Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Film in works on life of Redd Foxx

Redd Foxx will have his life chronicled in a new film. Dr. Phil McGraw at convention Kiefer Sutherland dining out Tony Danza in town

Film rights to the life story of Redd Foxx, the risque, raspy-voiced Las Vegas headliner, have been sold.

Co-producers Dan Florio and Jerry Findley, with offices here and in Los Angeles, purchased the rights from Foxx's widow, Jeanne Foxx of Las Vegas.

Florio said the film will air by the end of the year, probably on HBO or Showtime, most likely starring a young black comic.

Actor Jamie Foxx expressed early interest in playing the comic star known to many as junk dealer Fred Sanford in the TV sitcom "Sanford and Son."

In addition to the film, a takeoff of a Redd Foxx nightclub show is being developed for Sapphire, the gentleman's club, Florio said.

Foxx died in Las Vegas on Oct. 11, 1991.

The Scene and Heard

Among the 200 who attended the services for comedian Bernie Allen on Monday in Las Vegas: Nancy Sinatra, Steve Lawrence, Rich Little, Cork Proctor, Lance Burton, Sweet Louie and Sonny Charles of The Checkmates, Sonny King, Pete Barbutti and Babe Pier. Fellow comedian Marty Allen was on the telephone Monday dealing with an erroneous East Coast report that he had passed away. Part of the confusion: Both Allens teamed up with Steve Rossi. Marty Allen told friends Monday, "I saw the light at the end of the tunnel ... and it was New Jersey."...

Jerry Lewis checked out of a Sunrise Hospital rehab center on Friday, after losing 50 pounds during his managed withdrawal from a prescribed steroid used to battle his chronic lung ailment. Down from 242 pounds, he will unveil his healthier new look March 3 at The Orleans showroom. ...

Vegas TV Channel (VTV) launched Monday night with a two-hour telecast on Turner Media Men's Channel, the Playboy Channel, Comcast and Warner Cable. The kickoff, featuring a lineup of local headliners, was broadcast live from OPM, the nightclub above Chinois, the Wolfgang Puck restaurant in the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Sightings

Jerry Springer, at a table reading a big book and having a PT burger Sunday night at PT's, 2280 S. Nellis Blvd., with his bodyguard nearby. ... At the National Association of Television Producing Executives convention on Monday: Oprah; Dr. Phil; Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle and Patricia Heaton of "Everybody Loves Raymond;" Tony Danza; and Maury Povich. ... Former President George H.W. Bush, dining at Morton's of Chicago on Monday with Steve and Elaine Wynn and Sig Rogich. Earlier, Bush joined Sheriff Bill Young, Mandalay Resort Group co-founder Mike Ensign, Wynn and Rogich at Shadow Creek for a round of golf. Bush spoke at the International Builders' Show at The Orleans Arena. ... Fleetwood Mac, performing at the CBS/King World party Monday night at the Four Seasons. ... At a table at Osteria del Circo (Bellagio) on Sunday night: Kiefer Sutherland; the cast of the CBS hit "Yes, Dear," Anthony Clark, Mike O'Malley, Liza Snyder and Jean Louisa Kelly; and Susan Lucas, general manager of Fox affiliate KVVU-TV, Channel 5. ... Superchef Wolfgang Puck, cooking up a storm for Viking Cooking Ranges at the builders' show at the Convention Center. ..."Growing Pains" star Alan Thicke, in town for the television producers convention, doing dinner Monday night at Spago (Forum Shops at Caesars). ... Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, catching lunch at Puck's Postrio (The Venetian) on Saturday. ... Tom Selleck, dining at Morton's on Friday.

The Punch Line

"It's like watching a train go by. Can't see where it starts and can't see where it finishes." -- Jerry Seinfeld, on Donald Trump's hair, during a walk-on at pal George Wallace's show Sunday at the Flamingo.

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