Chamber Community Foundation Recognizes Heroes Of Hollywood, Honors Diahann Carroll, Rich Little
June 01, 2018
More than 400 of Hollywood’s dignitaries, business community and civic leaders attended the annual Heroes of Hollywood Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 31st presented by the Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce Community Foundation at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood. All net proceeds from this annual fundraiser goes back to the community in the form of grants..
Returning Co-chairs Carole Sarian of The CrisCom Company and Cindy Braun of Braun Consulting welcomed guests and thanked the community for being a part of this event and contributing in this fundraiser which goes back to Hollywood organizations in the form of grants.
The event started with a live auction. Our auctioneer was the talented Carolyn Hennesy, Emmy Award winning actress, writer, and conservationist advocate. Hennesy masterfully helped raise about $6000 from the auction which included a Tour & Lunch of the Walt Disney Animated Studios, Lunch with Councilmember David Ryu, VIP Dodgers Experience, Lunch with Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, and The Roger Neal Style Hollywood Oscar Viewing Dinner.
The program proceeded with the awards honoring our exceptional leaders for this year who have made a difference in the Hollywood community. George Pennacchio, the entertainment reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News and host of the station’s Oscars specials, returned as Emcee of the annual award.
The first award recognized the television actress, singer, and model Diahann Carroll with the 2018 Mary Pickford Award. This prestigious award is given to a celebrity who has made a significant difference in the entertainment industry and the Hollywood community in the spirit of America’s first international star and one of the founding members of the Academy. For over 50 years, actress and singer Diahann Carroll has been breaking barriers for her performances in some of the earliest major studio films to feature black casts, including “Carmen Jones” (1954) and “Porgy and Bess” (1959) as well as on Broadway. “Julia” (1968) was one of the first series on American television to star a black woman in a non-stereotypical role and was followed by her portrayal of Dominique Deveraux in the primetime soap opera “Dynasty” over three seasons.
Our first duo to be recognized with the 2018 Heroes of Hollywood were Fabio Conti & Chiara Santi, CEO & CFO of Conti Santi Properties. Hailed from Verona, Italy, they both are hospitality people at heart, and ran their restaurant, Fabiolus, for 25 wonderful years on the corner of Sunset and Vine. Their restaurant helped bring a sense of community to the area by catering to residents, theatre and moviegoers, as well as studios and offices. Immensely dedicated to giving back to their community, both Fabio and Chiara have been involved with several boards and organizations.
Our hero David Green was recognized with the 2018 Heroes of Hollywood. Green is the Sr. Vice President/CFO of Pantages Theatre- Nederlander West Coast. Hailed from Detroit, he joined Nederlander West Coast in 1978 and is currently the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for its legitimate theatre, concert, and real estate activities. A tireless volunteer both in the entertainment industry and the community at large, David has served on the Board of Directors of the I.A.T.S.E. Local 33 Stagehands Union Pension Health and Welfare Trust Funds for over 30 years.
Our hero Amy Lemisch was recognized with the 2018 Heroes of Hollywood. Lemisch is the Executive Director, California Film Commission. She oversees the State’s efforts to facilitate motion picture, television and commercial production. In addition to administering California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program, Amy oversees a wide range of support services and coordinates with all levels of government to create a film-friendly environment. Under her leadership, California has maintained its competiveness as a production locale amid intense global competition. She helped shepherd passage and implementation of the State’s uniquely targeted tax credit program enacted in 2009.
Our hero John Tronson was recognized with the 2018 Heroes of Hollywood. Tronson is the Principal with Avison Young Southern California LLC, focusing on its entertainment division and specializing in serving feature film, television and commercial production companies as well as property owners in the Hollywood market. Widely considered one of Hollywood’s leading commercial real estate professionals, John has transacted on many of Hollywood’s most recognizable icons such as the former ABC Studios facility on Vine, the El Capitan office building, the Broadway Hollywood, the historic Hillview apartment building, the Palladium, the Fredericks of Hollywood / Kress building, the First National Bank building, and the Capital Records building.
Additionally, “The Man of a Thousand Voices,” Rich Little, was honored with The Distinguished Service Award in Memory of Johnny Grant. Little is a master mimic of more than 200 voices. He continues to impress with a touring schedule throughout the United States and Canada. Infamous for his skewering of political figures, Little has charmed, amused, intrigued and gotten the best of politicians from here to his native Canada. Little had his own variety show in the 70s, was the star of the TV show “KopyKats” and even a guest host for “The Tonight Show.” He became a household name sitting in one of the “Hollywood Squares” and went on to do “The Muppet Show.” Named “Comedy Star of the Year” by the American Guild of Variety Artists, Little was the perpetrator of nine comedy albums and three HBO comedy specials, as well as the Emmy-award winning specials “Rich Little’s Christmas Carol.” Rich is also very supportive of causes for the armed services. 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of merchandise at his performances are donated to The Gary Sinise Foundation. Little is still currently working on his latest project, “Little by Little” a self-written, humorous show about his life, featuring over 30 characters. A book of the same title (…Celebrities I’ve Known and Been) has been released August 2016.
