Lung Assn. Hears Speech by a Smoker of Some Note

The American Lung Assn. of Orange County threw a party last week at which the featured speaker stood before a rapt audience of 300 and said, “I smoke.”

She said, “It certainly is hell to quit smoking.”

And then, laughing, “I begged to get out of this.”

But movie star and Newport Beach native Kelly McGillis didn’t get out of it, probably couldn’t get out of it--considering that her daddy, Dr. Donald McGillis, heads a division of PacifiCare Health Systems, the Cypress-based health care company that hosted the benefit.

So there she was, standing at a microphone on a makeshift stage in South Coast Plaza’s Crystal Court, saying she felt “a little bit hypocritical” being there. But what the heck.

“If anything,” McGillis said, with the surprising honesty that characterized her brief speech, “I’m a perfect candidate for the Lung Assn.’s anti-smoking campaign!”

Before the star’s head-turning late entrance, guests enjoyed cocktails and buffet fare served by celebrity waiters, including television actors James Callahan (“Charles in Charge”), Mae Hi (“MASH” and “General Hospital”) and Jennifer Rhodes (“Nightingales”).

Callahan said he took part in the fund-raiser because of a lung-related “personal tragedy in my family.” He said he didn’t mind serving food and drinks to guests, “but it’s kind of embarrassing to wait for the tips.” (Embarrassing but necessary: the tips were paid in funny money--bought with real money--that accounted for part of the net proceeds.)

Actress Rhodes had no such qualms.

“One guy asked me to get him some pizza, and I said, ‘You give me a buck and I’ll do it,’ ” she said. “Then this other guy wanted a beer, and I said, ‘Whatzit worth to ya?’ ”

Spoken like a true professional (waitress, that is). Rhodes said she was reminded of her struggling-to-make-it days waiting tables in New York--”back in nineteen- ahem-ahem .”

Mae Hi flashed a Hollywood smile when asked about waitressing for charity.

“I felt this is a great cause, and I wanted to do something,” said the petite beauty. “I’m a nonsmoker and I have bad allergies from cigarette and cigar smoke. Also, today is my birthday, and this is a very nice birthday present for me.”

Also slinging silver trays were Newport Beach Police Chief Arb Campbell and his wife, Lavonne--both in uniform. Lavonne, a Newport Beach detective, had strapped a pair of tap shoes to her belt.

“Because,” she said with a wink, “some people tip me just to go away, but if that doesn’t work I point to these shoes--and they tip me not to tap.”

Proceeds from the $50-per-person June 8 benefit were estimated at $15,000, according to Harvey Shields, executive director of the American Lung Assn. of Orange County.