There is a fake Willie Nelson who does the nightly show at Fitzgeralds. I've seen him wandering around the casino a number of times. He's a dead ringer for Willie. I just wonder...
The only celebrity that has been at my table with me playing is Johnny Yune, at a blackjack table at The IP. He was in the movie "They Call Me Bruce". This was not long after that movie came out, so he was semi famous at the time. I was playing poker at Bellagio, and Don Cheadle was one table over playing. I saw ALL of the poker stars the year I played in a couple of events at The World Series of Poker. I like to list the players that went out before me; Mike the Mouth Matasow, John Jawanda, Jesus Ferguson, Clonie Gowan, and Phil Laak. Doyle Brunson came late to one of my events. I had a chair open next to me, and he was walking straight towards it. Holy Crap! But he went to the table right behind me. Jennifer Tilley and I went to the bathroom at the same time during a break. Different bathrooms! I guess that's about it. Oh wait, I also slept with Paris Hilton, but hey, that's sort of like seeing Pete Rose at Caesars. Who hasn't, right?
Several weeks ago, as the WSOP was just starting, my wife and I stopped by the Penn & Teller Theater Box Office to pick up tickets for the show that night. While we're walking back to the casino we pass Greg Raymer. I said " wow, there is Greg Raymer!" My wife said, "who?" Raymer heard us. He never broke stride but, did turn and offer a big smile. later, GVJ
No the highlight of my trip but nonetheless a celebrity My last trip to Vegas (April 2009), I talked to William Jonathan Drayton Jr., you all may know him a Flava Flav....he didn't have one of bling watches on and he asked me what time it was....he was nice enough and talked to me for about 5 mins.....like i said not the highlight of my trip but he is a celeb, i guess. Oh that was at the RIO.
Celebrity Sightings Sorry if this has been done before, but just for fun, have you had a celebrity encounter in Vegas? My buddy can't tell a Vegas story without "and then so and so went by". Mind you, he trips over celebrities every 2 feet no matter where he is in the world. I'm not a huge crazy fan girl, but I admit to reading the odd gossip blog and enjoy hearing people's stories!
A C-list celebrity, but the only one I saw while we were there last weekend. Mario Lopez (AC Slater from Saved By The Bell) was eating at Yolo's in PH after hosting the Miss American pageant. He was pounding shots of Patron.
Three that I can remember. 1st trip ex yankee player Paul Oneill at the airport. 2nd trip, Drew Carey at the Riviera playing black jack. 4rth trip General Tommy Franks was Wayne Newtons guest at the Stardust. He sat a couple booths in front of us.
i have seen Kelly Monaco, Ryan Cabrara, Cris Angel, Carrot Top, ummm... Josh Dumel. A few others. I watch so much damn tv and so many movies tho i will recognize people others dont. Really soap opera stars. lol.
A few years ago when playing at the Wynn I saw Oprah. She was actually check in and there were tons of cameras around her (which caught my attention). They seemed to be scrambling at her arrival I suspect she surprised them. She sure did not look like she does on camera...amazing what make up can do.
My celebrity recognition skills are about zero. I can sit next to famous people and not have a clue who they are. I did recognize Jackie Collins at the table next to me for dinner once.. but had to have that sighting confirmed. I didn’t recognize Sugar ray Leonard who was a couple of tables away. I have also failed to recognize Ewan Mcgregor (sat next to me for a 12 hour flight on a plane), Dianne Feinstein (literally bumped into her- security was a little jittery ), Malcolm Mcdowell (another long flight near him), Matt Damon (2 hour dinner before he was pointed out to me) and Colin Jackson. To be fair Colin Jackson I sat next to and had a very long chat about sport (and Liverpool football club in particular). Top man and very entertaining. I have known a couple of people before they got famous – I even had Minnie Driver taking phone calls for me at one time!! Not sure any of the people I knew then would claim to know me now though
A couple of years back I was cashing out at a change booth at MGM and Shaq walked by. He had a couple of friends with him and they stopped close by and were talking about the Crispy Creme's I had just bought to take home with us. I know he wanted one so I said to hubby, take these over and see if you can get him to sign the box if you give him a donut. Know what hubby said... No, he's on vacation leave him alone! He would not let me go over there, ugh. The 3 of them waited around for about 5 minutes, I think to see what we would do, but then folks started recognizing him and bugging him for autographs so they left. Darn it.
Frenchy lives there, a good friend of mine is actually her body guard, I will get to meet her this summer.
Although he does work there, last year we were at the LAVO nightclub and Wayne Brady came in to party. they announced it over the PA when he arrived: "Wayne Brady in the House!!" Was pretty cool to see him dancing and having a good time.
On my last trip, I played a poker tournament at the Venetian with Ray Romano. He was never at my table, but was at the table right next to mine. I had no idea he was there until I went into the bathroom on a break. He was taking a leak and a guy was asking for his autograph while he was peeing. I also saw Gallagher in the airport walking around at baggage claim holding the name sign above his head that the limo driver who was there to pick him up had been holding. Others I've seen: John Thompson, Robert Horry, Flava Flav, Nelly, OJ Simpson (looking for the real killer at the black jack tables at MGM), Queen Latifah, Jennifer Harman, Gus Hansen, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Shannon Sharpe, Jon Lucas, Jerry Buss, Vince Neil, Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel Air...
One one occasion flew down with Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) on my plane. On another Karina Smirnoff and Mario Lopez flew in for NBA All-star game. By the way, I'm in Calgary, Alberta not Los Angeles.
I saw Jeff Foxworthy checking into the Encore when I was there this past summer. I was also seated a couple of tables away from Rod Stewart at a resturant a couple of years ago. I also saw that girl from Girls Next Door what is/was in that show at Planet Hollywood shopping in the Miracle Mile Shops.
Deion Sanders at McCarran Airport approx 2005 Paul Walker at the Palms fall 2007 Billy Bob Thornton at the Palms fall 2007 Britney Spears at Rain following her New Years Eve marriage Anthony Mason on a Vegas flight approx 2007 Vince Neil at O'Sheas approx 2007 Al Sharpton at McCarran Airport approx 2008 Phil Helmuth at the Rio in 2008 Carmen Electra at Rok Vegas in 2009 George Maloof at the Palms in 2009 There are many more, but here is a list of what I can remember. Nick
NBA All-star weekend I saw "Producers" at Paris. I see a guy with a 80's Rod Stewart hairdo. I think to myself, "Why? Doesn't that guy know that hairstyle for men is very out of date." He sits down next to Elvis. Doah!
I can't believe for all the times I've been to Vegas my only sightings were... Penn Jillette in the audience of Clint Holmes' show at Harrah's Criss Angel walking into The Palms with his posse Both very very weak. Hope to do better next time
