One of entertainment’s greats, Robert Wagner, was the first Celebrity Author Series speaker at Morongo Casino Resort, near Palm Springs, California. This event, “A Conversation With Robert Wagner,” was the first of possibly a series of many more to come at Morongo.

Introducing Robert Wagner for today’s event was Charles Lago, literary publicist for Mr. Wagner. Stepping in for Wagner’s daughter, Katie, who was called away to be at a very important event, was the Coachella Valley’s own, Bill “Bulldog” Feingold of KNEWS, 94.3-FM- Radio.

Bulldog hosted the first section of today’s event with a series of questions about his book, Pieces of My Heart, A Life, which Robert Wagner then answered. Wagner was very gracious and first began by thanking Morongo Resort and his audience for today’s event.

Robert Wagner shared snippets of memories from his impressive career in Hollywood, the people who influenced his life, his loves, soirees and his many interesting and fortuitous opportunities, with so many famous people of Hollywood yesterday and today. He talked about his seemingly charmed life, literally growing up in the glamour days of Hollywood. He also spoke openly of his heartaches, pain and struggles.

Much to Wagner’s surprise and delight, Pieces of My Heart, A Life, hit the New York Times Bestsellers list shortly after Diane Sawyer showcased Robert Wagner on Good Morning America (ABC) launching the hardcover edition of this book just one year ago. The response has been fantastic and a bit surprising to Robert Wagner since he was not sure how much of an audience his book would generate. The book spans his sixty years of “growing up and being groomed,” in Hollywood from his “golden days” to the current time. It includes an open and frank discussion of his relationships with an impressive list of famous Hollywood greats such as Cary Grant, David Niven, Clark Gable, Randolph Scott, Fred Astaire, and Barbara Stanwyck to name only a few of the many people who supported and influenced his “charmed career”. Wagner told the audience that 20th Century Fox was his University. They took his looks and talent and molded him into a star. He learned and grew. He added that he could not have asked for a better education and apprenticeship.

Wagner laments that today the big studios don’t do anywhere near what the studios did for new talent in his day and how much more of an uphill battle it is for most of today’s young actors. Robert Wagner’s children are all in show business. He told the audience that he gladly took on the job of mentoring them and many of their friends.

A few more recent career highlights that Robert Wagner shared was about his being asked to host Saturday Night Live. This opportunity directly lead to another acting opportunity after meeting Mike Meyers at that time and discussing the Austin Powers movie project Mike was working on. Mike soon asked Robert Wagner to play the part of Number 2 in the Austin Powers movies. Wagner has also appeared in CBS’s Two and a Half Men, until his character died a passionate death that all men fantasize about. Robert Wagner will also be appearing in another popular CBS series, NCIS, on January 12, 2010 as the father of Special Agent, Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). Wagner told the audience that he loved the opportunity of working with the terrific cast of NCIS. Members of the audience later shared that it would be nice to see more of his character in this wonderful series. Robert Wagner reminded that audience that interestingly, Michael Weatherly played the part of Robert Wagner in the television movie The Mystery of Natalie Wood. And so the cycle of life goes.

Following the interview portion of this event, the audience was invited to ask R.J. Wagner questions. One audience member, Tony Moreno, asked if Wagner recalled their work together in the 1990's to raise more than $175,000 for an organization that provided support for battered wives. Wagner acknowledged this and reminisced about this very meaningful cause.

It is a well known fact that Robert Wagner and his wife Jill St. John actually have a very long standing history with the Palm Springs area. Wagner vacationed often in the desert with many of his entertainment friends for many decades. In a recent interview with Palm Springs Guides, Wagner shared that his wife Jill’s mother was very involved in Palm Springs charities from early in Jill’s life. Jill St. John and her mother spent much time in our beautiful valley attending and supporting fund raising events. Robert Wagner has been a supporter of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center at Eisenhower Medical Center from its very beginning and this year he is a co-chair of the event coming in February 2010.

Upon my meeting Robert Wagner in person at the book-signing event, Mr. Wagner, quickly put me at ease. He was charming and friendly and gave me a very lovely tribute with his autograph in my copy of his book, which I shall cherish forever.

I had forgotten, until just the night before this book signing event that there was a very special act of kindness that R.J. Wagner had given more than 20 years ago, to a friend of mine. Today, I was able to personally thank him for that life altering deed. In the late 1980's, several years after suffering the most horrifying and tragic loss of his wife, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner, along with his friend Carey Grant, become part of a group of sponsors who lent their support to others who had suffered the excruciating pain caused by the loss of a loved one. It was Robert Wagner who had personally phoned a dear friend of mine, whose fiancee had been brutally murdered. My friend was at the edge of contemplating suicide. Wagner’s phone call and sponsorship of this grieving man, meant so very much. Along with the support of friends, Robert Wagner helped save my friend’s life. For this act of kindness, my friend and all of us who care about him, are eternally grateful. What a selfless act of kindness and support.

Many thanks to Robert Wagner in being so gracious to take the time for this appearance to greet his fans, allow them to interview him and personally autograph copies of his bestseller book, Pieces of My Heart, A Life. Robert Wagner has not just lived “a life” he has also proven that he is not only an exceptionally talented person but he is a caring and thoughtful man.
Don’t miss reading his captivating book.

A huge thank you to Robert J. Wagner for coming to the desert area to greet his fans.
Many thanks to Morongo Casino-Resort-Spa for hosting this event.