Hollywood Beat
Oscar Wilde, Academy of magical arts awards show, Shane’s inspIration, Share Reception

Oscar Wilde: Honoring the Irish in Film

Talent agent Hylda Queally sure has a lot of famous friends.  When she was recently honored at the Oscar Wilde Awards at the Ebell Theatre, her clients, including Frieda Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), French actress, Marion Cotillard, Rose Byrne (Damages) and Academy Award winning actress Kate Winslet were on hand to wish her well.  Winslet was very excited about paying tribute to her agent for 16 years.

 The US-Ireland Alliance, is a non profit organization created to foster ties between the US and Ireland, also honored actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) and Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges)

The award ceremony was followed by a fun, casual Irish party and Grammy Award nominated singer Maura O’Connell sang a Clare song to honor Queally, Among the guests enjoying Irish music, liberal libations, and tasty Irish fare, included Producer, Harvey Weinstein (doesn’t sound Irish, to me), Tracey Ullman, Allan McKeown, and numerous film company exec, directors, society types, and show biz biggies.

Dana Delaney (Desperate Housewives) stated, “I always like to celebrate anything Irish.  We don’t do enough of that in America.”

And speaking of famous Irishmen, Senator Ted Kennedy helped launch a program to teach American high school students about Ireland. Did you know that many Irish people are seeking the British Government’s decision to grant a knighthood to Senator Kennedy, in honor of all he has done for Ireland?

A grand day for the Irish indeed! 

Honoree Hylda Queally and Kate Winslet

 

Rose Byrne & Abbie Cornish

 

Dana Delany (Desperate Housewives)

 

The Academy of Magical Arts – 41st Annual Awards Show

Among those on hand to celebrate 2008's the best of the best in the lavish world of mystery and illusion at the Avalon Hollywood for The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. 41st Annual Awards Show were Zach Quinto, Florence Henderson, Jeff Probst, Mac King, Erin Murphy, Gay Blackstone, Max Maven, Mike Caveney, Larry Wilmore, Christina Hendricks, and host, Broadway, television and motion picture star Neil Patrick Harris.

The evenings performances included Han Seol-Hui, Scott Land, Daniel Browning Smith, Guy Hollingworth and Michael Moshen as well as color commentary by the extraordinarily talented Bruce Vilanch.

And the Awards went to:

LECTURER OF THE YEAR – Jeff McBride
CLOSE-UP MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR – Doc Eason
PARLOUR MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR – Shoot Ogawa
STAGE MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR – Kevin James
MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR – Guy Hollingworth

Neil Patrick Harris both co-produced and hosted the ceremony on March 8th and gave the traditional event a face-lift by bringing an entirely restructured format for the program.  Also, although not common knowledge, Neil is also an amateur magician.

The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. is a non-profit social order of over 6000 members worldwide devoted to the advancement of the art of magic.   One of their primary focuses is to promote a positive image of magic and magicians.  The organization promotes the art of magic, encourages fellowship and maintains the highest ethical standards for the art. The organization has been working with established talent and training future generations of magicians with their programs for juniors to entertain both on the stage and the silver screen.

Presenter Florence Henderson with Host Neil Patrick Harris

 

Florence Henderson with Parlour Magician of the Year Shoot Ogawa

 

Bruce Vilanch offers color commentary to the evenings program

 

Shane’s Inspiration

Tony Award winning actor, Joe Mantegna, currently starring in the TV series, Criminal Minds, hosted the annual Shane’s Inspiration Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel This organization is dedicated to eliminating bias against children with disabilities, and creating accessible playgrounds and programs to foster acceptance of children with all abilities.  Mantegna is also very active in the Special Olympics, and urges everyone to avoid using the “R Word” – which means we should think twice before using the disparaging and hurtful word, “retard”.

Gorgeous Mirtha Michelle, one of the stars of the recent box office smash hit, Fast & Furious, was inspired by the supporters of this group, including Derek Strong, the 6’8” NBA Star, turned NASCAR Racer, who donated a full day of private racing instructions.  While on the fast track, Cody Unser, daughter of Indy 500 racing legend, Al Unser, Jr.  was honored for her role as activist for spinal chord research.  The lovely young college student became paralyzed from the waist down at age 12, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to be accepted.  As she stated, “Shane’s Inspiration playgrounds provided that opportunity.”

The live auction featured the $15,000 sale of a painting created collectively by paraplegic artist Tommy Hollenstein, and 16 of his rock star friends, including Ringo Star, Joe Walsh of The Eagles, Slash of Guns N Roses and Shiela E.  of Prince fame. 

Scott Williams, Katherine Curry-Williams and Tiffany Harris founded Shane’s Inspiration.  Scott Williams is the co-executive producer of Fox’s Crime Drama series, Bones. A most inspiring cause indeed!

 

Jon Kirk Mukri (Honoree) Joe Mantegna (Tony Award Winning Actor), Barry A. Sanders (Honoree), Neil L Papiano (Honoree)

 

Mirtha Michele (Star of Fast & Furious) & Guest

 

Rosalina Lydster (Jeweler to the Stars), Cody Unser (Honoree)

 

Tommy Hollenstein (Celebrated Paraplegic Artist) with Derek Strong (NBA Star-turned NASCAR Racer)

SHARE Reception

Unfortunately our weakened economy has affected many charity events.

SHARE, which supports many facilities serving disabled and disadvantaged children, had to postpone their 56th Annual Boomtown Gala set for May 2009.  The lovely ladies of SHARE, who have put on a spectacular show for so many years – had to hang up their dancing shoes, but not their spirits temporarily.  They expect to kick up their heels again in 2010.

However, 65 SHARE ladies and guests attended Hillcrest Country Club for a reception to distribute $800,000 to local charities.  Among the facilities who received grants were the Center for the Partially Sighted, Kayne Eras Center, I Have a Dream Foundation and Friends of CASA. 

Over the years, they have raised over $45 million to help “at risk” youth and support programs for children in need.  The wives of such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson and Sammy Davis, Jr.  performed in their shows, and we even remember seeing Roseanne perform there for the first time.

Altovise Davis, (Sammy’s widow) was very active in the organization, and sadly passed away a few weeks ago.  The former chorus line dancer was a popular fixture on the social scene and will be missed.  We include a photo of Altovise, wearing the signature SHARE western outfit taken at their last event.  Her spirit and those of the fabulous SHARE Ladies will live on.

Corinna Fields (former Miss World), Doreen Wallach and Joanna Carson (former Mrs. Johnny Carson)

 

Philanthropist Joni Berry presenting check to Scott Bowling of ECF Kayne Eras Center

 

Altovoise Davis (widow of Sammy Davis, Jr.) at SHARE Boomtown Event 2008, with columnist Marci Weiner