Disney Studios’ Roth Honored as Stars Turn Out for MS

Hollywood heavyweights worked their magic Monday night at the 24th annual Dinner of Champions benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Joe Roth, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, was honored, and actress Annette Funicello, who has MS, was saluted. But the star-studded event--with headliner Frankie Avalon--at the Century Plaza Hotel wasn’t movie make-believe.

This was the real thing: More than $2.5 million was raised for the cause as Tinseltown’s titans--including “Titanic’s” James Cameron, ABC honcho Bob Iger and Michael Eisner, chairman and CEO of Walt Disney--opened their hearts and wallets to make the evening the biggest MS fund-raiser ever.

The majority of the night’s proceeds will support the Southern California chapter-based programs including counseling, transportation, physical therapy and 68 support groups; a large portion goes to MS research.

“Well, I have no idea what to say,” said Roth, nearly speechless in front of 1,500 guests, about the honor presented to him by friend John Travolta. Minutes earlier, Whitney Houston--a surprise guest--serenaded a surprised Roth at the event, emceed by Byron Allen and attended by Cuba Gooding Jr., Tia Carrere, Bobby and Peter Farrelly, Jon Landau, Roger Birnbaum, Jerry Bruckheimer, Richard Cook, Barry Hirsch, Haim Saban, Joanne Whalley and others.

Roth was recognized by the MS Society for his longtime support and as a champion in the fight against multiple sclerosis. Roth became involved with the Southern California MS chapter in 1989 through his friend of 15 years, Tom Sherak, chairman of 20th Century Fox’s domestic film group and the dinner chairman. Sherak’s daughter, Melissa, has MS.

Roth graciously thanked the dinner’s sponsors, including his former colleagues at Fox (where he was chairman from 1989 to 1992), co-workers at Disney and other Hollywood notables such as Saban Entertainment, Miramax, Planet Hollywood and United Artists Theaters. “What goes on here is very simple. We all work in the entertainment industry, where we make a considerable amount of money. Every once in a while someone calls and asks you for money to give to people who need it and you give it,” said Roth.

“I do it whenever called upon even though this [being honored] is not the most favorite part of it for me. And I would do it any time. If Tom [Sherak] came to me in July and said, ‘We gotta go door to door in Death Valley; we’re gonna raise money,’ I’d say, ‘Bring some sun block.’ So for me, that’s what it’s about. We are all bonded together by adversity. Life doesn’t go the way we think it’s gonna go. And the least we can do in that challenge is to give money.”

Earlier, Steven Hilton of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation--whose mother, Marilyn, has had MS for 15 years--accepted the 1997 Philanthropist of the Year Award.

But there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Funicello--of Mouseketeer and beach-blanket-movie fame--was saluted for her courageous fight against MS. In a wheelchair and surrounded by family and friends, Funicello waved to a standing ovation as Avalon accepted the award on her behalf.

“All of you wonderful people come here to donate to the possibilities that someday there will be a cure. Right, Annette?” said Avalon, looking at his friend of 40 years.

“Yes,” Funicello said. “Yes.”