The Smuttiest Night In Washington DC?

Forced gaiety - the President at the White House Correspondents Dinner.

It's just another one of those things that's coarsening the culture.
But, this time it's particularly unsettling because it's happening at the very highest, vaulted levels of our government. And, sadly it's giving new meaning to the term "seat of power."
Yes, it's loud and redundant and vacuous and it now emanates so many gaseous fumes that it can only be described as flagrantly flatulent.
It's the annual White House Correspondents Dinner -- the event that's so suffocatingly self-aware that it actually seems to happen every two or three months instead of once a year.
This tinselly, pointless egofest has reached the state where its fodder for TMZ, Radar, Rolling Stone and the National Enquirer.
One has to wonder: How did this all happen? How did something that started as a much smaller break-the-ice event between genuine journalists who actually covered the White House and the man who lived in the White House become a giant festival of boobs, buttocks and bloviators?
Maybe it started with Bill Clinton. After all, he seemed to bring his own sense of trailer park propriety and celebrity-style huckstering to the place they call "the people's house." And the Clintons probably did more than any other couple in recent years to celebritize politics.
But, let's not forget the night that Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday Mr. Prezzz-ihhh-dent" to JFK while wearing a skin-tight, shimmering gown that she had to be sewn into. Still, that was a political event and it happened not in Washington but amidst the gaudy lights of Broadway.
No, now we're talking about flash and trash in the nation's capital -- in the shadow of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
Sure, Washington has always had red carpet nights. But those were reserved for prime ministers, diplomats and the like. That wasn't show biz, that was slow biz -- courtesies, genteel toasts and niceties separating excruciating negotiations and tedious discussions.
But this year's guests at the mammoth Correspondents Dinner tell quite a different tale. The list included Ivanka Trump, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita, Ashley Judd, Jane Fonda, models Adriana Lima and Irina Shayk, John Legend, Timothy Hutton, Tea Leoni, Jane Seymour, professional poker player Dan Bilzerian, Eric Dane, Johnny Weir, Lucy Lu, Bill Belichick, Tara Lipinski, Tony Romo, Bradley Cooper and Pete Wentz.
What the hell do these people have to do with politics, government, journalism or whatever? Huh?
And there they all were -- preening, tweeting, instagramming and basking in each other's glow far into the evening.
Journalists aren't supposed to be sharing the spotlight with the glitterati, let along taking the stage themselves. That's not their role. And it's sad to watch them sucking up to people who are simply famous for being famous.
As for politicians,  it's disheartening to hear the President of the United States joking about something that rhymes with "bucket list."
It's more than unseemly. And there's an air of decadence to it all.
But President Obama just ate it all up. He yucked with the best (or worst) of them. And the First Lady attempted to channel Marilyn Monroe with a slinky, twinkly silver gown that seemed to be assembled from shattered Venetian chandeliers. Nonetheless, Michelle's body would never be confused with Monroe's.
Hey, when Hollywood and Washington meet like Broadway and 7th Avenue, we get a carnival like atmosphere that rivals Times Square on New Year's Eve, the cheapest, messiest, most meaningless, barf-inducing night imaginable.
Somebody should remind this crowd that politics is basically show business for ugly people -- a constantly-unfolding, glamour-starved drama produced by wonks and wannabes. After all, it's the desperate ambition, mutual abuse and ample flop sweat that make politics fun.
But every now and then somebody gets the notion that statecraft should be glamorous. Perish the thought!
When Elizabeth Taylor married Senator John Warner, she tried. She really tried to imbue Washington with a bit of glitz and glitter. But she soon discovered what an impossible task that was. And she hurried right on back to Hollywood. Liz was right!
This whole event, this whole night, this whole effort is about as authentic as Hillary Clinton at Chipolte.
The White House Correspondents Dinner doesn't even rise to the level of a cheap thrill.
It's simply smutty.
And it's time to put the lights out and tuck it in - permanently.

Revealed: The Night I Met Elizabeth Taylor

You are looking at a never-before-seen photo that I took of Elizabeth Taylor the night I met her.
Yes, I actually did meet and chat with Elizabeth Taylor.

