Garrett’s brother’s death inspires pet project
AMONG his duties as general manager of Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at MGM Grand, Paul Ames always escorted the club’s namesake as he left the property.
As they reached the top of the escalator leading out of the hotel’s underground promenade, Ames routinely told Garrett, “Next time you come back, try to be funny.”
Garrett knew it was coming, but he never delivered a retort. He just laughed. The jab was a family tradition.
Paul was Garrett’s older brother, a warm and familiar face at Garrett’s club over the years. He ran the operations and was a charismatic maitre d’, the dapper gent who made sure customers were happy and the trains (and comics) ran on time.
Sadly and unknown even to many who frequented Garrett’s club, Paul had suffered from pancreatic cancer for several weeks before passing away May 7, less than a week short of his 64th birthday.
“Paul was an old-school kind of guy, the type of person this city was built on. The comics who come to the club feel like it’s an oasis, and that has largely been because of Paul,” Garrett said during an interview last week. “He had a great perspective on life, a genuine people person who loved comics, loved to joke around. We used to say to each other, ‘If one of us gets sick, don’t let me suffer. Take me the (expletive) out.’ ”
Certainly, Ames was a classic Vegas figure, a polished David Niven-style personality with an infectious smile who shook your hand and hugged you all at once. Ames had the now-rare quality of remembering the names of everyone he greeted at club door. It was not uncommon for him to seat a couple in a VIP booth,
J. Keith Moyer • Chase Rankin •
then return minutes later with two bags of Official Brad Garrett Comedy Club Carmel Corn “on the house!”
Ames spent his final days at Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas. A longtime supporter of Nathan Adelson and host of its annual gala concert, Garrett is ensuring his brother’s legacy is properly marked by helping launch thepawsforpaul—thepaul Ames Pet Therapy Program.
Honoring passion and advocacy for animals, Paws For Paul was established by Garrett and Nathan Adelson President and CEO Carole Fisher.
The program allows pet therapy visits in the facility’s inpatient units and nursing homes; dog-walking, litter box changes and pet waste cleanup for in-home patients; pet bathing and grooming; and assistance in providing food, supplies and some veterinary care for patients’ pets. The timeline for launching the program is still to be determined (go to nah.org for information and how to support).
“Paul got so much comfort in his dogs, even when he was very sick,” Garrett said, referring to mixed-breed rescues Jessie and Stella. “All the way through this, he was still worried about his dogs. It was a very, very emotional thing.”
On one of the brothers’ final walks out of the club, Ames again told Garrett, “Next time you come back, try to be funny.” Garrett turned to his brother and said, “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
“I’d never said that before,” Garrett said, “but it was the truth.”
Noybel’s muse
Vegas vocalist Noybel Gorgoy is releasing an ode to her late father, Noel, appropriately
By mail:
enough, on Father’s Day. The single is called “Puros Sueños (Pure Dreams).” The tune is available on all digital platforms.
Gorgoy sang in Clint Holmes’ “Between The
Lines” show at Palazzo Theater and is a member of the gypsy-jazz band Hot Club Las Vegas. She is originally from Pinar del Rio, Cuba, having moved to town with the production “Havana Night Club” at Stardust in 2004.
Gorgoy’s father was was a composer and guitarist for a prominent theater group in the family’s hometown. Noel Gorgoy had planned to move to Las Vegas in 2013 when he died tragically after falling down a flight of stairs. She also plans to film a music video with the single. As Gorgoy says, “I think wherever my father is, he will love it.”
Cool hang alert
I often say to Franky Perez, “I hate it when you phone it in.” I’m being facetious, always, as Perez is commonly soaked in sweat after a gig when I make that crack. A Las Vegas native, singer/ songwriter and an absolute flamethrower onstage, Perez performs with his band The Dirty at Alexxa at Paris Las Vegas from 9:30 p.m. to midnight Saturdays. There’s no cover charge, and even the open, Strip-side view is free.
The Review-journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson. Las Vegas Sands operates The Palazzo.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram.
Life, entertainment
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday:
1. Officials reconsider offramp near Raiders’
Las Vegas stadium
Concerns raised this month by the stadium’s developers and MGM Resorts International prompted state transportation officials to reconsider building a directaccess carpool lane from Interstate 15 to the Hacienda Avenue overpass. 2.Boyfounddead in Henderson house was Las Vegas teen
The juvenile whose body was found Friday in an abandoned Henderson house has been identified as a 17-year-old Las Vegas boy.
3. Some hiccups during voting in Nevada primary election
Tuesday’s primary election is the first vote in a crucial year that will see Silver
State voters choose a new governor, two new members of Congress and more.
4. Golden Knights to host celebration for fans in downtown Las Vegas
Select Golden Knights players, general manager George Mcphee, and coach Gerard Gallant will be on 3rd Street Stage Wednesday evening to show their appreciation to fans for their support.
5. Cousins Maine Lobster to open inside 2 Las Vegas Smith’s stores
A food truck company will open its first store-within-astore inside the two newest Smith’s locations in Las Vegas.