Alyson Dutch Brown & Dutch Public Relations, Inc., 310-456-7151

THALIANS HONOR RUTA LEE,
PAY TRIBUTE TO JACK HALEY JR. AT 46TH ANNUAL BALL

Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra Jr. Appear
Gala Benefits Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai

Beverly Hills, CA, October 14, 2001 - Actress Ruta Lee received the "Ms. Wonderful" award for her 33 years of service by leading the Thalians in raising over $30 million for the Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at the 46th annual Thalians Ball on Saturday, October 13, 2001. One of the organization's original founders, the late Jack Haley Jr. (producer, "That's Entertainment"), was given a special tribute produced by his nephew, Barry Bregman. Haley's one-time fiancé, Nancy Sinatra, served as honorary chair and performed a "Friendship Medley" with Debbie Reynolds and Connie Stevens. The event was held at the Century Plaza Hotel, attracting more than 850 attendees. Former wife of Jack Haley Jr. and actress Liza Minnelli, who was scheduled to headline the show, cancelled at the last minute due to the reverberations from the September 11th attacks in New York and Washington DC. Photos of the event are available in full resolution at www.longphoto.com/thalians. A full press kit is available at www.bdpr.com.

The evening was produced by Leslee Scallon and Frank Sinatra Jr. performed his father's "Take Me to the Moon," along with his friend, Jack Haley Jr's favorite cowboy poem. Comedian, Jack Carter, roasted Ruta Lee and ventriloquist Ronn Lucas hysterically ebarrassed an audience member on stage with a comical automated face mask. Whoopie Goldberg sent her good wishes to Ruta via video, as well as long time friend, Alex Trebec, who joked that he was otherwise occupied at an AARP convention. Comedienne, Phyllis Diller, introduced a baudy video tribute titled "Ruta and Her Leading Men." Long time Thalians president, Debbie Reynolds, served as mistress of ceremonies.

Upon her acceptance of the Ms. Wonderful award, Ruta Lee, thanked the audience for their 33 years of giving to the Thalians and other charities, and sang "You'll Never Know" and "I'm So Glad There Is You."

Other celebrities in attendance included Carol Lynley, Tony Martin, Cyd Charisse, Buzz Aldrin, Richard Blackwell, Gary Collins, Gloria DeHaven, Nanette Fabray, June Haver, Martin Landau, Hugh O'Brien, Robert Stack, Rip Taylor, Alan Thicke and Jane Withers.

Each year, the Thalians honors Hollywood's most prolific humanitarians. Aside from her dedication to the Thalians, Ruta Lee has raised millions for organizations that range from the City of Hope and the United Jewish Federation to Catholic Charities, Associates for Breast Cancer and Founders for Diabetic Research and the United Way. Lee joins a select group of Hollywood legends who have been named "Ms./Mr. Wonderful" including Ann-Margret, Lucille Ball, Liza Minnelli, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sally Field, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Hope, Gene Kelly, Angela Lansbury, Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart and others.

Ruta Lee is best known as the youngest bride in MGM's "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"; her role in "Funny Face" with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn; as Tyrone Power's secret love in "Witness for the Prosecution" and Frank Sinatra's leading lady in "Sergeant's Three" and Jerry Lewis' wife in "Funny Bones." She made a long-standing appearance as co-host on NBC's game show, "High Rollers" with Alex Trebek and has appeared on television favorites from "Twilight Zone" and "Murder She Wrote" to "Hollywood Squares," "Roseanne" and "Power Rangers."

The Thalians is the world's first celebrity charity created in 1955 by Hugh O'Brian, Nicky Blair, Jack Haley Jr., David Wolper, Richard Donner and others who wanted to change the image of celebrities. Now headed by Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee, their legacy eventually raised approximately $30 million to build The Thalians Mental Health Center at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in 1973. Named after the Muse of Comedy, 'Thalia,' The Thalians has attracted most of Hollywood's mega-stars. Unlike any organization of its' kind, The Thalians serves as a star-fraternity, boasting a rich archive featuring some of the world's most adored of the silver screen.
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