![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LAM_THE_HIDEAWAY_GROUP_0007-1200x801.jpg\")
The Hideaway Beverly Hills visionaries, from left: Evan Ross, Ryan Phillippe, Sylvain Bitton, JT Torregiani and Jeffrey Best.Credit: Irvin Rivera<\/p>\n
Jeffrey Best, Restaurateur, Event Producer and Entrepreneur<\/p>\n
dcbhospitality.com<\/a><\/p>\n thehideawaybeverlyhills.com\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Scroll to continue reading<\/p>\n In 1975, I worked in Studio City as a dishwasher; 25 years later, I opened Firefly blocks from that venue. In 1985, I walked up and down Rodeo Drive to my job at the Grill; 35 years later, we opened The Hideaway. And in the \u201880s, I was a singer in a band that headlined the then Hot Club Lingerie. Now it\u2019s the Warwick that we have owned for over 10 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n [Daily Grill co-founder] Bob Spivak, [hotelier] Sean MacPherson and [nightclub and A&R mogul] Jon Sidel and, recently, Rick Caruso.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n A third Habana in the Palm Springs area.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sylvain Bitton, Restaurateur and Entrepreneur <\/p>\n @SylvainBitton<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n By far, my greatest accomplishment in life is building a family with my wife and our two beautiful boys. Now, if we are talking about my hospitality career then one of my proudest accomplishments would be opening my first nightclub, Les Deux, at the age of 26. That experience became the foundation of my journey, guiding the path that would eventually lead to opening The Hideaway on Rodeo Drive, which stands as one of the greatest achievements of my career.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n Everyone has their beginning. Mine was working at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, where I had the opportunity to meet incredible people and build relationships that would later blossom into something much bigger. In a similar way, Craig Susser of Craig\u2019s has been a major inspiration. His journey from serving as the ma\u00eetre d\u2019 at Dan Tana\u2019s to opening one of the most respected restaurants in Los Angeles highlights how relationships, perseverance and hospitality are true cornerstones of success.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m always looking ahead for the next project. As my career has evolved, I\u2019ve become more interested in opportunities beyond the hospitality sector. The common thread is always people and whatever I do has to be rooted in connections and relationships I\u2019ve built. That\u2019s what continues to drive me and what I enjoy most.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Recently, I had the chance to co-produce an international event on a mega yacht in Monaco for Formula 1. This was a race viewing experience called RD Grand Prix. It was my first time executing something internationally and the experience was rewarding and eye opening. Now, I\u2019m excited to expand on that concept and bring the F1 race-viewing experience to audiences around the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ryan Phillippe, Actor and Restaurateur <\/p>\n @ryanphillippe\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot of film and television projects I\u2019m proud to have been a part of, as well as the success I\u2019ve been able to experience in hospitality, but being a father to three incredible kids and to see who they are becoming makes me most proud.\u00a0 They are my greatest accomplishments.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have served as inspirations to you?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been lucky to have some great male friends and mentors over my time in L.A.\u00a0 The late Garry Shandling was one, as was the late Tony Scott.\u00a0 I miss them all the time. I have a large group of peers I\u2019ve known for over 20 years that inspire me in various ways and my close friend, Dr. Raj Kanodia, serves as a great source of inspiration and advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n I currently have two films coming out this winter for Paramount\/Republic Pictures: One Mile: Chapter 1 and One Mile: Chapter 2.\u00a0 I am also working to help build a new clothing brand, Blanco, with my friend, Matt Sinnreich, and I\u2019m always actively exploring new opportunities in both entertainment and hospitality.\u00a0<\/p>\n Evan Ross, Actor, Producer, Musician and Restaurateur <\/p>\n @realevanross\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n The project I\u2019m most proud of is my most recent one, a film called Turnbuckle. It\u2019s the first film I\u2019ve been involved in not only as an actor but also as a producer, which makes it truly mine. It took me three years to put together, and while it wasn\u2019t easy, the process was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Being able to bring something to life that came from my own vision has been one of the most exciting experiences of my career.