Actor Larry Hagman, who just turned 78 last month and shot to fame (literally) as Texas troublemaker J.R. Ewing on "Dallas," is among the famed names heading to Chicagoland next weekend for the biggest celebrity autograph show in the Midwest.
Hosted by industry royalty Ray and Sharon Courts, who organize such gatherings all over the country, the line-up for this season's event is an impressive who's who.
But for anyone who has been to these previous shows, this time around, there's a new hotel landscape location.
Years ago, it used to be held at The Purple Hotel, just north of Chicago in Lincolnwood, Ill., and more recently, it was at the Chicago Marriott Hotel at O'Hare Airport.
During next Saturday and Sunday's fun, the host location is the Wyndham O'Hare Hotel, 6810 North Mannheim Rd. in Rosemont, Ill. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m both days. General admission is $15 to get inside the celebrity ballroom, where the stars sit at tables for their meet-and-greet sessions. Most of the celeb guests charge for signing photos and memorabilia.
In addition to Hagman, who is also familiar to fans as the son of Broadway legend Mary Martin and his role as Major Anthony Nelson opposite blinking Barbara Eden on "I Dream of Jeannie," more than three dozen notables will be greeting guests.
Among the stars scheduled to attend are actor Ernest Borgnine, actress Tia Carrere ("Wayne's World"), Academy Award nominee Candy Clark ("American Graffiti"), actor Jonathan Frakes ("Star Trek: The Next Generation"), actress Genie Francis ("General Hospital" and "The North and The South"), Academy Award nominee Elliott Gould ("Ocean's Eleven"), actor Gerrit Graham ("Class Reunion"), actor Gregory Harrison ("Trapper John M.D."), actress Jenilee Harrison ("Three's Company" and "Dallas"), actress Tippi Hedren ("The Birds"), actor Bo Hopkins ("American Graffiti"), Academy Award nominee Sally Kellerman ("Back to School"), actor Val Kilmer ("Batman Forever" and "The Doors"), Golden Globe Award winner Paul Le Mat ("The Burning Bed" and "American Graffiti"), actress BarBara Luna ("The Concrete Jungle"), actor Larry Manetti ( "Magnum P. I."), actress Julie McCullough ("Growing Pains"), Eddie Mekka and Cindy Williams ("Laverne & Shirley"), Academy Award winner Mickey Rooney, actress Joan Severance ("Bird On A Wire"), actor Charles Martin Smith ("American Graffiti"), actor James Tolkan ("Top Gun"), actress Deborah Van Valkenburgh ("Too Close For Comfort") and actress Claudia Wells ("Back To The Future").
For more information or details, call (847) 297-1234 or visit hollywoodcelebritiesshow.com/Rose
In addition to the Hollywood Celebrity Show, my favorite movie cinema publicist Angelique Brunsman tells me some of the featured guests will also be hosting individual movie events at the new Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville, including Ernest Borgnine hosting screenings of "Marty" and "The Poseidon Adventure" on Friday, Tippi Hedren hosting screenings of "The Birds" and "Marnie" on Saturday and Elliott Gould and Sally Kellerman hosting screenings of "M*A*S*H" on Sunday.
For more information and details about these, call (630) 428-5800 or visit hollywoodpalmscinema.com/
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.
Today's Celebrity Birthdays
Actor Ron Leibman is 72. Country singer Gene Watson is 66. Singer Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates is 60. Country singer Paulette Carlson is 58. Actor David Morse ("St. Elsewhere") is 56. Actor Stephen Spinella ("24") is 53. Actress Dawn French ("Absolutely Fabulous") is 52. Football star Steve Young is 48. Actress Joan Cusak and guitarist Scott Johnson of Gin Blossoms are 47. Actor-writer Michael J. Nelson ("Mystery Science Theater 3000") is 45. Actor Sean Patrick Flanery is 44. Actor Luke Perry is 43. Actor Artie Lange ("MADtv") is 42. Actor Jane Krakowski ("30 Rock," "Ally McBeal") is 41. Rapper U-God of Wu-Tang Clan is 39. Rapper MC Lyte is 38. Singer NeeNa Lee is 34. Actress Emily Deschanel ("Bones") is 33. Actress Michelle Trachtenberg ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Inspector Gadget") is 24. Golfing pro Michelle Wie is 20.
