The list of celebrities that love to play poker or gamble in general continues to grow, as do the games themselves. From actors, athletes, comedians and rock stars, casino games are booming like never before. Even some memorable comedy films have been based around gambling and Las Vegas, like The Hangover (above). Here are 5 notable comedians who enjoy time out to gamble.
1. Brad Garrett
Brad Garrett, star of sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, and owner of his own personal comedy venue has been a mainstay of American television for decades. Nowadays, he is mostly known for being one of the biggest celebrity poker players on the circuit and hosts an annual charity celebrity game. Staged at the MGM Grand, the Maximum Hope Foundation charity poker tournament donates 85 cents from every dollar raised to families with children facing what Garrett describes as “life-limiting illnesses”. Away from his good deeds, last year, he even outlasted the great Phil Ivey the biggest tournament in the poker world, the WSOP Main Event held at the Rio Las Vegas. For the record he also went further than friend and colleague Ray Romano (more about him below) who was sitting adjacent at the Rio.
2. Norm Macdonald
Canadian stand-up comedian and actor Norm Macdonald, has attended almost every celebrity poker event over the last few years. While Macdonald is a poker obsessive, he is also a fan of just about every other form of gambling, an obsession which has cost him dear and, up to now, has seen him go broke at least four times. The poker player in him, does generate an income though, however modest. Sadly for the Quebec born comedian, his only cash at the WSOP was back in 2007, when he landed 20th in the $ 3,000 No Limit Texas Hold ’em event, and took down $ 14,608. For the record, there has been a since dismissed Hollywood rumour that the awesome John Dahl poker movie Rounders was based on the life of Macdonald who was frequenting the Mayfair Club that the movie’s writers were scouting out while doing their research.
3. Ray Romano
The on-screen brother of Brad Garret (above), comedian Ray Romano also loves a good grinding session. Romano has being playing poker since he was young and is another on the list to have played in the World Series of Poker, although he played anonymously. In fact, Ray Romano, is a successful poker player and has been playing the WSOP annually since 2007, and in 2013 made it a personal best performance when he made it to the third day of play. So in love with the game are the Romano family that, one year on from his best performance, his 21st first birthday present for his son was to part-front the $ 10,000 buy-in for the World Series of Poker Main Event, which has a $ 10 million first-place prize.
4. Jason Alexander
Best known for his most famous role as George Costanza in the 90’s international super hit situation comedy Seinfeld, Jason Alexander has competed in many televised poker tournaments, including the WSOP Main Event. His biggest victory came back in Atlantic City in 2010 when he came fifth in a $ 350 event for that year’s WSOP, taking down $ 16,933. Alexander, who has been on the Hollywood poker scene for decades and appeared on poker shows such as Poker After Dark and Celebrity Poker Showdown, started out with the game back at high school and, just as TV was taking an interest in the game, his show Seinfield was booming into one the biggest shows of its era too. Alexander, signed up to a new agent and publicist who just happened to represent one Phil Hellmuth, infamous Poker Brat, who began coaching the actor and introducing new elements to his game. These new elements served the actor well and now he regularly bouts with the likes of Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio and Kevin Pollak, as well as still keeping up appearances at big poker events globally.
Gambling has been popular for many years now, even top A-list celebrities and comedians from this list love to gamble. So what’s so special about gambling? Well as technology has improved it seems that more people are getting involved, as the bonuses and jackpots are getting better so many people can’t resist not to play, some also play on the go. If you want to see what the best sites, bonuses and games are, the Casino.org UK page gives you all the relevant information before playing today!
5. Adam Sandler
The writer and star of so many ridiculous movies, Sandler is a semi regular on the Hollywood and Vegas celebrity poker scene. The funny man behind Billy Maddison, Happy Gilmore and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, is a purely recreational grinder, turning up for charity events in the main. Beginning his career as a stand-up comic who later joined the Saturday Night Live cast, it wasn’t long before Tinsel Town was calling and, as an instant success, he soon went on to gross over $ 100 million US dollars. Now that he is a big time movie star, he has the bankroll for make no limit run at the jackpot, although Sandler is far from a gambling addict and plays purely for the fun of it. Competing in Don Cheadle’s Annual Ante Up For Africa Celebrity Charity-Poker Tournament on numerous cases and attending the 2008 WSOP at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas as well as taking part in PokerStars’ European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final the following year are but three examples of a man that loves his poker.
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Original article: Here’s 5 Comedy Stars Who Love To Gamble.
