Despite his request, Red Buttons was indeed remembered Monday night with a "celebration of life and laughter" at Mark Fleischman’s Century Club. Arthur Kassel orchestrated the SRO event which included a reel of Red’s remarkable performances, ranging from laughs to tears. He could do it all. The list of those there, many of whom spoke included: Steve Martin, Rob Reiner (demonstrating Red’s genius on stage), Charles Durning, who told two of Buttons’ classic jokes. Also sharing in the laughs were Joe Bologna and Renee Tayor, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, Dick Benjamin and Paula Prentiss, Monty Hall, and Arthur Hiller Button, who all told Buttons’ stories. Also on hand: William Morris’ Lou Weiss and Norman Brokaw, Jayne Meadows, Rhonda Fleming, Sally Kellerman, Sally Kirkland, Michelle Philips, Elliot Gould, Harry Dean Stanton, Rose Marie, Valerie Harper, Michele Lee, Eric Roberts, Stella Stevens, Nanette Fabray, Dabney Colman, Byron Allen, Kevin Nealon, Mickey Rooney, Connie Stevens and daughters Joely and Tricia, Doris Roberts, Pia Zadora, Lou Ferrigno, Warren Cowan, A.C.Lyles, Gary Owens, Rabbi Jerry Cutler, former Calif. Governors, Gray Davis and Pete Wilson, Hollywood Mayor Johnny Grant who declared Monday and Tuesday "Red Buttons Days," Sheriff Lee Baca, for whose organizations Red was an always-ready star, said, "I wish I had been the guy who arrested Mel Gibson." Bill Maher said "Mel Gibson had made a three-picture deal with Hezbollah." Chuck Ashman emceed. Ed Lozzi and Norby Walters assisted Kassel with the "Celebration." Adam Buttons paid a touching tribute to his dad, his sister, Amy was unable to attend. She told me (on the phone) she wanted to be there, but a sinus infection felled her.
Army Archerd
It is nice to see when some of Hollywood’s newer names remember one the best of the older ones.
