21st Annual Golden Eagles Presented

Actor Andy Garcia, percussionist Tito Puente, singers Eydie Gorme and Celia Cruz and radio announcer Casey Kasem were among the winners Friday night at Nosotros’ 21st annual Golden Eagle Awards, which recognize the achievement of Latinos in the entertainment industry.

The awards honor performers in all areas of entertainment, with Cuban-born Garcia being named outstanding actor for his performances in films including “The Godfather, Part III,” “The Untouchables” and “Internal Affairs.” Elizabeth Pena received the outstanding actress award for her TV work in “Drug Wars: The Enrique Camarena Story” and “Shannon’s Deal,” and in the movies “Jacob’s Ladder,” “La Bamba” and “Down and Out in Beverly Hills.”

But while other acting awards went to Steven Bauer (“Drug Wars”), Laura Elena Herring (“General Hospital”), Rachel Ticotin (“Total Recall”) and Chick Vennera (“The Milagro Beanfield War”), it was the musical awards that stole this year’s program.

Receiving by far the largest ovation from an ethnically mixed black-tie crowd at the Beverly Hilton was Cuban-born salsa singer Cruz, known to those present as “La Rumba Reina” (the queen of rumba). Cruz, who kicked off the show with an opening number shared with pop singer Martika, later performed solo and shared an award for lifetime achievement in music with percussionist/composer/conductor Puente, who performed with his niece Millie P. Both acts were huge crowd favorites.

Other musicians receiving awards were Mexican-born composer/singer Juan Gabriel, who received the organization’s “Legend” award, and pop singer Luis Enrique, who received the outstanding service award for his campaign of Spanish-language anti-drug TV spots. Neither Gabriel nor Enrique attended the ceremony.

Despite comments by several of the evening’s presenters about the growth of Latino participation and acceptance in the entertainment world, it was honoree Pia Zadora who referred to the still-existing dearth of successful Latino performers when she stressed her own Polish heritage and her “surprise” at being honored by the Latino organization.

The evening’s two biggest honorees were also non-Latinos--lifetime achievement recipient Gorme--who did not attend, but was recognized for her “crossover” work--and Kasem. Honored for his work on behalf of all ethnic groups, Kasem noted that it is due to groups like Nosotros that “things are changing” in a Hollywood that has a history of perpetuating ethnic stereotypes.

The program, which also included performances by Zadora, Steve Allen, folk singer Lalo Guerrero, rapper Que Pasa and pop singer Timmy T, will be televised nationally in early September, airing in Los Angeles on Fox Channel 11.

The list of winners:

Lifetime Achievement--Eydie Gorme; Humanitarian--Casey Kasem; Actor--Andy Garcia; Actress--Elizabeth Pena; Lifetime Achievement in Music--Celia Cruz and Tito Puente; Legend--Juan Gabriel; TV Actor--Steven Bauer; TV Actress--Laura Elena Herring; Promising Actor--Chick Vennera; Promising Actress--Rachel Ticotin; Special Tribute--Pia Zadora; Service--Luis Enrique.