Gray and his wife Claire, who was Jean Cantor’s dear friend, would throw an annual cocktail party at the Beverly Wilshire hotel before “the Banquet.” We all went, because we loved them, and everyone would attend: Bruce Cervon and Linda, Ron Wilson and Lizzie, Jean Cantor and Bill Snyder, John Thompson and Pam, Bill and Irene, Milt, Monte Smith, Don Lawton (the list goes on). We were all crowded in that little room eating Po Boy sandwiches and drinking tons of liquor. (Subway and Port of Sub did not exist.) Later when Gray contracted cancer he delighted in receiving “illegal cigarettes” from the Bad Boy magicians to help ease the pain, but he never stopped joking in public.

Thanks, Tex. Your article brought a tear to my eye. We need more characters like Stanley and Stan. You don’t find them on the Internet.