Stand-up, wild wiry haired comedian Marty Allen was the fifth recipient when he received the 2011 Louis Prima Award from The Showbiz Society at the Italian American Club in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011. This award sanctioned by the Prima family recognizes outstanding entertainers who have added to the entertainment capital of the world like Louis Prima did for so many years. Prima’s daughter Lena Prima, who will be relocating to New Orleans, presented the award. Former award recipients include Tony Curtis, Louie Anderson, Bill Medley and Clint Holmes.
When The Showbiz Society’s eight-member Board of Directors gave their nod to Allen, they came on stage with each wearing a huge black wig paying homage to Allen’s famous hair. He’s always been America’s favorite real life Troll Doll.
Celebrities on hand to honor and sometimes roast their friend and colleague included: former partner Steve Rossi, former “Hollywood Squares” panelist Rich Little, Louie Anderson, Sammy Shore, Cliff Lawrence, and the program’s emcee Tony Sacca. The star-studded audience also included: magician Siegfried, Dennis Bono, Babe Pier, Mark Giovi, Kelly Clinton, Tempest Storm, Dennis Bono and Lorraine Hunt-Bono, Jeanne Brei and singer Ingvar Estrada.
Allen’s wife and stage partner Karon Kate Blackwell couldn’t attend because she was packing for the two of them to leave in a couple hours for an out-of-town engagement. Most amazingly, Allen, now 89, had a hip replacement just one week prior to the event.
The Showbiz Society, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 is an organization that encourages, acknowledges and honors entertainers for their outstanding service in the entertainment industry, as well as assisting entertainers in their time of need.
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