Simon Baker shocks as the Aussie actor attends major film festival in open-toe Birkenstocks

Sky News AU

20-06-2025

Simon Baker has popped up in Italy, where he attended an exclusive media event looking every part the quintessential casual Australian.
The Aussie A-lister attended the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival at Forte Village in Cagliari, Sardinia alongside other Hollywood Talent on Thursday.
The film and television event, now in its 8th edition, will present more than 70 films, which are either Italian or world premieres, until Sunday, with the aim of spotlighting Italian and international cinema and supporting talent.
Baker is set to receive the Filming Italy Excellence Award.
The 55-year-old looked dapper as posed with the festival's General Director, Tiziana Rocca, and Twilight star, actress Ashley Greene.
Baker donned his signature glasses, which he paired with a pair of jeans, a belt, and a light-coloured shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
However, it was the Boy Swallows Universe star's choice of footwear that baffled fans.
Baker opted for a pair of moss-green Birkenstock slides instead of dress shoes for the occasion.
The actor proudly paraded his unique style as Tiziana stood beside him and pointed to the famed Australian.
A close-up shot of his shoes showed that they appeared slightly worse for wear but were still in good condition.
"I love his simplicity," one fan wrote on Instagram.
"He looks great," another person said.
Baker traded the Hollywood lights for a country getaway in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, near where he grew up, in 2016.
The laid-back celebrity in April championed the "beautiful frankness" of Down Under after having immersed himself in many parts of the world.
"Once you start to assimilate back into our culture, you also realise there's a beautiful frankness to Australians that is priceless," he told Esquire Australia.
"There's no flowery way of putting things; it's just direct.
"And that level of authenticity is grounding. It's like a cosy blanket. It's very comfortable and familiar for me."
The actor, who rose to fame as consultant Patrick Jane in The Mentalist from 2008 to 2015, broke his silence in April on the status of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and whether he'll reprise his role in the upcoming sequel.
Baker played the elusive Christian Thompson in the 2006 hit and revealed to SkyNews.com.au he's unlikely to make a comeback.
"I haven't got the call up yet," he said.
"So I don't know- probably not, no."
It comes as there has been no word on whether Anne Hathaway's character, Andy Sachs, will return ahead of the sequel next May.
The follow-up is expected to explore Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep) grappling with the decline of the magazine industry while former assistant Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt) returns for a dramatic showdown.