This subjectivity becomes more clear when you consider that everyone (celeb or not), react differently as circumstances change. Hence, a person is apt to come-off differently to different observers or differently over time. I understand that because I dealt to Dennis Rodman...fifteen years apart.
IN THE EARLY 90's, I DEALT CRAPS TO RODMAN WHEN HE WAS WITH THE PISTONS. HE WAS POLITE, KIND AND GENEROUS. HE ALSO ACTED AS A MENTOR TO HIS LESS CASINO-SAVVY TEAMMATES. AFTER HE WENT HOLLYWOOD...HE WAS OPPOSITE...TO SAY THE LEAST.
I think my subjectivity couldn't possibly interest anyone. After all, who wants to get bogged down hearing about the highest celebrity rollers or funniest or sexiest or...
I knew it, you want specifics...tangible traits that NEVER change. So, let's talk about height...the shortest and the tallest celebrities I ever dealt to.
One shortie I dealt roulette to was Doug Flutie. For those of you who are interested...yes indeed, he's as cute as a button. He tried to bleed into the crowd by standing behind a slim 5 foot 8 woman. I think, he thought he got past my wry eye but he didn't. He seemed to want his anonymity and I respected that.
At the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, I once dealt craps to the diminutive Don Adams, (April 13, 1923 - September 25, 2005). What a hysterical guy he was...NOT! That day that he came in with his cousin, fellow actor Robert Karvelas (Agent Larrabee from "GET SMART"). They stood on opposite sides of the table and made one five dollar "don't come" bet each. They didn't make another until there was a decision on the first. The epitome of boring, as if attending a funeral, Adams ignored all idle chatter and stared-off into space.
Also at the Nugget, I had the good fortune to deal craps to the vertically challenged, veteran stage, screen and TV actress Alice Ghostley, (August 14, 1924 - September, 21 2007).
Most people remember her from TV's, "BEWITCHED." I used to tell people that she was the last actress to play Gladys Kravitz but my latest research proved me wrong...her role was Esmeralda from 1969-1972. Her massive boob tube credits also include, "DESIGNING WOMEN," "MAYBERRY RFD," and "THE JULIE ANDREWS HOUR." Some of her movies were; "THE GRADUATE," (1967), "WITH SIX YOU GET EGGROLL," (1968) and "GREASE," (1978).
I ESPECIALLY LIKED HER (right), AS STEPHANIE CRAWFORD, (THE BUSYBODY), IN 1962's, "TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD."
A pleasure to serve, Alice Ghostley knew the etiquette of the craps. In an upbeat manner, even when losing, she stood tall and treated the staff with respect and generosity...while telling interesting stories.
I have dealt to a lot of big guys...mostly basketball players. These giants include Patrick Ewing, Bill Laimbeer and Bernard King. However, one man could eat an apple off of any one of their heads...7 foot 7, Manute Bol.
Manute, (translates to; special blessing), was born from tall stock, in Sudan. His mom was 6 foot 10 and his dad 6 foot 8. Bol also claimed to have a great grandfather who was 7 foot 10.
In his youth, he was unofficially credited with running down a cheetah and spearing a poaching lion to death while cow herding.
Bol came to the USA to play college basketball. For several months, he attended ESL classes to improve his English. He wound-up at the University of Bridgeport, (Connecticut).
He made it into the NBA with the Washington Bullets as center, specializing in defense and shot blocking. Later in his ten-year career, while playing for the Golden State Warriors, Bol strayed form his forte and attempted 91 3-point field goals (making 20). During a cold streak, he was reputed to have coined the phrase, "my bad."
I dealt roulette to Bol on at least 20 occasions. While other sports stars surrounded themselves with their peeps and bodyguards, Manute usually had his posse of University of Bridgeport alums. This horde of Jewish-looking accountant types made a comical contrast. Also humorous was seeing Bol walking in the distance. He had a bopping gait that made him look like a human shadow.
Due to his size and need for comfort, he liked to play on empty tables. He'd sit in the middle and use his incredible reach to place his bets. He was always chipper, friendly and generous. When he had an audience, he'd clown around and order me to place bets right in front of him. On the serious side, I once flexed my back and he stood up to demonstrate a better stretching method.
After his pro basketball was over, Bol became a political activist. He spent a good deal of the money he earned supporting various causes in his war-ravaged homeland. He frequently visited refugee camps and was treated like royalty. He even turned down a government position.
After going through an estimated 3.5 million dollars of his own money, to help support his causes in the USA, Bol was willing to play the buffoon to generate interest in his charity work. He signed-up as a minor league hockey player and also suited-up as a jockey. The funds generated, assisted in finding a solution to the genocide in Darfur (Western Sudan), as well as awareness for modern-day slavery and other human rights abuses in his nation.
Tragicallly Mr. Bol died earlier this week, he was only 47. I will always remember him as a titan among men, on the basketball court, gambling in the casino or supporting the weak on the grand world stage.
So when people ask me who was the greatest human being I ever dealt to...the answer would have to be Tiny Tim? NOT! ---The Amazing Kreskin? No! ---Manute Bol...YES !
No comments:
Post a Comment