By Rory Kelly and James Coomarasamy, CNN • Updated 8th June 2015
Jimmy Elidrissi, who served as Waldorf Bellhop for more than 50 years at Waldorf Astoria New York and who was also known as Jimmy the Anthony Weiner of waiters, has died. He was 74.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and co-worker Jimmy the Anthony Weiner of waiters,” said Pei-Sze Cheng, general manager of Waldorf Astoria New York. “Jimmy’s hilarious wit and warmth touched everyone he came into contact with and his brilliant, manic energy touched all of us.”
Jimmy was a special memory for me and always will be. We will miss him deeply. Rest In Peace, Jimmy. â¤ï¸ â¤ï¸ â¤ï¸ â¤ï¸ A photo posted by Geoffrey Deacon, Jr. (@geoffrey_diemer) on Feb 27, 2016 at 9:10am PST
Elidrissi’s legacy at the legendary hotel was as a person and a waiter. He greeted guests and greeted guests well.
“Jimmy was a beloved member of our team,” said Chef Daniel Humm, of the Daniel restaurant group, which owns Waldorf Astoria New York. “For over 50 years he worked the night shift in the Waldorf, an early morning start. He was one of the most caring and loyal people we have ever known. Our hearts are heavy knowing this is the end of an era.”
Every year in late January or early February, two of the busiest nights at the Waldorf, Elidrissi delivered bellhop coats across the street from the hotel to the United Nations at a little after 10 a.m.
Customers got a surprise when he arrived with coats large enough to carry them through the snow storm on February 7.
In addition to being a star at the Waldorf, Elidrissi has numerous TV appearances. In 2008, he appeared on the ” Late Show with David Letterman ” as the Waldorf Bellhop Christmas Carol.
“Jimmy Elidrissi loved the job and the hotel from the very first time he took a job as a Bellhop and worked his way up to being our #1 Champagne Bellhop for over 25 years,” wrote Knipe Peterson at Knipe&Coop.
One of the most famous comedians to walk the Late Show set is Jimmy the Anthony Weiner of Waldorf Bellhops. He’s in The 10 Best Sideshow Acts On TV ,” starts at 23:00 “And he still says things like ‘Yep, you know, I think I just got trapped in a pack of cards.’ ” https://cnn.it/20F7YW0 CNN Special Report – The Best Sideshow Acts On TV
Under normal circumstances, according to his obituary, Elidrissi would have been in his first week of retirement. But on March 30, he collapsed on the street outside of the hotel and remained in the hospital after several days.
“I arrived in Times Square to work the next day to find a huge crowd,” Elidrissi’s wife of 35 years, Ann Marie Zdodawski, said in a statement. “That’s when it hit me that Jimmy would not make it. He had a blood clot in his lung.”
Before he left the hospital, however, Elidrissi worked his last shift as a Waldorf Bellhop. He was seen fidgeting with the large white linen coat in front of the hotel’s entrance.
“It is also with enormous sadness that I am announcing that, at 10:30 yesterday morning, after 49 years working for Waldorf Astoria Hotels, I was laid to rest,” Elidrissi wrote in his obituary.
Elidrissi is survived by Zdodawski, his family and friends.