George Burns Shares Secrets at CHOC Benefit

George Burns puffing on an El Producto and doing his shtick at the Center Club? It happened on Tuesday night before the comedian’s appearance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

“I faint twice a day, other than that I’m fine,” Burns, 95, told new pals Gerald and Joan Garner during a private dinner staged in a screened alcove. “I don’t believe in dying. It’s been done. I don’t do anything that’s been done before. Anyway, I died in Schenectady. I don’t plan to die here.”

Gerald Garner--chairman of the board of American Commerce National Bank in Anaheim--was coordinator of the production staged on behalf of Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

“I’ve been sitting here asking George the secret to good health,” Garner said. “I want to lose a few pounds.”

Burns piped: “If you wanna lose weight, don’t put it on the plate.”

The secret to longevity, the nonagenarian said, is “to fall in love with what you do for a living.”

“That’s what’s important,” he added.

Burns, who loves martinis and puffs about 15 stogies a day, has already made plans for his 100th birthday. “I’ll be playing the London Palladium,” he said with a wave of his cigar. “And, I just signed a five-year contract with the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.”

CHOC supporters anted up $1,000 per ticket for dinner (served in a formal room), the show (including an appearance by singer Julie Budd) and a post-performance dessert bash with the stars.

“We have a lot to celebrate tonight,” said Thomas Penn Jones, president and chief executive officer of CHOC. “Our new, 6-story, 192-bed facility and this wonderful fund-raiser.”

Gerald Garner came up with the idea to stage the show for CHOC.

“I’m really happy that Mr. Burns chose to make this appearance,” Garner said. “It’s quite a stroke for CHOC.”

About 2,500 people crammed Segerstrom Hall to hear Burns drop one-liners as fast as he flicked cigar ashes. “Nice to be here,” Burns said. “But then, it’s nice to be anywhere .”

Also among theatergoers were Gus Owen and Kathryn Thompson, who, sitting front and center, got a heady share of the comedian’s wafting cigar smoke. “It didn’t bother me,” Owen said at the dessert party. “I love the stuff.”

Said a smiling Thompson, chairwoman of CHOC’s fund-raising campaign: “I’m afraid I smell like a cigar. I hope my jacket will clean.”

Other faces in the crowd: event committee chairman Melvin Miller; Marvin and Pat Weiss; Leo and Ruth Cook; Charles and Nora Hester (chairman of CHOC’s board); Jim and Barbara Glabman, Joyce and Tom Tucker, and Gloria and Ray Osbrink.

Dudley does right

Actor/musician Dudley Moore will tickle the ivories at Deeann and Al Baldwin’s Emerald Bay digs on Dec. 14. Moore has been invited to perform on behalf of one of the Baldwin’s favorite charities--Futures for Children. The organization raises funds to help American Indian children continue their educations.

The $500 per-person benefit, which includes a sit-down dinner catered by Pennington, will be open to 80 guests. Among those on the invitation list: actors Robert Redford and Kurt Russell and actress Goldie Hawn (the Baldwins have attended benefits for Futures staged by the three stars).

“It should really be a phenomenal evening,” says Deeann Baldwin. “This charity is so worthwhile, and Dudley Moore is so wonderful. “

* RELATED STORY: Jan Herman reviews George Burns’ performance. F1