Donelle Dadigan News

This week, Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of The Hollywood Museum) joined many personalities, as they honor Black History Month with a new exhibit  “THIS JOINT IS JUMPIN” a celebration of Black Entertainers from Film, TV, Theater and Song. Check out photos from the event here!

Emmy-winning actress and comedian Dee Dee Sorvino made her cabaret debut at American Legion Post 43 in Hollywood. This special fundraising event, in honor of her late husband Paul Sorvino, featured performances by Broadway star Rex Smith and actor/musician John Schneider.

See photos from the 2023 salute to the LGBTQ+ community's contributions to the entertainment industry and launch of the 10th annual 'Real to Reel: Portrayals and Perceptions of LGBTQ+s in Hollywood' exhibit.  

The Hollywood Museum played host to a spectacular photo exhibit, for Mother's Day to pay homage to the matriarchs of the MOTION PICTURE MOTHERS organization and the most celebrated working moms in entertainment with loving and amusing images with their families. Check out photos from the event here!

On the evening of April 6th, in advance of “NATIONAL PET DAY,” (April 11th), Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, hosted a tribute exhibit to Acting Animals. See photos from the event.

Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Bldg) brought the cast of TV’s most celebrated family, THE WALTONS, together at the Hollywood Museum for an afternoon of fun and photos with fans. Following a cast Q&A with emcee, Hollywood film and TV critic, Leonard Maltin, fans experienced The Waltons Exhibit, with full support and participation by Warner Brothers Archivists.

Just as families are preparing to gather in celebration of Thanksgiving … for many, the first time since the pandemic began … Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Bldg) has announced that TV's most celebrated family, THE WALTONS, is gathering at the Hollywood Museum for an afternoon of fun and photos with fans.

The Hollywood Museum has announced its 2022 salute to the LGBTQ+ community's contributions to the entertainment industry, it will once again present its ninth (due to the pandemic) annual 'Real to Reel: Portrayals and Perceptions of LGBTQ+ in Hollywood” exhibit in partnership with Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell (CD-13).

Clinton H Wallace and Cote d’Azur Webfest TV present Television legend, Kate Linder with a Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating excellence in Television Acting on the 40th Anniversary of her role as Esther Valentine on the CBS hit soap The Young And The Restless.

“For most, our mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.  Our mother’s love is unconditional and only grows stronger over a lifetime,” says Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum).

Prior to the pandemic, an average of 10 million tourists and fans would visit a 15-block stretch of Hollywood Boulevard every year to visit the Walk of Fame and The Hollywood Museum - Today, it is anything but business as usual for the popular sites. So the museum, located in the Historic Max Factor building, has been sponsoring exciting and star studded events to bring the public back to the area.

Bob Hope was quoted as saying that the greatest honor he ever received was to be made an honorary veteran. It was that unique relationship between Bob Hope and “The Greatest Generation,” by way of the USO, that the Hollywood Museum is currently highlighting in their Lobby.

The museum's dungeon includes a rare and unique history of horror and suspense from Hollywood over the years including the original and complete jail sell set used for filming of “The Silence of the Lambs” and is one of the museum's most popular draws year round, with items that that include original costumes and props used in making of the film. 

Hollywood Museum founder Donelle Dadigan headed a re-opening ceremony of her Hollywood Museum August 4, 2021; commemorating the donated additional props from Bill and Patrick Shea to the Back to the Future Part I, II, III exhibit. On behalf of the Museum and the Shea father and son, Donelle presented a $5,000 check to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which Michael accepted via video.

The 1st Event In over a year at the Historic Hollywood Landmark Founder/President, Donelle Dadigan and The Hollywood Museum created what can only be described as a first class who's who celebration for friend and museum supporter Ruta Lee, 'the first of what we hope will be many events back at the Museum,' says Ms Dadigan.

The proceeds will benefit the museum, which is currently the most recognized venue in the city as the 'Official Museum of Hollywood' and the go to for authentic Hollywood and entertainment history!

On behalf of Donelle Dadigan, the staff at The Hollywood Museum and the entire production team for The Hollywood Museum Squares.

Winners were announced for the 24th Family Film Awards in a broadcast airing this evening on REELZ. Honoring the best in family film and television,

The Hollywood Museum in partnership with Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell will present REAL TO REEL LIVE (VIRTUAL EDITION 2020). Michael Feinstein will be receiving the Inspiration Award, and Kristin Chenoweth will be appearing as a special guest.

This past weekend, The Hollywood Museum held its first Lobby tribute of 2020, reuniting three remarkable leading ladies, Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee and Donna Mills, for the 40th anniversary of 'Knots Landing,' unveiling costumes worn by the three Knots' stars on the series, on loan from Warner Brothers and personal collections.