Former Strip headliner Line Renaud is inducted into the Walk of Stars on Monday at Paris Las Vegas. Photo by Jeff Scheid.
What better locale for Line Renaud's star than at the front door of Paris Las Vegas?
The juxtaposition was perfect: Forty years ago, the French icon was appearing at the Dunes, now Bellagio, as the star of "Casino de Paris."
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As she spoke during her Walk of Stars induction on Monday, the bells of the Paris Las Vegas clock dramatically rang out at 6 p.m., and, as if on cue, the theme song of Bellagio wafted across the Strip as the dancing fountains burst to life.
Twice a headliner during two-year runs at the Dunes, she spoke of Las Vegas as "my second home," recalled Elvis at her opening night at the Dunes and even sang a few bars of "Autumn Leaves" in French.
When Paris Las Vegas opened in September 1999, it was Renaud who convinced the city of Paris to simultaneously light the Eiffel Tower and the Las Vegas replica.
Mayor Oscar Goodman kicked off the lovefest for the bubbly French import by proclaiming it "Line Renaud Day."
Former Howard Hughes alter-ego Robert Maheu told the gathering that many celebrities are known for their ability to work a room. Renaud, he said, is so beloved that, "the room works her."
She recalled becoming fast friends with Siegfried & Roy when they opened at the "Lido de Paris" show in 1967 as a one-cat act. A year later, at the 80th birthday of French entertainer Maurice Chevalier, she saw them again, this time performing in front of a gala crowd that included French sex kitten Brigitte Bardot and Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis.
Longtime friend and Las Vegan Jerry Engel, who joined speakers Maheu, Fischbacher, Phyllis McGuire and Annee Nounna, concluded the tributes with "Viva La Line."
'LA CAGE' AU FEUD
Kenny Kerr's appearance in the audience at "An Evening at La Cage" (Riviera) on Friday has raised some eyebrows.
The sighting of the veteran drag queen comes amid legal wrangling between "La Cage" headliner Frank Marino and the show's producer Norbert Aleman.
Rumors that Kerr is replacing him are "ridiculous," Marino said Tuesday. "Our lawyers are trying to work it out. I can't quit and I can't be fired, unless the lawyers prove somebody breached the contract."
Marino, who has five years left on a 10-year contract, has hired local attorney Mark Tratos and is seeking a retraction from Aleman, who spanked Marino in a letter to the media.
Aleman claimed Marino "misrepresented" himself as the producer, co-owner and only star of 'La Cage' and, through his self-promotion, caused "many hurt feelings among some very talented performers."
SIGHTINGS
Renaud and Fischbacher, dining at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand) on Monday, and later posing for photographs with chef Robuchon. ... Hometown NASCAR star Kurt Busch, in the Tropical Smoothie Caf on Flamingo & Decatur on Monday, ordering a Caesar salad and a protein smoothie. ... Jerry Tarkanian, a guest on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Tuesday night. ... Slugger Sammy Sosa, in the crowd at Elton John's show (Caesars Palace) on Saturday night. During the show, John returned from backstage and announced the Chicago White Sox, Sosa's former team, had won the first game of the World Series. ... Also at Renaud's star ceremony: Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Dennis Bono, County Commissioner Myrna Williams, and the French star's longtime friends Mitch and Jillian Hrushowy, their daughter Michelle Gaftoi and her husband, Ricardo Gaftoi. Michelle, a dancer in the "Fashionistas," was baptized at the Notre Dame in Paris in 1977 as Renaud's goddaughter. Ricardo is a dancer in "Jubilee."... Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers is hosting a pre-game party at Tao on Thursday with his Laker teammates. A portion of the door is going to his foundation for children, Cathy's Kids, a charity named after his mother, who died of cancer.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Did you see the (Tom DeLay) picture? He has his hair dyed, teeth capped, eyebrows lifted for a minute they thought they arrested Regis." -- David Letterman
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