Thalians Honor Haley, Lee

To old Hollywood, he was the Tin Man’s son, but to new Hollywood, Jack Haley Jr. was known as the prince of Tinseltown, a title he relished. Haley, who died in April at age 67, was a movie buff whose productions included the 1974 hit film “That’s Entertainment.” The Thalians, a show-biz philanthropic group Haley helped establish in 1955, paid tribute to his memory at its 46th annual ball Oct. 13 at the Century Plaza Hotel. Ruta Lee, Thalians board chairwoman, was also honored for her 35 years of leadership in raising more than $30 million for the Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The event drew more than 800 guests and raised $400,000.

Leslee Scallon produced the show, which featured a tribute to Haley created by his nephew, Barry Bregman, and performances by Debbie Reynolds, Connie Stevens, Jack Carter, Frank Sinatra Jr., Carol Lynley and Ronn Lucas. Nancy Sinatra, Haley’s onetime fiancee, served as honorary chairwoman. His former wife, Liza Minnelli, was scheduled to headline the show, but had a last-minute change in plans. Tony Martin Jr., who provided the musical direction, was there with his parents, Cyd Charisse and Tony Martin.

Also attending: Paula Kent Meehan, who picked up the tab for the party; Anne Jeffreys, Phyllis Diller, John Byner, Gary Collins, Carol Connors, Gloria De Haven, Nanette Fabray, June Haver, Martin Landau, Ann Miller, Patricia Morison, Hugh O’Brian, Robert Stack, Alan Thicke, Sybil Brand, Jane Withers and the ubiquitous Buzz Aldrin. Shelley and Gary Hann co-chaired the ball.

Lupus Research

Lupus affects nearly 2 million Americans, most of them women in their childbearing years, and has no known cure or cause. The New York-based Lupus Research Institute was launched last year to promote early diagnosis and aggressive research into the disease. Last Sunday, Marla and Bud Paxson opened their hilltop estate in Beverly Hills for Lupus LA’s second annual “Evening of the Senses,” which raised $150,000 for the institute.

More than 200 supporters turned out for Wolfgang Puck’s alfresco dinner followed by a special performance featuring Wayne Newton along with Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys.

The hosts and entertainers each have a personal interest in the cause. The Paxsons’ daughter, now 18, was diagnosed when she was only 13, after a rash appeared following exposure to the sun. Newton’s sister-in-law has lupus; Dorough lost his younger sister to it. “It’s not the chic disease that attracts big corporate sponsors,” Marla Paxson said. “It’s our friends and people living with lupus who have been our support. There’s a need for greater public awareness to identify the symptoms early on.”

Bob Saget emceed and David Leisure handled the evening’s live-auction chores. The event was chaired by Adam Selkowitz and Mary McDonough--the “Waltons” actress was diagnosed five years ago and now serves as president of Lupus LA.

Guests included Daniel Wallace and Alan Metzger, both doctors who specialize in treating the disease; Jolene and George Schlatter, James Burrows, Nolan Miller, Richard Thomas, Scott Grimes, Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin, Ryan O’Neal, Joanna Carson, Geri Ryan, John Salley, Julie Benz and Tom Bosley.

Lyrical Tribute

Ina Lewis, new president of the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary, said it with music in her tribute to the eight past presidents of the auxiliary at the annual membership luncheon, held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

There were misty eyes in the audience as the honorees--several are cancer survivors--were escorted to the stage. There, Lewis toasted each of the women with an original song, which drew a standing ovation. All received the auxiliary’s Angel Award. The award and a $100,000 postdoctoral fellowship in breast cancer research were created in memory of Ellen Cooperman, an early auxiliary member.

Lorraine Morton and Norma Bilchik co-chaired the event Oct. 10 that drew more than 600 guests, including Dr. Donald Morton, medical director of the institute, who was presented with a check for $610,100, the amount raised in the last year by the auxiliary.

Also on the scene were Wayne’s children Melinda Wayne Munoz, Marisa Wayne and Michael Wayne and his wife Gretchen.