Big Sisters’ Gala Proves Timing Is Everything

With fortuitous timing, the Big Sisters of L.A. paid tribute to producer Sherry Lansing on Thursday night. As it happened, their annual fund-raising dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel honoring Lansing occurred the day after she was named chairman of the Motion Picture Group of Paramount Pictures, replacing Brandon Tartikoff.

Diane Lander-Simon, show chair, admitted that the coincidence was “staggering,” adding: “I just got back from Little Rock and then this . I said to Sherry, ‘I got two presidents in one week. What’s a girl to do?’ ”

Lander-Simon then flashed the collector’s item of collector’s items--a gold saxophone pin, a gift from President-elect Bill Clinton to people who worked closely on the campaign.

“I knew it all the time,” said her husband, playwright Neil Simon. “Sherry and Clinton. I knew they were a cinch.”

Lansing, wearing a very short black suit, was greeted by a phalanx of paparazzi and a ballroom full of well-wishers--1,000 in all.

Arriving with her husband, director William Friedkin, and stepson Jack, Lansing trilled: “I’m going to spend more time at home now. I’ll be home for dinner, maybe a little late, but I’ll be there.” She was referring to the change from her work as an independent producer, which took her away to locations for months at a stretch.

Lansing’s appointment managed to blitz the election as the evening’s No. 1 topic of conversation. Many of her colleagues attended the party, including her new boss, Stanley Jaffe, president of Paramount Communications, and her mentor, producer Dan Melnick.

Mark Rydell, who had a film in the pre-production stages with Lansing’s production company, said: “I’m going to miss her terribly. It’s very hard to replace her. She’s one of the most charming, intelligent, gracious executives.”

Added actress Anne Archer, who starred in Lansing’s hit film, “Fatal Attraction”: “She makes the kind of movies that tend to get actors awards.”

Lansing is also revered at the Big Sisters Guild, the fund-raising arm for the organization that matches some 350 young girls with role models and friends. Lansing has been involved for more than 12 years.

The tribute to Lansing included two don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it film clips from Lansing’s early days as an actress.

Also honored were actor and community activist Edward James Olmos and outstanding achievement award winners Sandra Bilson, Vera Brown, Helene Hahn, Michael Kassan and Georgiana Ivan Treivush.