 HONORING RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN
 At Our Next Luncheon: 2019-11-15
Location: AirTel Plaza Hotel, Van Nuys
George Richard Chamberlain (born March 31, 1934) is an American stage and screen actor and singer, who became a teen idol in the title role of the television show Dr. Kildare (1961-1966). He subsequently appeared in several TV mini-series, such as Shogun (1980) and The Thorn Birds (1983), and was the first actor to play Jason Bourne (in the 1988 film The Bourne Identity). Chamberlain has also performed classical stage roles and worked in musical theatre.
Chamberlain gained widespread fame as the young intern, Dr. Kildare, in the NBC/MGM television series of the same name, co-starring with Raymond Massey. Dr. Kildare ended in 1966, after which Chamberlain began performing on the theatre circuit. In 1966, he was cast opposite Mary Tyler Moore in the ill-fated Broadway musical Breakfast at Tiffany's, which, after an out-of-town tryout period, closed after only four previews. Decades later he returned to Broadway in revivals of My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music.
At the end of the 1960s, Chamberlain spent a period of time in England where he starred opposite Katharine Hepburn in the film The Madwoman of Chaillot. While in England, he became the first American to play the role of Hamlet since John Barrymore in 1925. He reprised the role for television in 1970 for the Hallmark Hall of Fame.
In the 1970s, Chamberlain enjoyed success as a leading man in films: Lady Caroline Lamb (playing Lord Byron, 1973), The Three Musketeers (1973), The Towering Inferno (in a villainous turn as a dishonest engineer, 1974), and The Count of Monte Cristo (1975). In The Slipper and the Rose (1976), a musical version of the Cinderella story, and once again got to display his talent as a singer.
Chamberlain later appeared in several popular television mini-series (earning him a nickname of "King of the Mini-series") including Centennial (1978-79), Shogun (1980), and The Thorn Birds (1983) as Father Ralph de Bricassart and in the 1980s, he appeared as leading man in King Solomon's Mines (1985) opposite newcomer Sharon Stone, and also played Jason Bourne/David Webb in the television film version The Bourne Identity.
Since the 1990s, Chamberlain has appeared mainly in television movies, on stage, and as a guest star on such series as ABC's The Drew Carey Show and Will & Grace. He starred as Henry Higgins in the 1993-1994 Broadway revival of My Fair Lady and as King Arthur in the national tour of Monty Python's Spamalot. In 2012, Chamberlain appeared on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse as Dr. Sloper in the play, The Heiress.
Richard is also an accomplished artist and his amazing art can be seen on his art website (www.richard-chamberlain.com)
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LAST LUNCHEON SEP. 20, 2019
Honoree: Englebert Humperdinck
Engelbert Humperdinck never wanted to be a singer. A career in music, yes, but he was extraordinarily shy. The youngest boy of a family of ten children originally from Leicester, England, he grew up in Madras, India, where his father was stationed during World War II. Engelbert's childhood was dominated by the love of his parents and his brothers and sisters. He knew he could sing harmonies, but the power of his own voice came as a surprise to him and other people. "It's just so loud, but I discovered I can be tender with it at the same time."
Like all great icons, he is a man of great depth - masculine and loving, shy inside and uninhibited onstage, prepared to play the sex god to the hilt and still, at this stage of his career, managing to get away with it. "My mother's side of the family had the signing voice so I must have inherited that from her. My father was a man's man - strong, athletic, charismatic. And I like to do all kind of men things. I love sports, golf, tennis martial arts, soccer, skiing, but at the same time, yes I do appreciate women."
In a career spanning almost 50 years, Engelbert has generated sales in excess of 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 23 platinum, four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe, and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Las Vegas Walk of Fame. He has performed for the Queen four times and many heads of state. He has recorded everything from the most romantic ballads to movie theme songs, disco, rock, and even gospel. His unique voice has charmed millions of fans around the globe. However, it's not just the voice, but the man himself, with his endearing sense of humor and self-deprecating jokes. Engelbert has managed to strike a new chord with a younger generation after appearing on MTV several times.
Engelbert entered the world as Arnold George Dorsey. At the age of 11, he started studying music and playing the saxophone. When he was 17, Engelbert found himself playing at a pub that sponsored a singing contest. Goaded by his friends to enter, he put down his sax and for the first time revealed another vocal talent: impersonations. Arnold George Dorsey gave an incredible impersonation of comedian Jerry Lewis - and was quickly dubbed Gerry Dorsey by his fans. It soon became his professional stage name.
Gerry Dorsey was very popular on the UK music circuit and in 1959 he released a single called "Crazybells/ Mister Music Man" on Decca Records. However, he contracted tuberculosis, which silenced him for six months and nearly ended his rising music career. Upon regaining his health, Gerry Dorsey knew he had to end his former image to make a comeback as a strong, dynamic performer. A former manager suggested the new name, Engelbert Humperdinck, taken from the Austrian composer who wrote Hansel and Gretel. It was outrageous enough to be memorable. And thus was born the soon-to-be legend, Engelbert Humperdinck.
Engelbert exploded on to the music scene in the sixties with The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. His sixties did not so much swing as rage. The shy handsome boy catapulted almost instantly to world icon. He became great friends with Elvis Presley and the two legends often performed each other's songs. His first single in the charts was "Release Me" which went into the Guinness Book of Records for achieving 56 consecutive weeks on the charts. It was No. 1 in 11 countries. The song was re-released after being used for a UK national television commercial for John Smith's beer.
The following decades saw Engelbert touring the world to sell-out crowds. Engelbert seems to take great pleasure in every moment on stage, a place where he can lose his inhibitions and no longer be the child who was once shy.
Engelbert's music has transcended time and his voice still continues to reach out to people now - serving to transport and inspire, to embrace and to provoke feelings and emotions - ingredients that are no doubt the essence of his long-lasting success.
ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK LUNCHEON
Pictured below are luncheon dais members. In the front row (L-R): Jo Anne Worley, Hollywood Media Professionals President "Shotgun Tom" Kelly, Luncheon Honoree Englebert Humperdinck, Ron Alexenburg and Paula Salvatore. Back row (L-R): James Darren, Gustavo Borner and Johnny Dark. (Roxanne Schorbach photo)
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AN INVITATION
Would you like to join the PPB and attend the
next Celebrity Luncheon on 2019-11-15?
If you have worked in Broadcasting or in any related field for
10 years or more, please e-mail our
Membership Committee with your request to join us to honor a Broadcast Pioneer.
Please include your name and daytime telephone numbers.
PPB Members receive their Luncheon Notice and Reservation Form by mail before the date
of each luncheon, and send in their request for table seating along with their check.
Past Honorees
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