"The realization of this exhibit, is a dream come true," remarks Donelle Dadigan (President and Founder of The Hollywood Museum). "We have wanted to honor these, often unsung, young heroes and PIONEERS of entertainment for some time. Especially, as most of them have been such dedicated supporters of the Hollywood museum." Dadigan, hosted an eclectic list of current/former child stars (some reuniting with other cast members for the first time in years) and other VIP guests for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as they preview the "Child Stars - Then And Now" exhibit, which will be open to the public through December.
"The Hollywood Museum's new "Child Star's - Then and Now" exhibit is beyond words, a must see," commented actor and current President of AMC, Scott Schwartz. "Opening night was amazing with over 25 former and current child performers attending was a heartwarming tribute to Paul Peterson's over 50 years in showbiz and his never ending, tireless work for child labor laws." Among the star studded crowd were familiar faces with pop culture status including, Academy Award winner Margaret O'Brien (MGM/Meet Me In St. Louis), Larry Mathews (The Dick Van Dyke Show), Tommy Cole (The Mickey Mouse Club) Jeremy Miller (Growing Pains), Jon Provost (Lassie), Marta Kristen (Lost In Space), Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Johnny Crawford (The Rifleman), Radames Pera (Kung Fu), Jerry Supiran (Small Wonder), Rachel Greenbush (Little House on the Prairie), Jeanne Russell (Dennis the Menace), Brian Part (Little House on the Prairie), Mason Reese (Commercial star), Scott Schwartz (The Toy/A Christmas Story), Kathy Garver (Family Affair), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone), Lisa Loring (Addams Family), Ellen Latzen (Fatal Attraction), Keith Coogan (Adventures in Babysitting/Jackie Coogan's grandson), Erin Murphy (Bewitched), David Bloch-Mandel (Bewitched), Hunter Payton (A to Z), Romi Dames (Hanna Montana), Lisa Trusel (Days of Our Lives), Kym Karath (Sound of Music), Claudia Lamb (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman), Ava Cantrell (Haunted Hathaways), Aedin Mincks (A.N.T. Farm), Tara-Nicole Azarian (Nerdtabulous), Nicholas Azarian (Nerdtabulous), Joey Luthman (Strings/Astroid Clover/GH), Elise Luthman (Short Girls Club), Rodney Allen Rippy (Commercial actor), Zachary HAVEN (Bastards), Carsen Warner (Kirby Buckerts), Oussama Mellouli (3x Olympic Medalist), Carolyn Hennesy (True Blood/GH), Ilene Graff (Mr. Belvedre), Leeza Gibbons (America Now), Judy Tenuta (Comedienne) Kate Linder (Y&R), Steven Wishnoff (OZ), Ro Brooks (The Have and Have Nots), Vincent De Paul (The Bay), Leonard Maltin (Film Critic) and current EMMY nominee Patrika Darbo (Acting Dead). As well as Barry Livingston, Stan Livingston and Dawn Lynn (of My Three Sons).The weekend to follow will bring over 50 child stars together at The Hollywood Museum for as Autograph show, being produced by Nite of Dreams (www.niteofdreams.com) that will benefit A Minor Consideration (AMC), a non-profit, tax-deductible foundation formed to give guidance and support to young performers, Past, Present and Future.
AUTOGRAPH SHOWPhoto Credits: Bill Dow, courtesy of The Hollywood Museum
Keith Coogan gives thumbs up to Grandfather Jackie Coogan's The Coogan Bill
Donelle Dadigan and celebrated former child spokesman Rodney Allen Rippy
Alison Arngrim with Nellie portion of “Little House on the Prairie� presentation
Shirley Temple's costume from “Curly Top�
Donelle Dadigan and Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson/Lost in Space)
Margaret O'Brien's Junior Academy Award.
Erin Murphy (Tabitha/Bewitched), Donelle Dadigan and Kym Karath (Gretl Von Trapp/Sound of Music)
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson/Little House, Paul Petersen (Jeff Stone/The Donna Reed Show), Donelle Dadigan, Jon Provost (Timmy Martin/Lassie), Margaret O'Brien (MGM Academy Award Winner) and Councilman Mitch O'Farrell.
Donelle Dadigan and Jon Provost (Timmy Martin/Lassie) pose with items in exhibit
Donelle Dadigan, JeAnne Russell (Margaret Wade/Dennis the Menace) and Steve Nycklemoe of the Hollywood Museum
Donelle Dadigan posses on the red carpet with Barry and Stanley Livingston, real life and reel life brothers (Ernie and Chip Douglas/My Three Sons)
Larry Mathew (Ritchie Petrie/The Dick Van Dyke Show) and Donelle Dadigan (Founder and President of The Hollywood Museum) stand next to items on loan from Mr Mathews
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