By ELSIE WALKER
Earl Holliman and Sue Yocum may live on different coasts, but they have some things in
common: both love animals, both are involved in the entertainment field, and both lead
organizations that help pets. Holliman, a long time movie actor and star of the Police
Woman TV series, is the president of Actors and Others for Animals, a non-profit
organization helping animals in the greater Los Angeles area and neighboring counties.
Yocum is a New York playwright, who two years ago, founded Playwrights for Pets, an
organization which raises money for Animal Haven (which has shelters and an animal
sanctuary in New York).
As a teenager, I watched Police Woman and remembered Holliman’s work with actress
Angie Dickinson. I also remember reading an article which talked of Holliman’s zeal in
doing rescues. Now my family had to listen to my excitement about speaking with
Holliman on the phone. Talking with him recently, I found him to be a true gentleman and
his pride in what his organization does is evident. He discussed Actors and Others’
beginnings, projects, and recent fundraiser.
The organization was founded by the late actor Richard Basehart and his wife Diana in
1971. One day, the couple was driving on the freeway when they saw an animal
unceremoniously thrown from a vehicle onto the road. They were horrified. It was too late
for that animal but the Baseharts vowed right then they’d help other animals. So, they
started an organization serving the Los Angeles area.
“When I grew up, I had animals
all my life, Holliman said.
“My parents taught me to have
a respect for them.”
Presently, Holliman has two
dogs (Farley and Ivy) and six cats
(Old Lady, Baby Food, Diabolito,
Phoebe, Mommy and Grizzly).
He has never purchased a pet
but takes in those who need
homes. All his cats were ferals
that he won over. It took him 10
years to win over the long haired
black and white Mommy, feeding
her every day until one day she
actually let him touch her.
Holliman doesn’t name a pet right
away but lets each pet name itself.
For example, when Holliman
befriended a black cat and brought
it inside his home, he found that it
adored baby food. Thus, the cat got her name. You guessed it, “Baby Food.”
Holliman, the organization’s president since 1976, said the organization was originally
going to be called Actors For Animals. The Baseharts felt that they could use actors’
celebrity status to bring attention to the plight of animals. However, there were so many
outside of the entertainment industry that wanted to join, it was decided the name should
be Actors and Others for Animals.
“People think of it as my organization,” Holliman said, noting that it’s not. There are many
people helping the group reach its goals. And, though many actors have lent their
support to celebrity fundraisers and events over the life of the organization, there are five
core acting members: Holliman, Betty White (Boston Legal), JoAnn Worley (Laugh-in),
Loretta Swit (MASH), and comedian Jackie Joseph.
Most of the help the organization offers is financial. Actors and Others for Animals works
to help the elderly, infirmed, those with AIDS, and low income individuals to be able to
keep their animal companions.
“Sometimes the only warm body the person has lying next to him is a dog or cat,” said
Holliman.
However, it is difficult for these individual to afford to feed the pet much less take it
to the veterinarian. This is where Actors for Animals steps in. It finds out how much the
person can afford for his pet and then helps the person to be able to feed and get
medical care to keep the pet healthy.
“We work to make it possible for people to keep their animal companion,” said Holliman.
The organization also has pet therapists who bring pets into nursing homes and other
facilities. “How their eyes light up,” said Holliman of those residents that get to interact
with the visiting pets.
Actors and Others for Animals works mostly with companion animals: dogs, cats, and
horses (including police horses). However, it stands for humane treatment for all
animals.
The most important project of the organization is helping to get dogs and cats spayed
and neutered, to work with pet overpopulation. Holliman believes that part of the
overpopulation is due to societal values.
“We live in a throw away society. You dump the dog when you lose interest in it and then
get another,” said Holliman.
Some recent accomplishments of the organization over the past two years include free
neutering for about 2,000 rottweilers, pit bulls, and mixes. Also, the organization’s
executive director, Sue Taylor, worked with the County of Los Angeles to pass an
ordinance mandating that all dogs (except those too old for the procedure) be neutered
and microchipped.