I could hardly believe it myself, but I did.
Though it's really not all that incredible, I suppose.
Elizabeth Taylor was a public figure for more than six decades and during her illustrious career she probably met thousands -- even tens or hundreds of thousands of people.
Still, to have gotten close enough to look into her eyes, to talk to her, touch her -- that was something.
How did it happen?
Well, like many things in my life it came about through my career in public relations and my connections with the media.
Miss Taylor was scheduled to attend and be honored at a charity dinner in the Philadelphia area -- a benefit for Technion Israel Institute of Technology. This was in 1979. Technion is a science and technology research university, among the world's top ten, dedicated to the creation of knowledge and the development of human capital and leadership, for the advancement of the State of Israel and all humanity.
In case you didn't know, Elizabeth Taylor was a convert to Judaism and she was a very strong supporter of the State of Israel.
Anyway, this event was held at a synagogue on Philadelphia's Main Line.
At the time Miss Taylor was married to Senator John Warner.
A friend arranged for me to get press credentials to the event and I was instructed to go to the press room in advance of the dinner. That's where Elizabeth Taylor and John Warner would be for photo ops and a brief Q and A.
I'd always admired this legendary Hollywood star and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet her. So I made sure I was at the proper place, showed my credentials and reported to the press room -- actually a classroom at the synagogue's Hebrew school. I was one of the first people to arrive and I took a seat in one of the classroom desks right up front.
One by one, members of the news media piled into the classroom -- TV camera people, still photographers, reporters, editors, etc. They set up their lights, connected their audio and video units and quickly filled every space.
And then we waited. And waited. And waited.
It had always been my experience that the media waited for no one. They had better things to do and other stories to cover. That was the rule. That was the way it worked.
But they waited for Elizabeth Taylor.
They waited dutifully. They waited quietly. And yes, for the most part they waited patiently. Quite astounding.
All her life, Elizabeth Taylor kept people (mostly men) waiting. So I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised.
Then, the excitement began to build.
We were told that Her Arrival was imminent.
And we were also told that no one was to ask to be photographed with her or request her autograph or anything like that. This was the first time I ever remember the media having to be cautioned against breaking professional boundaries.
But this was Elizabeth Taylor.
And at about 60 minutes past the designated arrival time, there she was.
The first thing I noticed was how relatively tiny she was. She was short (5 ft., 3.5 inches tall, I later learned).
And she was wider than I remembered her. But the width was nicely concealed in a silvery studded caftan -- all flowing and sparkling.
Beneath the black sheath of the caftan, you could still see a plunging neckline. Yes, there they were, wonderfully intact and complete with barely-visible cleavage.
And then, the eyes. And it was the eyes more than anything else that mesmerized and worked to her constant advantage. They were vivid, deep, stunningly violet. The photo here doesn't do them justice but you can still detect the violet.
The flashing of cameras was ceaseless -- like lightening on steroids.
I wondered how she could stand all the lights, the cameras, the flashes, the hunger just to capture a moment of her presence. But then I thought she's used to this; this is all she's ever known; this is her life.
I was close enough to her to watch her every move -- close enough to see the color and shimmer of her nail polish and the gloss of her lips and the sparkle of her dangling earrings. As you can see, her skin was remarkably smooth, with only the tiniest hint of an extra half-chin.
Oh, yes -- Senator Warner was there too. But no one paid any attention to him. He was just a fixture.
What did Elizabeth Taylor have to say to the media that night? I don't know. I didn't hear a word. I suppose she said something about being happy to be there for Technion. But I didn't absorb it. I was too busy just watching to actually listen.
And then she was gone. Just like that. Gone.
But I had a ticket to the dinner.
And it was at the dinner that I was finally able to approach the head table and talk to Elizabeth Taylor.
I got her attention and she turned to me. "Miss Taylor," I said "you are and always will be the definition of the word 'star.'"
She reached over and grabbed my hand.
That look. The eyes. A tilt of the head. The soft, unmistakable voice.
"You are so kind," she said. "So kind."
And then someone else wanted to tell her something -- probably something else that she'd also heard many times before.
That was my night with Elizabeth Taylor.
Photo of Elizabeth Taylor copyright 2017 by Dan Cirucci.

Video: Motion Picture Greats Lost In 2011

It isn't until you look back on the year that you realize what we've lost.
So many Hollywood greats -- so many motion-picture giants from all over the world, really -- who passed away over the course of this year.
They make up a galaxy of stars -- actors, directors, screenwriters and many other artists.
Of course, their work lives on. That's the magic of motion pictures. The stars are granted a sort of celluloid immortality. Their rich legacy now inspires others.
And even in the digital age, all over the world countless movies flicker in theaters everywhere.
Somewhere -- out there in the dark -- the audience still awaits the images, the stories, the plot turns, the sensations, the surprises and the stars.
But for now, courtesy of Turner Classic Movies, we pause to remember. And to say "Adieu!"

