Seven celebrities set for UMES Gala

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Seven Hollywood stars have signed-on to appear March 3 at the 2012 University of Maryland Eastern Shore Gala, "Lights, Camera, Action!."

The third year for a celebrity presence, the 2012 guests include: S. Epatha Merkerson, Larry King, Billy Davis Jr., and Marilyn McCoo, Melanie Griffith, Tippi Hedren and Jaclyn Smith.

"What an honor that these talented and community conscious celebrities are willing to give of their time to benefit our deserving students," Dr. Veronique Diriker, Gala coordinator, said. "I'm sure our guests will delight in sharing the evening with them."

S. Epatha MerkersonS. Epatha Merkerson is best-known for her 16 years on the NBC hit series, "Law and Order," as Lt. Anita Van Buren. She appeared in more episodes than any other cast member during the series' run, which ended last year. The series earned her nine SAG Award nominations, two NAACP Image awards and an NAACP Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress last year.

Merkerson also starred in the HBO film "Lackawanna Blues," receiving Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG and NAACP awards for her portrayal of Rachel Nanny Crosby. On stage, she received Tony Award nominations for her performance in August Wilson's "

Larry KingThe Piano Lesson" and as Lola Delaney in "Come Back, Little Sheba."

Larry King, a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame and Broadcaster's Hall of Fame, has spent 50 years in broadcasting. He hosted the nightly interview TV program "Larry King Live" on CNN for 25 years, ending the show last year. King received the Peabody Award for Excellence in broadcasting for his radio and television shows and has won 10 Cable ACE awards for Best Interviewer and for Best Talk Show Series.

Among King's many books are "The Best of Larry King Live: The Greatest Interviews" and "Anything Goes! What I've Learned from Pundits, Politicians, and Presidents." He also wrote a weekly column for "USA Today" for 18 years.

Billy Davis, Jr. and Marilyn McCooSeven-time Grammy-winning duo Billy Davis Jr., and Marilyn McCoo burst onto the music scene with "The 5th Dimension," a musical group of the late 1960's and early 70's. In a span of eight years, they had 30 songs on the pop charts, including, "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In," "One Less Bell to Answer," "Up Up And Away," and "Wedding Bell Blues."

Davis and McCoo established themselves as a duo after a decade with the group. Their first #1 hit, "You Don't Have to Be A Star," earned them a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo. CBS signed them for a prime Melanie Griffithtime TV series, "The Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. Show."

Melanie Griffith, earned an Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe for her role as Tess McGill in "Working Girl" with Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack. She also appeared in Woody Allen's "Celebrity" (1998) with Winona Ryder, Leonardo DeCaprio and Charlize Theron. The best performance of her career, some critics say, was the 1998 film "Another Day in Paradise." Griffith met her future husband, Antonio Banderas, in the 1996 comedy "Two Much."

Griffith received a Golden Globe nomination in the TV miniseries "Buffalo Girls" and an Emmy nomination for the HBO film "RKO 281." She made her Broadway debut as Roxie in the musical "Chicago," a 2003 box office success.

Tippi HedrenTippi Hedron is best-known for her Golden Globe performance in Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic, "The Birds." After the film, she starred alongside Sean Connery in "Marnie," and Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren in "The Countess From Hong Kong," Charlie Chaplin's last film.

She has appeared in over 30 films, numerous television shows and is known for her humanitarian and environmental causes. Best-known is a non-profit big cat sanctuary, "The Roar Foundation's Shambala Preserve" created as an African-type setting for the filming of the movie "Roar," which Hedron co-produced and starred with her daughter, Melanie Griffith. The story of her life with the animals is documented in Simon & Schuster's "The Cats of Shambala."

Jaclyn Smith has been in the public's eyes for over three decades. Named one of the "Most Beautiful People in the World" by "Harpers Bazaar," "US," "TV Jaclyn SmithGuide" and "People Magazine," she first came into American homes as the Breck Girl in TV commercials. She is now known for her collection of women's apparel, accessories and home furnishings for Kmart stores.

Smith has appeared in more than 50 films and TV shows. Her signature character was her five-year network run as Kelly Garrett on "Charlie's Angles," the only original female star who stayed with the series. Smith was also nominated for a Golden Globe for "Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy," one of the most highly rated TV films.

Tickets for the Gala went on sale January 3. Oscar tickets are $175 and VIP tickets are $500. Call Veronique Diriker at 410-651-8142 or by emailing vdiriker@umes.edu for more information or to purchase tickets.