Hollywood Beat

Stop the Wheel I Want to Get Off & Acts of Love

Susan Stafford, my first friend with when we moved to L.A. 30 years ago, has come out with the perfect holiday tome – “Stop the Wheel, I Want To Get Off” – which is the appropriate title for her life story.

After all, she was the original hostess on Wheel of Fortune, and was the first person to be nominated for an Emmy on a game show.

Susan gave up the celebrity life, to work with Mother Teresa in India, and later worked with Aids patients, including her buddy, Rock Hudson – with whom she was with when he died.

In her revealing book, she shares her experiences as an A-Lister, and marriages to top TV Executives,  including Dick Ebersol, NBC Chairman of Universal Sports and the Olympics;  and later her long term love affair with  Dan Enright, the most successful Game  Show Producer in TV History.  As she stated, “It was her commitment to serve a higher purpose than to “spin the wheel”. This plucky lady walked away from a $100,000 a year contract to work pro bono with Cancer patients.

Some of Susan’s 200 guests included pals, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., (The Fifth Dimension),  Movie Legend, Rhonda Fleming, actor/author Joe Bologna, who came directly from the theatre where his new play is debuting; and Game Show King, Wink Martindale to name a few.  Others feasting on delectable crab cakes, comforting mini mac cheese cups, and marinated chicken skewers prepared by Gordon Ramsey, Master Chef at the luxurious London West Hollywood Hotel, included Rosey Grier, Kato Kaelin, and handsome Soap Star, Sean Kanan.

Our own Century Plaza hotel was the venue for the Acts of Love gala, which raised over $100,000 in support of autism awareness and research.

It was a special evening of readings and musical performances produced by Cedering Fox of Word Theatre.  Performers included Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), Lauren Graham (Parenthood) and Mary McDonnell (The Closer).

Jason Katims, Producer of the hit TV shows, Parenthood and Friday Night Lights was honored with the Acts of Love Media Award.

Others attended the performance included actress Alyssa Milano and Holly Robinson Peete (The Talk). Nice to see that the entertainment community is following the lead of the above mentioned Susan Stafford, who was ahead of her time in helping others in need.

Soap Star Sean Kanan with girlfriend, Michelle Vega at Book Signing Soiree

Kato Kaelin with Pat & James Van Patten

Author Susan Stafford with Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.

Laura Graham & Peter Krause (Parenthood) at Acts of Love Gala

Book Cover – Stop the Wheel, I Want To Get Off