Maureen Dragone

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Maureen Dragone
Los Angeles, California U.S.
Occupation(s)Journalist, author, philanthropist
Hollywood Foreign Press member
Young Artist Awards founder

Maureen Dragone (January 20, 1920 – February 8, 2013) was an American journalist and author. She was one of the longest-standing members of the

Young Artist Association, which presents the annual Young Artist Awards
.

Early life

Dragone was born Maureen Laing in

Golden Globe Awards ceremony in 1944, are said to have taken place at the dining room table in her childhood home.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Dragone wrote for numerous international newspapers and magazines and was said to have interviewed hundreds of celebrities throughout the course of her career. She was a member of the

Golden Globe Awards ceremony. Prior to her death in 2013, she was the only living HFPA member to have attended all 70 Golden Globes ceremonies and was bestowed with an honorary "lifetime membership" to the association.[1][4][5][6][7]

Young Artist Association

In 1978, Dragone founded the Youth in Film Association (now known as the

Young Artist Foundation which grants scholarships to young performers who may be physically and/or financially challenged, enabling them to attend a performing arts school of their choice. As of 2013, the Young Artist Awards and the Young Artist Foundation scholarship fund are still presented annually.[4][5][6][7][8]

Personal life

Dragone lived in North Hollywood, Los Angeles for the majority of her life and was married to Michael Dragone until his death in 1986. She had two children; Michael, Jr. and Shirley. She had three grandchildren; Heather, Holly and Frank, and four great-grandchildren; Samantha, Don, Alexandra and Benjamin. In 1987, Dragone became the companion of Dan Kitchel, whom she would remain with for the next 25 years, until her death in 2013. In one of her final statements, Dragone was quoted as saying, "I did everything that I ever wanted to do, and did it my way."[4][5][6][7][9]

Death

Dragone died on February 8, 2013, at a hospice in Los Angeles following a brief illness. After her death, a statement was posted on the HFPA's Golden Globes website, which read, "She will be missed, and was loved by so many people." The Young Artist Association that she founded announced its plans to feature a memorial tribute at the 34th Annual Young Artist Awards ceremony in her honor.[4][5][6][7]

References

  1. ^ .
  2. ^ Gus Ruelas (24 July 1994). "Sunday Woman – Maureen Dragone". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Obituaries – Nora Laing". Associated Press. 4 December 1982. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e AnaMaria (10 February 2013). "Maureen Dragone, Lifetime HFPA Member, Dies". Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e Mike Barnes (14 February 2013). "Maureen Dragone, Who Attended Every Golden Globes Ceremony, Dies at 93". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d e Variety Staff (14 February 2013). "Maureen Dragone, HFPA historian, dies at 93". Variety. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d e The Deadline Team (15 February 2013). "R.I.P. Maureen Dragone". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  8. ^ Maureen Dragone. "Annual Young Artist Awards – President's Message". Young Artist Foundation. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Obituaries – Michael Dragone". Record-Journal. 10 September 1986. Retrieved 23 February 2013.

External links