Actress comedian writer Anne Meara got a beautiful send off this afternoon at a star studded memorial service on Broadway. Among those who toaster her at the Eugene O’Neill Theater were husband Jerry Stiller, kids Ben Stiller and Amy Stiller, and stars like Liam Neeson, Bob Saget, 89 year old actress Charlotte Rae, director Peter Farrelly, singer Peter Yarrow, writer Donald Margulies, “Sex and the City” producer Michael Patrick King, and the Stillers’ Nantucket neighbor Judy Collatz. In the audience: Cynthia Nixon, Larry David, Robert Klein, and dozens of others.

The nearly two hour presentation was elegant, funny, and funny as Meara’s many fans paid tribute to her sense of humor, her great heart, and her salty tongue. The “F” word was dropped many times, often quoting Meara herself.

The very last speakers were sister and brother Amy and Ben Stiller, who obviously adored their mother.

“I find myself imagining how she’d react to things going on in the world, like this whole Trump thing,” Ben Stiller said. “She had no patience for Donald Trump, ever since he closed down the 72nd exit to the West Side Highway. I continually hear her saying Putz in my head. Weirdly I feel closer to her because of this so I’m enjoying watching him,” he paused. “I’m also realizing how truly, deeply I love her, so deeply and how much her life has filled me, and her shadow has loomed over me. And that’s what you want from a parent, that there’s no hiding from their imprint.”

The final speaker was Jerry Stiller, Meara’s lifelong partner in comedy and marriage. Ben and Amy stood on either side of Stiller, who’s a little fragile now and white haired at 88 years young.

Jerry recalled that their 60 plus appearances on “Ed Sullivan” may have been because Sullivan was married to a Jewish woman– and he probably related to the Stiller and Meara marriage which was also Jewish and Irish.

Stiller said at one point after they skyrocketed to success Meara insisted they have kids. “Either we have kids or it’s over,” Meara told him. “And Bingo,” he said, pointing to his kids. “We had two kids, and I was the father of one,” he cracked, sending the memorial audience into convulsions.

Among the performers: a musical number that featured Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jody Eisenstein-Miracle, Ben Stiller’s actress wife Christine Taylor and their daughter Ella singing “The Body Electric” from the movie “Fame,” which featured Meara.

“She was more than just a comedian and actress, she was something so far up there that someday we’ll all know all about it,” Jerry concluded.

Denise Rich raised about three and a half million dollars last night at the annual Gabrielle’s Angel Ball, named for her beloved daughter who passed away in 1996. After a couple of years of downsizing, the Angel Ball was back last night in force, with roughly 900 guests at Cipriani downtown dressed in their formal best and rocking to Patti LaBelle and Ryan Tedder with One Republic.

And the guests were truly A list: Heidi Klum, Clive Davis, Nikki Haskell, Ivana Trump, Sam Moore, Nick Cannon, and Star Jones just to name a few. Usher put in a long appearance and greeted everyone. James Carville and Mary Matalin were there, along with race car driver Jeff Gordon, and sponsor host Lorraine Schwartz, the most popular jeweler since Harry Winston.

Denise’s faithfuls were there, like Michelle and Frank Rella, and Michelle Herbert, as well as philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, Steve Boxer of Phillippe restaurant, newscaster Felicia Taylor, pr magnate Norah Lawlor, and so on. The evening honored NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian and Amy France, Mary Kitchen and Compass Lexecon Co-Founder Jon Orszag. My old pal Alicia Quarles, who looked like a million bucks, did a lot of emceeing. At one point, she proposed marriage to a stunned Patti LaBelle to raise money for research. Patti got a kick out of that, but declined graciously.

There was talk of those K people may turning up, but they didn’t (which was wise considering their situation). Also, Cipriani was bursting at the seams this year as the silent auction separately may have yielded around $2 million.

Heidi Klum, whom I’ve known since long before “Project Runway” turned her into a fashion mogul, brought along a young man (whose parents I know quite well) as her “date.” She said, “This is my side piece!” Tell the tabs. It was all for fun.

Like TJ Martell, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research is the real deal. I remember in the first years when Denise started it, we all thought it was a reason to gather celebrities and have a party. But this foundation produces results, particularly in children’s cancers and leukemia. It’s one of the few annual events like this where the vast number of people in the room stop and listen to the survivors’ speeches. Nicely done.

PS Patti sang the crap out of “Lady Marmalade.” Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic is the real thing. He sang some of his hits and played keyboards with OneRepublic. They’re a tight band and real musicians.

photo c2015 Showbiz411