Actor Matt Damon extends tradition of celebrity players at tourney

Wednesday, May 6, 1998 | 9:56 a.m.

Academy Award winner Matt Damon's participation in the finale of the World Series of Poker adds to a lengthy tradition of Hollywood actors and other personalities who have played in the three-decades-old tournament.

Damon, who this year won the best original screenplay Oscar for "Good Will Hunting," in which he also starred, is playing in the 29th annual World Series at Binion's Horseshoe to promote his upcoming gambler movie "Rounders."

The film, scheduled for release in August, is about a college student torn between his determination to finish school and become a lawyer and his desire to drop out and become a high-stakes gambler.

World Series officials are closed-lip about whether Damon, his studio or the Horseshoe is paying for his entry into the $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas hold 'em game, which starts Monday and concludes next Thursday.

If the casino indeed is paying for Damon's entry and that of "Rounders" co-star Ed Norton, it is believed that the $20,000 investment may be a small one compared to the publicity Damon's appearance could generate worldwide.

But celebrities coming to Las Vegas each April and May to play in the granddaddy of all gaming tournaments is nothing new.

Last weekend French film and pop music star Patrick Bruel came to town and placed sixth in the $2,500 pot-limit Omaha hold 'em event.

Bruel has been a European film star dating back to his 1983 debut in "Le Grand Carnaval." His list of credits include his portrayal of Louis in the 1995 motion picture "Sabrina." His latest film, "The Misadventures of Margaret," came out this year.

His hit European albums include "Alors Regarde" (1989), "Bruel" (1994) and "Plaza de los Heroes" (1995). He has won several Le Victoires de la Musique awards, the French equivalent of the American Grammy.

The late Telly ("Kojak") Savalas and Gabe ("Welcome Back Kotter") Kaplan have been regulars at the World Series dating back to the 1970s.

Savalas, who died in 1994 at age 70, placed in the money in several World Series events, including a fifth place finish in the 7-card hi-lo split world championship in 1987.

"I learned the game from a crazy aunt who loved to play poker," Savalas told the SUN in a 1987 interview. "When Aunt Sophie had no one to play with, she taught me the game and I've been playing ever since."

In 1992, Savalas placed 21st in the $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas hold 'em event.

Kaplan started competing in the World Series just after his ABC sitcom about a classroom of misfits became a hit show.

Kaplan has had eight in-the-money finishes, including three third place showings. In 1980, Kaplan finished sixth in the hold 'em championship. He has won more than $178,000 in World Series events.

Last year, actors Richard ("Night Court") Moll and Nick ("Sunset Beach") Stabile participated in the news media no-limit hold 'em event. Stabile was given a private lesson by former world champ Huck Seed just before the game and then finished second.

Other celebrities who have participated in past World Series events include Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss and Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flint.