The Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce will continue its "Star Dust on Blytheville" series next month with an on-stage interview of Sam Haskell, former head of worldwide television at the prestigious William Morris Agency, a firm that manages careers of stage, film and television celebrities.
Haskell and his wife, the former Mary Donnelly -- an actress, singer and former Miss Mississippi -- will talk with Chamber executive director, Liz Smith at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at the Ritz Civic Center. The program, co-hosted by the Blytheville Rotary Club, will benefit the Greater Blytheville Foundation and its "Books from Jan" program.
Haskell, who last year wrote the book, "Promises I Made My Mother," is a native of Mississippi and a man who, despite his work in an often difficult and highly competitive business, attributes his success to his Southern upbringing.
In 2007, he was named one of the 25 Most Innovative and Influential People in Television over the last quarter century by TV Week. He and Mary have lived the lives of the "rich and famous," according to Smith.
"We all think we must be in New York or Los Angeles to rub shoulders with celebrities, but it great fun to talk to them right here in Blytheville," Smith said. "And it seems they love coming here too."
Though the well-known associates of Haskell are too many to list, they include Ryan Seacrest, Martin Short, Barry Manilow, Dolly Parton, Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman and Ray Romano. His book relays many "star stories" and Smith hopes to get the inside scoop on dealing with some of the world's biggest celebrities.
"Star Dust on Blytheville" began with a visit from renowned author John Grisham, who agreed to a live hour-long interview on stage at the Ritz. The sold-out crowd encouraged the Chamber and Mary Gay Shipley, owner of That Bookstore in Blytheville, to develop the interview series when opportunities arose.
"We then had a visit from George Hamilton," said Smith. "The crowd was big, George was great and we raised a nice chunk of money to benefit the Arts Council. We are lucky that a local business can bring these people to Blytheville, and Sam Haskell will be another terrific addition to our program."
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com