EXCLUSIVE: ‘I don’t like to miss a party!’ Jamie Lee Curtis’ 86-year-old brother-in-law hosts his own LIVING FUNERAL – as images from bizarre event show the art critic lying under a shroud with pennies on his eyes while friends pay their respects
- Anthony Haden-Guest is the half-brother of Jamie’s husband, Christopher Guest
- The 86-year-old threw himself a funeral but Jamie and Christopher didn’t go
- The bizarre event saw him laying on a bed as his loved ones tossed roses on him
Jamie Lee Curtis’ art critic brother-in-law hosted his own living funeral – before his death – which involved him lying on a bed with his eyes closed as his friends and family gathered around him and said their farewells.
Anthony Haden-Guest, 86, a British-American writer, reporter, cartoonist, and poet – who is the half-brother of Jamie’s husband, Christopher Guest – threw himself a funeral on Sunday evening, and DailyMail.com obtained exclusive photos of the bizarre event.
The art connoisseur, who splits his time between London and New York City, told DailyMail.com that he opted to hold the celebration of his life, despite still being alive, because he ‘doesn’t like to miss a party.’
‘I needed a dress rehearsal,’ he joked. ‘And I don’t like to miss a party.’
Jamie Lee Curtis’ art critic brother-in-law hosted his own funeral – before his death – which involved him lying on a bed as his loved ones gathered around him and said their farewells
Anthony Haden-Guest, 86, a British-American writer, reporter, cartoonist, and poet, is the half-brother of Jamie’s husband, Christopher Guest. They are seen together in 2005
He threw himself a funeral on Sunday evening, and DailyMail.com obtained exclusive photos of the bizarre event
The art connoisseur, who splits his time between London and New York, told DailyMail.com that he opted to hold the celebration of his life because he ‘doesn’t like to miss a party’
Held in the Upper East Side home of multi-millionaire Libbie Mugrabi – who is the ex-wife of billionaire Andy Warhol art collector David Mugrabi and Anthony’s current employer – a slew of his socialite friends gathered to reflect on Anthony’s impressive life.
‘I needed a dress rehearsal,’ he joked. ‘And I don’t like to miss a party’
Anthony told DailyMail.com that Christopher, 75, and Jamie, 64, who wed in 1984, were not present because he hasn’t spoken to his brother in years.
He explained that while they didn’t have a ‘falling out,’ they were ‘never close’ and eventually stopped talking.
Pictures from the funeral show Anthony sprawled out on a bed in the middle of the room with a white sheet placed over his body.
His loved ones could be seen tossing roses onto him as he laid completely still with his eyes shut, resembling a dead body.
At one point, he even placed pennies over his eyes – a tradition that people normally do with the deceased at funerals, which is said to be a bribe to get them into heaven.
When asked if he thinks he’s going to heaven or hell, the former Financial Times cartoonist admitted, ‘I don’t think people go to heaven or hell. Can you imagine how bored you’d be in heaven you’d want to leave after 20 minutes.’
Anthony certainly splashed out on the event, serving roughly $10,000 worth of Cristal champagne to his guests.
It was held in the Upper East Side home of multi-millionaire Libbie Mugrabi – who is the ex-wife of billionaire Andy Warhol art collector David Mugrabi and Anthony’s current employer
Anthony currently works for Libby – who delivered a tearful eulogy at the funeral – as her ‘artist in residence’
A slew of his socialite friends gathered to reflect on Anthony’s impressive life
Anthony (seen at the funeral) told DailyMail.com that Christopher and Jamie, who wed in 1984, were not present because he hasn’t spoken to his brother in years
He explained that while they didn’t have a ‘falling out,’ they were ‘never close’ and eventually stopped talking
Pictures from the funeral show Anthony sprawled out on a bed in the middle of the room with a white sheet placed over his body
His loved ones and friends could be seen tossing roses onto him as he laid completely still with his eyes shut
At one point, he even placed pennies over his eyes – a tradition that people normally do with the deceased at funerals, which is said to be a bribe to get them into heaven
Also available at the funeral was cucumber sandwiches – which were homage to Anthony’s British heritage.
Among the crowd was fashion designer Frederick Anderson. Anthony’s pal Anna Wintour was reportedly invited but did not attend.
Anthony and Christopher are both sons of Baron Peter Haden-Guest.
Anthony started his career off as a writer for the Financial Times, writing a weekend column on art collection.
When asked if he thinks he’s going to heaven or hell, he said, ‘I don’t think people go to heaven or hell. Can you imagine how bored you’d be in heaven you’d want to leave after 20 minutes’
Anthony certainly splashed out on the event, serving roughly $10,000 worth of Cristal champagne to his guests
Also available at the funeral was cucumber sandwiches – which were homage to Anthony’s British heritage
Among the crowd was fashion designer Frederick Anderson. Anthony’s pal Anna Wintour was reportedly invited but didn’t show. Anthony is seen with Frederick and Libbie
To commemorate his impending passing, he also drew a series of cartoon tombstones inscribed with witty tributes about himself, which he proudly held up during the funeral
‘Not in service,’ read one of them. Another said, ‘So much for the witness protection program’
‘I think denial of death is a basic human survival instinct. People are in denial. I’m in denial- sort of,’ Anthony reflected to DailyMail.com
Over the years, he helmed articles and cartoons for numerous outlets like The New York Observer, Sunday Telegraph, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Esquire, GQ (UK), and The Sunday Times.
He donned a blue, button-down shirt, dress pants, and a black and white patterned tie for the occasion, as well as a cap with one of his drawings on it
He won an Emmy in 1979 for his PBS documentary The Affluent Immigrants. He’s also written several books.
He now works for Libby – who delivered a tearful eulogy at the funeral – as her ‘artist in residence.’
To commemorate his impending passing, he also drew a series of cartoon tombstones inscribed with witty tributes about himself, which he proudly held up during the funeral.
‘I think denial of death is a basic human survival instinct. People are in denial. I’m in denial- sort of,’ Anthony reflected to DailyMail.com.
He donned a blue, button-down shirt, dress pants, and a black and white patterned tie for the occasion, as well as a cap with one of his drawings on it.
Source: Read Full Article
