My Bucket List is Being Fulfilled With A Little LUCK
Last month, I was lucky enough to complete a lifelong mission! Somehow, I was invited to Ruta Lee’s 90th birthday celebration. For those who don’t know Ruta, she is a legendary movie, television, and Broadway performer (look for my blog next month on the remarkable Ruta Lee.) When I received the invitation in March and saw that Jo Anne Worley would be performing, I immediately purchased a plane ticket to this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Jo Anne Worley is the last remaining performer from the original cast of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin joined later in the show’s run from 1968 to 1973. Jo Anne, Lily, Goldie, and Barbara Sharma are the last living cast members of Laugh-In. George Schlatter, the creator of this iconic show, remains alive and kicking.
When I was a child, every time I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer would be, “I want to be a regular on Laugh-In.” I also wanted to have a laundromat where beautiful Asian women wearing mini-skirts and go-go boots would wait on the customers. I’ve always loved the smell of laundry detergent and laughter – face it, I was a unique child and obviously, still crazy after all these years - shout out to Paul Simon!
From Henry Gibson (who later gave a spectacular performance in Robert Altman’s Nashville) to Johnny Brown (who became Bookman aka Buffalo Butt on the classic sitcom, Good Times), I was and still am intrigued with every cast member who appeared in Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Without this brilliant comedy sketch show, there would not have been Saturday Night Live, In Living Color, MAD TV, etc. I’ve been blessed to have met Lily Tomlin (cast member from 1970 to 1973) and to win the Ruth Buzzi Award for Comedy (Ruth was a cast member from 1968 to 1973). So, when the opportunity to meet the comedy genius, Jo Anne Worley, came up, I could not pass this up. I was not disappointed. She is just as lovely and talented as one would expect.
After meeting the amazing Jo Anne Worley, this is a huge mark off my bucket list. This wonderful experience has made me add even more dreams to accomplish. I hope you have a bucket list - life is too short not to.
Best of luck to you!
- David