Corpus Christi movie theater 'Popcorn Guy' offers entertainment before the main event

Millions of people online have seen a Corpus Christi Century 16 Theatre employee showing off some smooth moves while preparing customers popcorn.

Jason, better known as "Popcorn Guy," (it is even on his name tag), offers entertainment before the main event and so many on social media were impressed with his skills.

"Forget Salt Bae, we have Butter King," one TikTok commenter said. Another said "Whoa... it's Jason Courne!"

Oscar Leal, who posted the video on his TikTok page, said it was his first time back at the theaters since the pandemic and he didn't expect to be so entertained.

3NEWS caught up with Jason Grosboll at Century 16 during his Wednesday shift.

"Whenever somebody asks for butter, I always make sure to layer it," Grosboll said.

Grosboll has been working for Century Theatres for 10 years. Meeting people is a joy for him.

"I love interacting with new customers, seeing the smiles on their faces and joy on them," Grosboll said.

Grosboll takes his job to a whole new level by putting on a show before 'the show'.

"At first, no one really understood it, but as time passed on, people loved it."

3NEWS was able to talk with Leal about how spontaneous the social media video was, and how fast it caught traction online.

"He already had prepared one tub of popcorn for us," Leal said. "And I decided to just to pull out my phone when he started the second one, and it was just magical."

The video quickly skyrocketed two million views. Cinemark Theatres even reposted the video on their Instagram page.

"It went from like 100 to 200, and then by yesterday it just kept going up by the thousands, it was very surprising," Leal said.

12 thousand comments on the post later, Grosboll was happy to read through them.

"Last night, I read about 3 or 4 hours of comments," Grosboll said. "It brought my heart joy to read comments like that."

Grosboll didn't know the video went viral until one of his friends told him about it.

"A lot of his fans you know, wanted him to know that we love him that he's our hero," Leal said.

[FaithFitFinance]

This guy deserves all of the happiness in the world. This is the type of person to make some one feel noticed and not feel like a person is just doing their job.

[kevmack]

I KNOW HOW IT FEELS WHEN YOUR POPCORN IS NOT LAYERED . I LOVE THIS GUY

[ethanfuego]

The man, the myth, the legend. The popcorn guy.

[GengarCollects]

Just to think, this guy is providing more entertainment than some of the movies coming out these days. Happy for him!

[Talkinsports]

You know how hard it is to find genuine happiness in what you do ? Good for this guy.

[bearcatcow]

This legend did an interview while working, never stoping the grind, always tailoring his craft and making sure the people get their popcorn, true dedication.. popcornguy needs some internet love

[agyepongboateng]

When the pre-show is better than the show. #legend

[JV-mwgv]

Layering the butter? Seriously? Now that is a true hero.

[beatslife]

Promote him to a Manager. He deserves equity of the company and train people. Love this 💜

[AGXtube]

This man is a National Treasure. We must protect him at all costs!

[oanderle]

Thank you everyone. Jason is truly a wonderful person.

[themysteriousperson]

When your running late and the popcorn person preforming a long show

[FlemNmzzzz]

This guy owns. Someone that truly loves what they do, and making others smile? Rare shit right here. I'm tipping this fellow the entire cost of my family outing, because HE is the Class Act.

[TheHazardonCODPS]

In all my theater going years, never have I witnessed such a genuine theater worker enjoying his job to the point to entertain patrons. Bravo! Hopefully his enthusiasm spreads.

[dr.z]

This warms the heart. Lots of people here though shouting for him to be promoted to manager or start his own popcorn biz. While this guy absolutely deserves all the support and recognition (and a pay raise), nobody’s considering that maybe he actually enjoys where he is right now without all the stress associated with managing people or starting his own business. Quality of life is not necessarily increased by income.

[Gunsforfreedom]

Kids would be blown away if they saw all the great customer service we had in the 50's and 60's. Good to see some people still take pride in their work and make folks smile.

[xSkysplitter]

This is the type of people who deserve to be acknowledged and rewarded for going above and beyond! #respect!

[notundermywatch]

Kid looks so chill and humble. None of that attention went to his head.

[BishopWalters]

I wish there were more people like him in the world.

[allenfig]

Everyone has a place in this world …I’m glad to see this man happy doing this job because some people think they are to good for that