''Mr. Television'' to be Remembered at Friars Club Memorial.

Entertainment & Business Editors

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 18, 2002

Hollywood Who's Who Expected at Friars Club of California

May 17 Tribute Honoring Entertainment Industry Icon, Milton Berle 

Members of The Friars Club of California will gather for a memorial tribute honoring one of the Club's most respected founders and adored members -- Milton Berle, "the man who put television on the map." Affectionately referred to as "Uncle Miltie," Berle and his life will be celebrated at the Friars Club on May 17, 2002 starting at 6:30 p.m. The Club is located at 9900 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills.

"Though it is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that we bid farewell to Milton Berle, our love and respect for him mandate us to celebrate his life," said Friars Club president, Irwin Schaeffer. "When people think of entertainment, they no doubt think of `Mr. Television,' Milton Berle, and all his contributions to show business."

Larry King, talk show host and Friars Club Abbott, will serve as master of ceremonies. King will be joined on the dais with Phyllis Diller, Red Buttons, Norm Crosby, Connie Stevens, Monty Hall and Lainie Kazan, among others. Collectively, these entertainers will present both tributes and performances in honor of their dear friend.

Berle, star of vaudeville, motion pictures, television and radio, was in show business for more than 80 years. One of his first steps toward stardom was as the "Buster Brown Boy" in 1913. His screen debut was with Charlie Chaplin in "Tillie's Punctured Romance." He appeared in countless television programs, several of which he launched, including "Texaco Star Theater," "Berle Buick Show," "Jackpot Bowling" and "Kraft Music Hall."

During his career, Berle worked with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Marion Davies and numerous other Hollywood legends. He also appeared in "Mod Squad," "Ironside," "The Defenders" and "Mannix." He helped shape the popularity of television as an entertainment medium, by reputedly "selling more television sets than any advertising campaign." There were about 500,000 television sets in the U.S. when Berle took to the air in 1948, but a year later, there were a million and a half, and when the curtain came down on "Texaco Star Theater" in 1954, there were more than 26 million sets. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honored Berle with a plaque stating, with no equivocation, that Berle was to be known thereafter as "Mr. Television."

In addition to his broadcasting star status, Berle was a member of The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) having more than 400 songs published since 1932. He had also authored four books, "Out of My Trunk," "Laughingly Yours," "B.S. I Love You" and an autobiography.

About the Friars Club

The Friars Club of California, a private club, began in 1946 with Hollywood legends such as Milton Berle, Jack Benny and George Burns. Today, the Friars Club boasts a complete exercise facility, fine dining and activities for members ranging from plays to trips. Over the course of its more than 50 years in existence, the Club has been the setting for celebrity roasts and holiday fundraisers by celebrities for children, among many other events. For more information, please visit www.friarsclub-ca.org.

Note: For media RSVPs, please contact Gary Kishner at 310/556-4443, [e-mail].