On the Town: Actors and Others for Animals present 2014 gala
It’s not often that one finds themselves in the midst of a galaxy of film and television stars that includes an original cast member of the Not Ready For Primetime Players from “Saturday Night Live,” two-eighths of the Brady clan and the world’s most famous baby witch.
That, however, was where more than 350 people, dedicated to the care and protection of companion animals, found themselves as Actors and Others for Animals presented its 2014 gala fundraiser this past week.
The San Fernando Valley-based organization, founded in 1971 by the late actor Richard Basehart and his wife, Diana, to promote the humane treatment of animals, has a long-standing history of staging fundraisers that have attracted supporters from Burbank, Toluca Lake and all over Southern California.
Beginning back in the 1970s with its legendary Celebrity Fairs held at Burbank’s Warner Ranch, the animal welfare organization has gone on to present celebrity fashion shows, toasts and roasts that have included appearances by Carol Channing, Dick Van Dyke, Betty White and scores of other Hollywood legends.
This year, the group once again offered a new twist on their annual gala by taking over NoHo’s El Portal Theatre for a staging of the long-running, Drama Desk Award-winning production of “Celebrity Autobiography.”
Created by Emmy Award-nominated writer Eugene Pack and E! Entertainment producer Dayle Reyfel, the show’s run has seen more than 500 celebrities read and act out excerpts from other celebrity memoirs that range from the poetry of Suzanne Somers and confessions of Justin Bieber, to the personal musings of the three stars who were caught up in one of Tinseltown’s most famous love triangles — Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher.
Following last week’s red-carpet arrivals, a preshow cocktail party and a VIP reception, where supporters could mingle with Susan Taylor, executive director of Actors and Others for Animals, as well as the organization’s board and the evening’s cast members, the assemblage was welcomed to the main event by JoAnne Worley of “Laugh-In” fame, who serves as the group’s president.
Following Worley’s welcome, the show, produced by Karen Cadle, began as the El Portal’s stage was graced with the production’s stars Florence Henderson of “The Brady Bunch,” actress and singer Lainie Kazan, original “SNL” cast member Laraine Newman, Mindy Cohn of “The Facts of Life,” former ’N Sync band member Joey Fatone, actor Fred Willard and beloved comedienne Lily Tomlin.
Among the many locals and notables who came out in support of the cause and enjoyed the evening were Jackie Lewis, a lifetime member of the Burbank Jaycees and president of Jackie Lewis Productions, comedian Jaime Monroy, author Michael Stern, actress and founding member of Actors and Others for Animals Jackie Joseph, Erin Murphy, who played Tabitha in “Bewitched,” Susan Olsen, best known for her role as Cindy Brady on “The Brady Bunch,” and the San Fernando Valley’s own real-life Willie Wonka — Frank Sheftel — who owns the Candy Factory and hosts the popular radio program “Frank Talk” on LATalkRadio.
The evening also included a live auction conducted by Worley that offered a lunch for two with actresses Ann Jeffries, Charlotte Rae, Nancy Dussault and Worley herself.
All proceeds from last week’s event will go to the nonprofit group’s work of promoting and educating people about the humane treatment of animals, curbing pet overpopulation by subsidizing spay/neuter surgeries and providing other vital services to aid pet guardians living on a low and/or fixed income.
For more information about Actors and Others for Animals, the organization’s upcoming events and how to donate, visit www.actorsandothers.com.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