The organization also tries to educate people and has a humane education team that
goes into schools to share information with children.
Funding for projects takes place through a yearly fundraising event. In the past these
have included celebrity fairs (notables signing autographs and pictures, plus other
activities) and fashion shows (with celebrity models). The events are large and take a
considerable amount of time to put together.
About two years ago, Loretta Swit suggested a new kind of fundraiser: a roast of Betty
White. It proved quite successful and so they decided to do it again. The 2006 honoree
was Dick Van Dyke. Since Van Dyke usually shies again from roasts (feeling they can be
cruel), the “roast” was changed to a “toast” and thus became “A Celebration of Caring,”
honoring Van Dyke for his good works, in particular helping Midnight Mission, a soup
kitchen he’s supported for 15 years. Held at the Universal Hilton Hotel overlooking
Universal Studios, the toast boasted a star-studded dais emceed by Monty Hall.
“We had to literally turn people away,” said Holliman.
In reflecting on what being in Actors and Others has meant to him, Holliman said it is very
gratifying.
“People ask me....why do you work for animals and not people? I tell them... ‘out of those
300 calls (which the organization gets daily), how many do you think are made by
animals?’”
Located on the opposite coast, you might call Playwrights for Pets a “win-win-win-win”
organization. Playwrights for Pets holds three public reading fundraisers a year at the
Baruch Performing Acts Center (part of Baruch College, the City University of New York).
The pets at New York’s Animal Haven win because the money raised by the event goes
towards helping them. Theatergoers win because they get to hear readings of short
plays by emerging playwrights. The theater wins because it is able to offer a unique
cultural event. And, the playwrights win because they get a great venue in which their
plays are read.
For more information on Actors and Others for Animals, see its website at
www.actorsandothers.com.
Playwrights for Pets was started in January 2005 by Sue Yocum, a former actress, now
playwright, who lives in New York. “It was the perfect way to combine two things I
absolutely love,” said Yocum about this philanthropic organization.
Yocum started out as an actress; she was a theater major at Temple University. She
wanted to go in that direction until she did some sketch comedy and realized she had a
talent for writing plays. (She’s had some produced off-off Broadway.) About six years ago
she joined Charles Maryan’s Playwrights / Directors workshop. Little did she know that
from there she’d be drawing on talent for a special cause.
Yocum was drawn into working with animals through her adoption of a tortoise-shell
calico named Tara. Yocum previously had two cats, Thunder and Lightning. However, in
February 2004, she found herself petless after the death of her beloved feline pals. She
hadn’t planned on getting another pet right away but a friend asked her to accompany her
to an Animal Care and Control (New York City animal shelter) adoption event. There
Yocum met Tara, a cat who had been returned twice (once because she didn’t get along
with kids and once because her owner had died). However, when Yocum saw her, she
knew that she was the cat for her.
“She’s one of my best friends; she’s my best animal friend,” said Yocum.
Getting Tara inspired Yocum to try something that she’d always wanted to do — volunteer
at a shelter. The timing seemed right as Yocum had just had a change in work hours, so
she started helping out at the Animal Care and Control.
The connection to Animal Haven came in part due to Yocum’s playwright friend, Griffin
Miller. Miller and her husband had adopted two kittens from Animal Haven. Miller shared
with Yocum how the haven’s director, Marcello Forte, worked with performers in doing
fundraisers and other events.
“Marcello is a great motivator, an eternal optimist,” Yocum said.
Yocum knew about the work Animal Haven did and had tried to help adoptable animals
get there. Animal Haven has a “no kill” shelter in Queens, a sanctuary in Delaware
County, New York, and a brand new adoption center that opened in Manhattan this past
December. Unadoptable pets and those who need medical treatment and/or behavioral
training (before they can be adopted) stay at the sanctuary. In contrast to the city facilities,
Yocum refers to Animal Haven as a “mom and pop” organization; it has that personal
touch when dealing with animals and people.
