SPYWITNESS

By Joel Stratte-McClure
 
Samuel L. Jackson jumped up from his seat at the third annual USA Today Hollywood Hero Awards at the Beverly Hills Hotel and beelined to a nearby table.
 
“We’re here to honor Magic but I just had to introduce myself to the greatest icon in the room,” Jackson said to fashion critic Mr. Blackwell.
 
Then he joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Regina King, Russell Simmons, Paul Sorvino, and Chaka Khan to pay homage to a beaming Magic Johnson, who’d just given Mo’Nique a bear hug and chatted with Phil Jackson about Kobe Bryant’s MVP award.
 
There was no shortage of accolades for Tuesday evening’s honoree.
 
“Magic is not only an inspirational Hollywood hero, but also symbolizes the best of Los Angeles,” said Villaraigosa. “But do me a favor, Earvin, and don’t run for mayor quite yet.”
 
The kudos went beyond Magic’s on-court mastery, HIV/AIDS, business acumen and philanthropy.
 
“You represent us women so well,” said King.
 
“Nobody says please and thank you more than you do,” added Mo’Nique.
 
Magic was typically humble.
 
“It’s great to get another award,” Johnson confided. “But I do all these things from the bottom of my heart.”