Fawn Hall Signs With Superagent
America hasn’t seen the last of Fawn Hall--one of Hollywood’s biggest agents is going to see to that.
“She’s got star quality,” said William Morris co-chair Norman Brokaw, who said that yes, Hall had just been signed by his agency for exclusive representation.
The blonde beauty will be personally represented by Ron Yatter, a William Morris senior v.p. who also represents Diana Ross, and, Brokaw said, he and Yatter “will explore all possibilities for her.”
Translating that superagent talk, look for a book on Hall, the former assistant to Lt. Col. Oliver North. “Miss Hall demonstrated unique camera appeal and definite star quality during the hours-long Irangate testimony,” Brokaw said.
Does this mean Hall is off to acting lessons? No, Brokaw said. But the “possibilities” include, first-off, a book and that will become a basis for a film.
Hall’s appearance on the Cable News Network’s gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Iran- contra hearings in early June boosted its daytime ratings 200%, according to a network announcement June 11.
Brokaw said that he and Yatter had been in constant touch with the former model since her Irangate-hearing appearance--and that he had met with her family. “This is the one girl that we wanted to sign,” Brokaw said, noting that his agency had no interest in two other young women who made headlines this spring, Donna Rice and Jessica Hahn.
And after the book, what then? “I see a broadcast deal for her down the road,” Brokaw said, “and to the extent that she wishes to pursue it, she can have a serious and most successful career.” Brokaw should know since his client list includes Dr. Armand Hammer, San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein, former President Gerald Ford and Bill Cosby.
Bob Hope is also getting in on the Fawn Hall act. At least he’s encouraging women who look like the glamorous government employee to turn out Friday at the Debbie Reynolds studios in the Valley. Hope’s Sept. 17 season kick-off is the comedian’s version of the Iran-contra hearings.
NBC-TV has called for all F. H. lookalikes to try out--probably has to see how facile they are with a shredder.
SYMPATHY--First Lady Nancy Reagan was the first person to call Joan Rivers following the death of her husband, a close friend said. Rivers has told friends that she will return to work Sept. 20 as one of the presenters at the Emmy Awards. Hundreds of friends of both Rivers and her late husband, Edgar Rosenberg, have been by their Beverly Hills home since last Friday when it became known that Rosenberg was found dead in his hotel room in Philadelphia. Among those stopping by and frequently staying--Wallis Annenberg, Rivers’ publicist and close family friend Richard Grant, former UA head David Chasman, Barbara Walters, Rona Barrett, agent Sue Cameron, Tommy Cochran from New York, Cher, Vincent Price and his wife Coral Browne, Roddy McDowall, Bea Arthur, Linda Hopkins, David Craig and Nancy Walker, Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry, Larry and Maj Hagman, Jackie Collins, Howie Mandell, Pamela Mason, Rivers’ manager Bill Sammeth and Angie Dickinson. Rivers’ friends say that those in the entertainment business kept away by film commitments have kept in touch, especially Lily Tomlin, on the phone daily from New York.
LAND OF OZ--If Le Dome had been swept away by a tornado Monday night, no one would know about it. That’s because seemingly every publicist in town was there--trying to raise a glass in the crammed back room and to toast the return of Cristina Ferrare to “A.M. Los Angeles.” All of L.A. is divided into three parts--bookers, bookees and stars. Since Ferrare’s and Steve Edwards’ morning go-round provides a perfect place for celebs, book sellers, etc., everyone who wants to put someone on the show was there, glad to see the glamorous model-and-mom back. Ferrare’s hubby, UA’s Tony Thomopoulous (and the dad of the baby who sent Ferrare on maternity leave last year), was busy in a corner chatting with mega-agent Michael Ovitz.
And, swirling around, the publicists plied their trade. “This fall’s hot book--’Favorite Son’--by Steve Sohmer,” said Judy Hillsinger, who described it as a novel/political thriller. Asked if he had something to sell, publicist George Kirvay was taken off-guard for a minute but quickly recovered. “Give me second. Of course. R. J. (Wagner). ‘Windmills of the Gods.’ A mini-series with Jaclyn Smith.” Against the wall--chatting were Frank Lieberman, personal manager Arthur Gregory (who represents Ferrare) and George Berntsen, veep of feature films and late-night programming for CBS. That would have been the conversation to listen in on--but it was all off the record.
ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING--OK. It was Venice early morning, while the faithful sat on blankets and waited for harmonic convergence. One camp counselor type, complete with staff, tried to rouse some organized singing between the random groups scattered on blankets. What to sing? What did everyone know? Believe it or not--the next sound heard was “Oklahoma!”
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