Things started falling into place. Yocum knew playwrights through the workshop and
actors through her own acting experiences. And, she knew a place that needed the funds.
But where would the performances take place? Yocum was able to get the Baruch
Performing Arts Center (known as “an incubator for the arts”) to donate the use of its
beautiful concert hall. The center also provides box office help, technical support and
public relations support.
“They’re wonderful, “ said Yocum of what the BPAC has done for her organization.
Readings are done on a Monday night and last one hour. “Mondays are dark,” said
Yocum in explaining that the New York City theaters are closed on Mondays. This allows
actors who perform in shows there to be able to participate in the readings.
The evening starts with some brief words from Forte and Yocum before the readings.
Afterwards, there is time for the audience to mingle with the actors and playwrights over
wine and soda. The refreshments are provided by Playwrights for Pets.
Everyone involved in putting on these events donates his time and energy.
“The playwrights are not household names … yet. And neither are the actors, who are all
professionals but may not be making their living primarily from acting. Most theater
people, unless they are Meryl Streep or Nathan Lane...they aren’t making money primarily
from the theater,” said Yocum.
And although she admits she didn’t have high expectations when she first decided to do
the readings, Yocum said, “It took on a life of its own.”
“Playwrights for Pets is a team, a group effort, it couldn’t happen without everyone’s
contribution across the board. People have really responded,” said Yocum who noted
that among those dedicated to the cause is playwright Judd Lear Silverman who has
been with her since the beginning.
Yocum said that she plans to keep going as long as she has plays, which won’t be a
problem as she keeps getting offers of plays to be read. “It’s a feel-good kind of thing.
What goes around comes around. It generates good karma,” said Yocum of this program
that seems to touch everyone concerned.
And word has gotten around. Yocum has been contacted by someone in Chicago who
wants to start a Playwrights for Pets there. Yocum is happy to have the concept spread as
long as she gets credit for the name.
The good karma of Playwrights for Pets is spreading.
For more information on Playwrights for Pets, visit www.playwrightsforpets.com.
First published January 2007 in The Animal Companion.
Earl Holliman and Sue Yocum may live on different coasts, but they have some things in
common: both love animals, both are involved in the entertainment field, and both lead
organizations that help pets. Holliman, a long time movie actor and star of the Police
Woman TV series, is the president of Actors and Others for Animals, a non-profit
organization helping animals in the greater Los Angeles area and neighboring counties.
Yocum is a New York playwright, who two years ago, founded Playwrights for Pets, an
organization which raises money for Animal Haven (which has shelters and an animal
sanctuary in New York).
As a teenager, I watched Police Woman and remembered Holliman’s work with actress
Angie Dickinson. I also remember reading an article which talked of Holliman’s zeal in
doing rescues. Now my family had to listen to my excitement about speaking with
Holliman on the phone. Talking with him recently, I found him to be a true gentleman and
his pride in what his organization does is evident. He discussed Actors and Others’
beginnings, projects, and recent fundraiser.
The organization was founded by the late actor Richard Basehart and his wife Diana in
1971. One day, the couple was driving on the freeway when they saw an animal
unceremoniously thrown from a vehicle onto the road. They were horrified. It was too late
for that animal but the Baseharts vowed right then they’d help other animals. So, they
started an organization serving the Los Angeles area.
“When I grew up, I had animals
all my life, Holliman said.
“My parents taught me to have
a respect for them.”
Presently, Holliman has two
dogs (Farley and Ivy) and six cats
(Old Lady, Baby Food, Diabolito,
Phoebe, Mommy and Grizzly).
He has never purchased a pet
but takes in those who need
homes. All his cats were ferals
that he won over. It took him 10
years to win over the long haired
black and white Mommy, feeding
her every day until one day she
actually let him touch her.
Holliman doesn’t name a pet right
away but lets each pet name itself.
For example, when Holliman
befriended a black cat and brought
it inside his home, he found that it
adored baby food. Thus, the cat got her name. You guessed it, “Baby Food.”