The Foundation appreciates the generosity and support in sponsorship of the businesses which helped in the success of this annual fundraiser..
Platinum Level sponsors included Avison Young, Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building, IATSE Local 33, Mayer Brown LLP, Nederlander/Pantages Theatre and Robertson Properties Group.
Gold Level sponsors included Associated Television International, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Clarett West Development, Live Nation Entertainment, The MBS Group, MCS BusinessSource Network, Nederlander/ Pantages Theatre, Taglyan Complex.
Silver Level sponsors included City National Bank, Famous Hollywood Dental Care, FilmL.A., Inc., Glaser Weil LLP, Hollywood Hotel, Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Kilroy Realty Corporation, Netflix, Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Paramount Contractors & Developers, Southern California Gas Company, US Bank, Vin Di Bona Productions.
Click here to view all photos from our Heroes of Hollywood 2018 fundraiser benefiting the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation
About the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - www.hollywoodchamber.net
For more than 97 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has provided leadership, business development resources, networking, and government affairs programs and services to keep the Hollywood business and residential communities safe, relevant and economically vital. Donelle Dadigan, President and Founder of Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building, serves as the 2018-19 Chair of Board of Directors.
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation – www.hollywoodchamber.net/foundation
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation is an organization within the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce that promotes outreach and the well-being of the non-profit organizations within the community. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation achieves its goal by awarding grants to support and advance the educational, cultural and economic interests of the Hollywood community. The Foundation is unique because, as part of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, it illustrates the success of a business advocacy group giving financial assistance to the community that it serves, namely the charities that are members of the Hollywood Chamber.
Heroes of Hollywood is the most recognized fundraising event of the year for the Community Foundation. The event has saluted over 150 Hollywood leaders and has raised over $860,000. Last year’s event raised over $20,000 in grants, which, in turn, were awarded to non-profit organizations in Hollywood. The event is attended by over 300 dignitaries, community leaders, and special guests, and is a premier networking opportunity.
Facebook: facebook.com/HollywoodChamberCA
Twitter @HollywoodArea
Instagram @hollywoodchamberofcommerce
Returning Co-chairs Carole Sarian of The CrisCom Company and Cindy Braun of Braun Consulting welcomed guests and thanked the community for being a part of this event and contributing in this fundraiser which goes back to Hollywood organizations in the form of grants.
The event started with a live auction. Our auctioneer was the talented Carolyn Hennesy, Emmy Award winning actress, writer, and conservationist advocate. Hennesy masterfully helped raise about $6000 from the auction which included a Tour & Lunch of the Walt Disney Animated Studios, Lunch with Councilmember David Ryu, VIP Dodgers Experience, Lunch with Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, and The Roger Neal Style Hollywood Oscar Viewing Dinner.
The program proceeded with the awards honoring our exceptional leaders for this year who have made a difference in the Hollywood community. George Pennacchio, the entertainment reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News and host of the station’s Oscars specials, returned as Emcee of the annual award.
The first award recognized the television actress, singer, and model Diahann Carroll with the 2018 Mary Pickford Award. This prestigious award is given to a celebrity who has made a significant difference in the entertainment industry and the Hollywood community in the spirit of America’s first international star and one of the founding members of the Academy. For over 50 years, actress and singer Diahann Carroll has been breaking barriers for her performances in some of the earliest major studio films to feature black casts, including “Carmen Jones” (1954) and “Porgy and Bess” (1959) as well as on Broadway. “Julia” (1968) was one of the first series on American television to star a black woman in a non-stereotypical role and was followed by her portrayal of Dominique Deveraux in the primetime soap opera “Dynasty” over three seasons.
Our first duo to be recognized with the 2018 Heroes of Hollywood were Fabio Conti & Chiara Santi, CEO & CFO of Conti Santi Properties. Hailed from Verona, Italy, they both are hospitality people at heart, and ran their restaurant, Fabiolus, for 25 wonderful years on the corner of Sunset and Vine. Their restaurant helped bring a sense of community to the area by catering to residents, theatre and moviegoers, as well as studios and offices. Immensely dedicated to giving back to their community, both Fabio and Chiara have been involved with several boards and organizations.
