Rita Rudner
LAS VEGAS’ FUNNY GIRL
Dishes Serious Advice
by Colleen Birch Maile
Rita Rudner jokes that she’s one of the few Las Vegas females to achieve stardom while keeping her clothes on. Indeed, this funny lady’s ability to wryly poke fun at life’s little paradoxes packs in crowds. The Harrah’s headliner has been named Vegas’ top comedian for the eighth year in a row. During 2,000 performances on the Strip she’s brought in more than $50 million. Ask the secret to her success and she’ll tell you that people from all walks of life identify with her take on the commonplace—relationships, love, family. “I’ll get kids on their honeymoon, couples celebrating their 50th anniversaries. Last night there was a roomful of dermatologists on convention. I’ve been here so long, I’m so comfortable on stage, I think it makes the audience feel comfortable too.”
The chummy affection Rudner and her patrons share is the result of a twenty-year career built on far more than bon mots.
As a girl she dreamed of a chorus line, not one-liners. By age 25 she was a Broadway veteran with a decade as a professional dancer under her belt. That’s when the simple principle of supply-and-demand spawned a professional paradigm shift. “There were so many dancers. But there weren’t many women in comedy. I thought I could stand out.”
Rudner pursued humor with a passion and along the way established some life principles that can benefit anyone at a crossroads. “First rule,” she said, “don’t talk about doing something. Do it. I always say, if you do it, it will be done. It’s true. If you want things to change, you have to change them. You have to stop wishing and do something. When I decided to pursue comedy, I did it. I studied comedy. I set goals. I said, ‘I will speak into a microphone every night even if no one is there.’ I never wasted time. Still don’t. When I was starting out I’d write jokes constantly. On the bus between the comedy clubs I’m writing jokes. Now, I’m taking my daughter to school and I have her read to me. Time is really important. Use it wisely.”
Rudner approaches goals with razor-sharp realism. “People say ‘follow your dreams.’ I say, don’t follow your dreams. Follow what happens when you’re awake. You may dream of being a prima ballerina, but if your 60-years-old, that isn’t going to happen.”
|
A realistic view of her place in Hollywood led Rudner to Las Vegas eight years ago. “My husband [producer, writer and director Martin Berman] and I were writing movies, writing TV and we really didn’t want to do it anymore. It became apparent that once you’re in your 40s and you’re a female you’re not going to get that sit-com. An offer came from Vegas and I’ve learned that it’s always better to say ‘yes’ to what life gives than to say ‘no.’ ”
Saying yes to Las Vegas resulted in a best of all worlds lifestyle for Rudner and Berman. Still writing partners, they work on creative projects each morning. “Last year we did a PBS special and a play. This year we’re doing an independent film.” Rudner, who is also a best-selling author, performs at Harrah’s four or five evenings a week, leaving her plenty of time for their six-year-old daughter. “Las Vegas has so much to offer. We play golf and tennis. I just had a friend visit with her mother and her daughter. Three generations, they all had a great time.”
Rudner and her family also keep a vacation home in Laguna Beach. “It’s the total opposite of our life here,” she said. “In Las Vegas I look out at buildings and taxis and bright lights. There we go for walks on the beach, watch the dolphins and eat at home. We have lots of friends from LA come visit. They like it at the beach. I don’t know if they like us. But they like the house,” she deadpanned.
|
