Are you a fan of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series? If yes, then you might have seen “Vegas Vacation,” the fourth installment of the series.
The movie revolves around the Griswold family’s trip to Las Vegas, where they experience various comedic and unpredictable scenarios. One of the most memorable characters in the film is Rusty Griswold, who is played by actor Ethan Embry. However, did you know that Rusty’s name is not actually Rusty in this movie?
In “Vegas Vacation,” Rusty’s character goes by the name Nick Papagiorgio. This might come as a surprise to some fans who have followed the series and are used to seeing him as Rusty. But why did they change his name for this particular movie?
Nick Papagiorgio is a fake identity that Rusty uses while playing at the casinos in Las Vegas. He pretends to be a high roller from out of town and enjoys all of the perks that come with it, such as free hotel rooms, food, and drinks. However, his luck soon runs out when he loses all of his money and gets into trouble with the law.
The decision to rename Rusty’s character was made by screenwriter Elisa Bell and director Stephen Kessler. They wanted to give Rusty a new identity that would allow him to have more fun in Las Vegas and create new experiences for viewers.
Overall, “Vegas Vacation” is a hilarious addition to the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, with Nick Papagiorgio being one of its most memorable characters. So next time you watch this classic comedy, remember that even though he goes by a different name in this movie, it’s still our beloved Rusty Griswold causing chaos and making us laugh.
If you’re planning on visiting Las Vegas anytime soon, maybe consider taking some inspiration from Nick Papagiorgio but, of course, without getting into any trouble with the law.