Hollywood Beat

Slash, Snakes & Betty White

Rock icon Slash, one of the world’s finest guitarists (Guns N’ Roses, Slash’s Snakepit, and Velvet Revolver) received the inaugural Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award at the Beastly Ball, held at the L.A. Zoo.

Slash, who is a member of the Board of Trustees, is a strong supporter of the Zoo, and a great fan of the late Mankiewiz, (writer/director — Cleopatra, Superman II, Diamonds Are Forever) whose work in protecting wildlife and our environment is legendary.

The award was presented by the still gorgeous Stefanie Powers. Mankiewicz directed her in the iconic TV series, Hart to Hart. Powers is also a huge supporter of wildlife, and is President of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, and Director of the Mount Kenya Game Ranch.   She also works with the Cincinnati and Atlanta zoos

The Zoo’s famed Elephants — Billy, Tina and Jewel were in the spotlight, in their spectacular Elephants of Asia exhibit, which opened last December.  Betty White, who is L.A. Ambassador to the Animals, offered a backstage tour of the Zoo, and a cocktail party on the deck of the new exhibit with her elephant friends (the largest habitat in the history of zoo).

Betty’s co-stars of her current hit TV Series — Hot in Cleveland, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick were on hand to sample bountiful fare from some of L.A. most popular eateries including El Cholo, Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill,  Il Fornaio, and Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs.

Fritz Coleman, popular KNBC TV Weathercaster, conducted a live auction, which offered such unique opportunities as being Zoo Director for a Day, and a private party for 30 at the new Tom Mankiewiz Conservation Carousel at the Zoo.  Over $1 million dollars was raised that evening to help support their myriad of programs, including animal conservation efforts.

Kudos to GLAZA President, Connie Morgan, and her hard working committee, who provided everyone with a fabulous evening, while learning the importance of saving and protecting wildlife.

Holly Robinson Peete, her son Rodney Jr., Betty White, and MC Ben Mankiewicz at Beastly Ball

Zoo Keeper, Jennifer Fuller with GLAZA supporters, Actresses Stefanie Powers & Pauley Perrette

L.A. Zoo Director, John Lewis, Honoree Slash, and GLAZA President, Connie Morgan

“Hot in Cleveland” co-stars of Betty White – Jane Leeves & Wendie Malick