S17E315: A Tribute to Elaine Wynn: The Queen of Las Vegas
The Hollywood Godfather Podcast
GRI Entertainment
4.7 • 811 Ratings
🗓️ 7 May 2025
⏱️ 35 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode of the Hollywood Godfather Podcast, the hosts pay tribute to the late Elaine Wynn, a notable figure in Las Vegas history, who passed away at the age of 82. The discussion covers her significant contributions to the arts, women's empowerment in the business world, and her role alongside her husband, Steve Wynn, in transforming Las Vegas. The hosts recount personal anecdotes and share insights into the generosity and impact of Elaine and Steve Wynn, including their influence on hospitality, gaming, and philanthropy in Las Vegas. They also touch upon the construction of iconic hotels such as the Golden Nugget, Mirage, and Bellagio, as well as some personal interactions and favors exchanged with the Wynn family. The episode concludes with a tease of a future discussion on notable kidnappings, such as the case involving Frank Sinatra Jr.
00:00 Introduction and Tribute to Elaine Wynn
02:32 Elaine Wynn's Impact on Las Vegas
05:10 Steve Wynn's Contributions and Collaborations
08:44 The Mirage and Bellagio: Transforming Las Vegas
11:45 Challenges and Generosity in the Casino Industry
14:48 Personal Anecdotes and Legacy
18:08 Reflecting on a Remarkable Lady's Legacy
19:08 Commercial Break and Upcoming Events
19:44 Behind the Scenes of Las Vegas Investments
20:24 Scandal and Financial Losses
23:07 Elaine's Class and Employee Relations
26:03 Gianni's Musical Journey and Connections
28:03 Trump's Invitation and Gianni's Headlining Act
31:57 Upcoming Topics and Listener Engagement
33:03 Concluding Remarks and Call to Action
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | My name is Gianni Russo, aka Carlo, the infamous son-in-law from the godfather. |
| 0:07.0 | I'm now known as the Hollywood Godfather, and this is my story. |
| 0:13.0 | Before all of the wins in my portfolio, I was a little boy diagnosed with polio. |
| 0:19.0 | Experimenting with cures, I tried everyone. tried everyone felt everything in my right but my left was |
| 0:24.2 | numb walking with a limp like will i ever run once again or is this it am i for ever done |
| 0:31.5 | living in the hospital was never fun some people were, but not everyone. |
| 0:41.1 | Welcome, everybody. It's Time for Hollywood Godfather podcast. |
| 0:43.3 | And first of all, let's introduce |
| 0:45.6 | Jeannie Raymond, my darling, |
| 0:48.1 | my colleagues, and friend. |
| 0:52.2 | Tonight is a show that we decided to do as a tribute to actually two people. |
| 1:00.9 | And the lady that I'm talking about is Elaine Wynne. |
| 1:05.6 | And I met Elaine many, many years ago. |
| 1:08.4 | You probably recognized the last name, |
| 1:11.4 | and her husband was Steve Wynn at the time. |
| 1:14.7 | And I was in Vegas already, |
| 1:18.1 | and I was doing so many things. |
| 1:20.6 | And I have to say, |
| 1:22.8 | when he bought the golden nugget, |
| 1:25.6 | and I remember when he bought it, |
| 1:27.4 | he was just a few years older than me |
| 1:29.1 | and I watched what he did and he got and I know more about it than most people because in fact |
... |
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