AmfAR honors its Diamond Icon

Liz's involvement with cause dates back to 1984

By DIANE GARRETT

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Elizabeth Taylor is congratulated by her granddaughter, Naomi Wilding, on receiving the AmFAR Diamong Icon tribute.

 

HOLLYWOOD -- AmfAR's tribute to Elizabeth Taylor Tuesday night in Bel Air wasn't technically part of Oscar week festivities but it did feature a diamond befitting the Academy Awards' 75th anniversary and a few words from perennial kudocast scribe Bruce Vilanch.

The AIDS research org bestowed a pink diamond necklace upon Taylor during a dinner honoring her as the first recipient of the Diamond Icon award at the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation. Mathilde Krim noted that the thesp's trailblazing efforts on behalf of the disease dated back to 1984, then added: "I am personally so proud to call her my friend and partner in AmfAR's work."

"There would be no AIDS fundraising without Elizabeth Taylor," Vilanch said during the group toast.

The scribe admitted he would miss the red-carpet action at this year's Oscars. "It's kind of like the circus without the clowns," he said. "We'll see what happens when actual hostilities break out -- and not just between Miramax and Paramount."

Soiree hosted by Billie Milam Weisman included Bruce Weber, Laura Harring and Taylor's granddaughter Naomi Wilding.