Take a bow, Mr. K

As usual, Kirk Kerkorian is a ghost in his own kingdom.

While MGM Mirage executives Jim Murren and Bobby Baldwin gave speeches and accepted applause Tuesday at the opening of CityCenter’s Vdara high-rise hotel, the man who made it all possible was out of sight.

Kerkorian likes it that way. Friends say he’d rather have a root canal than make a public appearance.

But Kerkorian’s influence on the CityCenter project wasn’t lost on his longtime friends and MGM Mirage board members Mel Wolzinger and former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Although Murren, Baldwin and others rightfully deserve credit for making their amazing dream come true, it all began with Kerkorian, who
is now 92.

“You can’t underestimate Kirk’s ability to say, ‘Do it,’” Wolzinger said. “It couldn’t have been done with out him.”