Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, May 21, 1990                   TAG: 9005210003
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PEOPLE

"After 35 years of room service and eating in restaurants, I'm ready to provide people away from home with something healthy and very different," said Diller, who is joining an Evansville father and son to open a chain of dinner-theaters in Florida.

The 72-year-old comedian, known for her jokes about the plastic surgery she has undergone, said she is excited about the business venture. The first theater is to open next year in the Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area.

Diller said she will take an active role in the theater chain's operation, as well as performing on stage.

The theater also will display Diller's artwork and artifacts from her career.

Wilford Brimley can can act and pitch oats, as anyone who goes to the movies or watches TV knows. Wilford Brimley . But few know he sings, too.

It turns out he's been singing awhile but "never made a thing about it."

Brimley's acting credits include "The China Syndrome," "Cocoon" and "Tender Mercies" and he's well known as the spokesman for Quaker Oats.

Audiences at the Vine St. Bar & Grill in Hollywood got to see him add nightclub singing to his repertoire of talents last week, although the 56-year-old Brimbley admits he's "not a great singer."

Classic pop standards are his forte, most taken from his "I'm Old Fashioned" compact disc recording. His show includes "My Funny Valentine," "Bein' Green," "It Had to be You" and "All the Things You Are."