It's No Secret: Local Shriners Welcome the Spotlight of Oscar Night

The Shriners have long-standing Hollywood ties. Vausbinder points out a picture of Harold Lloyd, noting that the actor not only served locally as chief rabban (second-in-command) but also as imperial potentate, the highest office in North America. Tom Mix, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Buck Jones and John Wayne were also members. The Duke, in fact, donated his movie guns to the temple. Mel Blanc and Red Skelton were members (Skelton in the clown unit). Glenn Ford and Michael Richards (of "Seinfeld") are still on the rosters, and "Ernie Borgnine," he says, "just participated in a ceremonial last year."

Click here for the complete story

 

Discuss this on our message board