UNLV will honor legendary entertainer Phyllis McGuire during an awards ceremony to induct her into the third annual Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 29 in Artemus Ham Concert Hall. The event will feature celebrity guests, including 2004 honoree Tony Curtis, a performance by McGuire, and much more.
McGuire, one of the famed McGuire Sisters, has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, dating back to 1952 when she and sisters Christine and Dorothy burst upon the music scene with appearances on the Arthur Godfrey Show that spanned an amazing six-year period.
After numerous gold records and accolades, McGuire began her solo career - creating her own nightclub act, appearing in movies and summer stock, and sharing the stages of Las Vegas with the likes of Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, Danny Thomas, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis, and a host of other stars.
In 2000, McGuire helped launch the Celebrity Speaker Series at UNLV and assisted in bringing such artists as Tony Curtis, Matt Damon, Academy Award-winning director George Sidney, CSI creator and producer Anthony Zuiker, and others to campus to speak with students about their experiences in the entertainment industry.
The Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV was founded to honor residents of Southern Nevada who have made a significant impact on the arts, including visual and performing arts and architecture. The recipient is given The Sidney Award, named for Academy Award-winning director and Las Vegas resident George Sidney who was posthumously inducted into the inaugural Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV. Sidney directed such great films as "Anchors Aweigh," "Show Boat," "Kiss Me Kate," "Viva Las Vegas," and "Annie Get Your Gun." It was McGuire who first introduced Sidney to UNLV and the College of Fine Arts.
"We are honored to recognize legendary entertainer and philanthropist Phyllis McGuire as the 2005 inductee into the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame," said UNLV president Carol Harter. "Her remarkable career, dedication to the arts community, business savvy, and generosity make her the ideal recipient of this honor. We are proud to call Ms. McGuire a friend of UNLV and the College of Fine Arts."
"Ms. McGuire's extraordinary career and her generosity with the College of Fine Arts and the local art community in general has created a tremendous positive impact on Southern Nevada and UNLV," said Jeffrey Koep, dean of the College of Fine Arts. "It is our privilege to honor Phyllis McGuire for her many contributions to the betterment of the arts in Nevada."
Just a few of the McGuire Sisters' hits on the Billboard charts included "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight," "Sincerely," "Picnic," "Something's Gotta Give," "He," "Sugartime," "May You Always," and "Just for Old Times Sake."
Tickets to the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV awards ceremony are $25 general admission, $10 for seniors and students, and can be purchased by calling 895-ARTS (2787).