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n Rodney Burns is definitely one of them. He\u2019s a true staple in Los Angeles, and his sense of style and artistry is unmatched. He has an incredible eye for everything from furniture to d\u00e9cor, and his perspective on design is one of my absolute favorites. He\u2019s also been a longtime creative collaborator with Lenny Kravitz, which says a lot about his talent.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another person who has inspired me is my close friend Ron Burkle. He\u2019s always been someone I could call on when it comes to navigating business. His advice and perspective is unmatched, and I value the wisdom and support he\u2019s shared with me over the years.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n Right now, I\u2019m working on re-creating Mahogany with my mother \u2014 though I\u2019ll keep the details under wraps for now. I\u2019m also involved in the Sammy Davis Jr. story with Elijah Kelley and Lena Waithe, which has been really exciting to develop. On top of that, I\u2019m in post-production for my film Turnbuckle, which stars Terrence Howard, Emile Hirsch, Cara Lavigne, Macy Gray, James Franco and Kate Beckinsale.\u00a0<\/p>\n As for what\u2019s next, I\u2019m exploring opportunities beyond film \u2014 looking into what speaks to me in hospitality, fashion and the creative spaces I love. I\u2019ve always believed my path should reflect both passion and curiosity, and that\u2019s where my focus is moving forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n JT Torregiani, Restaurateur and entrepreneur <\/p>\n @jttorregiani\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m proud of opening the Hideaway on the famous Rodeo Drive, which has quickly become a staple in Beverly Hills.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n My longtime business partner, Sylvain. Our partnership has been built on trust and collaboration throughout the years.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been developing several hotel projects that I believe have strong potential. I\u2019m excited about the future and see this as the natural next step.\u00a0<\/p>\n Marc Ange, Interior Designer <\/p>\n marc-ange.com\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n I am very proud of how my work has evolved to merge design, art and storytelling into pieces that feel truly extraordinary. Most recently, my collaboration with 11 Ravens resulted in Colosso, a monumental pool table that blurs the line between sculpture and function: it\u2019s as much a centerpiece as it is a game. Colosso is very much aligned with the spirit of my other collectible works \u2014 like Le Refuge, my iconic palm daybed and The Pavone throne chair created for Visionnaire \u2014 pieces that are bold, poetic, and invite the viewer into a dreamlike world.\u00a0<\/p>\n I am also proud of the spaces I\u2019ve created here in Los Angeles, from Muse to the rooftop of the Waldorf Astoria, which is coming soon, or the restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental, which embodies my vision of luxury: immersive, poetic and unforgettable. And of course, my ongoing work with some of the world\u2019s most celebrated luxury houses, products and spaces.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n David Lynch was my first portal into the City of Angels. Through his surreal, poetic lens, he depicted Los Angeles as a place where dreams and nightmares coexist: a city of illusion, mystery and the beautiful loss of the soul in search of meaning. His films revealed an undercurrent beneath the sunshine \u2014 something raw and deeply human that fascinated me. It made me want to experience the city for myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n But beyond Lynch, it\u2019s all the people here: those who chase something extraordinary, those who touch success and those who come close. L.A. is a city shaped by the belief that anything is possible. That mindset alone \u2014 the courage to try, to fail, to dream again \u2014 is a constant source of inspiration for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n Right now, I\u2019m working on several exciting projects that reflect the direction my practice is taking. Beyond Colosso, I\u2019m designing two new hospitality venues in California, a series of extraordinary residences across the U.S. and the Middle East and a highly artistic luxury hotel in Marrakech. I\u2019m also developing new pieces for my collectible furniture line and preparing for my next presentation at Milan Design Week, where a new collaboration with Visionnaire will be prominently featured.\u00a0<\/p>\n Looking ahead, my focus is on continuing to push the boundaries of what design can be, creating spaces and objects that are not only functional, but also emotional, surreal and unforgettable.