 |
Updated 20 July 2001
The background photo shows Edward as "Beauty and the Beast" fans loved to see him: as wealthy, sexy Elliot Burch
"Beauty
& The Beast"
CONVENTION PHOTOS
12-14
July 2000 - Holiday Inn, New York City
New York 2000 Convention Photos
Again, Edward was kind enough to give up his time to join us at the convention in New York and everyone was delighted to see him. He took part in all the events as usual, and, in addition, made an empassioned re-commitment to his Band of Angels. Other celebrity guests were Jay Acovone, Linda Campanelli, David Schwartz and Jamie Murray who, to everyone's disappointment, announced it was his last convention as he needs to concentrate on his 'real' job for a while.
Convention 7-9 July 2000 - Burbank Hilton Hotel, L.A.
|
Photo by Albert Ortega - To order: OrtegaFOTO@aol.com
 |
 |
 |
Thanks to Sharon Laurents for these three photos
Edward attended the 2000 Beauty and the Beast convention at the Burbank Hilton Hotel, L.A. and as usual was superbly entertaining to the gathering of fans. To the delight of the "Band of Angels", a support group which was formed at his request at the convention in 1995, he renewed his commitment to the philosophy and promised to become more actively involved. This pledge injected even more enthusiasm and determination to the already compassionate "Angels", headed by Linda Moore who works tirelessly on behalf of fans and friends needing a word of encouragement at difficult times.
 |
 |
 |
As always Edward took part in the charity auction, the autograph signing and a Q&A which included all the celebrities attending, something a little different to previous conventions.
1999 "A KINGDOM BY THE SEA RE-VISITED"
EDWARD ATTENDED FROM FRIDAY 16-SUNDAY 18 JULY
These photos were
taken at the Saturday morning Fan Club Meeting. Members (and
potential members!) were treated to Edward's familiar brand of
wit and enthusiasm as he regaled us with stories and news about
his life and projects. His engery is currently focussed on the
production from start to finish of three Public Service
Announcements and he spoke at length on the subject. The comon
phrase linking all three is: 'Do you believe in magic? Come and
be part of something wonderful...California State Parks.' One of
them, produced for for the California State Marine Sanctuaries
and Beaches, focuses on his favourite mammal, the dolphin, and he
explained in detail how, using state of the art technology at the
Paramount film studios, he has gathered footage from every source
available to show these magnificent creatures playing, swimming
and even body surfing the waves.
He spoke of reaching a point in his life when he was determined to try and bring as many of the things that interest him, together, and the culmination of this dream at present is obviously this particular project. He was pumped; eager; the adrenaline flowing because this time he has control over what is being produced and will ultimately appear on screen (in the US). If I read him correctly he is a little disillusioned with the 'head honchos' in Hollywood and their ability to regularly massacre what should have been an interesting project and a good piece of work. In Spain, he told us, it is much easier to retain an element of control over a film or TV show, and I wonder if he is moving towards working in that environment on a more regular basis. He was a big hit - as usual - at the Q&A session in the afternoon, preceding Ron Perlman (who attended the convention for one day) and predictably over-running with his allotted time! I think if Ron hadn't been waiting in the wings, everyone would have persuaded Edward to stay for the remainder of the afternoon, so entertaining is he as a story-teller.
He began by telling us all a story with a
moral, mentioning James Cameron's proclamation at the Oscars that
he was "King of the world". While he believed that
comment was purely off-the-cuff excitement at the success of the
movie, the amusing tale involving various creatures in the food
chain/predator league, clearly demonstrated that being "King
of the world" is often a very short-lived position!
Edward held everyone spellbound as he recounted his adventures during the making of "The Ice Runner", during which time the tanks rolled into Red Square in Moscow, heralding a time of great unrest for the local people and danger for the film crew. While shooting was halted, he told us, he created "Radio Free Siberia" for his friends and crew; playing DJ and spinning records for their entertainment. With his knowledge of the Russian language, Edward was elected spokesman in any dialogue with the Russions, and earned his latest nickname, "Peacemaker". He told us how he was invited to be the very first American baptised in the River Volga, and even though they didn't know his real name and actually baptised him "Peacemaker", he considered it an honour and found it to be a moving and spiritual moment which he added to his already huge catalogue of life experiences.
