‘The Bear’ Can Be Overwhelming For Viewers And Even Its Actors, Chris Witaske Says

Chris Witaske Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Chris Witaske, who plays “Pete” in The Bear, knows that the show deeply affects its fans.

The actor spoke to People at the season 3 premiere of The Bear and talked about a fan encounter he had after season 2.

“I was at a concert in Chicago and this guy came up to me and talked about that scene that I have in the final episode of season two with Jamie Lee Curtis,” Witaske said. “And as he was talking, he started getting emotional. He broke down crying because it really affected him.”

He continued: “And so there I was, bear hugging this stranger at a concert. It was a cool moment.”

Witaske says it’s not just fans who feel the show’s emotions. The episode “Fishes” caused him to feel overwhelmed at times.

“That was crazy, man. Even in between takes, I was like, ‘This is too much,'” he said. “It was too much, man. It was. And some of these people are more method actors than me. I am, like, a Chicago comedy dude, and so when people stay in character in between takes and intense. It’s a lot. That night I had to decompress and meditate.”