The Elizabeth Taylor Collection At Christies

33 carat diamond, gift from Richard Burton.

The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor exhibition at Christies, Rockefeller Center, New York opened to the public Saturday and continues through December 12. This will be followed by the sale of one of the greatest collections ever amassed by a single person.
Tickets to this incredible display are timed and are still available and can be purchased on the Christie’s website for the day and time slot that you select, pending availability.

I would urge you to get your tickets as soon as possible.

We went to see the exhibition over the weekend (we were in the very first group to view the items) and we were overwhelmed by the size and diversity of the jewels, fashions, art and other possessions of Dame Elizabeth Taylor.

Miss Taylor loved to surround herself with beautiful objects, particularly jewels. She simply couldn't get enough of them. And she received many, many bejeweled gifts from Mike Todd, Richard Burton (perhaps her single largest gift-giver) Eddie Fisher, Malcolm Forbes and Michael Jackson. In fact, you'd be surprised at how many baubles Jackson gave to Taylor. Jackson's gifts alone were worth several million dollars and the entire jewel collection is estimated to be worth in excess of $30 million. 

Allow plenty of time to view this exhibition. We were there three hours.

You will witness an absolutely staggering array of beautiful items.

Shown above, right is a Halston scarlet silk jersey wrapped evening dress, minimum bid $2,000 - $3,000.

The 9/11 Great Escape As Celebrity Road Trip

Did three of the world's biggest stars take a post-9/11 road trip into the heart of America?
Were they really cooped up in a hired car together for 500 miles and did they really stop at every Burger King and KFC along the way on an endless junk food binge?
Was New Jersey really their first stop?
And was Ohio their final destination?
It's a story that seems just incredible enough to be true: That Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson and Marlon Brando fled the Big Apple the day after September 11 and embarked on a combination Great Escape and Celebrity Road Trip - together!
Click here to read more.

Poll: Pick Your Favorite Elizabeth Taylor Film

From 1942 when she first appeared on the screen in There's One Born Every Minute through her last film role in The Flinstones in 1994 Elizabeth Taylor appeared in 50 feature films.
Through six decades she was a compelling screen presence.
But what is your very favorite Elizabeth Taylor film of all time?
Maybe you enjoyed Elizabeth Taylor as a young girl in Courage of Lassie, Life With Father or National Velvet.
Maybe you liked Elizabeth Taylor the ingenue in Father of the Bride or it's sequel Father's Little Dividend.
Or maybe the lusty, seductive Elizabeth Taylor in A Place In The Sun or Elephant Walk or Giant appealed to you.
Then there were the bountiful glory years with Raintree County, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Suddenly Last Summer, and Butterfield 8.
How about the Richard Burton years with Cleopatra, The VIPs, The Sandpiper, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and The Taming of the Shrew?
There are so many to choose from.
But what if you could only pick one.
What is your favorite Elizabeth Taylor movie of all time?
Make your selection in our poll at the top of this page.
We've listed some of her best films in chronological order.
Now, you choose your favorite. Go to it!

Remembering The Brightest Star Of All!

The Woman Who Defined 'Movie Star'

Here are just a couple of paragraphs from Frank Miller's beautiful tribute to Elizabeth Taylor for Turner Classic Movies.

There may be other contenders for the honor, but if you want the definitive picture to put next to the phrase "movie star" in the dictionary, there's only one person who truly fills the bill -- Elizabeth Taylor. One of the last of the great studio stars, Taylor encompasses all of the glamour and all of the contradictions of stardom. A beautiful child who never went through an awkward phase, she grew up to become one of the most desired women in Hollywood. Even as she matured as an actress of surprising depth, she was generating headlines that made her the focus of unbridled idolatry and unreasoning hatred.

In her 79 years, she has dazzled audiences with her talents for acting and living large, and inspired them with her refusal to give in to heartache or illness. Like every great star she has re-invented herself as needed, ranging from child beauty to budding actress to fallen woman to diva to respected leader in the fight against AIDS. Through it all, the studio manipulations, the broken marriages, and the constant headlines, her greatest accomplishment is simply being her own woman.

Click here to read the entire tribute. It's worth reading!

