Spacey gives late director his due
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey kept his word.
He followed through Wednesday on a promise to friend Robert Earl that he would attend the Las Vegas premiere of "Casino Jack" at Planet Hollywood Resort.
But his heart was in Los Angeles at a Directors Guild memorial for the film's director, George Hickenlooper.
The 47-year-old Hickenlooper died Oct. 29 while promoting "Casino Jack" at the Denver Film Festival.
But, said Spacey in an interview with Vegas Confidential, "I know in my heart of hearts George would much rather have me out here taking about this film than in Los Angeles talking about him."
Spacey, who plays disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, praised Hickenlooper's work and his "extraordinary fascination and love of the anti-hero."
Spacey attended a tribute last month for Hickenlooper in "what should have been his triumphant return home at the St. Louis Film Festival. We all ended up drunk bowling at 2:30 in the morning. I turned to my friend Spencer (Spencer Garrett plays Tom DeLay in "Casino Jack") and said George would be so happy that we are here in St. Louis bowling in his honor."
Spacey, who is the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in London, said he's returning to the stage in June as Richard III, with Sam Mendes directing. They both won Oscars for "American Beauty."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Raise a toast to Frank Sinatra on Sunday. It would have been Ol' Blue Eyes' 95th birthday. Call or e-mail me your Sinatra sightings involving Las Vegas places that still exist, and I'll run a Top Ten in Sunday's column. Sinatra's pal, Steve Wynn, is marking the occasion by having Sinatra family members in for opening night of Saturday's "Sinatra: Dance With Me." The show runs through Jan. 29. ...
The selection of Joy Behar, a co-host on "The View," for the Miss America judging panel is causing a stir. Conflict-of-interest objections are being raised because she was a celebrity headliner at a fundraiser for Miss New York. The pageant returns to Planet Hollywood Resort Jan. 15.
"Viva Elvis" trick ropers Loop Rawlins and Will Roberts perform at the MGM Resorts tent from 5-6 p.m. today. I was a day off and a dollar short.
MAY I RECOMMEND ...
It's showdown weekend for the National Finals Rodeo with just two sessions to go. The legendary Buck'n Ball continues tonight and Saturday at the Gold Coast, which also hosts "National Finals Tonight," a post-rodeo show featuring former champs Donnie Gay and Joe Beaver, announcers Bob Tallman and Boyd Polhamus and top rodeo personalities. The last buckle presentation is tonight at South Point. A stone's throw from South Point: Stoney's Rockin' Country, 9151 Las Vegas Blvd South.
SIGHTINGS
San Francisco Giants postseason hero Cody Ross, who grew up wanting to be a rodeo bullfighter, at the NFR Thursday. ... Spacey at Surrender (Encore) and Strip House (Planet Hollywood Resort) with "Casino Jack" producer and partner Dana Brunetti on Wednesday night. ... At Spacey's meet-and-greet before the premiere: WBA world junior welterweight boxing champion Amir Khan and trainer Freddie Roach. ... A Travel Channel crew, filming painted ladies at Buck'n Ball (Gold Coast) on Thursday with former bullriding champ Gary Leffew. The reality show is titled "Skin City." ... Luxor headliner Criss Angel, delivering a $15,000 check to the KLUC-FM, 98.5, toy drive on Wednesday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"On a recent worldwide math test, American teenagers ranked 25th out of 34 countries. When they heard this, American teens said, "Yea right, like there are 34 countries." -- Conan O'Brien
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
