If you’re a fan of National Lampoon’s Vacation movie franchise, you might recall the fourth installment, Vegas Vacation. The film follows Clark Griswold and his family on a trip to Las Vegas, where they encounter various mishaps and adventures.
One memorable scene involves Rusty, Clark’s son, using a fake name to gamble in a casino. But what was Rusty’s fake name in Vegas Vacation? Let’s find out.
The Scene
In the scene in question, Rusty (played by Ethan Embry) wants to try his luck at the blackjack table but is underage. He decides to use a fake ID and an alias to pass himself off as an adult. After some hesitation, he settles on the name “Nick Pappagiorgio.”
The Origin
The name “Nick Pappagiorgio” is actually a reference to another film – Rain Man. In that movie, Tom Cruise’s character Charlie Babbitt mentions a friend named “Nick Pappas,” who supposedly makes a lot of money counting cards in Las Vegas casinos. The surname “Pappagiorgio” was added for comedic effect.
The Legacy
Rusty’s use of the name “Nick Pappagiorgio” has become something of a pop culture reference in its own right. It has been mentioned or referenced in several other TV shows and movies over the years, including The Big Bang Theory and Horrible Bosses.
- The Big Bang Theory: In one episode of the popular sitcom, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) adopts the persona of Nick Pappagiorgio when he and his friends visit a casino.
- Horrible Bosses: In this 2011 comedy movie, one of the characters claims to have met someone named Nick Pappagiorgio at a bar in Vegas.
The Takeaway
While Rusty’s fake name in Vegas Vacation might seem like a throwaway gag, it’s actually a clever nod to another movie and has since become a cultural touchstone in its own right. If you ever find yourself in Las Vegas and need an alias, “Nick Pappagiorgio” might just be the perfect choice.