Harrison Held’s SceneAroundTown… Hollywood!
Photos Courtesy Stacey Souther, Jordan Ladd, Patrick Powell, Warner Records, Madelyn Chan, Eve Richards, The Farrah Fawcett Foundation
Opening night of the 33rd LAWTF at Barnsdall Park Theatre was another big success. The champagne gala and awards began with a catered dinner under the stars followed by the awards show hosted by the legendary duo of Fred Lange and Florence LaRue. Several days of inspiring showcases, performances and workshops followed. Festival Director and spoken word author Fay Hauser-Price is seen on stage opening night. Visit www.lawtf.org for more details… Kat Kramer is a proud board member.
All in the Family…. Congratulations to Beau Cassidy and his beloved Stephanie Antebi who are expecting their first child. Beau is the son of the late great David Cassidy. Ryan Cassidy and daughter Meghan are seen with his mom the legendary Shirley Jones celebrating her 92nd birthday. “We are enormously grateful that Mom is still with us”. I had a chance meeting with David Cassidy c. 1989 in Studio City that I remember fondly. He was a very nice guy who is missed.
Alana Stewart continues to work hard for The Farrah Fawcett Foundation in memory of her best friend Farrah Fawcett. Visit www.shopfarrah.com to buy something nice to help support the organization.
Classic Hollywood Stars Marta Kristen and Scott Morrow had a great time taking part in the Golden Age Hollywood Show in LV and actress Eve Richards attended the 45th College Television Awards at the TV Academy in North Hollywood. Eve also hosts The Discovery Pod with Eve.
I can now say from firsthand experience what it’s like waiting to see if your loved one is included in the Oscars in Memoriam segment… I was at an Oscar viewing party… It was nice but it was loud as they often are and my TBI injury self was feeling off and overwhelmed… Before I knew it the show segued to the In Memoriam segment… Would my late great friend actress Kathleen Hughes be included? Tears were rolling down my face from the anticipation and anxiety… By the time Barbra Streisand started her beautiful tribute to Robert Redford I realized Kathleen had not made it to the on-air segment. I quickly went to the Academy ‘s online In Memoriam section and there she was… a beautiful picture that she loved… I felt so proud and happy and relieved. Sure, it’s better to be included on the televised segment but the Academy can only squeeze in so many – every year we lose so many great talented people. It’s overwhelming. Kathleen ‘s son producer John Rubin issued a statement on social media that the family was appreciative for the online tribute to their beloved Mom. If they’re happy–I’m happy too.
The world mourns the loss of the beautiful and talented Valerie Perrine, 82, who was very ill with Parkinson’s disease… Longtime close friend/caregiver/soulmate Stacey Souther was part of her inner circle until the end. The duo met one day walking their dogs and developed a very close bond that lasted 20 years. In 2019 he directed a very fine documentary about the divine Ms. Perrine called “Valerie” that won many awards and was able up for Academy Award consideration. I highly recommend it to see Valerie talk about her life in her own words. It is available on Tubi for free. It’s very moving…
Actress Jordan Ladd was a frequent visitor lending moral support as was her dad David Ladd, a very close friend for many decades. Valerie struggled for many years with her health. Her last film was 2016’s Silver Skies. She was an army brat born in Texas. While a child in Japan she became famous for her dancing… The emperor traveled 300 miles to see her perform… As a child she fantasized about being a movie star and became one in real life. She started her performing career in Las Vegas where she was a popular showgirl. While still in LV she missed a close call with death – she was to join her boyfriend Jay Sebring in Los Angeles that evening but couldn’t get out of work. Sadly, that night Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring and their friends were murdered by the Manson group. Her next boyfriend accidentally shot himself and she decided it was time to leave LV…
After her move to Los Angeles “to try and get in commercials” she was discovered at a dinner party by a talent rep who witnessed her beauty and a very spirited phone conversation with her next beau. The fateful meeting led to a contract at Universal and to her scene stealing role in Slaughterhouse Five followed by her acclaimed role opposite Dustin Hoffman in Lenny garnering her international acclaim, fame, and an Oscar nomination. She became the movie star she dreamt of being and life was good until health problems began. Valerie was always a standout in every role she did. Superman, Superman 2, The Last American Hero, W.C. Fields and Me, The Electric Horseman… the list goes on and on.
She was well liked and brought her unique beauty and talent to all her movie roles and appearances. Former casting director turned producer / writer Wallis Nicita enjoyed her work and seeing her socially… “Valerie was more than a pretty face and great body. She was also a very good actress who could play dumber than she actually was… RIP Valerie”.
Thank God for kind people like Stacey Souther… The world needs more people like him. Valerie always sang his praises and was very grateful for his care and dedication. “Because of Valerie I have the life I have now. I am beyond grateful. She inspired me to be a better person. She was like a mother to me”.
RIP Valerie we are grateful that you are no longer in pain. Kudos to all who donated to the go fund me to give her the burial at Forrest Lawn she wanted. The goal to raise $50,000 was achieved. And a special shout out to the amazing Noah Wiley who donated $9,547! Valerie ‘s funds were stolen by business managers years ago. People like that end up in hell – they deserve it.
We also mourn the loss of the very talented charismatic recording star and singer Louie Louie who left us too soon at only 63. Louis Edmond Cordero first came into the spotlight as Madonna’s boyfriend in her iconic video Borderline directed by Mary Lambert in 1984. She helped him get his feet wet in the music business. Years later our paths crossed when he was signed to WTG Records which was part of CBS Records where I interned. It was an exciting time; Louie was friendly and outgoing and had a great sense of humor. He was a high intensity good guy who worked very hard. His first single ‘Living in the Life of Luxury’ (produced by Michael Bay) charted in the top 20 followed by ‘I Wanna Get Back with You.’ I was friendly with his proud father, also named Louis, and would get updates. By the late 90s he was one of LV’s top draws at the LV Hilton and received the key to the city. Our mutual friend singer Kristen Hardy described him as family and is devastated by his loss. “He was kind and amazing and directed my music video “Midnight Madness”. I will always miss him. He will always be in our hearts”. A go fund me is online for those that would like to contribute to his memorial.
June 1 is the centennial of the iconic Marilyn Monroe. Visit www.MarilynRemembered. org for details of the fun evens that fan club president Greg Schreiner and his crew have planned…
Have a good day and be good to yourself and others…. thanks for your support…
Warmly… HH