Elizabeth Taylor Movie Marathon, April 10 On TCM

Turner Classic Movies will remember the life and career of two-time Academy Award®-winning actress and beloved humanitarian Elizabeth Taylor on Sunday, April 10.

The 24-hour memorial tribute, which is set to begin at 6 a.m. (ET/PT), will include both of Taylor's Oscar®-winning performances, with Butterfield 8 (1960) at 8 p.m. (ET) and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) at 10 p.m. (ET).

TCM's tribute will also feature Taylor in such memorable films as the family classics Lassie Come Home (1943) and National Velvet (1944); the delightful comedies Father of the Bride (1950) and Father's Little Dividend (1951); the historical epic Ivanhoe (1952); and the powerful dramas Giant (1956), Raintree County (1957) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). Also included is the spy drama Conspirator (1949), with Taylor in her first adult role.

The following is a complete schedule of TCM's April 10 memorial tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (all times Eastern):
6 a.m. - Lassie Come Home (1943), with Roddy McDowall and Edmund Gwenn; directed by Fred M. Wilcox.
7:30 a.m. - National Velvet (1944), with Mickey Rooney, Anne Revere and Angela Lansbury; directed by Clarence Brown.
10 a.m. - Conspirator (1952), with Robert Taylor and Robert Flemyng; directed by Victor Saville.
11:30 a.m. - Father of the Bride (1950), with Spencer Tracy, Billie Burke, Joan Bennett and Don Taylor; directed by Vincente Minnelli.
1:15 a.m. - Father's Little Dividend (1951), with Spencer Tracy, Billie Burke, Joan Bennett and Don Taylor; directed by Vincente Minnelli.
2:45 p.m. - Raintree County (1957), with Montgomery Clift, Eva Marie Saint, Lee Marvin, Rod Taylor and Agnes Moorehead; directed by Edward Dmytryk.
6 p.m. - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), with Paul Newman and Burl Ives; directed by Richard Brooks.
8 p.m. - Butterfield 8 (1960), with Laurence Harvey and Eddie Fisher; directed by Daniel Mann.
10 p.m. - Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), with Richard Burton, George Segal and Sandy Dennis; directed by Mike Nichols.
12:30 a.m. - Giant (1956), with James Dean and Rock Hudson; directed by George Stevens.
4 a.m. - Ivanhoe (1952), with Robert Taylor and Joan Fontaine; directed by Richard Thorpe.

In addition to TCM's on-air tribute to Taylor, the 2011 TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood will feature a special 60th anniversary screening of her brilliant performance opposite Montgomery Clift in George Stevens' A Place in the Sun (1951). The TCM Classic Film Festival takes place April 28-May 1.

Poll: Pick Your Very Favorite Elizabeth Taylor Film

From 1942 when she first appeared on the screen in There's One Born Every Minute through her last film role in The Flinstones in 1994 Elizabeth Taylor appeared in 50 feature films.
Through six decades she was a compelling screen presence.
But what is your very favorite Elizabeth Taylor film of all time?
Maybe you enjoyed Elizabeth Taylor as a young girl in Courage of Lassie, Life With Father or National Velvet.
Maybe you liked Elizabeth Taylor the ingenue in Father of the Bride or it's sequel Father's Little Dividend.
Or maybe the lusty, seductive Elizabeth Taylor in A Place In The Sun or Elephant Walk or Giant appealed to you.
Then there were the bountiful glory years with Raintree County, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Suddenly Last Summer, and Butterfield 8.
How about the Richard Burton years with Cleopatra, The VIPs, The Sandpiper, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and The Taming of the Shrew?
There are so many to choose from.
But what if you could only pick one.
What is your favorite Elizabeth Taylor movie of all time?
Make your selection in our poll at the top of this page.
We've listed some of her best films in chronological order.
Now, you choose your favorite. Go to it!

Elizabeth Taylor, 1932 - 2011

 
“More than anyone else I can think of, Elizabeth Taylor represents the complete movie phenomenon — what movies are as an art and an industry and what they have meant to those of us who have grown up watching them in the dark."
Film critic Vincent Canby

Stars. Others React To Death Of Elizabeth Taylor

Following are some of the many, many reactions of notables (collected from various sources) pouring in regarding the death of Elizabeth Taylor:

"Elizabeth Taylor was the last of the great glamour stars. She was the longest-running soap opera in history, and represented all the allure and tragedy that attracts people to Hollywood."
 - British director Michael Winner.
 
