| Gary "Sweeps" Woods | |
|---|---|
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| Portrayed by | Corey Hendrix |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Gary Woods |
| Nickname | Sweeps |
| Occupation | Sommelier, retired professional baseball player |
Gary "Sweeps" Woods is a fictional character on the FX Network television series The Bear . Created by Christopher Storer and played by Corey Hendrix since the show's premiere in 2022. Sweeps has been described as a "minor character who still shines with his minimal screen time." [1]
Sweeps is a former professional baseball player. Sweeps' baseball career, which ended when he tested positive for steroid use, [2] included sweeping the Padres, [3] and he also "swept St. Louis three times and had a no-hitter." Sweeps could not afford housing while trying out for the Chicago Cubs and playing on their farm team. [4] He was a left fielder for AAA teams and was also recognized for his hitting skill. [2] Getting a job at the Beef pulled him out of a "dark place" after his expulsion from baseball. [2]
He worked at Mikey Berzatto's Original Beef of Chicagoland as a runner and janitor, sweeping and mopping floors at the local Italian beef sandwich shop. Under Carmy Berzatto's ownership, Sweeps retrained to be the sommelier of the fine-dining restaurant the Bear. [5] In season three, the Bear sent Sweeps to the Court of Master Sommeliers. [6] [7] In season four, his character's continuing education included a seminar with famed real-life Chicago sommelier Alpana Singh. [8] In the episode "Soubise," she tutored him on pairings (what wine goes with fish, or mushroom dish). [9] According to one foodie website, by the end of season four, Sweeps has become adept at picking "perfect" wine pairings for dishes at the Bear. [10] According to financial consultant Nicholas "the Computer" Marshall (Brian Koppelman) strong wine sales are one of the fragile restaurant's financial bright spots. [11]
Sweeps is wearing Nike Air Griffey Max 1 shoes when he puts out the stovetop grease fire in "Braciole." [12]
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