NORBY WALTERS: THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
We just heard that Norby Walters died at 91- he was a successful music agent from New York who threw those fabulous Night of 100 Stars Oscar parties at the Beverly Hills Hotel every year. As the Star Magazine gossip columnist, this was a party I never missed. Celebrities – many of them classic old time movie stars – all turned up – and they were friendly, talkative, and VERY accessible. We recall Mamie Van Doran looking ultra-glamorous, but the biggest thrill for me was meeting George Chakiris from West Side Story. Remember – he played the hot Puerto Rican gang member in the purple shirt (and he could DANCE!) George was sweet and I told him his movie character had changed my life. As a Chicago teen I had never even MET a Puerto Rican, so I vowed to go to New York someday and look for a boyfriend like George’s character Bernardo. (Yes, I did, but my bf looked more like Jimi Hendrix, which was fine.) George laughed at my story and he was a pleasure to meet. Thanks to Norby Walters, a dream of mine came true!
Photo; West Side Story- Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris