Proving that the legacy of Bob Hope remains as vital and relevant as ever, the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation sponsored a table at The LA Press Club’s 12th Annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards Gala. Established to honor and award individuals for their journalistic excellence, career achievement, and contributions to society, the ceremony for this year was held in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday, Dec.
1, 2019. The evening was dedicated to the memory of Robert Forster.
Besides recognizing members of the media for their dedicated efforts to bringing the accurate and factual news to the public (as well as, in many cases, raising social consciousness), the event honored several others who have influenced great change in the industry of media.
Ann-Margret. Photo credit: Bobby Dahlquist & Bill Dow
The evening’s crowning glory, the Legend Award, went to screen legend Ann-Margret. Presented this year by two-time “Bond girl” Maud Adams, the Luminary Award honors recipients for their lifetime achievements and contributions to society.
TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz of TCM received the Luminary Award for Career Achievement, while actor Danny Trejo received the Visionary Award in recognition of his humanitarian work.
“What a wonderful, inspiring evening,” actress and activist Alison Arngrim. “Not only a back to back presentation of brilliant performers, journalists, writers and creators, but all of them people who refuse to rest on their laurels, every single one of them dedicated to changing the world and helping others. Where on earth are you going to see Quentin Tarantino, Danny Trejo, Tarana Burke, Ben Mankiewicz, and Ann-Margret on the same bill?”
Known, of course, for her iconic portrayal of Nellie Olseon on Little House on the Prairie, Arngrim once worked with the legendary Hope. “What an honor also to be at the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation table, having worked with the wonderful Bob Hope and having seen how he endlessly used his fame to help others. Even now, the foundation carries on the work in his name, helping abused women and children—and of course, Bob’s beloved veterans. How appropriate to be honoring Ann Margaret, who stood beside Bob so many times entertaining our troops.”
(L to R) Ann-Margret, Lee Purcell, Alison Arngrim, Roslyn Kind. Photo credit: Bobby Dahlquist & Bill Dow
“What a wonderful evening at the LA Press Club Gala,” said acclaimed recording artist Roslyn Kind. “It was such an honor to have been asked to represent The Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. Particularly heart touching was the friendship between Ann-Margret and Bob Hope and how their relationship lifted the morale of our servicemen everywhere.”
Tarana Burke received the Impact Award for her participation in the”me too” movement, while Oscar winner Jamie Foxx received the Distinguished Storyteller Award.
“It was an honor to be invited by Linda Hope and The Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation to appear on their behalf at the 12th annual LA Press Club gala,” added screen legend Lee Purcell. “An organization whose focus on children, abused women and, of course, our Veterans is close to my heart. Among the deserving honorees were Ben Mankiewicz, Tarana Burke, Danny Trejo, the legendary Ann-Margret and a man to whom my admiration is boundless, Quentin Tarantino. I was also so very pleased that the entire evening was dedicated to my friend Robert Forster and that so many people spoke about him, including Quentin and especially his beloved Denise Grayson.”