Holliman, the organization’s president since 1976, said the organization was originally
going to be called Actors For Animals. The Baseharts felt that they could use actors’
celebrity status to bring attention to the plight of animals. However, there were so many
outside of the entertainment industry that wanted to join, it was decided the name should
be Actors and Others for Animals.
“People think of it as my organization,” Holliman said, noting that it’s not. There are many
people helping the group reach its goals. And, though many actors have lent their
support to celebrity fundraisers and events over the life of the organization, there are five
core acting members: Holliman, Betty White (Boston Legal), JoAnn Worley (Laugh-in),
Loretta Swit (MASH), and comedian Jackie Joseph.
Most of the help the organization offers is financial. Actors and Others for Animals works
to help the elderly, infirmed, those with AIDS, and low income individuals to be able to
keep their animal companions.
“Sometimes the only warm body the person has lying next to him is a dog or cat,” said
Holliman.
However, it is difficult for these individual to afford to feed the pet much less take it
to the veterinarian. This is where Actors for Animals steps in. It finds out how much the
person can afford for his pet and then helps the person to be able to feed and get
medical care to keep the pet healthy.
“We work to make it possible for people to keep their animal companion,” said Holliman.
The organization also has pet therapists who bring pets into nursing homes and other
facilities. “How their eyes light up,” said Holliman of those residents that get to interact
with the visiting pets.
Actors and Others for Animals works mostly with companion animals: dogs, cats, and
horses (including police horses). However, it stands for humane treatment for all
animals.
The most important project of the organization is helping to get dogs and cats spayed
and neutered, to work with pet overpopulation. Holliman believes that part of the
overpopulation is due to societal values.
“We live in a throw away society. You dump the dog when you lose interest in it and then
get another,” said Holliman.
Some recent accomplishments of the organization over the past two years include free
neutering for about 2,000 rottweilers, pit bulls, and mixes. Also, the organization’s
executive director, Sue Taylor, worked with the County of Los Angeles to pass an
ordinance mandating that all dogs (except those too old for the procedure) be neutered
and microchipped.
The organization also tries to educate people and has a humane education team that
goes into schools to share information with children.
Funding for projects takes place through a yearly fundraising event. In the past these
have included celebrity fairs (notables signing autographs and pictures, plus other
activities) and fashion shows (with celebrity models). The events are large and take a
considerable amount of time to put together.
About two years ago, Loretta Swit suggested a new kind of fundraiser: a roast of Betty
White. It proved quite successful and so they decided to do it again. The 2006 honoree
was Dick Van Dyke. Since Van Dyke usually shies again from roasts (feeling they can be
cruel), the “roast” was changed to a “toast” and thus became “A Celebration of Caring,”
honoring Van Dyke for his good works, in particular helping Midnight Mission, a soup
kitchen he’s supported for 15 years. Held at the Universal Hilton Hotel overlooking
Universal Studios, the toast boasted a star-studded dais emceed by Monty Hall.
“We had to literally turn people away,” said Holliman.
In reflecting on what being in Actors and Others has meant to him, Holliman said it is very
gratifying.
“People ask me....why do you work for animals and not people? I tell them... ‘out of those
300 calls (which the organization gets daily), how many do you think are made by
animals?’”
Located on the opposite coast, you might call Playwrights for Pets a “win-win-win-win”
organization. Playwrights for Pets holds three public reading fundraisers a year at the
Baruch Performing Acts Center (part of Baruch College, the City University of New York).
The pets at New York’s Animal Haven win because the money raised by the event goes
towards helping them. Theatergoers win because they get to hear readings of short
plays by emerging playwrights. The theater wins because it is able to offer a unique
cultural event. And, the playwrights win because they get a great venue in which their
plays are read.
For more information on Actors and Others for Animals, see its website at
www.actorsandothers.com.
Playwrights for Pets was started in January 2005 by Sue Yocum, a former actress, now
playwright, who lives in New York. “It was the perfect way to combine two things I
absolutely love,” said Yocum about this philanthropic organization.
