Kids Are at the Heart of Tribute to Goldie Hawn

The Big Sisters Guild tribute to Goldie Hawn won’t go down in the annals as one of the more glamorous Hollywood affairs. The cavernous Hollywood Palladium makes a hotel ballroom seem cozy, service was interminable, and table favors were tooth whitener and toothbrushes. As for the casual dress code, no one knew just how to interpret it, although Kurt Russell and Chevy Chase both sported the new movie star uniform: white cotton shirts buttoned to the neck, blue jeans, navy blazers and eye glasses.

Still, the evening on Saturday, chaired by Sarah Purcell, reaped some $500,000, thanks to having been underwritten by EPI Products, makers of the 1,300 tubes of tooth paste--one per guest--around the room.

Hawn, outfitted in a black Azzedine Alaia body glove, also proved her star power. The Palladium was filled to the rafters with her important pals, including directors Robert Zemeckis and Garry Marshall; Billy Crystal; Sally Field; Martin Short; Chase and his wife, Jayni, both honorary co-chairpersons; Neil Simon; Charles Grodin and Dave Thomas. Singer Thelma Houston and the comedy troupe Second City performed.

“Goldie’s the best,” said Creative Artists Agency co-owner Ron Meyer, whose $2,300 winning auction bid for a walk-on on “The Wonder Years” drew one of the biggest laughs of the evening.

Asked why she supported the charity, Hawn, with children Kate and Oliver in tow, replied: “Kids. Just kids who are in need.”