Heart problems in Gans’ family

Entertainer Danny Gans had high blood pressure "for years" and a history of heart problems in his family, his manager said Saturday.

Chip Lightman said Gans, who died May 1 at 52, three months into his long-term deal at the Encore hotel, "really watched his health, knowing it (heart trouble) was in his family."

Lightman acknowledged he has heard "all the rumors," but said he is not concerned about what might surface in toxicology tests that could take several weeks before the Clark County coroner's office releases the results.

"I can swear on a Bible I never saw Danny involved with drugs," Lightman said. "I can't imagine that being a factor. In my 18 years, he's never done one thing in front of me. Ever. I'd be surprised."

KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs, a close friend of Gans, said she was aware of Gans' high blood pressure.

"But he took very good care of it, and he certainly had it under control as far as I knew," Jacobs said.

"He wouldn't even eat fried food, so you'd think he wouldn't be involved in any kind of risky behavior.

"He was an athlete in a lot of ways. Who amongst us, that work out on regular basis, doesn't have a constant ache or pain. I'm sure he took Motrin. I think that's about as adventurous as he ever got."

A week before Gans died at his Henderson home, the singing impressionist made a cryptic comment about dying during a telephone conversation with Jacobs about his new music video, "What a Wonderful World."

"When I die and you do my obituary piece," he told her, "it will be the most brilliant work of your career."

PESCI'S PARTNERS

Tough-guy actor Joe Pesci was on the telephone confirming he has a deal to open some pizza restaurants in Las Vegas, while disavowing any business connection with convicted racketeer Rick Rizzolo.

Pesci, who won an Oscar for best supporting actor in "Goodfellas" in 1990, said he's partnering with Las Vegas businessmen Sig Rogich and Elias Ghanem II.

Pesci blamed a miscommunication on the Rizzolo connection reported here Thursday.

"I want the connection made clear," said Pesci, who was in town to go over details of the venture, to be known as Pesci's Pizza Parlors.

The source of the story, Pesci's longtime friend and personal assistant Tommy DeVito, founder of the Four Seasons musical group, "was confused," Pesci said.

Rogich, a prominent local public relations and marketing executive, advised the presidential campaigns of Ronald Reagan in 1984 and George H.W. Bush in 1988.

Ghanem works for Wynn Resorts in the executive training program. His father, Dr. Elias Ghanem, was known as the "physician to the stars," serving celebrities that included Elvis Presley, Liberace, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Ann-Margret and Wayne Newton.

Rogich said the first of several pizza restaurants will open in Las Vegas this summer, with several planned in a foreign country.

SIGHTINGS

Donny Osmond, making a surprise appearance for the David Foster & Friends concert at Mandalay Bay on Saturday. He sang Michael Buble's "Love" and "Puppy Love." ... Actress Lisa Rinna and husband Harry Hamlin (People's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1987), belatedly celebrating their 12th anniversary at Blush (Wynn) Saturday. They got married March 29, 1997, in Los Angeles. ... Singer/songwriter Peter Cincotti, dining with friends from Denver at Alex (Wynn) on Friday. Cincotti, whose Las Vegas debut was in 2002 at AJ's Steakhouse at the Hard Rock Hotel, when he was 19, was in town to perform in Foster's lineup.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Manny Ramirez of the L.A. Dodgers tested positive for a steroid that's sometimes used as a sexual enhancer. Apparently Manny couldn't get to third base on his own." -- Craig Ferguson

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.