Joan Collins’ appointment this year as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire was the cause of celebration Monday night at the Friars Club. An evening of music, dancing, laughs and a look at Dame Collins’ lifetime of charitable service, emceed by none other than film and comedy legend Jerry Lewis and attended by boldface names Matthew Broderick, Alan Cumming, Arlene Dahl, John James, Ron Raines and Liz Smith. A big time was had by all.
The celebrated English actress received her damehood from England’s Prince Charles last month at Buckingham Palace in London. The order recognized Ms. Collins for her charity work with a variety of important causes, including the NSPCC, Fight for Sight, Barnardo’s, Feed the Children and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. She is best known stateside for her role as Alexis Carrington Colby, in the 1980s nighttime soap opera Dynasty, which earned her a Best Actress Golden Globe in 1982. Most recently she guest starred on the E! television series, The Royals, playing the mother of Elizabeth Hurley’s character, British Queen Helena.
Photos and article by JK Clarke
Dame Joan Collins and Friar Abbot Jerry Lewis
John James and Joan Collins
Actress Arlene Dahl and husband Marc Rosen
Actor Ron Raines
Honoree Dame Joan Collins of the Order of the British Empire
Jerry Lewis
Joan Collins with Jerry Lewis in a classic pose
Jerry Lewis’s splendid shoes stepping into the theater of fashion!