"We have just lost a Hollywood giant; more importantly, we have lost an incredible human being."
- Elton John.

"Elizabeth Taylor was the last of the Hollywood greats, and a fantastically charming woman."
- Tweet from singer George Michael.

"Elizabeth, thank you for all your help in the battle for HIV and AIDS. You will be missed by the world."
- Tweet from former basketball star Magic Johnson, who is infected with HIV.

"She leaves a monumental legacy that has improved and extended millions of lives and will enrich countless more for generations to come."
- Statement from amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

"She was the most amazing woman. When she walked into a room, she just had the most amazing presence about her. She was just incredible."
 - Designer Elizabeth Emanuel.

"Elizabeth and I began our careers about the same time at MGM. Throughout her tumultuous life, she will be remembered for some unique and memorable work. And she will be ever remembered and appreciated for her forthright support of AMFAR."
 - Actress Angela Lansbury.

"In a career spanning more than 70 years and 50 films, her talent endured the test of time and transcended generations of moviegoers. She truly was an American icon, whose legacy went far beyond her acting skills, most notably in her efforts to lead the battle against HIV/AIDS."
 - Chris Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America.

And here are more from Twitter:

Steve Martin: “I met Elizabeth Taylor several times. She was witty and self-deprecating, which I found surprising and delightful. She loved to laugh.”

Mario Lopez: “God bless Elizabeth Taylor. One of the last true Hollywood legends.. What a lady, what a life..”

The Office actress/writer/producer Mindy Kaling:  “White Diamonds was the first fancy thing I owned in my life. Elizabeth Taylor is the first person so glamorous you wanted to smell like her.”

Jane Fonda:  “I knew elizabeth Taylor and I can tell you she was kind, brave, generous and loyal. I am sad.”

Richard Roeper:  “Elizabeth Taylor was a silver screen legend, a tabloid favorite 50 years before Brangelina and a tireless worker for noble causes. RIP.”

Joan Rivers:  “Sad to hear of Elizabeth Taylor’s death. She was the 1st major celebrity to join me in the fight against AIDS when it wasn’t a popular cause”

LeAnn Rimes:  “RIP Elizabeth Taylor. It’s so amazing how someone has left such a legacy that will forever live on. I am really, truly saddened this morning”

Larry King:  “Elizabeth Taylor was a great friend, a great star and one gutsy woman. She was so special. You won’t see the likes of her again…”

Magic Johnson:  “Elizabeth, thank you for all your help in the battle for HIV and AIDS. You will be missed by the world.”

General Hospital star Nancy Lee Grahn:  “RIP Elizabeth Taylor (proud to say my original TV stepmommy). A class act by all that I know that knew her. Tony thought she hung the moon”

Marlee Matlin:  “So VERY shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Elizabeth Taylor. A true Hollywood legend and humanitarian and friend. RIP”

Sports guy Bill Simmons:  “RIP, Elizabeth Taylor. This can’t be forgotten: early-1960′s Liz was the George Washington of Mount Babemore. Total package.”

Comedian Thomas Lennon:  “Just me, or are we all hoping Liz picks Burton for her Heaven Husband?”

Bethenny Frankel:  “such a sad when a legend like Elizabeth Taylor pass away.fitting that it’s gloomy&rainy in ny.A place of sadness”

Kirstie Alley:  “Elizabeth…thank u for the lessons u taught me about life..suffering and Joy….you are the BRIGHTEST STAR in the universe..Eternal love”

Kate Walsh:  “Elizabeth Taylor, rest in peace. What an extraordinary woman. JUST talking about ‘furious love’ yesterday. Xxxxxx”

Stephen Fry:  “RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor, surely the last of a breed…”

Michael Ian Black:  “I like to think that the first person Elizabeth Taylor sees in heaven is Michael Jackson. I hope heaven is weird like that.”

