Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman presented the UCLA Israel Studies Award to Amos Oz, at the Wallis Annenberg Center in early May.
This was the fifth anniversary of the UCLA Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center, which promotes the study of Israel as a modern Jewish and democratic state. Portman makes her directorial debut with “A Tale of Love and Darkness,” based on the best selling memoir by Amos Oz, and stars in the role of Oz’s mother, Fania.
Oz’s literary works have been translated into more than 42 languages, and are deeply moving stories of Israel. How fitting that the Israeli born actress is honoring her good friend. And how fitting that the award, presented to him was a sculpture created by Soraya Nazarian, outstanding humanitarian and leader of the Persian Jewish community in Los Angeles and Tel Aviv.
At another event, the 79th Annual Motion Picture Council’s Awards Ceremony along with the “Mansion of Blood” premiere took place May 19 at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
Television legend Rose Marie and Oscar winning actress Margaret O’Brien presented Golden Halo Awards to Marty Ingels, Michelle Tomlinson, George Barris, and couple Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna at the event.
Ingels, who has been wed to Academy Award winning actress and singer Shirley Jones since 1977, is an actor and comedian best known as Arch Fenster in “I’m Dickins, He’s Fenster.” George Barris, “king of the auto customizers” designed and built such famous autos as the Batmobile and Munster Koach, has his own car museum in the San Fernando Valley.
As for Taylor and hubby Bologna, this fabulous multi-talented couple are being honored by the Beverly Hills Theatre Guild, and celebrating their golden wedding anniversary at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 20. Taylor, best known for her role as Fran Drescher’s character’s mother in “The Nanny,” is a celebrated comedian and actress; as well as her writing skills with Bologna. They both were nominated for an Academy Award for their first screenplay, “Lovers and Other Strangers.”
The couple renews their vows every 10 years at a big extravaganza. They will celebrate their 50th anniversary with an afternoon of Love & Laughter. For more information, call 310.271.1900.
Meanwhile, the City of Angels Celebrity Red Carpet Experience returns later this month to honor legendary hip-hop artist Yo-Yo for 25 years in entertainment. This bash takes place Friday June 26, at the OHM Nightclub in Hollywood. General admission tickets are only $20; $40 for VIP tables. Yo-Yo Whitaker, whose mentor was the legendary Ice Cube, has influenced the world of hip-hop as an artist, actress, and philanthropist.
Some of the confirmed guests include Gloria Goldwater, founder of SuperFly Car Magazine, whose new book, “My Untold Story of Hip Hop” covers hip-hop artists over 25 years; actors Shae Williams (“Sideline Confessions”) and Richard Brooks (“Being Mary Jane”), lots of famous comics, television stars, and even some Dallas Cowboy hunks. For more information, call Cynthia Busby at 818.268.0680.
