
ROCK ON
Rocker Melissa Etheridge is getting ready for her big summer tour. But before hitting the road, she received an all-star salute at Saks Fifth Avenue’s “Unforgettable Evening,” an event benefitting the fight against breast cancer. Locals Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw joined Lisa Kudrow, Lisa Rinna, Harry Hamlin and Ellen DeGeneres at the Regent Beverly Wilshire for an evening of music and inspiration.
Etheridge, who won her own battle with breast cancer, was honored with this year’s Courage Award on behalf of her commitment to the cause. Proceeds from the event went to the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund, which recently marked its 10th anniversary and raised nearly $2 million along the way.
After tucking into a three-course meal, guests got a sweet helping of hip hop courtesy of The Black Eyed Peas. Yummy!
FAR OUT
Trekkies, movie buffs and sci-fi fans were over the moon in Bev Hills as Profiles in History offered up a galaxy of TV and movie memorabilia. Up for grabs? Out-of-this-world goodies like an original Klingon disruptor, which sold for a cool 15K. One lucky bidder will be suiting up like Capt. Kirk after snatching up the sexy bodybaring hero tunic worn in the classic “Mirror, Mirror” episode.
Another great getup? How about making a statement in basic “Black Lagoon?” The gill mask from the original ’50s horror flick exceeded its $30,000 estimate with a final sale price of $70,000.
But even memorable monsters and the celebrated spacemen couldn’t outdo the draw of gorgeous George Clooney. The Oscar winner’s batman getup complete with codpiece, breastplate and spandex leotard took in $80K. BAMB!
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Congrats to the talented Arquette clan. They’ll be honored by the American Film Institute on May 10. Patricia, Rosanna and Richmond will be lauded for their many contributions in the television and film biz as well as locals David Arquette and wife Courtney Cox. Previous acting families feted by AFI include the Fondas and the Penns.
FINAL BOW
It’s the end of an era next week as we bid farewell to President Bartlet and the rest of beautifully crafted characters over at “The West Wing.” The show debuted during the more carefree days before 9-11 when President Clinton was still the commander in chief.
Bradley Whitford, who spent the past seven years playing Josh Lyman, says making the last episode was “heartbreaking.” Whitford says he will especially miss working with Malibuite Martin Sheen, who put his heart and soul into the part of President Bartlet. “We never had to act what our characters felt for Bartlet,” he explains, “because we felt that way about Martin.”
Whitford, Sheen, Richard Schiff, the late John Spencer and many others made television worth watching. They will be missed.