Photo Coverage: Gloria Allred Women's Rights Champion Roasted at the Friars Club
By: Stephen Sorokoff Jun. 22, 2018
In 1983 Phyllis Diller had to dress up in drag to sneak into a men's only Sid Caesar's Friars Roast. Last night women's champion Friar Gloria Allred resplendent in an attractive pants and gold jacket was escorted through the front door of The Monastery for that time-honored Friar privilege of being Roasted. BroadwayWorld was there for photos only. What's said in the Friars, stays in the Friars.
1988 was the year that many Private Men's Clubs started admitting women, and Gloria Allred was at the forefront of that development. Liza Minnelli was the first woman to become a Friar at the New York Friars Club.
It is common knowledge that the Friars only Roasts the ones they love and in a statement given to the Press yesterday the Friars Club noted that: "Gloria Allred has been a distinguished member of the Friars Club for more than 30 years. She was the first female member of our California club, and played a pivotal role in opening the New York club to women in 1988, she has remained a strong advocate for women's rights in the club and elsewhere."
Fran Drescher Toasted Gloria and The Friars presented the famed attorney with a check for the Women's Equal Rights Legal Defense & Education Fund
The Roastmaster was the "politically correct" comedian Judy Gold who first introduced the "silent members" of this, the first all female Friars Roast Dias.... Academy Award Winner Helen Hunt, Comedy Club owner Caroline Hirsch, and Attorney Lisa Bloom Gloria's daughter. Judy Gold looked at Lisa and "politely" remarked..."Lisa you look pale, have you been standing in Gloria's shadow too long"? Judy also informed the overfilled Frank Sinatra Dining Room that she was perplexed as to why Harvey Weinstein cancelled at the last minute...and so it continued with the Roastwomen (all in pants suits).
Joanna Cassidy, Robin Tyler, Chanel Ali, Lainie Kazan, Maddy Smith, Lauren Frost, Aby James, and Cat Greenleaf.
Robert DeNiro was not at this Roast but that word he used at the Tony Awards sure was, and Gloria was coaxed into the spirt of things.
The list of Celebrity Friars Roasts is made up of the worlds most esteemed entertainers, sports icons, and businessmen. Rocky Marciano,Leo Durocher,Sophie Tucker, Milton Berle, Eddie Fisher, Humphrey Bogart, Sammy Davis,Jr. Johnny Carson, Jack Benny, Nat "King" Cole, David Frost, Robert Merrill, Mayor John V. Lindsay, George Steinbrenner, Terry Bradshaw, Donald Trump, Billy Crystal and of course Jerry Lewis just to name a few. Gloria Allred has now been added to that historic list. As Judy Gold remarked.....Two things a man doesn't want to be told, (the first not to be repeated here)...the 2nd...."Gloria Allred is on Line 1....."
These Roasts are for members only, but if you promise not to laugh too hard or repeat the jokes to your friends you can join the Friars Club.
Article & Photos by: Stephen Sorokoff
Ralph Compagnone, Treasurer, Michael L. Gyure, Executive Director, Gloria Allred, Jane Hanson
Lisa Bloom & Gloria Allred
Fran Drescher, Toast
Lainie Kazan, Judy Gold, Gloria Allred, Fran Drescher
Judy Gold, Lainie Kazan, Jane Hanson, Eda Sorokoff
Ralph Compagnone, Gloria Allred, Jane Hanson
Joanna Cassidy, Gloria Allred, Rinaldo Nistico, Fran Drescher
Joanna Cassidy, Lainie Kazan, Fran Drescher
Eda Sorokoff, Bill Boggs, Fran Drescher
Gregg Sherry & Fran Drescher
Friar Marvin Scott
Michael L. Gyure, Lisa Bloom, Gloria Allred, Marvin Scott
Jane Shevell, Board of Governors & Larry Weissfeld
Judy Gold, Joanne Cassidy, Chanel Ali, Lauren Frost, Maddy Smith, Gloria Allred
Gloria Allred Friars Roast
Friars Club, Barbra Striesand Room
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