They were Gaga for Tony
Thinking of Tony Bennett, who left us last week . . .
Oprah collected his art . . . Sarah Vaughan had his canvas of Tokyo . . . Radio City showed his art exhibit . . . he sang for Hillary, Mario Cuomo, presidents George W. Bush and Clinton. He did a July Fourth White House concert.
A soldier, he dug World War II burial sites . . . A diabetes dinner honored him at the Waldorf . . . 1952 he headlined the Paramount Theater stage show . . . Prince Albert gave him the World Music Award . . . He cut a CD with Stevie Wonder.
Tony headlined San Diego’s zoo fund-raiser . . . was quoted in a dog lovers’ book . . . performed in a park for greyhounds . . . fund-raised for four-leggeds out West . . . did ASPCA benefits.
Born in Astoria, a Queens Boro president once tried naming a street after him.
A new show memorializing him (and his songs with Lady Gaga), “Tony and the Lady,” comes to Westhampton’s Arts Center Sept 9. Larry Liso, who plays him: “We walked Central Park together. He loved this city.”
A few purrs for celebs
SEEING Princess Kate schlepping an Hermès clutch, Meghan nobody Markle now itches to be the face — or behind — of a luxury clothing company. So who’d you rather wear your brand? England’s future queen or California’s permanent zero?
Sienna Miller’s been comforting her Alzheimer’s stricken father, Edwin. Sister Savannah says, “He’s withdrawn from the world. His spark has gone out.”
Liev Schreiber, 55, who has two teenagers with Naomi Watts, awaits a baby with ex-pageant queen Taylor Neisen. He’s due Saturday at South Fork’s Natural History Museum gala unless he’s due in the delivery room.
Whilst I was away Norman Rockwell’s famous baseball painting, “The Dugout,” worth large millions, showed off at the Hamptons Art Fair. Last year, Warren Beatty came but — shove his Oscars — nobody recognized him.
Drew Barrymore’s “discovery” D’yan Forest, who worked with Seinfeld and grabbed Guinness World Records for Oldest Working Female Comedian — age 89, does stand-up — and if you can risk risqué — July 31 she’s at Gotham Comedy Club.
Starry tales
MORE. I’m just catching up. CNN’s John King. In Dublin’s Cobblestone pub. Listening to music. Whilst inhaling a pint. In a clandestine corner. With a lady.
Dismarried de Blasio’s on summer break from teaching at NYU. But in the classroom lets his phone ring, looks at it, then announces an important politician’s calling — but says he’ll ignore the call for the class. OK? Believe it??!
Matt Lauer attended Southampton’s Animal Shelter thing. Minus lady friend. Seen lately — always solo. Though I was away be it known I know. No creatures can hide from Madam Adams.
Ma’s pride & joy
ALSO: PR guy Jesse Nash’s song “A Mother’s Love” is now in “Beyond the Rush,” an indie starring Oscar nom Cathy Moriarty (“Raging Bull”), John Savage (“Deer Hunter”), plus Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame sings the title track. The Oct. 1 shoot expects to be released Mother’s Day.
Jesse: “There is no Mother’s Day classic standard. ‘A Mother’s Love’ could become that song.”
ME, I’m back. So you’re in luck, which maybe means you maybe found your car maybe still in the parking lot.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.
