Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Woman of the hour: Baskow honored for charity work

One of the most well known of the unknown, behind-the-scenes executives in Las Vegas entertainment will receive public recognition on March 5 for her charitable work.

The Nevada chapter of the National Arthritis Foundation is honoring Jaki Baskow, chief executive of Baskow and Associates, at the Bellagio during its annual gala, a black-tie-optional fundraiser.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences licenses charities in 46 cities to host "Oscar Night" events - glamorous affairs in which funds are raised for the charities as guests watch the 78th Academy Awards ceremony on ABC.

This is the 13th year of Oscar Nights nationwide, and the 11th year that the Arthritis Foundation in Nevada has hosted the local event.

The event begins at 4 p.m. in the Bellagio's Tower Ballroom with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner, the Academy Awards ceremony and special entertainment.

Richard Burgi, of the hit ABC series "Desperate Housewives," will be among the special guests at the event.

Music will be provided by saxophonist Sam Arlen and vocalist George Bugatti.

Arlen is son of the legendary Harold Arlen, who wrote the Academy Award-winning "Over the Rainbow," in addition to such standards as "Stormy Weather" and "I've Got the World on a String."

For ticket information, call 367-1626.

"Because of her prominence in the business community, both locally and nationwide, Jaki has forged a new forum for businesswomen," foundation spokeswoman Nita Stern said. "Because of her philanthropic endeavors and fundraising that she has done in the past, her being honored at our event is an honor for us as well."

Baskow, 54, founded her company in 1976. It is a diversified organization that provides a variety of services in both the entertainment and business fields, such as a talent agency, event planning and speaker's bureau.

"I'm passionate about arthritis," Baskow said. "Many years ago I thought I had lupus, but I didn't. It was a major scare - I started researching, and learning about the disease.

"So many people have a hard time just getting up in the morning because of arthritis."

Lupus is an auto-immune disorder that causes chronic inflammation in various parts of the body.

Baskow has become one of Las Vegas' most prominent figures involved in entertainment since arriving 30 years ago from New Jersey to work with the late Bob Kane, creator of the comic book character "Batman."

At the time she was an aspiring actress.

She said Kane was going to try to get the film produced in Las Vegas, but three months after arriving Kane moved to Los Angeles and sold the rights to Peter Guber and Jon Peters.

To support herself she held down several jobs, including answering the phone for the Bobby Morris talent agency.

At the same time she started her own agency.

"I would answer a call for Bobby Morris on one phone, and answer a call for my own agency on another," she said.

She opened her own agency at the suggestion of the late Telly Savalas, who starred in the TV series "Kojak."

"They were filming an episode in Las Vegas and I was hired as a production secretary for the show," she said. "It was Telly who suggested that I start my own agency."

She said Ellie Janssen, the wife of the late actor David Janssen ("The Fugitive"), loaned her $300 to get a business license.

Also helping her was Jilly Rizzo, a close friend of Frank Sinatra.

Rizzo hired her to cast the TV special "Cinderella at the Palace," which starred Sinatra and newcomer Marlene Ricci.

"I became Marlene's agent in Vegas," Baskow said.

Her one-woman office has grown to 28 employees.

Negotiations are now under way to create a TV series based upon Baskow's life.

"I'm so happy that the Arthritis Foundation is honoring me," Baskow said. "I'm honored that I'm being honored by an organization that does so much to help people."

According to statistics provided by the foundation, 70 million people in the United States have arthritis and/or chronic joint symptoms. It is the leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15.

Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or at [email protected].

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