The Zimbalists cordially invite you to
help
us ring in Efrem's 90th year!
November 15,
2008 was a day that took on an extra special meaning as
family and friends gathered at the Lakeside Golf Club in
Toluca Lake, California to pay homage to a man who has left
an indelible mark on each life he's come in contact with.
This was the day that nearly 130 people came together to
celebrate Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.'s 90th birthday.
Although his birthday isn't until November 30th, this was a
surprise party over seven months in the making. It was
an afternoon that none of the guests, nor the guest of honor
will ever forget.
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The
afternoon started with a lovely cocktail reception, as
the audio/video technicians loaded the compilation film
specifically created for the party. In the
meantime, our birthday fellow spent time chatting with
his guests. Pictured with Efrem are Cheryl Ladd
and her husband Brian Russell, and Michele Lee to the
right of
the photo.
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As soon as everything was in place,
the party shifted to the theater as Stephanie introduced the premiere screening
of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. -
Scenes From A Magnificent Life.
It is comprised of a collection of stellar scenes from his
long career. There was laughter, smiles and even a
tear or two as the audience watched. Very fittingly,
Efrem received a nearly three-minute long standing ovation
at the end of the screening. As a special treat to
fans worldwide, SZ.Net is pleased to offer an exclusive
screening of this amazing collection. Originally an
hour and ten minutes, it has been broken down for easier
load times. Click on the links below to view each of
the seven segments.
Scenes From A Magnificent Life - Part One
Scenes From A Magnificent Life - Part Two
Scenes From A Magnificent Life - Part Three
Scenes From A Magnificent Life - Part Four
Scenes From A Magnificent Life - Part Five
Scenes From A Magnificent Life - Part Six
Scenes From A Magnificent Life - Part
Seven
Following the screening,
guests were ushered into the dining room for an elaborate
buffet-styled lunch. Between the main course and the
presentation of the cake, friends and family took turns
giving toasts and paying tribute to Efrem the actor, Efrem
the friend, and Efrem the family man. Among those
sharing their thoughts and memories were elder children Skip
and Nancy, grandchildren Kristina, Efrem IV, McNair and
Alexis, Rhonda Fleming, James Garner, Michele Lee, Leonard
and Gloria Stern, Jane Russell, Linda Hart, Donna Mills, Linda Purl,
Peter Medak, Jenny Sullivan, James O'Neil, Don Pate, Pavlina Dokovska Cowles, Matthew Cowles, Cheryl Ladd, John Kerr, Bruce Davison,
Dean Butler, Sara O'Meara, Yvonne Fedderson, and many, many more
throughout the afternoon.
As the afternoon quickly
turned into the evening, the guests were given beautiful
floral arrangements along with a DVD containing the entire
production of Efrem
Zimbalist, Jr. - Scenes From A Magnificent Life
and a copy of his memoirs My
Dinner of Herbs.
The party has been described
by those in attendance with nearly every complimentary
adjective available, but for those of us who had a part in
this amazing tribute, we have walked away carrying the
knowledge that everything done was nothing more than a labor
of love that we'd do over and over again for this man.
And, in case you're
wondering what Efrem thought of his surprise party,
in his own words, "It was the best day of my life."
Speaking for everyone there, it's a sentiment that is
definitely mutual.
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Nancy Zimbalist |
Efrem (Skip) Zimbalist, III |
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Stephanie and Peter Medak
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Efrem with Stormy Bok
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Stephanie, Kristina, Efrem and
Alexis
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McNair Zimbalist
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Efrem Zimbalist, IV and wife
Mumtaz
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Yvonne Fedderson and Sara
O'Meara
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Skip Zimbalist and wife Paula
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Alice O'Leary and Ann-Margret
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Mumtaz Zimbalist and Donna
Mills
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Nancy, Alexis, Efrem and Kristy
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Efrem with Don Pate
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Dean Butler and wife Katherine
Cannon Butler
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Linda Purl and husband Jim
Adams
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Cheryl Ladd and husband Brian
Russell
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Karyl Lynn Burns, James O'Neil,
Jenny Sullivan and Rudy Willrich
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Bruce Davison with wife Michele
and daughter Lucy
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Jane Russell, Rhonda Fleming,
James Garner, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., John Kerr and Anne
Jeffreys
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One For The Road!
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Click on the link below to
view exclusive video from the party. Special thanks to
Peter Medak and Jenny Sullivan for video taping the entire
event, and to Dean Butler for creating a lovely tribute of
this very special day.
Scenes From A Magnificent Party
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Video
Credits -
Stephanie Zimbalist, Executive Producer
Dean Butler, Producer
Judith A. Moose, Film Footage
Photos Courtesy of Stephanie Zimbalist, Mumtaz Zimbalist,
Debbi Converse,
Lori Lanham, Brenda Berryhill and Judith A. Moose