Yocum started out as an actress; she was a theater major at Temple University. She
wanted to go in that direction until she did some sketch comedy and realized she had a
talent for writing plays. (She’s had some produced off-off Broadway.) About six years ago
she joined Charles Maryan’s Playwrights / Directors workshop. Little did she know that
from there she’d be drawing on talent for a special cause.
Yocum was drawn into working with animals through her adoption of a tortoise-shell
calico named Tara. Yocum previously had two cats, Thunder and Lightning. However, in
February 2004, she found herself petless after the death of her beloved feline pals. She
hadn’t planned on getting another pet right away but a friend asked her to accompany her
to an Animal Care and Control (New York City animal shelter) adoption event. There
Yocum met Tara, a cat who had been returned twice (once because she didn’t get along
with kids and once because her owner had died). However, when Yocum saw her, she
knew that she was the cat for her.
“She’s one of my best friends; she’s my best animal friend,” said Yocum.
Getting Tara inspired Yocum to try something that she’d always wanted to do — volunteer
at a shelter. The timing seemed right as Yocum had just had a change in work hours, so
she started helping out at the Animal Care and Control.
The connection to Animal Haven came in part due to Yocum’s playwright friend, Griffin
Miller. Miller and her husband had adopted two kittens from Animal Haven. Miller shared
with Yocum how the haven’s director, Marcello Forte, worked with performers in doing
fundraisers and other events.
“Marcello is a great motivator, an eternal optimist,” Yocum said.
Yocum knew about the work Animal Haven did and had tried to help adoptable animals
get there. Animal Haven has a “no kill” shelter in Queens, a sanctuary in Delaware
County, New York, and a brand new adoption center that opened in Manhattan this past
December. Unadoptable pets and those who need medical treatment and/or behavioral
training (before they can be adopted) stay at the sanctuary. In contrast to the city facilities,
Yocum refers to Animal Haven as a “mom and pop” organization; it has that personal
touch when dealing with animals and people.
Things started falling into place. Yocum knew playwrights through the workshop and
actors through her own acting experiences. And, she knew a place that needed the funds.
But where would the performances take place? Yocum was able to get the Baruch
Performing Arts Center (known as “an incubator for the arts”) to donate the use of its
beautiful concert hall. The center also provides box office help, technical support and
public relations support.
“They’re wonderful, “ said Yocum of what the BPAC has done for her organization.
Readings are done on a Monday night and last one hour. “Mondays are dark,” said
Yocum in explaining that the New York City theaters are closed on Mondays. This allows
actors who perform in shows there to be able to participate in the readings.
The evening starts with some brief words from Forte and Yocum before the readings.
Afterwards, there is time for the audience to mingle with the actors and playwrights over
wine and soda. The refreshments are provided by Playwrights for Pets.
Everyone involved in putting on these events donates his time and energy.
“The playwrights are not household names … yet. And neither are the actors, who are all
professionals but may not be making their living primarily from acting. Most theater
people, unless they are Meryl Streep or Nathan Lane...they aren’t making money primarily
from the theater,” said Yocum.
And although she admits she didn’t have high expectations when she first decided to do
the readings, Yocum said, “It took on a life of its own.”
“Playwrights for Pets is a team, a group effort, it couldn’t happen without everyone’s
contribution across the board. People have really responded,” said Yocum who noted
that among those dedicated to the cause is playwright Judd Lear Silverman who has
been with her since the beginning.
Yocum said that she plans to keep going as long as she has plays, which won’t be a
problem as she keeps getting offers of plays to be read. “It’s a feel-good kind of thing.
What goes around comes around. It generates good karma,” said Yocum of this program
that seems to touch everyone concerned.
And word has gotten around. Yocum has been contacted by someone in Chicago who
wants to start a Playwrights for Pets there. Yocum is happy to have the concept spread as
long as she gets credit for the name.
The good karma of Playwrights for Pets is spreading.
For more information on Playwrights for Pets, visit www.playwrightsforpets.com.
First published January 2007 in The Animal Companion.
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