The Night I Met Elizabeth Taylor

 

Yes, I met and chatted with Elizabeth Taylor.
I could hardly believe it myself.
Though it's really not all that incredible, I suppose.
Elizabeth Taylor was a public figure for more than six decades and during her illustrious career she probably met thousands -- even tens or hundreds of thousands of people.
Still, to have gotten close enough to look into her eyes, to talk to her, touch her -- that was something.
How did it happen?
Well, like many things in my life it came about through my career in public relations and my connections with the media.
Miss Taylor was scheduled to attend and be honored at a charity dinner in the Philadelphia area -- a benefit for Technion Israel Institute of Technology. Technion is a science and technology research university, among the world's top ten, dedicated to the creation of knowledge and the development of human capital and leadership, for the advancement of the State of Israel and all humanity.
In case you didn't know, Elizabeth Taylor was a convert to Judaism and she was a very strong supporter of the State of Israel.
Anyway, this event was held at a synagogue on Philadelphia's Main Line.
At the time Miss Taylor was married to Senator John Warner.
A friend arranged for me to get press credentials to the event and I was instructed to go to the press room in advance of the dinner. That's where Elizabeth Taylor and John Warner would be for photo ops and a brief Q and A.
I'd always admired this legendary Hollywood star and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet her. So I made sure I was at the proper place, showed my credentials and reported to the press room -- actually a classroom at the synagogue's Hebrew school. I was one of the first people to arrive and I took a seat in one of the classroom desks right up front.
One by one, members of the news media piled into the classroom -- TV camera people, still photographers, reporters, editors, etc. They set up their lights, connected their audio and video units and quickly filled every space.
And then we waited. And waited. And waited.
It had always been my experience that the media waited for no one. They had better things to do and other stories to cover. That was the rule. That was the way it worked.
But they waited for Elizabeth Taylor.
They waited dutifully. They waited quietly. And yes, for the most part they waited patiently. Quite astounding.
All her life, Elizabeth Taylor kept people (mostly men) waiting. So I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised.
Then, the excitement began to build.
We were told that Her Arrival was imminent.
And we were also told that no one was to ask to be photographed with her or request her autograph or anything like that. This was the first time I ever remember the media having to be cautioned against breaking professional boundaries.
But this was Elizabeth Taylor.
And at about 60 minutes past the designated arrival time, there she was.
The first thing I noticed was how relatively tiny she was. She was short (5 ft., 3.5 inches tall, I later learned).
And she was wider than I remembered her. But the width was nicely concealed in a gold lame caftan -- all flowing and sparkling.
The next thing I noticed was her plunging neckline. Yes, there they were, wonderfully intact and complete with cleavage.
And then, the eyes. And it was the eyes more than anything else that mesmerized and worked to her constant advantage. They were vivid, deep, stunningly violet.
The flashing of cameras was ceaseless -- like lightening on steroids.
I wondered how she could stand all the lights, the cameras, the flashes, the hunger just to capture a moment of her presence. But then I thought she's used to this; this is all she's ever known; this is her life.
I was close enough to her to watch her every move -- close enough to see the color and shimmer of her nail polish and the gloss of her lips and the sparkle of her dangling earings.
Oh, yes -- Senator Warner was there too. But no one paid any attention to him. He was just a fixture.
What did Elizabeth Taylor have to say to the media that night? I don't know. I didn't hear a word. I suppose she said something about being happy to be there for Technion. But I didn't absorb it. I was too busy just watching to actually listen.
And then she was gone. Just like that. Gone.
But I had a ticket to the dinner.
And it was at the dinner that I was finally able to approach the head table and talk to Elizabeth Taylor.
I got her attention and she turned to me. "Miss Taylor," I said "you are and always will be the definition of the word 'star.'"
She reached over and grabbed my hand.
The cleavage. The eyes. A tilt of the head. The soft voice.
"You are so kind," she said. "So kind."
And then someone else wanted to tell her something -- probably something else that she'd also heard many times before.
That was my night with Elizabeth Taylor.

Elizabeth Taylor's Last Tweets

Yes, Elizabeth Taylor had a Twitter account.
She was always up-to-the-minute.
And yes, she tweeted regularly at  http://twitter.com/DameElizabeth.
Her tweets show a caring, passionate women whose final weeks and months were filled with thoughts of loving, giving and reaching out to others.
She was also very proud -- proud of what she believed in, what she fought for and what she had accomplished in life. And she still lived very much "in the moment" but was still looking forward to the years ahead. She was not about to give up.
Here's are the final tweets, from July to February 9, her last tweet:

