He’s called Pac-Man, but it’s actually a Chicago woman who dons the puffy, inflatable costume of the iconic video game character in real life.
More specifically, it’s Jessica Bishop, a 22-year-old recent Columbia College graduate. Bishop has been suiting up as the puck-shaped hero at events and promotions for “Pac-Man” parent company Namco for five years and still loves it.
“It’s like I’m dressing up as this giant walking sun, and it’s great because everyone knows who Pac-Man is,” Bishop said. “It makes people smile.”
Bishop made the rounds as Pac-Man at the character’s recent 35th birthday bash at Schaumburg’s Level 257 and at other special Pac-parties this year and will make an appearance at a “Pixels” party in Woodridge on the movie’s opening night.
She said she still enjoys the screeches of recognition when she strolls around in costume.
“Sometimes kids will write notes for Pac-Man, give them to me, and it’s super cute—even though I can’t carry them because Pac-Man doesn’t have fingers,” Bishop said.
Even encounters with police can be adorable when dressed as Pac-Man. Bishop said authorities initially stopped her in Washington, D.C., as she strode around in costume because the battery pack that inflates it resembled a bomb.
“It was serious at first, but once we explained it, they said I could go as long as they could take pictures with me,” Bishop said.
Bishop’s love for Pac-Man has become permanent. She has the outline of the character tattooed on her leg and says she’ll always have affection for the character—even after she hangs up the oversized suit for the last time.
“It feels like we’re stuck together,” she said.
Ryan Smith is a RedEye special contributor. @RyanSmithWriter
