After I graduated college in January of 1973 my first “real job” was in California at The Holiday Inn, Brentwood-Bel Air, where I became Front Desk Manager. This is where I met my good friend Mike and he introduced me to his neighbor Linda, (yes, THE Linda) and the rest is history.
But the memory that has shaken loose from my cobweb encrusted brain was a man I encountered while behind that front desk. We were frequently visited by a local Bel Air resident, George Santopietro. Mr. Santopietro owned a very popular Italian restaurant in Bel Air frequented by the Hollywood elite. He lived on Mulholland Drive next to Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty, was handsome, drove a Rolls Royce and was even rumored to be ‘connected” but who knows about that? We’d all like everyone to think we were bound to silence by the Omerta.
George, as he told me to call him, would frequently come in to arrange a room for an overflow guest or have drinks with friends in our rooftop bar featuring a spectacular view of Bel Air and Los Angeles. He was so kind, friendly and unaffected it was a pleasure to serve him, always providing the best accommodations available. So what annoyed me no end was that we were very close to the same age and, unlike George, I was not a handsome, wealthy rugged Italian with a Rolls Royce, but a jealous geek trying to survive on $2.65 an hour; the anti-George!
One more interesting factoid. From 1990 to 2002 George was married to Vanna White. I may have, in some small way, actually brought him and Vanna together. I’m am not sure how but given enough time I am sure I can come up with a good story. I wonder if perhaps George has been looking for me to reward the attentive young executive behind the front desk; the totally dedicated servant of the people who was there for him over the years. I’m sure he tried but, it seems, unsuccessfully. Does anybody have George’s cell number? It’s not too late!
The dream lives!