If you’ve seen the 2014 hit movie Ride Along, you definitely remember the supermarket scene. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It involves Kevin Hart trying to "negotiate" with a shirtless, unhinged man who looks like he hasn’t slept since the late nineties. That man is Gary Owen. Or, more specifically, he’s Crazy Cody Tillman.
Honestly, it’s one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it roles that somehow becomes the most quoted part of the entire film. But the Gary Owen Ride Along connection isn't just about a funny scene in a grocery store. There is a bizarre, slightly legendary story about how he actually got the job—and it involves a very Risky text message and a "balls out" approach to show business.
The Role That Almost Didn't Happen
Gary Owen wasn't originally a lock for this part. In fact, most people don't realize that Cody was barely a character on paper. In his stand-up special Doin' What I Do, Gary breaks down the reality of how Hollywood casting actually works for guys like him.
He got a text from producer Will Packer. Will basically said they were looking for someone to play a "psychopath" in a scene with Kevin Hart and Ice Cube. He sent the same text to five other comedians.
Gary knew he had to stand out. He didn’t just send back a headshot or a "Yeah, I'm interested." He went full Method before he even had the contract. He took a photo of himself in a... let's just say compromising and very naked position, sent it to the producer, and waited. Five days of silence. He thought he was blacklisted. Then Will Packer called him and said, "You’re the only one who sent a naked pic. You got the part. You gotta want it, baby."
That’s how Gary Owen Ride Along became a thing. It wasn't about a polished audition. It was about being the guy willing to be the craziest person in the room.
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Crazy Cody vs. Ben Barber: The Supermarket Showdown
The scene itself is a masterclass in improvisational energy. Kevin Hart’s character, Ben Barber, is trying to prove he has what it takes to be a cop. He encounters Gary Owen’s character, Crazy Cody, who is having a full-blown meltdown in a supermarket aisle.
What makes it work?
- The Physicality: Gary is towering over Kevin, which makes the visual gag immediately hilarious.
- The Shirtless Factor: There’s something inherently funnier about a guy starting trouble without a shirt on.
- The Headlock: In the behind-the-scenes stories, Gary often talks about how he actually had Kevin Hart in a legitimate headlock.
Most fans of the Gary Owen Ride Along scene don't realize how much of that dialogue was off-the-cuff. When you put two guys who came up in the 90s comedy club circuit together, the script usually goes out the window. They were feeding off each other's energy. Kevin’s high-pitched panic vs. Gary’s low-register, gravelly mania.
Why This Scene Specifically Went Viral
Even years later, clips of this specific interaction pop up on TikTok and Instagram Reels. It’s because it captures the peak "Kevin Hart getting bullied" era of his career. Gary Owen represents the perfect foil—he’s the "white guy who’s more comfortable in the room than the main character."
Owen has spent his entire career bridging the gap between different audiences. He’s famously the "favorite white comedian" for a massive segment of the Black community, and his chemistry with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart in Ride Along feels earned because they’ve actually been friends for decades. They aren't just co-stars; they’re peers who have been roasting each other since the Dolphin days in '98.
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The Gary Owen and Kevin Hart Connection
You can't talk about the Gary Owen Ride Along role without looking at his broader relationship with Kevin Hart. They didn't just meet on set. They started together at Carolines in New York alongside legends like Chris Rock and Patrice O’Neal.
In a 2020 episode of Gary’s Get Some podcast, Kevin Hart showed up, and they spent over an hour just reminiscing. They talked about how the industry tries to pit comedians against each other, but for them, the Ride Along experience was just a extension of their real-life friendship.
Gary often jokes that he "made" Kevin’s career by letting Kevin beat him up (spiritually) in that movie. Obviously, Kevin was already a global superstar by 2014, but that scene gave Gary a level of mainstream "movie" recognition that his stand-up fans had been wanting for him for years.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Scene
A lot of casual viewers think Gary Owen was just an extra. He’s not. He’s a credited actor playing a specific, named character: Cody Tillman.
Another misconception? That he was in the sequel. While many fans searched for a Gary Owen Ride Along 2 appearance, he didn't actually return for the second installment. The sequel took the action to Miami, and unfortunately, Crazy Cody stayed behind in Atlanta. It’s a shame, honestly. A Cody cameo in Miami would have been gold.
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Real Talk: The Impact on Gary's Career
After Ride Along, Gary Owen’s "cool factor" spiked. He was already a legend on the BET ComicView circuit, but this movie put him in front of the suburban crowd that maybe didn't know his stand-up. It led to more roles in movies like:
- Think Like a Man (and the sequel)
- Meet the Blacks
- Get Hard (briefly)
- Undercover Brother 2
He became the go-to guy for that specific type of high-energy, slightly unpredictable supporting character.
How to Watch the Famous Scene Today
If you’re looking to revisit the Gary Owen Ride Along moment, you’ve got a few options. It’s a staple on most streaming services because Ride Along is one of those "forever" comedies that cable networks love to play on loop.
- Streaming: Check Netflix or Peacock (it hops back and forth).
- YouTube: The "Crazy Cody" clip is officially uploaded by Movieclips and has millions of views.
- Digital Purchase: You can grab it on Amazon or Apple TV for a few bucks.
Actionable Insights for Comedy Fans
If you liked Gary in Ride Along, you’re only seeing about 5% of what he actually does. The movie role is a "character," but his stand-up is where the real meat is.
- Watch the Special: Look for Gary Owen: Doin' What I Do for the full, uncensored story of the Ride Along audition. It is much more graphic and hilarious than the PG-13 version you hear on daytime talk shows.
- Listen to the Podcast: If you want to hear him and Kevin Hart talk shop, find episode 115 of the Get Some podcast. It’s a rare look at two comedy heavyweights being genuine instead of "on."
- Follow the Evolution: Gary has been through a lot of personal drama lately (divorce, family stuff), and he’s been weaving that into his new sets. It’s a different vibe than Crazy Cody, but it’s arguably more "human."
To really appreciate the Gary Owen Ride Along performance, you have to understand that he wasn't just "playing" a crazy guy. He was a veteran comedian finally getting a chance to show out on a big stage, and he didn't waste a single second of screen time.
Check out the original Ride Along (2014) and pay attention to the supermarket scene. Notice how many times Kevin Hart breaks character or almost laughs—that’s the Gary Owen effect in real time.
Next Step: Head over to YouTube and search for "Gary Owen Ride Along Audition story" to hear him tell the "balls out" story in his own words. It changes the way you look at the movie forever.