(L to R) Michael Learned, Erin Murphy, Donelle Dadigan, Irene Graff, and Ruta Lee. Photo courtesy B. Harlan Boll Public Relations
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — May 5, 2022 — Hollywood Mothers: The term brings to mind images ranging from Mrs. Brady to Mommy Dearest. The reality falls somewhere in between.
Celebrated TV moms Michael Learned (The Waltons) and Ilene Graff (Mr. Belvedere), famous TV offspring Erin Murphy (Bewitched) and Jerry Mathers (Leave It to Beaver), Academy Award winner George Chakiris (West Side Story), and entertainment legend Ruta Lee (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Funny Face) were among the many stars who came out to the Hollywood Museum last night to help launch a new, long awaited exhibit honoring Celebrity Mothers. Two years in the making, and originally scheduled for Mother’s Day in 2020, this remarkable collection features personal and professional photographs from some of the most recognized names in TV and film, featuring their own mothers or as moms themselves. The Celebrity Mothers exhibit will remain on display in the museum’s famous Historic Photo Gallery through the end of May.
Photo courtesy B. Harlan Boll Public Relations
“For most, our mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend. Our mother’s love is unconditional and only grows stronger over a lifetime,” says Donelle Dadigan, founder and president of the Hollywood Museum. “In celebration of this one-of-a-kind relationship, the Hollywood Museum is presenting a never-before-seen collection of images dedicated to that special woman in our lives for the week leading into and following Mother’s Day. Sons and Daughters have a special bond with their mothers and they pass on that love to their own children. Our exhibit personifies that fact, given the overwhelming response from entertainments elite that responded to the call for entries, offering their favorite and private images to say “Happy Mother’s Day” to celebrate the most caring and inspiring women in their lives.”Among the personalities in attendance were Bob Bergen (voice of Porky Pig), Carolyn Hennesy (General Hospital), Alice Amter (Big Bang Theory), Anson Williams (Happy Days), Chris Levine (Anabolic Life), Chrystee Pharris (Passions), Alyssa de Boisblanc (Secrets of Summer), Conner Dean (911), Daisy Eagan (Les Miserables), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone), Diana Lansleen (The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives), Elaine Ballace (The Rich & the Ruthless), Geoffrey Mark (host of Geoffrey Mark Plays Ella), Hank Garrett (Car 54, Where Are Your), Herbie J Pilato (Host of Herbie J Pilato’s Then and Again), Jax Malcom (My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Kat Kramer (Child of the 70s), Karen Sharpe (Golden Globe winner), Kate Linder (The Young and the Restless), Kathy Garver (Family Affair), Kym Karath (The Sound of Music), and Lee Purcell (Valley Girl).
Photo courtesy B. Harlan Boll Public Relations
Participants who submitted family photos for the exhibit currently on display at The Hollywood Museum include Adrienne Barbeau, Alison Arngrim, Angela Cartwright, Beyonce, Blyth Danner, Bob Bergen, Brad Pitt, Brittney Spears, Carl Reiner, Carrie Fisher, Cassandra Peterson, Charlize Theron, Chita Rivera, Ciara, Cloris Leachman, Conner Dean, Connie Stevens, Darby Hinton, Dakota Johnson, Dawn Wells, Debbie Reynolds, Dee Wallace, Diana Lansleen, Donna Karan, Donna Mills, Drew Barrymore, Francis Fisher, Francesca Eastwood, Gabriel Stone, Gates McFadden, Gene Lockhart, Geoffrey Mark, George Chakiris, Geri Jewell, Gilbert Gottfried, Gloria Allred, Gloria Steinem, Goldie Hawn, Gwen Stefanie, Halle Berry, Ilene Graff, Jack Jones, Jade Barrymore, Jax Malcolm, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Lopez, Jerry Mathers, Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, Joan Van Ark, Joanna Kerns, Joely Fisher, Jon Provost, Julie Newmar, Judy Norton, Judy Tenuta, June Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart, Kim Kardashian, Karen Grassle, Kate Linder, Kathy Garver, Kellie Martin, Lee Purcell, Leeza Gibbons, Lily Tomlin, Linda Purl, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Madonna, Marilu Henner, Marion Ross, Michael Feinstein, Michael Learned, Melanie Griffith, Nikka Lanzarone, Norma MacMillan, Olympia Dukakis, Reese Witherspoon, Rich Little, Rose Marie, Roslyn Kind, Ruta Lee, Sally Jesse Raphael, Sandra Bullock, Selena Gomez, Stefanie Powers, Tina Fey, Tippi Hedren, Tom Cruise, Valerie Harper, and Vincent De Paul.
THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM’s COVID REQUIREMENTS: Before reopening its doors to the public, the Hollywood Museum completely upgraded its ventilation and filtration system with hospital-quality and school-quality filters, including the instillation of UV-blue light – filtration systems in its ventilation units to neutralize allergens and pollens in the air, and eliminate 99.9 percent of the mold, germs, and viruses that can cause COVID-19. Masks, however, are still required at this time.
ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM
The Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor Building is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation showcasing more than 10,000 Authentic Show Business Treasures, spotlighting 100 years of Hollywood history – from the Silents to Talkies, to Hollywood’s Golden Era, Film Noir, Television and its Pioneer Years, through the rebellious 60s, special effects 70s, evolving 80s, involved 90s, technological 2000s, and beyond to current day heartthrobs! The Hollywood Museum’s exhibits showcase the best in film, network and cable television, and new digital platforms featuring iconic and fan favorites! The Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor Building is the Official Museum of Hollywood and offers visitors the most extensive collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world – featuring the glamour of Hollywood legends and stars – past, present and in the making. The Hollywood Museum offers one-of-a-kind costumes, props, photographs, scripts, stars’ car collections, personal artifacts, posters, and memorabilia from favorite stars, films and TV shows. Located in the heart of Hollywood, at the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave, just steps from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Museum has been named the #1 top tourist attraction in Hollywood by LA Weekly, and one of the “Top 10” Museums in LA by the LA Tourism and Convention Board and Trip Advisor.REGULAR HOURS: Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pmTICKETS: $15 Adults: $12 Seniors (62+): $12 for students with ID and $5 Children under 5.ADDRESS: 1660 N. Highland Ave. (at Hollywood Blvd.), Los Angeles, CA 90028MUSEUM INFO: www.TheHollywoodMuseum.com or Tel: (323) 464-7776FOLLOW THE MUSEUM:WEBSITE: www.TheHollywoodMuseum.comFACEBOOK: Facebook.com/TheHollywoodMuseumTWITTER: @HollywoodMuseum INSTAGRAM: @HollywoodMuseum
