Actor Oscar Isaac shouted out a Triangle store on popular ‘Hot Ones’ show
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- Oscar Isaac wore a Hidden Temple Toys T-shirt during his appearance on “Hot Ones.”
- Hidden Temple Toys was founded by Ed Valdez, Isaac’s cousin, who died earlier this year.
- Valdez’s family set up a GoFundMe to raise $30,000 for funeral costs and shop expenses.
The award-winning actor Oscar Isaac paid tribute to a Triangle family in a recent appearance on a popular YouTube show.
Isaac was interviewed in an early April episode of the popular YouTube talk show “Hot Ones,” during which host Sean Evans has a conversation with a celebrity while both eat progressively spicier hot wings.
The actor has been promoting the new season of the Netflix show “Beef,” in which he stars alongside Carey Mulligan. Isaac is also known for his roles in the 2025 film “Frankenstein,” the 2021 film “Dune: Part One” and the 2015 film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
About nine minutes into the “Hot Ones” interview, Evans asked Isaac if it’s true that the actor’s uncle, a big “Star Wars” fan, brought custom shirts for the cast when he visited the film set.
Isaac confirmed that his uncle made and brought shirts and then pointed to the shirt he was wearing in the interview — a black T bearing the words “Hidden Temple Toys.” The shirt is from the Selma toy and collectibles shop of the same name.
Hidden Temple Toys was founded by Ed Valdez, Isaac’s cousin. Valdez, who ran the store with his wife, Jennifer, died earlier this year in a car accident, Isaac said in the “Hot Ones” interview.
“He was like an amazing superhero of a human,” Isaac said of his cousin. “And I do believe you are what you love, and he really loved superheroes, and he loved collectibles. He was just like a protector of people that are less fortunate and people that are vulnerable — a beautiful, beautiful man.”
Before he died, Valdez encouraged Isaac to be a guest on “Hot Ones,” Isaac said, and in wearing the shirt, he was bringing his cousin with him.
Valdez’s family set up a GoFundMe in late February to raise $30,000 to help with funeral costs, continuing Hidden Temple Toys and other expenses.
Oscar Isaac in Johnston County
In recent months, Isaac has visited small businesses in Johnston County.
The actor, who won a Golden Globe Award in 2016 for his performance in “Show Me A Hero,” went to Triangle Coffee Shop in Clayton, ordering a cortado, flat white and coconut matcha, the business shared on social media.
In November, Isaac was at Coffee On Raiford in Selma.
“We were blessed to serve him a drink and have a conversation,” the shop posted. “And apologizes to all those who were in the shop when I had my school girl freak out when he visited. LOL”
Celebrity sightings in the Triangle
Several celebrities have been spotted out and about across the Triangle recently.
Rock icon Robert Plant, formerly the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, was in Raleigh for a concert in late March. While in town, he ate at Whiskey Kitchen. In previous years, Plant has stopped for a bite at the restaurants Garland and Poole’s Diner.
Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas, two members of the group Jonas Brothers, grabbed coffee from Durham’s Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery before their concert at Lenovo Center in October.
This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Actor Oscar Isaac shouted out a Triangle store on popular ‘Hot Ones’ show."
