By Invitation Only, Stars Come Out at Lazar Service

He was a compact man, just over 5 feet, 2 inches in his custom-made Sulka socks. But super-agent Irving Paul (Swifty) Lazar had always lived large, and his invitation-only memorial service Thursday was crowded with giants.

Frank Sinatra rubbed elbows with Gene Kelly. Angie Dickinson hugged Anjelica Huston. Larry McMurtry, author of “Lonesome Dove,” sat just a stone’s throw from Jackie Collins, author of “The Stud.” The stars of the movie “Grumpy Old Men”--Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon--were there, along with another famous grump: Don Rickles.

More than 150 people crowded into the small chapel at Westwood Memorial Park to reminisce about the inimitable Lazar, Hollywood’s best-known literary and talent agent, who died last week at the age of 86. During the hourlong service, friends swapped favorite stories about Lazar’s fearlessness, his tenacity, his distaste for dirt. But according to one person who was there, the speakers returned again and again to one central theme.

“If anybody can get God to sign a book deal,” the guest said, “it would be Irving.”

Lazar, who at one time or another represented everyone from Richard Nixon to Vladimir Nabokov, was remembered Thursday as the last of a dynamic, larger-than-life breed. Humphrey Bogart had dubbed him Swifty after Lazar made five deals for the movie star in one day. But most of his friends thought of him as Irving, the unstoppable, gracious and impeccable host whose exclusive Oscar-night party was always the hottest ticket in town.

Lazar had made his living by knowing precisely what--and whom--he liked. He was meticulous about his style, from the cut of his trousers to the lilt of his Brooklyn-born voice. So perhaps it was inevitable that the afternoon service in Lazar’s honor would be organized by none other than Lazar himself.

Before his death, Lazar had made up the guest list--”not a ‘Who’s Who’ list, but just his closest friends,” said one friend. He had specified which flowers should be arranged (Casablanca lilies and tuberoses--a fragrant favorite of Lazar’s late wife, Mary). He had arranged for a reception after the service, to be held at Spago, the high-brow restaurant where he had thrown his star-studded parties.

Finally, Lazar had decreed that the media would be kept out. He had lived loud, cutting an unforgettable swath in his black-rimmed Mr. Magoo glasses and shiny pate. But Lazar apparently wanted a quiet exit. In accordance with “Mr. Lazar’s instructions,” said one of his secretaries, no reporters were welcome (except, of course, those who had become friends).

From the roof of a parking structure overlooking the oasis-like cemetery, reporters and photographers who hadn’t been part of Lazar’s inner circle glared down at a few journalists who evidently had.

“There’s Dominick Dunne!” one of the paparazzi called out when he spotted the Vanity Fair writer heading into the chapel. A few minutes later, Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd and George Christy of the Hollywood Reporter stepped out of their cars and into the throng.

And what a throng it was. Invitations had been extended by telephone to a select but varied group. There were producers: George Schlatter of “Laugh-In,” Fred de Cordova of “The Tonight Show” and Leonard Goldberg of 20th Century Fox. There were lawyers (Sidney Korshak), managers (Freddie de Mann, who represents Madonna) and moguls (financier Marvin Davis). Bette Midler was there, as were Maria Shriver, Henry Mancini and Bob Newhart.

Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic Records, was one of the people who spoke. He recalled once being in a small plane with Lazar when one of the engines went out. The pilot said they would have to turn around, but Lazar reportedly said, “Oh no, my boy, we have to get to Greece.”

Christopher Hart, the son of playwright Moss Hart, recalled that when he was a child, Lazar’s fastidiousness fascinated him. One guest recalled Hart’s story this way: “Every time Mr. Lazar came to visit, he would see this brigade of towels parading to the guest house. The young boy said to his father, ‘Dad, why all the towels?’ and Moss Hart, being very proper and not wanting to demean Lazar, thought and thought and finally said, ‘Well, son, he likes to be very dry.”’

Kirk Douglas and Gregory Peck reportedly had been invited (although the closest the rooftop gallery got to spotting either was a glimpse of Peck’s wife and daughter).

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