Karla Ahmanson honored; ‘Charlie’s Angels’—once upon a time
The 2026 Archbishop Awards Dinner, held on April 11, was an evening honoring individuals who dedicate themselves to the Catholic church and community. This year’s annual black-tie affair took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in the historic International Ballroom, honoring David Furhman, Bob Graziano and Wendy Wachtell, Kevin Shannon, Joseph “Pep” Valdes, and Hancock Park’s own Karla Ahmanson. The festivities were billed as “An Evening of Grace and Gratitude.”
KARLA AHMANSON, Bill Ahmanson (left), and Bishop José H. Gomez.
ARCHBISHOP José H. Gomez and Karla Ahmanson.
Karla Ahmanson converted to Catholicism 25 years ago at the encouragement of Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti. It was a conversion that changed her life. Born in Inglewood to immigrant parents, Ahmanson was determined to live the American dream, saying, “My parent’s formed me. I am not about what happened to me, but what happened to them.”
As Ahmanson prepared to pursue her graduate studies, she met her husband, Bill, a banker, wealth management executive, philanthropist, and reserve officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, who had a deep connection to Christ the King Catholic Church in Larchmont. She said, “I felt something stirring deeply inside. I knew I wanted to do this and to be a better role model for my children.”
Monsignor Cacciapuoti reflected, “I could see that strong moral formation from her parents—that sense of kindness, responsibility and empathy.” Ahmanson is now a Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great. She serves on the Finance Council and, as a Eucharistic Minister, has served on the board, chaired committees, and lent her expertise to the Assistance League’s Operation School Bell. She was a decade-long regent of Loyola High School, served on the parent board at Claremont McKenna College, and is president of the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation.
AT AWARDS DINNER, left to right, Michele McMullin, Beatrice Grimmla, Karla Ahmanson, Sue Cunningham, Laura Collins, Shar Penfold, Electra Lange, and Stephanie Sourpas.
Ahmanson also was head of the Parent Association at St. James’ Episcopal School, co-founded the Angelics Auxiliary, and served with The Luminaires Juniors of the Doheny Eye Institute.
She currently also serves as a trustee of The Institute of World Politics, a graduate school of national security, intelligence, and international affairs in Washington, D.C.
AUDIENCE waits in anticipation for Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd, and Kate Jackson to take the stage.
Ahmanson was deeply humbled upon learning she was to receive this award. “Once I began serving, there was no turning back,” she said. “It truly is better to give than to receive. Serving others is part of our duty and our humanity—a deeply Christian value. I do not feel more special than anyone else.”
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“Once upon a time, there were three little girls who went to the police academy.” If you know that line, then this story is for you! PaleyFest, sponsored by the Paley Center for Media, is in full swing right now, and on April 6 one of the most anticipated panels was the 50th anniversary celebration of “Charlie’s Angels.” To the audience’s delight, three of the OG angels were in attendance—Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson, and Cheryl Ladd. The audience roared with delight as the three former angels walked onto the Dolby Theatre stage, feeling all sorts of emotions about their own youth, TV history, and the impact of a bold, strong, female-centric show being produced in the 1970s. Entertainment reporter George Pennacchio emceed the Q&A session, asking questions that ranged from deep and emotional (all three actors have fought breast cancer) to downright silly (the bikinis!). The groundbreaking show, which ran from 1976 to 1981, was originally dismissed by network executives as a show that would amount to nothing. The television audience proved them wrong, and 50 years later, the television show, which inspired two theatrical reboots in 2000 and 2019 (including a sequel in 2003), has shown that the angels stand the test of time. The three actors spent the 50th anniversary evening reminiscing about backstage stories, talking fondly of their friend and co-star Farrah Fawcett, who passed away in 2009, and spoking of the importance of a series that highlighted strong female characters. The best reveal of the night, though, was when Kate Jackson, who played Sabrina, told the story of pitching the show to Aaron Spelling, who developed and produced the show.
JACLYN SMITH speaks with reporters before the Charlie’s Angel’s 50th Anniversary.
After first pitching a concept with Leonard Goldberg called Alley Cats, which Jackson was none too thrilled about, Spelling looked at the pink revision pages in her hand and said, ‘“What’s that? Have you got something?” and she said, “Well, yeah” and he said, “Let’s hear it!”
PALEYFEST PANEL: George Pennacchio interviews three of the original Charlie’s Angeles: Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd.
“And I stood up, and I didn’t know how to start, so I said, ‘Okay, well, once upon a time…’”
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We know you’ve been eagerly watching and waiting to “run through the tunnel” of The Pawn Shop, a new L.A.-first culture club for food, hospitality, sports, and community—and lucky for you—the wait will soon be over! Hard-at-work construction workers have been seen at the Melrose and Cahuenga site hammering, installing, renovating, plastering, and transforming the 1934 art deco building, previously occupied by Brothers Collateral since 1980, and the space is slated for a June opening! Keep your eye on this space with more exciting information to come!
And now you’re in the Larchmont know!
Category: People
