Perhaps they were there to try to get a boost to their non-existent careers? Here’s a list of the “celebrities” who were in attendance last night at the Creative Coalition party celebrating the second Bush coronation:
What passes for Hollywood glitz in a Republican-controlled town under security lockdown presented itself last night when a smattering of celebs mingled with politicians to kick off the Creative Coalition’s inaugural gala. “Look, we’ve got movie stars here,” said Dan Glickman, head of the Motion Picture Association of America, surveying a dining room full of pre-ball dinner guests at the St. Regis Hotel. “We’ve got Tony Goldwyn. We’ve got Arlen Specter. We’ve got Jack Kemp. We’ve got a very good crowd.”
It wasn’t exactly a red-carpet paparazzo’s dream stakeout, but we glimpsed actor Matthew Modine, “Sopranos” regular Joe Pantoliano, singer Fiona Apple and comedian Joe Piscopo. Everyone sang from the hymnal of bipartisanship. “Republicans are as important to me as Democrats,” said director and actor Goldwyn, co-president of the arts advocacy group. “We’re determined to work everything from the center.”
Expected later at the ball, where singer Macy Gray was headlining: Richard Belzer, Tim Blake Nelson, Dixie Carter, Gary Busey, Zach Bryan, Hallie Eisenberg and Mario Van Peebles. But the biggest name, Dennis Hopper, who was supposed to host the event, canceled after he was abruptly disinvited this week from an official inaugural event on the Ellipse. The Presidential Inaugural Committee gave no explanation for the snub. “We were shocked, and I think Dennis was mystified,” Goldwyn said.
Hopper is a staunch supporter of President Bush, but some speculated that his bad-boy image (remember “Easy Rider”? “Blue Velvet”?) or his wife’s fundraising for Sen. John Kerry might have sparked questions. “I guess it’s that Moral Majority thing,” offered radio host Al Franken, who was at the party. He recalled once seeing Hopper “fawning all over Newt Gingrich” at a Washington correspondents dinner. “I can testify to his bona fides as a right-wing nut.”
Brother Al, didn’t you get that nonpartisan songbook?
