Vintage Photos from the Golden Age of Las Vegas

By the mid-1970s, Las Vegas had cemented its reputation as a playground for comedians as much as crooners. Rodney Dangerfield, with his trademark self-deprecating humor and catchphrase “I don’t get no respect,” was a perfect fit for the Strip’s neon-soaked comedy scene. His performances drew both tourists and celebrities alike.

This 1976 photo captures Dangerfield in front of massive billboards advertising his Tropicana shows, symbolizing how Vegas promoted its stars with the same fanfare as headlining singers. Comedians like Dangerfield helped diversify the city’s entertainment landscape, making stand-up as essential to the Vegas experience as the casinos themselves.