1. My interview in Bazaar with Kim Kardashian came out!!! http://j.mp/eqQsGa 3:48 PM Feb 9th via Twitter for iPad
2. @kimkardashian @harpersbazaarus Our interview in Bazaar came out! You look like a princess in Egyptian robes, love! http://j.mp/eqQsGa 3:44 PM Feb 9th via Twitter for iPad
3. Every breath you take today should be with someone else in mind. I love you. 7:39 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web
4. Because then it becomes about yourself...which is wrong. Giving is to give to God. Helping is to help others. 7:39 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web
5. That is the thing that will give back to you all the rewards that there are. Don't do it for yourself, because then it becomes selfish. 7:37 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web
6. Give. Remember always to give. That is the thing that will make you grow. 7:36 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web
7. You are who you are. All you can do in this world is help others to be who they are and better themselves and those around them. 7:35 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web
8. Never let yourself think beyond your means...mental, emotional or any otherwise. 7:33 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web
9. I would like to add something to my earlier tweet. Always keep love and humility in your heart. 7:31 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web
10. Not at least until I'm dead, and at the moment I'm having too much fun being alive...and I plan on staying that way. Happiness to all. 6:20 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web
11. No one is going to play Elizabeth Taylor, but Elizabeth Taylor herself. 6:19 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web
12. Hold your horses world. I've been hearing all kinds of rumours about someone being cast to play me in a film about Richard and myself. 6:17 PM Jul 22nd, 2010 via web

Elizabeth's Taylor's Life In Photos

While many of today’s stars come off as shallow and transitory Elizabeth Taylor endures -- even in death. Through six decades in the public eye, eight marriages, seven husbands, 59 films and numerous near-death experiences she remained a shrewd, complex and captivating personality: a loyal friend, a clever businesswoman, a compassionate citizen and even a savvy politician.

Oh yes -- she was beautiful beyond belief. And sexy, too. She defined sex appeal for generations.

But she was also living proof that smart truly is sexy.

Remembering Elizabeth Taylor

She was a Hilton long before Paris Hilton.

Decades before Survivor she defined what it means to survive and thrive.

Long before "American Idol" her beauty and talent made her a modern day icon.

She never needed Maybelline because she was born with double rows of eyelashes on each eye. And before botox and collagen and silicon her natural endowments made all of us star struck.

Before anyone even knew the word "bling" she collected diamonds and precious gems as if they were rock candy. But none of the gems ever dazzled quite as much as her luminescent, violet eyes.

By now you must know that I’m talking about Elizabeth Taylor, the last of the great Hollywood stars.

While many of today’s stars come off as shallow and transitory Elizabeth Taylor endures. Through six decades, eight marriages, seven husbands, 59 films and numerous near-death experiences she has remained a shrewd, complex and captivating personality: a loyal friend, a clever businesswoman, a compassionate citizen and even a savvy politician.

She predated the sexual and individual-rights revolutions by making her own rules and charting her own course, for better or worse. Long before most people even thought of women as entrepreneurs she built successful businesses and amassed hundreds of millions of dollars. Her perfumes are among the best selling fragrances of all time, earning an estimated $200 million in annual sales. Her net worth has been estimated at more than a billion dollars.

To call Elizabeth Taylor a trailblazer would be an understatement. Do you admire Oprah’s generosity or Angelina’s self-proclaimed concern for children or any star’s triumph over substance abuse? Elizabeth Taylor’s been there, done that.

When she adopted a sickly little girl from an impoverished family in Mering, Germany in 1962 people said the child would never survive and they questioned whether Elizabeth Taylor would dedicate the necessary time and money to the child’s well being. But Elizabeth Taylor saw the child through more than 10 operations to correct congenital defects and today, that little girl is 48-eight-year-old Maria Burton Carson, the mother of two of Elizabeth’s 10 grandchildren.

And before anyone was even willing to talk about AIDS Elizabeth Taylor created one of the first and most important organizations for AIDS research and funding. Through the American Foundation for AIDS Research and now the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Elizabeth Taylor has raised nearly $300 million for AIDS research.

She'd been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and osteoporosis. She broke her back five times, and survived a brain tumor operation, skin cancer, and two life-threatening bouts with pneumonia. And she did it all in the public eye.

When I met Elizabeth Taylor more than a decade ago I told her that she was the definition of the word "star." She didn't disagree with me. She knew who she was and what she was all about. She knew her role.

It was a role she was destined to play from childhood.

Recently confined to a wheelchair and then hospitalized, Elizabeth Taylor was keenly aware of her own mortality. She faced her own demons, bid adieu to dozens of friends and lovers, and even begged forgiveness from those she may have hurt along the way. Through it all, she endured like a the bright shining star that she was.

