Not only did a lottery jackpot make a multi-millionaire out of the lucky winner, but also the waitress at the eatery where he gave her half the ticket as a tip! That’s not all! Their story also became the subject of a big Hollywood movie and the rest, as they say, is history.

The 1994 movie, It Could Happen to You, starring Nicholas Cage and Bridget Fonda, was based on the real-life story of Phyllis Penzo, a waitress at Sal’s Pizzeria and Robert Cunningham, a cop who regularly patronized the eatery. One day in March 1984, Robert decided on an unusual tip—a lottery ticket he would play later that day. He picked his three top numbers and she gave him her top three picks.

Cunningham promised that if he won, he would split the winnings with Penzo as a tip. Lo and behold, Cunningham and his wife waltzed into the restaurant with a piece of paper that would shock Penzo. The 6 numbers the pair had picked were the right ones and together had won a $6 million jackpot! Life-changing money back in the 1980s.

Tidbits: Arnold Schwartzenegger, pegged to be the original star of the move instead chose to film Last Action Hero opening the way for Cage to get the part. Before Fond got the role as the female lead, it was passed over by Madonna and Marisa Tomei.

The movie was released in the UK the same week that their national lottery was launched.