Thursday, December 30, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: 'Star Trek' actor takes new role

David Ross played Lt. Galloway. Neil Diamond might be looking at LV. George Maloof tells of what almost was. Anna Nicole Smith is in town for some New Year's Eve partying, and her three dogs are getting royal treatment.

Lt. Galloway of "Star Trek" has launched a new chapter in his life: He's a greeter at Green Valley Ranch casino.

David Ross, who played security chief Lt. Galloway in the first three seasons of the original "Star Trek" TV show from 1967 through 1969, was hired last month to pull more Trekkies into Green Valley Ranch.

It worked. When word got out, Ross' presence caused so much congestion near an entrance that the property had to move him to another area.

"They're calling me an ambassador for now," he said.

A bad pair

Poker king Greg Raymer hasn't lost his luck.

Since winning the $5 million World Series of Poker jackpot at Binion's in May, his life has been a swirl of instant celebrity, with tournaments all over the world. Two weeks ago he was giving poker advice in Las Vegas to "Spider-Man" Tobey Maguire.

But 10 days ago he found himself in a deadly game of survival outside his 20th floor suite at the Bellagio.

Two would-be robbers, one brandishing a pistol, tried forcing him into his room for what he assumes was a murder plot.

The fast-thinking Raymer fought them off, figuring his chances were better in the hallway than being held captive inside his room.

"Instead of panicking, I started thinking like I was in a poker game," said Raymer, who was carrying $150,000 in cash on the way to his room.

Fearing arrest as Raymer hollered for help, the thugs ran off.

"Don't (expletive) with patent attorneys," said Raymer, a Connecticut resident who specialized in biochemistry cases for drug-making giant Pfizer.

Through photos, Raymer identified the two 20-something suspects, who remained at large.

The Scene and Heard

Crackerjack sources say Neil Diamond -- whose top 10 hits include "Cracklin' Rose," "I Am, I Said" and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," with Barbra Streisand -- is shopping for a show a la Elton John and Barry Manilow.

Sightings

Anna Nicole Smith's dogs, Sugar Pie, Marilyn and Puppy, will be living high off the hog this week. The Aladdin delivered a doggie gift basket to the pooches Wednesday from Flea Bag's, a specialty store at The District near Green Valley Ranch. In the $1,000 basket: doggie diva bowls, gourmet doggie cookies, Chewy Vuitton stuffed plush toys, crystal collars, sweaters, oversized Tiffany chewable diamond rings and doggie nail polish. Smith is in town to host the Aladdin (Planet Hollywood) New Year's Eve party at Curve nightclub. ... Tiger Woods, playing blackjack Tuesday at the MGM Grand in the high limit room. ... Palms owner George Maloof, revealing on E! Entertainment's "Billionaire Brotherhood," which aired this week, that Michael Jackson came very close to buying the land where the Palms was built. "Neverland Casino?" mused Maloof. ... Adrien Brody, having Christmas dinner with his family at the Hard Rock Hotel's AJ's Steakhouse, where they dined on surf n' turf and topped off the night with AJ's signature Bleeding Heart, a chocolate cake dessert.

The Punch Line

"I saw a palmist the day before. He said, 'Stay out of the sea, big wave coming.' At the time, I thought it was a joke. Now I just think it is freaky." -- British nurse and surfer Debbie Bates, 39. She was having breakfast at her hotel in the Sri Lankan resort of Ahungala when the first tsunami struck.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.