Our hero David Green was recognized with the 2018 Heroes of Hollywood. Green is the Sr. Vice President/CFO of Pantages Theatre- Nederlander West Coast. Hailed from Detroit, he joined Nederlander West Coast in 1978 and is currently the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for its legitimate theatre, concert, and real estate activities. A tireless volunteer both in the entertainment industry and the community at large, David has served on the Board of Directors of the I.A.T.S.E. Local 33 Stagehands Union Pension Health and Welfare Trust Funds for over 30 years.
Our hero Amy Lemisch was recognized with the 2018 Heroes of Hollywood. Lemisch is the Executive Director, California Film Commission. She oversees the State’s efforts to facilitate motion picture, television and commercial production. In addition to administering California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program, Amy oversees a wide range of support services and coordinates with all levels of government to create a film-friendly environment. Under her leadership, California has maintained its competiveness as a production locale amid intense global competition. She helped shepherd passage and implementation of the State’s uniquely targeted tax credit program enacted in 2009.
Our hero John Tronson was recognized with the 2018 Heroes of Hollywood. Tronson is the Principal with Avison Young Southern California LLC, focusing on its entertainment division and specializing in serving feature film, television and commercial production companies as well as property owners in the Hollywood market. Widely considered one of Hollywood’s leading commercial real estate professionals, John has transacted on many of Hollywood’s most recognizable icons such as the former ABC Studios facility on Vine, the El Capitan office building, the Broadway Hollywood, the historic Hillview apartment building, the Palladium, the Fredericks of Hollywood / Kress building, the First National Bank building, and the Capital Records building.
Additionally, “The Man of a Thousand Voices,” Rich Little, was honored with The Distinguished Service Award in Memory of Johnny Grant. Little is a master mimic of more than 200 voices. He continues to impress with a touring schedule throughout the United States and Canada. Infamous for his skewering of political figures, Little has charmed, amused, intrigued and gotten the best of politicians from here to his native Canada. Little had his own variety show in the 70s, was the star of the TV show “KopyKats” and even a guest host for “The Tonight Show.” He became a household name sitting in one of the “Hollywood Squares” and went on to do “The Muppet Show.” Named “Comedy Star of the Year” by the American Guild of Variety Artists, Little was the perpetrator of nine comedy albums and three HBO comedy specials, as well as the Emmy-award winning specials “Rich Little’s Christmas Carol.” Rich is also very supportive of causes for the armed services. 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of merchandise at his performances are donated to The Gary Sinise Foundation. Little is still currently working on his latest project, “Little by Little” a self-written, humorous show about his life, featuring over 30 characters. A book of the same title (…Celebrities I’ve Known and Been) has been released August 2016.
The Foundation appreciates the generosity and support in sponsorship of the businesses which helped in the success of this annual fundraiser..
Platinum Level sponsors included Avison Young, Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building, IATSE Local 33, Mayer Brown LLP, Nederlander/Pantages Theatre and Robertson Properties Group.
Gold Level sponsors included Associated Television International, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Clarett West Development, Live Nation Entertainment, The MBS Group, MCS BusinessSource Network, Nederlander/ Pantages Theatre, Taglyan Complex.
Silver Level sponsors included City National Bank, Famous Hollywood Dental Care, FilmL.A., Inc., Glaser Weil LLP, Hollywood Hotel, Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Kilroy Realty Corporation, Netflix, Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Paramount Contractors & Developers, Southern California Gas Company, US Bank, Vin Di Bona Productions.
Click here to view all photos from our Heroes of Hollywood 2018 fundraiser benefiting the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation
About the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - www.hollywoodchamber.net
For more than 97 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has provided leadership, business development resources, networking, and government affairs programs and services to keep the Hollywood business and residential communities safe, relevant and economically vital. Donelle Dadigan, President and Founder of Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building, serves as the 2018-19 Chair of Board of Directors.
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation – www.hollywoodchamber.net/foundation
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation is an organization within the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce that promotes outreach and the well-being of the non-profit organizations within the community. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation achieves its goal by awarding grants to support and advance the educational, cultural and economic interests of the Hollywood community. The Foundation is unique because, as part of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, it illustrates the success of a business advocacy group giving financial assistance to the community that it serves, namely the charities that are members of the Hollywood Chamber.
Heroes of Hollywood is the most recognized fundraising event of the year for the Community Foundation. The event has saluted over 150 Hollywood leaders and has raised over $860,000. Last year’s event raised over $20,000 in grants, which, in turn, were awarded to non-profit organizations in Hollywood. The event is attended by over 300 dignitaries, community leaders, and special guests, and is a premier networking opportunity.
Facebook: facebook.com/HollywoodChamberCA
Twitter @HollywoodArea
Instagram @hollywoodchamberofcommerce
Contact:
Hollywood Chamber
info@hollywoodchamber.net, (323) 469-8311