Jody Ghanem
Dance, downtown business and arts philanthropy
A former Radio City Rockette whose Las Vegas story spans performance, downtown business and support for the performing arts.
Seven years as a Rockette
In a Smith Center interview, Ghanem recalled joining the Rockettes at seventeen as a summer replacement and remaining for seven years. She described work with Las Vegas-linked performers and engagements at Harrah's Lake Tahoe and London's Royal Albert Hall. [1]
Las Vegas and the Ghanem family
Jody Ghanem said Liberace hired her for his 1979 Las Vegas Hilton show and introduced her to Dr. Elias Ghanem, whom she married. Nevada's memorial resolution identifies her as his wife and the recipient of the Legislature's formal condolences after his death. [1] [2]
Downtown and the arts
The Smith Center documented her ownership of Radio City Pizza on Fremont Street and her involvement in the center's capital campaign. A separate recollection that she owned a transportation company remains an unresolved research lead and is not presented as established fact. [1]
Key dates
- 1979
Performs in Liberace's Las Vegas Hilton show and meets Elias Ghanem. [1]
- April 27, 2015
The Smith Center publishes her account of arts and downtown involvement. [1]
People in the same story
Dr. Elias Ghanem
Read the medical, boxing and civic record of her late husband. [2] [1]
Read the profileIn the archive
31 entries about associated places, not necessarily this person in the saved collection.
Liberace opens at Las Vegas Hilton
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
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Las Vegas Hilton opens tower
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
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Hilton Hotels says Las Vegas Hilton to reopen tomorrow
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
Another hotel fire shocks Las Vegas
The Sun reports the deadly Las Vegas Hilton fire, less than three months after the MGM Grand disaster.
Ex-busboy gets 8 life terms in Las Vegas Hilton hotel fire
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
Publisher-page access is unconfirmed. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)
Victims OK settlement in '81 Las Vegas Hilton fire
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
Publisher-page access is unconfirmed. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)
Go deeper into the record.
Sources for this profile and starting points for further research. Access notes mark links we could not open directly during the October 3–4, 2026 checks. Historical accounts describe their own period; they do not necessarily describe current operations.
- 1
Donor Q&A: Jody Ghanem
First-person account of her Rockette career, marriage to Elias Ghanem, arts work and Radio City Pizza ownership.
- 2
Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 — memorializing Elias Ghanem
The resolution records Ghanem's medical, labor-health, philanthropic and Nevada Athletic Commission work.