KCLU Fundraiser at Heaven

Ojai, California

Larry and Maj Hagman hosted a fundraiser for NPR radio station KCLU at their home on May 31, 2008. The event included a party and auction and, for additional cost, a lunch with Larry and Maj. Other celebrities were scheduled to appear, including Linda Gray.

"Heaven" sits on top of a mountain. The drive brings you up a long twisting, steeply ascending road. There were several clever signs directing people to the event. At the estate, the gate was open, with the driveway seemingly as long as the road leading there! There was valet parking at the house. There was an official event photographer handling all photos.0

The house is breathtaking. There are no words to adequately describe Larry's home, it simply has to be experienced to be believed. Larry Hagman and Linda Gray were near the living room. Larry was impossible to miss, dressed like a pimp in a bright purple suit, a neon yellow shirt, and a tie with cartoon condoms on it! Topped off with a cowboy hat, of course! As we stood by nervously, we were treated to the sight of Linda helping Larry put on a pair of suspenders. Red, naturally. What else would go with purple and yellow?

Lunch was in the living room open to the outdoors, overlooking a valley. Larry took credit for the beautiful weather. Don Murray and his wife Elizabeth were among the guests. Elizabeth is a very nice, charming woman. She said Don is very shy, and that is common among actors. She told of a party at Henry Fonda's house in 1964, where Larry showed up wearing a fireman's hat! There were frames at each table used as place cards. After lunch, they called everyone up for photographs with Larry, which were to be put in the frames.

Heaven is filled with photos in every room. Much of the house was open to visitors, but some paths, such as Larry's offic, were blocked off. A staircase to a tower lookout was also blocked, probably for safety. Jock's portrait from Dallas was leaning against a wall. I suspect it hangs in one of the prohibited areas, but Larry still wanted to show it off. There was one striking photo of Larry in a hot tub from around 1970. He had a beard with a little bit of gray, but it was his eyes that stood out. They glowed, as they often do in B&W photos.

At different point in the event, both Larry Hagman and Linda Gray were signing autographs. The event photogrpher was snapping away throughout the day.

Soon, there was an auction. Larry was hilarious as an auctioneer, pitting one bidder against another, egging them on. There was one woman who kept bidding very high on almost everything! One of Larry's cowboy hats went for $1000, but was topped by other items, including a Mario Della Casa Jeannie Bottle signed by Larry, that went for $1400! Linda Gray got up to join Larry for part of the auction, and they were, as usual, adorable together. Linda was losing her voice, and Larry said he was too, but he still had no trouble making himself heard!

There was a photo shoot of Linda and Larry on a swing in the living room. Their affection for each other obvious. Linda put her hand on Larry's face, then kissed him. The party was winding down, and yet another sign greeted guests as they left the property: "Aren't You Glad You Schlepped Up Here?"