STAR WATCH: At least two Starbucks customers on the Big Island noticed that Indiana Jones — actor Harrison Ford — dropped in for coffee like common folk. "Good choice," he reportedly told the coffee buyer in front of him. ...

And at Colenti's NY Pizza on Kaua'i, actor-director Ben Stiller ordered 25 large pies with assorted toppings for his "Tropic Thunder" film crew. He said it was "the best New York (style) pizza he's had —outside of New York" — and vowed to make it a Friday ritual since the pizzeria is "on our side of the island."

Stiller's wife, Christine Taylor, favors the lasagna. ...

OH, CHARLEY: That new Charley's Taxi TV commercial, now airing, is the latest from Imagination Media LLC, a partnership of singer-composer Audy Kimura (the Hy's Steak House entertainer) and Dean Sensui (the photog who co-produces OC16's "Hawaii Goes Fishing" show). Imagination Media assembled archival photos of Honolulu in the 1930s and '40s, including Charley's original taxi stand at Richards and King streets, plus an image of founders Charles and Helen Morita, acknowledging their kama'aina status. Kimura composed a catchy jingle and scripted and directed the spot, with Sensui behind the camera and serving as editor.

"Dean and Audy do it all — and do it well," says Charley's chairman and president, Dale Evans, daughter of the founders, who launched the taxi company in 1938. Of note: Early hires were musicians, so the cab stands were gathering spots for budding entertainers like Danny Kaleikini, Eddie Kamae, the Kalima Brothers and Myrtle K. Hilo, who was known as the singing taxi driver. ...

ON STAGE: Hard to believe that veteran actor Don Stroud, with hundreds of major movies and TV roles under his belt, is making his stage debut alongside Richard Dreyfuss and George Segal in Joe Moore's "Prophecy and Honor," set for an Aug. 16-19 run at the Hawai'i Theatre. Director Glenn Cannon reports that Stroud's been so good in early rehearsals, playwright Moore was prompted to add dialogue for Stroud's role as the military defense attorney for Gen. Billy Mitchell, the role Moore is reprising. ...

Jack Cione is rehearsing his seniors, who will play 7- and 8-year-olds in "Skool Daze," a costumed musical set for a three-weekend run Aug. 3-18 at the Arcadia Retirement Residence, 1434 Punahou St. "By making seniors into little kids, they can get by with the mistakes and jokes only a 7- or 8-year-old would be able to get away with on stage," said Cione. "As adults, it just wouldn't be funny."

Cast members are Rae Alice Hall, Maridell Alexander, Ann Simpson, Elaine Stroka, Katherine Bolman, Lucille "Taps" Pratt, Frances Yee, Ethie Mendoca, Sonya Weiser, Linda Gentry, Connie Gomez, Bob McDowell, Alan Lee, Tookie White, Lenora Cho, Chuck Lewis, Geovana Lewis and Marcie Kaneshige. You go, gang! ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Chowder House at Ward Warehouse had a savvy diner the other day: heart surgeon Dr. Richard Mamiya, who sampled the deep-fried calamari that are trans fat-free and popular with patrons.

"You guys are affecting my profession," Mamiya told the staff, meaning the fare is healthier with less harm for the ol' ticker, according to Dewey Kim, president of Pacific Food Services, which owns the Chowder House. ...

At the Society of Seven's benefit golf tourney recently at the Mid-Pacific course, Trini Shinsato placed a $1,500 bid for Melveen Leed to sing. That money — perhaps a tad bit more from proceeds — will help Tony Ruivivar and his SOS buddies realize a Las Vegas goal: to get a Don Ho star placed on the gambling city's Walk of Fame. Meanwhile, the city's Don Ho Golf Tournament set for Aug. 13 at the Hawaii Prince course needs entrants; proceeds will go toward a statue and plaque for Ho at the triangle park near Beachwalk. Go to www.donhogolftournament.com for details. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.