Loma Linda University Children's Hospital news
Holocaust survivor and actor Robert Clary to speak at LLUCH Foundation luncheon
Holocaust survivor, actor, artist, and vocalist Robert Clary will be the first guest speaker at an author's luncheon sponsored by the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation, according to Patti Cotton Pettis, executive director of the foundation. Mr. Clary is the author of From the Holocaust to Hogan's Heroes.
Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the children at the LLUCH pediatric intensive care unit.
The author's luncheon will be held on Tuesday, September 3, at 11:30 a.m. at the historic Mission Inn in Riverside.
"We are so pleased to have Mr. Clary as our first author's luncheon speaker," Ms. Pettis says. "He will bring a wealth of information to our guests concerning the holocaust and the inner workings of the television industry."
Ms. Pettis became acquainted with Mr. Clary during a visit to his Beverly Hills home with a LLUCH supporter.
"Mr. Clary is an extremely cordial individual," Ms. Pettis says. "Our guests attending our author's luncheon are in for an outstanding discussion."
Admission to the Children's Hospital Foundation author's luncheon is $50 and includes a copy of Mr. Clary's book (which sells for $26.95), and lunch at the Mission Inn. Mr. Clary will personally autograph his book for guests following the luncheon.
Mr. Clary, who is probably best known for his role at Louis Lebeau in the television series, Hogan's Heroes, was born in Paris, France, in 1926.
Born Robert Max Widerman, Mr. Clary was the youngest of 14 children. In 1942, Robert and 12 members of his immediate family were deported to Germany by the Nazis. Only Robert survived.
Mr. Clary came to the United States in 1949 where he met his future wife, Natalie Cantor, daughter of Eddie Cantor. He has appeared on Broadway and performed in musicals such as Seventh Heaven, La Plume De Ma Tante, and Around the World in 80 Days.
He also had roles in such films as Ten Tall Men, Thief of Damascus, New Faces, A New Kind of Love, and The Hindenburg.
After Hogan's Heroes, he went on to play in several soap operas including The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives, and The Bold and the Beautiful.
In 1980, Mr. Clary felt the need to talk about his experience during the war; he began speaking publicly through the Simon Wiesenthal Center's outreach program.
"For 36 years I kept these experiences locked up inside myself. But those who are attempting to deny the Holocaust, my suffering, and the suffering of millions of others have forced me to speak out," Mr. Clary says.
He has spoken to thousands of individuals throughout the United States at schools and civic groups about his experiences during World War II.
In 1982 he appeared in the NBC television movie, Remembrance of Love with Kirk Douglas about the World Gathering of the Jewish Survivors of the Holocaust in Jerusalem.
A documentary for PBS followed titled Robert Clary A-5714: A Memoir of Liberation. He went on to host his own cable television show, which attracted major name guest stars such as Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks.
Mr. Clary is now semi-retired and lives in Beverly Hills.
In addition to being an author and actor, Mr. Clary is an artist. His works of art are on display at several holocaust museums throughout the United States and in the private collections of such personalities as Merv Griffin, Burt Reynolds, and Bernie Koppel.
His book, From the Holocaust to Hogan's Heroes has received excellent reviews from readers around the United States.
"[Mr. Clary] has kept hundreds of thousands of young people around the world riveted with his story and now for the first time, has written a compelling, honest, and thoughtful book worth reading by everyone," says Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean, Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles.
Long-time friend Merv Griffin says that "nobody in show business has the resume of Robert Clary. From German concentration camps to Broadway and to television...it has been an amazing journey for him. He's still one of our most entertaining and energetic performers. I've only known him for 50 years, and I still couldn't put this book down."
Actor Dick van Dyke says that he "would like to implore anyone of a younger generation who doubts the reality of the Holocaust to read this book. It touched me deeply."
In addition to acting and writing, Mr. Clary has also produced a number of CDs featuring his musical talent.
Individuals wishing to make reservations for the event may call the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation office at (909) 558-8008.
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