Rich and Famous Tours, New York’s newest “Must-Do Experience” has added the 965 Fifth Avenue murder location of recently murdered real estate broker Linda Stein to the “Rich and Famous” tour. The former rock group manager and broker-to-the-
“965 Fifth is known for several other reasons,” Dykes continues, “It’s the narrowest apt. house on Fifth Avenue, since it replaced a townhouse on the site during the time when income tax and property taxes were forcing wealthy families to tear down their Fifth Ave. houses and build high-rises. It’s also the building where Jackie O’s sister Lee Radziwill lived for many years. 965 Fifth is next door to movie star Charles Grodin’s co-op, which inspired his 2004 play The Right Kind of People, all about a Fifth Ave. building’s snooty co-op board.”
“It’s also near the former co-op of disgraced Tyco chairman Dennis Kozlowski (the apt. with the $6,000 shower curtain), socialite Anne Bass’ penthouse, Mayor Bloomberg’s E. 79th St. townhouse, Daily News publisher Mort Zuckerman’s lavish apt. and the $22m penthouse of Michael Dell at 960 Fifth Ave. Other celebs who live nearby include Barbara Walters, Tom Hanks and Bill Cosby; they’re all on the Rich and Famous tour route.”
The Rich and Famous Tour is a fabulous 3-hour “specialty”
A sample of sights:
• where the stars live (and how much they paid!)
• which buildings typically reject celebrities (hello Madonna, Mariah & Barbra)
• fabulous private schools and clubs (Gossip Girl anyone?)
• the street with the most billionaires
• the trendy salons where Gwyneth, Beyonce and the Sex & the City gals get bikini waxed
• the vacant lot where the doctor blew up his townhouse rather than see his ex-wife take it
• Visit film locations such as the Seinfeld Diner and the bookshop from You’ve Got Mail.
• Sites associated with murders and celebrity scandals
• And dozens of other fabulous sites that you WANT to know about!
Stars in the City! Spot a Celebrity & receive $20 CASH!!
Rich and Famous Tours is the idea of actor-guide Jim Dykes (www.jimdykes.com ). “No matter what people assume, there are many more stars in Manhattan than Hollywood,” says Dykes, who acts as guide on many of the tours. “Just for fun, the first person on the bus to spot a celebrity gets $20 cash! So far we’ve spotted Sarah Jessica Parker, Denzel Washington, Brad & Angelina, Uma Thurman, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa (with her children), Jennifer Hudson, Bette Midler with her trainer, the Olsen twins and many others. It’s simple if you know where to look!”
One of Dykes’ first celebrity sightings was accidental: several years ago Steven Spielberg tagged along on his celebrity walking tour, landing a bold-faced mention for Dykes in Liz Smith’s syndicated gossip column. “Such a nice man-he introduced himself to my group!” says Dykes.
Dubbed “the celebrity tourguide” by Joan Rivers as she introduced him on her local New York show, Dykes has been fascinated with stars from his days working at legendary hotspot Studio 54 and as a backstage go-fer for producer Alexander Cohen on events like Night of 100 Stars. “Rich and Famous Tours is for people who want a personalized tour of the glamorous side of New York from the columns. We’re the complete opposite of those boring, double-decker bus tours (you know who they are) with bored guides reciting memorized scripts and making up information. People “hop off” and tend to never “hop back on”! New York is much too fabulous a city to put up with that kind of dull bus tour. We offer the ultimate anti-dote: a splash of excitement and a sprinkle of stardust.”
Rich and Famous Tours may be purchased directly through the website www.richandfamoustours.com at scheduled times for public groups (or any time for private groups. Watch for Rich & Famous Tours on FOX NEWS.com’s “celebrities in New York” hosted by April Milt.
