out as the clip flashed from Warburton to Kronk.
“I genuinely didn’t even notice it was him when I recorded until after I started walking away and my husband pointed him out,” the uploader, named Joelli, shared in the caption. “We said hi after but this was definitely the highlight of the night.”
Warburton’s sons were in attendance, too, helping the surprised TikToker “get his attention to say hi” after realizing who he was.
@joellicasillas I genuinely didn’t even notice it was him when I recorded until after I started walking away and my husband pointed him out. We said hi after but this was definitely the highlight of the night #emperorsnewgroove #kronk #patrickwarburton #disneyworld #disney @Disney Parks @Disney D23
♬ what was that – #FREEWENDY
Many Fans Mistook Warburton for Another Beloved Actor in the Brief Clip
Given the lack of his normally recognizable dark locks and the addition of the distinctly Magnum, P.I.-esque facial hair, several other TikTokers thought they were spotting another famous television star in the water, with one questioning, “Tom Selleck?!”
“I thought it was Tom Selleck at first,” another commented, with someone replying, “lol me too.”
“I see the resemblance,” another agreed.
It’s not the first time Warburton has been misidentified, giving Tom Selleck far more than he’s been giving himself lately. It’s amazing what a mustache can do!
Fans Thought the Sighting Was ‘So Cool’ Once His Identity Was Established
Folks were thrilled with the unexpected appearance once the details were nailed down.
One viewer who also ran into him over the weekend shared, “Him & his family are one of the nicest celebrities we have met. He knows my son’s name & always says hi to him 🥰🥰.”
“That’s awesome!!!! I would love to meet him, he seems so cool,” someone else gushed, with Joelli confirming, “He was! After this we said hey and he gave us a hand heart back hahaha.”
Fans who were working the event and missed the sighting were devastated to learn of his appearance, with one exclaiming, “I WAS ON THE LIFEGUARD STAND AND DIDNT NOTICE HIM.”
Selleck also stepped out for a rare appearance just a week ago, when he showed up to the Detroit Tigers’ annual Magnum, P.I.Day, where fans gathered dressed as his iconic character from the 1980s show. The legendary actor bowed out of respect to his adoring fans, to much fanfare.