A few years ago the woman who proved that diamonds are a gal’s best friend celebrated her own diamond jubilee. As someone who mourns the demise of real stars and genuine, bigger-than-life people I salute Elizabeth Taylor in death just as I longingly loved and intensely admired her in life.,

Today, it's as if the North Star was suddenly extinguished.

The Last Star has left us forever.
RIP: Elizabeth Taylor.

Elizabeth Taylor Has Died

Word has just arrived out of Hollywood that the greatest star of all time -- Elizabeth Taylor -- has passed on.
Elizabeth Taylor had been suffering for some time with congestive heart failure.
Her career began at MGM in the golden age of Hollywood and continued up to the present day.
This is a tremendous loos.
We will have more as the day goes on.

Elizabeth Taylor To Wed For NINTH Time!

78-year-old Dame Elizabeth Taylor is going to roll down the aisle for the 9th time! This is what some source tells UsWeekly anyway. The source says that Dame Liz is engaged to her 49-year-old longtime piece Jason Winters.

The source said hat Jason isn't cut from the same gold digging cloth as Larry Fortensky. Jason is a talent manager who counts Janet Jackson as one of his clients. He recently bought a house for Liz.

Another source added, "It's no secret that they've been together forever and are in love, so it wouldn't be a surprise if they were engaged. Right now they are keeping it between them."

Elizabeth Taylor Health Crisis

No, Dame Elizabeth Taylor did not collapse when she heard the news of Michael Jackson's death.
But yes, Taylor is distraught over the passing of the "purest, most loving, most giving" friend she has ever known.
Still, Elizabeth was not suicidal over Jackson's death as some have reported.
But Elizabeth Taylor is not in good health. She's 77 years old and is confined to a wheelchair. She's not ambulatory and has recently undergone extensive tests.
Someone who saw her at the test site reports that she is barely
recognizable. In fact, this person who chatted with the Last Great Hollywood Star did not even realize who she was chatting with until her brief conversation with Dame Elizabeth was almost over.
Taylor was reportedly accompanied by her beloved Maltese dog, Daisy. Taylor adopted Daisy when Daisy's predecessor, Sugar died in 2005.
At this point in her life Dame Elizabeth is completely focused on dogs and connected with dog lovers.
BTW: We understand that Elizabeth will have to undergo more medical tests. In fact she will be back in the hospital on Wednesday or Thursday to complete tests she had already begun.
Don't count Elizabeth Taylor out, however. She remains the ultimate survivor!

The Last Star

She was a Hilton long before Paris Hilton.
Decades before Survivor she defined what it means to survive and thrive.
Long before "American Idol" her beauty and talent made her a modern day icon.
She never needed Maybelline because she was born with double rows of eyelashes on each eye. And before botox and collagen and silicon her natural endowments made all of us star struck.
Before anyone even knew the word "bling" she collected diamonds and precious gems as if they were rock candy. But none of the gems ever dazzled quite as much as her luminescent, violet eyes.
By now you must know that I’m talking about Elizabeth Taylor, the last of the great Hollywood stars.
While many of today’s stars come off as shallow and transitory Elizabeth Taylor endures. Through six decades, eight marriages, seven husbands, 59 films and numerous near-death experiences she has remained a shrewd, complex and captivating personality: a loyal friend, a clever businesswoman, a compassionate citizen and even a savvy politician.
She predated the sexual and individual-rights revolutions by making her own rules and charting her own course, for better or worse. Long before most people even thought of women as entrepreneurs she built successful businesses and amassed hundreds of millions of dollars. Her perfumes are among the best selling fragrances of all time, earning an estimated $200 million in annual sales. Her net worth has been estimated at more than a billion dollars.
To call Elizabeth Taylor a trailblazer would be an understatement. Do you admire Oprah’s generosity or Angelina’s self-proclaimed concern for children or any star’s triumph over substance abuse? Elizabeth Taylor’s been there, done that.

Before anyone was even willing to talk about AIDS Elizabeth Taylor created one of the first and most important organizations for AIDS research and funding. Through the American Foundation for AIDS Research and now the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Elizabeth Taylor has raised more than $300 million for AIDS research.

She has faced her own demons, bid adieu to dozens of friends and lovers, and even begged forgiveness from those she may have hurt along the way. Through it all, she endures.

Happy Birthday today to the Last Great Star of the movies, Dame Elizabeth Taylor!