AIDS: Hollywood’s Hot and Cold Attitude : Benefit: A fund-raiser at Universal Amphitheatre on Sunday reflects the caring side of the industry.

The surprising death of actor Brad Davis of AIDS this week, and the major Hollywood fund-raising event for AIDS saluting Bette Midler this Sunday, is a starkly contrasting comment on the entertainment industry’s handling of the epidemic, according to Stephen Bennett, chief executive officer of AIDS Project L.A.

“What gets me is that AIDS has had such a huge impact in Hollywood. We get such generosity from some companies,” he said, citing gifts as much as $50,000 and $25,000 from studios and networks.

“And then there are others, who may be generous to some charities, but when it comes to AIDS, I can’t get a dang ticket out of them,” Bennett said. “They act like they don’t know anything about it.”

Bennett said the revelation of Davis’ living with AIDS in secrecy should not be surprising, given Hollywood’s hot and cold treatment of the disease over the years.

According to his wife, Davis concealed his fight with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from all but his family and closest friends so that he could keep working in an industry that, he believed, would not hire an actor with AIDS.

“The point is that people with AIDS are discriminated against in every industry,” Bennett said. “But why there is discrimination in the entertainment industry is remarkable to me, especially because of its impact in the industry. Maybe it’s fear that actors with AIDS won’t draw box office.”

Sunday’s show at the Universal Amphitheatre--the “Commitment to Life” benefit--is the result of the caring side of the industry, Bennett said. Among this year’s heavyweight show business supporters are the event’s co-chairmen, Barry Diller, chairman of Fox Inc., and Ron Meyer, president of Creative Artists Agency.

Broadway and TV director Joe Layton was brought in to stage the show, which for the first time will be a full-scale stage production, culminating with Midler singing one of her signature songs, “Friends,” with the entire cast.

Angela Lansbury, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and an inter-denominational choir of children will sing Broadway composer Jerry Herman’s little-known “I’ll Be Here Tomorrow,” from the musical “The Grand Tour.”

“The 1979 song is one of hope and defiance,” said Herman in an interview. At that time no one had identified a disease called AIDS, and he certainly had no clue as to how appropriate the lyrics would be in 1991. “Unfortunately, they are more meaningful now.”

Other celebrities scheduled to appear are: the Irish rock group the Commitments in their first U.S. appearance since the debut of the feature film bearing their name; Carol Channing, Tyne Daly, Melissa Manchester, Lainie Kazan, Richard Dreyfuss, Jennifer Holiday, rock group the Party, and comedian Paul Reiser.

Midler will receive APLA’s “Commitment to Life” award along with MCA Inc. President Sidney Sheinberg and AIDS research specialist Dr. Joel Weisman in recognition of their work in battling discrimination and the disease. Personal agent/producer Barry Krost, who has produced the “Commitment to Life” events three times, will receive the organization’s “Show Business Buddy of the Year” award.

Bennett said most of the high-priced seats have been sold, but tax deductible tickets in the $25-$100 categories remain. Information: TicketMaster outlets or the Amphitheatre, (818) 777-3931.