JOHN FORSYTHE - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/14/1995 CO-SIGNED BY: PHYLLIS DILLER - HFSID 270196

JOHN FORSYTHE and PHYLLIS DILLER
John Forsythe writes to Phyllis Diller asking for a donation for KCET.
Typed Letter Signed: "John", 1p, 8½x11. Los Angeles, California, 1995 March 14. On letterhead of KCET, Public Television for Southern and Central California, to comedienne and actress Phyllis Diller, Los Angeles, California. Begins: "Dear Phyllis". In full: "Thank you for your past support of KCET. Your invaluable ongoing participation as a member of KCET has helped the station move forward in its mission to bring the best in public television to the communities of Southern and Central California. As a longtime supporter and member of KCET, I am writing to ask you to please continue to keep KCET high on your list of charitable support and to make a special gift to KCET this month. I realize that in recent years you have been called upon more than ever to give your name and financial support to many worthy causes and institutions. These important appeals bring messages of hope and renewal to many people. I am sure that you feel as I do, that the spirit of hope must be kept alive - and what better way to inspire hope than through renewed human interest in the arts, sciences, history, nature, drama, music. In short, through the bounty of offerings that is public television. KCET brings this bounty, the best of the human creative impulse, to millions of people every week. Whether it be through seasonal celebrations of The Nutcracker - year round presentations from Lincoln Center - brilliant drama from American Playhouse, Masterpiece Theatre, and Great Performances - or probing documentaries from NOVA and National Geographic. I could say more, but this, in brief, is how KCET gives hope and the human spirit a boost. KCET is a constant reminder that it is great to be a human being. In today's world, we need that reminder very badly. Please make a special gift today. Be generous. The cause is very, very good. It is also very, very necessary. Sincerely". Typewritten postscript: "P.S. The enclosed brochure will give you complete details on the KCET Patrons program. The KCET Patrons are a group of people who share a common vision for the future of public television. Your gift of any amount will be greatly appreciated." At right margin, handwritten postscript signed: "John". In full: "with love to you dear lady!" At lower margin, Diller has written: "Gave $500.00 Mar 95". Brochure not present. JOHN FORSYTHE (1918-2010), was the son of a Wall Street businessman and chose acting as a profession against his father's wishes. From the All Movie Guide: "Forsythe attained full stardom as attorney Bentley Gregg on the top-rated TV sitcom Bachelor Father, which ran from 1957 to 1962. Though he'd occasionally find time for film appearances (In Cold Blood, And Justice for All, Scrooged), Forsythe spent most of the second half of his career on television. He starred in three additional comedy series, The John Forsythe Show (1965), To Rome With Love (1969-1971) and The Powers That Be (1992); hosted the syndicated documentary weekly The World of Survival (1971-77); and "appeared" as the unseen, un-credited Charlie on Charlie's Angels (1976-82). His most celebrated assignment of the 1980s was as zillionaire oil magnate Blake Carrington on the nighttime serial Dynasty (1981-1987)." Comedienne Phyllis Diller (1917-2012), known for her outrageous appearance, zany outfits, distinctive laugh and a stand-up act that featured frequent references to her fictional husband, "Fang", and zingers about her sex appeal and numerous plastic surgeries, got her big break in March 1955 (at age 37), when she debuted at San Francisco's Purple Onion club. A subsequent appearance on The Tonight Show hosted by Jack Paar launched her national career, which got a big boost after Bob Hope saw Diller in a Washington, D.C. club. A favorite of the comedian, Diller would appear in three of Hope's films and 23 of his TV specials. Diller, who recorded her first comedy record album in 1959, took her groundbreaking "funny hausfrau" act to nightclubs and television variety shows and specials and she also appeared on the big screen. Her feature film credits include Splendor in the Grass (1961), The Fat Spy (1966), Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966), The Sunshine Boys (1975) and The Silence of the Hams (1994), and she provided the voice of the Queen in A Bug's Life (1998). By 2000, the comedienne, who had trained as a concert pianist before her marriage (1939-1965) to Sherwood Anderson Diller, had appeared as a piano soloist with 100 symphony orchestras across the U.S. Despite retiring from nightclub/stage tours in May 2002 at the age of 84, Diller continued to make films (Motorcross Kids, 2004; Forget About It, 2005) and occasionally appear on TV programs, including two episodes of 7th Heaven (2002, 2003) and a guest shot on The Wayne Brady Show (2004). Lightly creased with folds, not at signature. Slightly soiled at upper blank portion. Fine condition.