Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: Norm!

Henderson's Jerry Seinfeld recalls encounter with famous namesake

Jerry Seinfeld, who left New York City for Henderson 10 years ago, has received plenty of attention because of his famous namesake. Photo by Gary Thompson. Jerry Seinfeld Comedy icon appearing in Las Vegas for first time in eight years this weekend

Since retiring, Jerry Seinfeld has lost track of Elaine, George and Kramer.

Never watches the reruns, he said.

No encounters with the Soup Nazi, no cross words with the despicable Newman.

Life is slower since trading the hustle-and-bustle of New York City 10 years ago for the retirement life in Henderson.

Meet the other Jerry Seinfeld, 73, a former appliance store operator. His given name is Seymour Seinfeld, "but Jerry is on my high school diploma."

His namesake, the comedy icon, is appearing in Las Vegas for the first time in eight years this weekend at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Five years ago things got real crazy when "Seinfeld" ended after a 10-year run.

"I was very popular for about a week. I was getting calls from all over the country ... Australia, Denver. ..." Yada, yada, yada.

"We were big in Pittsburgh," piped in his wife, Alicia, her humor intact despite a stroke and a bout with cancer.

They met once, the two Jerry Seinfelds.

"My wife and I went down to the Atlantis in Atlantic City to see Roberta Peters. He was opening for her. This was before he got big.

"My wife called his room and got through right away. She said, `We'd like to see you; we're down in the lobby.' He said he was `a little busy right now.'

"Then my wife said, `Well, I'd like to meet the man who's been using my husband's name.' He came right down.

"Found out his grandparents and my grandparents came from the same town in Europe. I think it was Austria. Funny thing is we grew up about 10 miles apart; I lived in Oceanside and he lived in Massapequa. Frank Marino, you know, is from Oceanside."

He and his wife moved out to the Las Vegas Valley because of "the weather, the gambling, the sights."

Who knew they'd become overnight celebrities?

"The Henderson Home News ran a story (with the headline:) `Jerry Seinfeld Retires in Henderson,' " he said.

"Sunset Station had a big party for his last ("Seinfeld") show. They gave me my own parking space. They put a sign on it: `Reserved for Jerry Seinfeld.' "

The SS Celine?

Celine Dion didn't go overboard for her 35th birthday, but a local yacht owner did.

Dion, the headliner at Caesars' Colosseum, celebrated in high (roller) style: cruising Lake Mead with three dozen family members aboard the Lady Hilton, the 53-foot yacht once used by the Hilton Hotel to entertain preferred clients.

Michael Gasta, former director of catering at the Hilton in the 1980s, took Celine and family out on the Lady Hilton for six hours as a gift, since he can't officially rent it. She turned 35 on March 30.

Built in 1978, the yacht was purchased by Gasta from the Hilton in late 1998 with the idea of using it for charter cruises at $700 an hour. But Gasta's plan was scuttled when he couldn't acquire a Park Service concession license.

The Scene and Heard

Shelley Bruner has moved up from general assignment reporter to co-anchor with John Overall at Fox affiliate KVVU-TV Channel 5. ... City Councilman Michael Mack got himself a beautiful 40th birthday present on April 10: Over dinner at Prime Steak House (Bellagio), he got engaged to girlfriend, Kerry Kopasz. ... Danny Gans is back on stage after missing Saturday's show with a back injury from a golf outing. Must have been doing an impression of a bad swing. ... Prana, an offshoot of L.A.'s celeb hotspot Crustaceans, opens Thursday in Desert Passage.

Sightings

Magician Lance Burton, making his sort-of singing debut at Kelly Clinton's Monday karaoke night at the Bootlegger. Burton was singing "Day-o" as Harrah's headliner Clint Holmes and his musical director, Bill Fayne (the guy in the blonde wig) belted out "The Banana Boat Song."

The Punch Line

"Big sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life." -- Charles Schulz, creator of "Peanuts."

You can reach Norm Clarke at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.