Community Corner

Rocker Slash to be Honored at Zoo's 'Beastly Ball' Tonight

The musician will be honored for his support of the zoo community.

From the City News Service:

Former Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash will receive the inaugural Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award from the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association at the 41st annual Beastly Ball tonight at 6 p.m.

The event takes place at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Find out what's happening in Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Slash, whose real name is Saul Hudson, is a member of the association's Board of Trustees. He is being honored as a staunch supporter of the zoo and an advocate for zoos around the world.

Actress Stefanie Powers will present the award to Slash.

Find out what's happening in Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mankiewicz, who died in July, was the association's chairman and the writer of the screenplays of the James Bond films Diamonds are Forever, Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun along with The Cassandra Crossing and The Eagle Has Landed.

Mankiewicz was also a creative consultant for Superman: The Movie and Superman II and a creative consultant, director and writer for the television series Hart to Hart, which co-starred Powers.

"The biggest compliment for me is that it's Tom's award," Slash said. "I really adored that man. I miss him very much and that aspect is very special and resonates deeply. Additionally, I profoundly appreciate the implications of the award itself. It's a fantastic honor."

Mankiewicz "advocated opportunities for interaction among our diverse
communities and championed the cause of animals and the environment through
education and on-the-ground conservation," said GLAZA President Connie Morgan.

He strongly believed the Los Angeles Zoo exemplifies both missions as a place where people come together having a good time while learning the importance of saving and protecting wildlife."

More than 1,000 people are expected for the Beastly Ball, which is expected to raise more than $1 million for the zoo. The event will also serve as a celebration of the zoo's new Elephants of Asia habitat, its residents Billy, Tina and Jewel and elephant conservation efforts.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here