FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press contacts:
Alyson Dutch, BROWN & DUTCH PUBLIC RELATIONS, INC. 310.456.7151
Allison Nelson, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 310.423.3773

(November 8, 2004, Los Angeles, CA) - Last night at the 49th Annual Thalians Ball to benefit the Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, some of comedy's greatest turned out to finally give what the legendary comic and Academy Award-winner, Red Buttons, calls in his schtick, "a dinner." Button's was named "Mr. Wonderful" for his contributions to the world of entertainment and presented with the Walt Disney designed "Goofy in a medical coat" statuette. The event, held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles raised $450,000 and was themed in Asian décor in honor of Button's Oscar win for MGM's feature film, "Sayonara."

* Debbie Reynolds, Phyllis Diller and Ruta Lee say "Sayonara"

Among the comics who came to worship at Button's shrine, were Norm Crosby, Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller, Rich Little, Ronn Lucas, George Schlatter, Debbie Reynolds, Carol Channing and the king of political sarcasm, Dennis Miller. Game show mainstay, Alex Trebek MC'd the comics comments directed to the visibly grateful Buttons.

In his usual hysterical discourtesy, Rickles insulted Buttons to no end; Ronn Lucas' puppet chattered on about Button's age and the long-legged, pony-tailed Carol Channing towered over Debbie Reynolds while she characteristically forgot what she was saying. The ultra shy Dennis Miller, who shunned the red carpet, nervously paced through the lobby before he performed and shrunk away from photos as if he wasn't worthy, drove solo on a Sunday night from his home 150 miles north of Los Angeles to honor Buttons.

In one of the most touching and sincere moments of the evening, the handsomely bearded Miller stood up to give his two cents. As if he were humbled by the comic parental units surrounding him, Miller told the audience that his usual trepidation to venture into "the city" (of Los Angeles), was overcome by his veneration for Buttons. He described how deeply Button's "authenticity" and comic genius inspired him to move forward with a career in an otherwise jaded industry. Miller marveled at Button's ability to not only be funny, but to appear on screen and stage as if Button's "wasn't really acting" --- "I was convinced after seeing him in (MGM's) "Sayonara" that he really was as authentic and as good a man as he appeared on screen." The moment that Miller finished his soliloquy, he made a beeline exit to return to his solace of Santa Barbara; taking off his tie as he walked through the crowd.

* Red Buttons greets one of his modern proteges, Dennis Miller

* Rich Little impersonates Nixon

The Thalians was created in 1955 by Richard Donner, Jack Haley Jr., David Wolper, Hugh O'Brian (the first president), and others who wanted to change the publicly careless image of celebrities by lending their time and talent to a responsible community cause. Now headed by Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee, their legacy raised approximately $30 million to build and maintain the Thalians Mental Health Center at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Named after the muse of comedy, ëThalia,' 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 membership of the world's most adored of the silver screen.

# # #

* Photos from the 2004 Thalians ball are available in hi resolution at www.longphoto.com/thalians.

back to: The Thalians' Backgrounder

Brown & Dutch
2300 Las Flores Canyon
Malibu, California 90265
(310) 456·7151
FAX (310) 456·3552
Email: info@bdpr.com