We learned that
that his appointment as California State Native American
Commissioner has already reaped unexpected benefits. While with
friends in New York, Edward's party encountered some rather
unsavoury characters who began to abuse the two ladies in the
group and taunt one of the men about his expensive car. Believing
there was a potential for danger in the situation Edward told us
that when presented with a perfect opportunity to act out a role,
he couldn't resist...when one of the men sneered, "you guys
must have a lotta gold to have a car like that," pointing to
the Ferrari, he whipped out his Commissioner's badge, brandished
it threateningly at the troublemakers and said: "you wanna
see gold?" The group apparently fled instantly!
Edward was also persuaded, yet again, to
remind everyone how his nickname of "Ratman" on the
"Beauty and the Beast" set originated. These photos
show his reaction when it was mentioned! Briefly, for the benefit
of non-"Beauty and the Beast" fans and web-surfers,
this was because prior to filming in Griffith Park one day,
Edward was clearing out a shed on his ranch. He drove to the
location in his car, and when he arrived, to his surprise, women
started screaming and men began laughing. Wondering what could
possibly have provoked such a reaction in his fellow human
beings, Edward looked around and discovered rats were running out
from under his car; they had obviously been disturbed in the
shed, scurried for shelter and clung precariously to the
underneath of the car until arriving in the safety of the park!
From that day on, every time Edward turned up on set, the crew
would sing, to the tune of
"Batman".....da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da...Ratman!"
 |
Edward, Ron Perlman, Linda Campanelli and David Schwartz
Edward was also with us at the Celebrity Brunch on Sunday morning, although I doubt he actually got to eat much at all because quite a few of us took the opportunity to have a few words with him, or have him sign something or get a photo taken with him. Of course he did all this with infinite good grace and humour, and then helped out "Myhr" (Jamie Murray) with the remaining items of the celebrity auction not sold the night before.
PREVIOUS CONVENTIONS
As someone lucky enough to have met him personally, I can reassure anyone out there who still may have that delightful experience to come (!) that he is even more physically attractive 'in the flesh' than he is on screen! Trust me, when charisma was being handed out, Edward was given more than his fair share...look: it's not only ordinary fans who fall for his charm, wit and sincerity; it's the stars too!
LEFT:
Charming the actress Caitlin O'Heaney!
Edward has graciously headlined four Beauty and the Beast conventions (in Texas, Las Vegas (twice) and Los Angeles) and he does everything asked of him and more. His auctioneering has become a talking point as he bounces around, leaping on and off the stage to give prospective buyers a closer look at the items. Usually just the trademark smile combined with one look from those twinkling blue eyes is enough to push the price up!
This photo
represents a 'dilemma' I had myself, at the L.A. convention in
1995. At the end of the Charity Singing/Guitar session, Edward
began to pack up, and some of the bolder ones among us walked up
and threw their arms around his neck to say goodbye; I hesitated,
lacking the courage, and instead opted for an 'exclusive' photo.
I hadn't expected him to notice, but he did, and this sweet smile
was just for me!
LEFT:
Edward's "doodle" for the Minneapolis '97 B&B
convention
RIGHT: Mingling with his extended 'family' at the Austin, Texas B&B convention '93
At the Minneapolis '97 convention, stars and crew were asked to supply personal 'doodles' to swell charity funds and this is one of two that Edward generously supplied. All were much appreciated, but you can easily see the time and trouble that Edward went to, in order to make sure the recipient (me in this case!) had something highly collectible and not simply a signature.
And I apologise for this shameless self-promotion, but I can no longer resist the temptation to include the following photo of myself with Edward, which was taken on the day after my birthday in July 1995 at the convention in L.A. "A Distant Shore"...what a lovely present! Oh, and in case you're wondering, the reason for holding him so closely was that the photo was for a watch face...well hey, it's a lousy job but someone had to do it :-)
 |