Memorable Viewer Surprises

Oprah and Paolo Presta

In November 2004, Oprah hit the road in her Wildest Dreams bus to visit Paolo Presta, a young man who worked at his family's grocery store in the suburbs of Chicago.

Oprah said Paolo e-mailed her many times to express his desire to leave the grocery business behind and do what he'd dreamed about since he was a child—act.

Well, his efforts paid off. Oprah came to his store to share good news. "You're going to NBC studios in Burbank," she said. "I have gotten you a walk-on, speaking role in Will & Grace!"

Five years later, Paolo is still living in Los Angeles, pursuing his dream. He says he thinks about Oprah's surprise every day and feels grateful.