Jack LaLanne was someone everyone knew and was like a family member to many!

Jack has had such an amazing career and longevity, which is a rare in “showbiz”! He has been going strong for many, many years on his health and fitness crusade, and a lot of us know him today from his “Juicer” infomercials! Sadly, Jack passed away the other day at his home in Morro, Ca at 96 from respiratory failure due to pneumonia. It has been said he was active in his workout routine up until the day he died. What a life and career! For a man, who as a child was addicted to sugar and became a heath nut as a teenager after hearing a lecture by a nutritionist…..this would change his life forever! From being tagged the “Godfather of Fitness” to a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Jack made his mark on the world!

I had the honor of being invited to his 95th Birthday at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel: you know, “The Pretty Woman” Hotel from Julia Roberts movie? This was the first time I ever met Jack and his wife Elaine. He and Elaine were together for 51 years.

Funny thing about this amazing event was that I was very late. I was so late I missed the red carpet! I was at a prior event that day that Jimmy Kimmel was having in Hollywood that I was invited to as well. Anyway, I couldn’t miss Jack’s Bday, this was an amazing invitation, once in a lifetime opportunity Old Hollywood Society. But I had to get across town to Beverly Hills, and you know traffic in LA is horrific! Well, I made it but I was definitely very tardy. So, I threw caution to the wind and made my entrance into the event.

The Celebrity check in was very helpful and had a man working the event who escorted me in. The man said , “Oh, you missed the Red Carpet, Sir.” I said it was ok, but he insisted on getting all the photogs and videographers assembled again just for me, and turned on all the lights etc. Wow! Then I was escorted into the event to my table that was right up front next to Jack’s. It took me a few seconds to get my bearings, LOL! Then I began seeing familiar faces, famous faces: Montel Williams, Lou Ferrigno, Elaine LaLanne, and more! Dinner was served, and then the mingling and party really began. Dancing and all the festivities, even a visit from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who presented Jack with an honorary plaque! (The National Academy of Sports Medicine Honored Jack for His Life-long dedication to Health and Fitness).

Arnold arrived with a throng of Secret Service Agents, and kept everyone away from him. I thought that was kind of unnecessary, due to the upscale venue and crowd. This was invitation only, ya know? Anyway, The Secret Service for the “Governator” was very strict with their “no pictures of Arnold”, but I did sneak in a quick pic with The Secret Service and all in pic, LOL!

I then met Jack at his table. Jack sitting, and graciously with a smile took my hand, as I thought was going to shake my hand, but he kissed my hand like I was a Prince, and told me to sit down next to him and we chit chatted! He made me feel welcomed, not at all uncomfortable, and treated me with such class. The photogs came around us and began shooting, plus, I got a pic of us as well with my camera! He was so cool and friendly. After that I bumped into Montel Williams and we talked about his shows, etc, because we know a lot of the same people, plus I have met Montel a few times before. A video homage to Jack was viewed: Jack thru the years, his Guest appearances on “The Munsters”, Talk Shows, down to his infomercials, and more!

The cake ceremony was next, and Jack and Elaine took to the stage. Elaine gave a very sincere and emotional tribute to her husband and partner of fifty plus years, and even Jack shed a tear, too! It was very endearing, and the cake was great! I had 2 pieces! I chatted with Elaine towards the end of the evening and she was so sweet, and we took a pic, too!

All in all, what a legendary evening with a legendary man! And believe it or not, everyone who was at the event was given a “Juicer” as a gift! Then to find that The Beverly Hills Courier posted a story in their paper covering Jack’s birthday, and the fact that my name was mentioned in the article was quite amazing!

To have been at Jack’s birthday, and to have had the opportunity to have met this man is something I will always cherish and never forget.

As Jack would say: ‘Anything in Life is Possible, if YOU Make it Happen!’” What a great saying!

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©Daniel DiCriscio
January 25, 2011
Daniel is a feature writer for Rose Speaks.com.
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