Lili Baehr finally gets her dream picture with Pat Boone, her childhood idol, at his 80th birthday bash
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
The dream picture. Lili Baehr (center),
with Shirley and Pat Boone
(Photo: Dan Wooding)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA (ANS) — Lili Baehr, the Argentine-born wife of Dr. Ted Baehr, the founder and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission and Movieguide®, a family magazine, radio program and TV show which reviews all movies from a biblical perspective, has had pictures with many Hollywood celebrities during the annual Movieguide® gala.
But on June 1, 2014, Lili was finally able to get me to snap a picture of her with her childhood idol, Pat Boone, during the “Pat Boone 80th Birthday Celebrity Roast” at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, which was held to support Ryan’s Reach, named after Pat and Shirley Boone’s grandson, Ryan Corbin, who had suffered a terrible accident from which he wasn’t expected to live, but amazingly was in attendance.
Lili, who has been suffering and taking oral chemotherapy for about 20 years with Cicatricial Pemphigoid, which her husband once described as an “incurable, devastating disease,” bravely battling on with her agonizing problems, suddenly lit up when Pat Boone appeared on the Red Carpet besides her, and I was able to photograph her with Boone and his wife, Shirley.
Afterwards, Lili explained that she, at the age of nine, moved with her family from Argentina to Houston and almost immediately became a huge fan of the teen idol.
“My older sister Marcella became the president of the Pat Boone Fan Club, and I naturally joined up,” said Lili. “I’ve told her that the next time she comes to LA., I will try and introduce her to Pat, which would help fulfill a lifelong dream for her. Mine has just been fulfilled.”
She went on to say, “My favorite Pat Boone song was ‘April Love,’ and that was also my favorite movie in which he starred with Shirley Jones.” [Shirley Jones just happened to be at the event to honor Pat Boone.]
I was then joined on the Red Carpet by Dr. Ted Baehr and I asked him why he was at this glittering event.
“Pat’s been a close friend of mine for years,” said Dr. Baehr. “He also knew that my father, Bob ‘Tex’ Allen, born I. E. Theodore Baehr, who was who was the original Texas Ranger of the Silver Screen in the 1930s and winner of the prestigious 1936 Box Office Award.
“Pat and I go back so long and I was thrilled when he just told me that the Movieguide® Awards really ‘changed Hollywood’ and I’m so grateful for his support.”
He added, “Pat’s lasted so long because he is extremely talented. He graduated Cum Laude from Columbia University and you can see the wisdom in everything he does. Not only is he a dedicated Christian, but he’s a man who’s probably smarter, wiser, and more knowledgeable, than most people here except for Dan Wooding.” [With that he let out a huge laugh.]
“So, Lili and I are here to honor Pat. I’m also here to say, ‘Pat, you’re wonderful and 80 years is too little.’”
Note: I will like to thank Robin Frost for transcribing these interviews.
See all ASSIST News articles at www.assistnews.net
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
- Content: +2Share:
- Content: +4