WISHING ON A STAR
Former scream queen and current Baroness Lady Haden-Guest, better known and Jamie Lee Curtis, had a real circus on her hands as she presided over the Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Annual Dream Gala. Hundreds of well-heeled guests took a walk on the wild side-or at least on the red carpet at Hollywood and Highland-for the Ringling Bros.-themed bash. Party animals in this crowd included lively chimps and roaring tigers as well as high-flying aerialists, playful jugglers and graceful acrobats-all adding to the fete’s festive atmosphere. Granita’s Wolfgang Puck, meantime, whipped up a gourmet feast fit for a king.
More than a free-wheeling fundraiser, this party was a blast to the past thanks to Emma Samms, who is one of the founding members of the children’s charity. The former “Dynasty” sexpot brought along a slew of her series co-stars and it was like the go-go ’80s never left. In fact, the sight of Samms, John James, Jack Coleman and Gordon Thompson made you just want to break out the shoulder pads and buy up some junk bonds.
ALL’S WELL
Diane Keaton and Steve Guttenberg served as co-chairs at this year’s Wellness Community gala at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. The West Wing’s Rob Lowe received the organization’s 2002 Tribute to Human Spirit Award. Lowe, who spoke openly about his grandmother’s fight with breast cancer, was honored for helping to raise awareness of the disease and the devastating impact it can have on entire families.
Founded in Santa Monica, The Wellness Community is celebrating its 10th year. Its mission is to provide a professional program of emotional support, education and hope to those suffering from cancer.
Merv Griffin Entertainment also received an award for the ABC movie “It’s Always Something: The Gilda Radner Story.” Radner became involved with the Wellness Community during her struggle with ovarian cancer and wrote about the love and support she received from the program before her death. The evening ended with a standing ovation for Malibu’s Lynne Silbert who serves as one of the organization’s psychotherapists.
GET YOUR MOTOR
RUNNING
They’re getting revved up at the Petersen Automotive Museum for the upcoming Cars and Stars Gala. Dozens of one-of-a-kind dream machines will be on display, including a 1939 Bugatti 57C, which was given as a gift to the Shah of Iran, a 1956 XKSS Jaguar once owned by Steve McQueen and an original Silver Ghost, which is on loan from Rolls Royce and valued at $30 million. The gala takes place on June 13 and will benefit the museum’s youth and education program. Zoom, zoom, zoom!