Former ‘Baywatch’ actress quits revue

“Fantasy” producer Anita Mann announced late Friday that “personal matters” led to Bridges’ departure.

She had appeared in the 10th anniversary show last week but did not go topless.

“Angelica is an incredible professional who we all sincerely loved working with and are deeply disappointed about the situation we find ourselves in today,” said Mann. “Once Angelica is able to resolve her personal matters, we certainly would welcome her back to ‘Fantasy’ with open arms.”

Bridges, 35, was on the red carpet at Thursday’s grand opening of the Hard Rock Cafe.

NOT HIS FIRST RODEO

When Steve Wynn showed up in jeans and fancy cowboy boots for his press conference with Garth Brooks on Thursday, it was no drugstore cowboy act.

When a reporter asked the hotel developer, “When you think of Wynn and Encore you don’t think of cowboys and country music, what made you go after Garth Brooks?” Wynn explained the connection.

“I’ve been a (steer) roper and a header. Even had a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) card,” Wynn told the crowded theater.

The marketing-wise Wynn scheduled Brooks’ comeback debut at Wynn Las Vegas on Dec. 11, the second-to-last night of the National Finals Rodeo at Thomas & Mack Arena. The scheduling guarantees that Brooks will be talk of the town during NFR week, Dec. 3-12.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Oddest show business accident of the week: Louie Prima Jr., bleeding from a facial cut caused by wood splinters after the guitar-smashing ceremony involving 20 VIPs at Thursday’s grand opening of the Hard Rock Cafe. …

The recession has caused an uptick in bogus $100 bills being discovered by local valets, I’m told. So if you see someone in handcuffs and a car being towed from valet parking it’s a good chance they got caught. “Happens more than you think,” a valet told me Friday. …

International TV personalities Raul de Molina and Lili Estefan, hosts of this year’s Latin Grammy Awards at Mandalay Bay, will be honored by the Las Vegas Walk of Stars with the 38th and 39th celebrity stars at 5 p.m. Nov. 3. De Molina is considered the Regis Philbin of Hispanic TV and Estefan is host of Univision Network’s “EI Gordo y la Flaca.” The star dedication will air live during “El Gordo y la Flaca.” …

Hotspots and cool stuff: Matt Donnelly‘s Celebrity Tarot Lounge, 7 p.m. tonight at the Stage Door Theater at Town Square. 6587 Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 174. Adam Savage, host of “Mythbusters,” at 7 p.m. and poker players Annie Duke and Andy Bloch at 10 p.m. …

SIGHTINGS

Vicente Fox, former president of Mexico, and his wife, Marta Sahagún de Fox, taking a private tour of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health on Wednesday afternoon with founder Larry Ruvo. … George Maloof, honored as 2009 Outstanding UNLV Alumnus of the Year at the UNLV Alumni Association’s annual homecoming dinner. Thalia Dondero, former Clark County commissioner and member of the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents, received the Silver State Award, which recognizes non-alumni for support to the university. Chefs Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, having lunch at First Food (Palazzo) on Thursday. They ordered the reuben tacos and walnut shrimp. At another table, chef Mark Lo Russo, having the cheesesteak dumplings and hand-cut fries. … Justin Timberlake‘s mother, Lynn Harless, introducing her son during a special event Thursday at the Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center. The event was attended by guests visiting for the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. … Correction: Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom were hosts at the Luxor nightclub, LAX, on Wednesday with their teammates.

THE PUNCH LINE

“The good news is we’ll probably have some kind of improvement in our healthcare system. The bad news is, it won’t be in our lifetime.” — Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.