Say hey, Goulet

Kirk Baird

Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000 | 8:45 a.m.

Born in Lawrence, Mass., in 1933, singer/actor Robert Goulet has been a permanent resident of Las Vegas since 1981, but his relationship with the city began in the early '60s. In fact, Goulet still recalls his first performance at the Flamingo Hilton, something he just repeated for a New Year's Eve bash. In this week's question-and-answer session, Goulet talks about Las Vegas and how it's changed, his recent not-too-serious roles in films and commercials, and his burgeoning career as a painter.

Question: How has the city changed since you moved here?

Answer: The city has changed enormously. All you have to do is drive down the Strip. I'm amazed. When I first got here, to my recollection, there were about 180,000 people; now there's 1.3 million. Everywhere I go in this country, people say 'You live in Las Vegas?' I tell them you don't seem to understand. (Vegas) is not just gambling and carousing and God knows what else. There are more churches in this city per capita than any city in the world. And then I tell them, of the 35 largest hotels in the world, 34 are in Vegas. Here. And they're all beautiful.

Q: What about your involvement in the arts community? What would you like to see done and how can you accomplish it?

A: I've been asking people of this city to get together and give us a theater. We don't have a theater. I've been to theaters across the country, like in Green Bay (Wis.), a city of 400,000 and they have a 3,400-seat theater. Now why can't we? I'm working with some people who are involved in getting some land near Red Rock. I pray this is something we can do before I pass away. I hope it will happen. I'm working on it very diligently.

Q: You had some self-effacing roles/appearances in such movies as "Scrooged" and "The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear," as well as ESPN college basketball commercials. Is this a sign that you don't take yourself or your image too seriously?

A: I never have. I don't know what my image is but I never thought much of myself. I like to go out (on stage) and have a good time. I make jokes and I have fun.

Q: When you look back at your career, what's the one thing that stands out most in your mind?

A: My biggest accomplishment has yet to come. God knows what that will be, but I'll keep plugging along. I'm like a wandering minstrel.

Q: You were diagnosed in 1993 with prostate cancer, from which you made a full recovery. How did your battle with cancer affect you?

A: It didn't affect me at all, except I knew I had cancer and had to get rid of it. I laugh about it. Doctors said I've got five years to go, maybe six months after that. I tell audiences to please be kind to me.

Q: Over the course of your career you've done everything from radio and TV to film and stage. Which medium do you prefer?

A: I enjoy the media when I'm doing that particular job. I enjoy all of them and I'm very blessed with the fact I can work in all of them.

Q: In 1960 you made your Broadway debut as Sir Lancelot in the musical "Camelot," which helped launch your career in the United States. Recently, you returned to the musical, this time in the role of King Arthur. Was this an easy transition for you?

A: I did King Arthur for the first time in '75. It was difficult that time, but I've done it since that time. I really enjoy the role. It has more depth, more character and a few more laughs.

Q: What about your artwork and poetry: Do you consider yourself a renaissance kind of guy?

A: I just write things for myself. I don't care to have it put in book form. Now I'm starting to paint a little bit. Got one (painting) on the pool table that I'm trying to finish ... My wife told me it looks like something you wipe clean and start over again, but I'm going to keep it no matter how bad it is.

Q: What's something most people wouldn't know about you but would be surprised to find out?

A: Everybody who knows me knows that I have a sense of humor and that I like to make people laugh more than anything else in the world.