Hollywood Actor in Zagreb to Watch Daughter’s Croatia Debut

Croatia line up against Slovakia (photo credit: HNS)

Hollywood TV and film actor David Paymer was in Zagreb this week to watch his daughter make her international football debut for Croatia.

Paymer, who acted in films such as Searching for Bobby Fischer, City Slickers, Get Shorty, Carpool, Ocean’s Thirteen, and Mr. Saturday Night, in which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, was in Zagreb to watch daughter Emily play her first match for the red and white checkers.

David Paymer, otac hrvatske reprezentativke Emily Paymer i poznati američki glumac (Oceanovih 13, Amistad, Get Shorty…) ponosno je slušao Lijepu našu i pratio utakmicu #Hrvatska i Slovačke u Zagrebu. / David Paymer, father of Croatia women national team player Emily Paymer and American actor (Ocean’s 13, Amistad, Get Shorty…) proudly listened to Croatian anthem and attended #Croatia – Slovakia friendly in Zagreb.

A photo posted by Hrvatski nogometni savez (@hns_cff) on Nov 28, 2016 at 8:22am PST

The Croatian Football Federation presented the actor with a national team shirt in Zagreb.

Emily, who captained Santa Monica United FC in the United States for five seasons and now plays for Michigan State University, made her Croatia debut in a friendly against Slovakia in Zagreb on Saturday.

“First time in this kit and visiting my roots. So excited for my first international game on Saturday! Very proud to wear this (uniform)”, Emily posted on Instagram ahead of match.

I have worked very hard for moments like these. Doubt me now. I’ve had such an amazing experience here and I am so excited for the future??Hvala!!!! #hns #hvratska

A photo posted by Emily Paymer (@emilypaymer13) on Nov 28, 2016 at 1:07pm PST

Croatia lost the match 5-3 on Saturday and were again beaten 2-0 in the second match on Monday.

Paymer is married to Liz Georges and the couple have two kids. It is believed Emily’s Croatian roots come from her mother’s side.

I stay mean mugging. I am going to continue proving people wrong and proving my support right. I knew this day would come, time and date stamped my first international game with @hns_cff #hrvatska

A photo posted by Emily Paymer (@emilypaymer13) on Nov 26, 2016 at 9:17am PST

Paymer’s acting career began in 1979 and he has appeared in over 90 films in his career. He has also appeared in many popular television shows, including Taxi, Happy Days, L.A. Law, Ghost Whisperer, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Entourage.

First time in this kit and visiting my roots?. CA?MI??. So excited for my first international game on saturday! Very proud to wear this uni. #hrvatska

A photo posted by Emily Paymer (@emilypaymer13) on Nov 24, 2016 at 7:54am PST

He has had recurring roles on Cheers, Murphy Brown, and The Larry Sanders Show and appeared in a a number of popular television series, including Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill and Melrose Place.

David Paymer