A Boss Who Commands Respect

After reading the letter (Letters, April 16) from Charlton Heston wherein he credits “the grace of God” for his loyal, professional and efficient personal assistant, I felt compelled to relate this story.

In the early 1980s I was helping John C. Mahoney, then-president of the Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Circle, with an annual awards banquet. Heston was to narrate the slide show and introduce Henry Fonda.

Heston arrived early, got his script and went off to familiarize himself with it. As the time approached to begin, I saw John looking for him. We walked through the banquet room and lobby and finally found him in the kitchen, dressed in his tux, perched atop the closed lid of a garbage can. Heston explained that he wound up in this spot because “I kept getting in the way of the busboys.”

This is a story that clearly speaks volumes about this man’s character, grace and humility. It is no wonder that his employees treat him with such respect.

KATHRYN KATES

Los Angeles