\u00a0<\/p>\n Timur Bekbosunov, Opera Singer and Producer <\/p>\n @theoperaoftimur<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n I grew up in Soviet Kazakhstan and am very proud that I came all the way to L.A. where I\u2019ve built a career premiering over 30 works by American composers. I\u2019ve always wanted to do contemporary music, and I think some of my best singing was in our Grammy-nominated opera Black Lodge. I am also a film producer and had the chance to observe the work of Nicolas Cage and Alfre Woodard, who starred in our Sundance grand jury prize-winning film Clemency. Before my beautiful American mom Delora passed away from cancer, she told me one of the happiest memories of her life was to see me receive my U.S. citizenship. It was one of the happiest moments of my life as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve performed with L.A. Philharmonic many times at Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl and with Beth Morrison Projects, but the rest of the work has been in Switzerland, Germany and France. I have three upcoming world premieres in the next couple of months, and they\u2019re all overseas. I think we need to find stronger ways how to connect the different communities here and feel the time is right to bring a new international opera initiative to L.A. I am working on a new musical called Werewolf Camp in collaboration with Magdeburg theater in Germany with my partner Sandra Powers about an immersive werewolf theater experience that goes wrong. Taking risks is part of our artistic DNA \u2014 when we stop taking risks, we stop living.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Dylan Efron, Television Personality <\/p>\n @dylanefron\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n Winning The Traitors. This was my first step into reality TV, and, at the time, it felt like a big risk. I grew up pretty private, and I could have thought of a hundred reasons why not to do reality TV, but I also felt like I was ready to take a big risk and continue my journey of growth.\u00a0 A lot of the content I make on social media is about pursuing things that make you uncomfortable, conquering fears or trying something new, so when this opportunity came, it felt nice to listen to what I preach \u2014 do something that makes me uncomfortable. And I\u2019m just proud that I was able to go on this show, be myself and give 100 percent to it.\u00a0<\/p>\n I feel like Dancing with the Stars is in the same line.\u00a0 After The Traitors finished, I saw rumors spreading that I should do Dancing with the Stars. I laughed it off because I\u2019m SO NOT a dancer.\u00a0 I always steered away from the spotlight, so I never did talent shows; I even hated raising my hand in class.\u00a0 So the thought of me dancing on stage, the thought of me being \u201ca star\u201d all just felt so far-fetched\u2026 but then it became real and I was faced with that same dilemma: be risk averse and play it safe or pursue an experience that I\u2019ll never forget, even if I fail. I\u2019m so happy I pursued it. It\u2019s been an absolutely incredible journey and I hope to stay in the competition as long as I can and keep growing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Down to Earth\u00a0was such an incredible time. I was able to travel the world with my brother and, on top of that, make sustainability cool. It felt like we created a new category of TV show where we were able to share our passions of travel and also learn and share organic stories of how we can protect our environment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n I shot a documentary for my YouTube channel where my friend and I travelled to a remote village in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest in Guyana to attempt to catch one of the largest fish in the world. It was an incredible experience, and we were able to capture a beautiful story about sustainability.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n My brother definitely. When I first moved to L.A. and was working as an assistant at Warner Bros., he let me move in with him. At first, I was on an air mattress in the living room, and we eventually moved into a house together. I\u2019ve been reflecting lately on how incredible it was that my brother took me in like that. Putting myself in his shoes, it was so selfless to let\u00a0his brother live with him for those early years and help me start my journey in L.A.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m currently putting my all into learning the choreography on Dancing with the Stars. It\u2019s been such an incredible experience, challenging myself in ways I\u2019ve never done before. I really hope to keep improving each week and keep becoming a better ballroom dancer. Beyond Dancing with the Stars, I\u2019m working on a very special project with my buddy, Boston Rob.\u00a0 We found such an incredible friendship working together on The Traitors and we knew we had to cook something up to keep testing our competitive nature. I\u2019m excited to share it with the world very soon!\u00a0<\/p>\n Alex Evans, Artistic Director of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater<\/p>\n bobbakermarionettetheater.com\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have served as inspirations to you?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n I saw my first show here when I was 19 and was swept away by the magic of this place. Bob Baker was 85 years old and kind of a Geppetto carrying around this mythos. He was a dreamer but in the most tangible, real way. For 30 years, every Christmas was going to be our last show, and we\u2019d have to shut down. Even in the most dire situations he could feel the levity and joy of flowers dancing on stage. Once Bob died, we spent years waiting for the adults to show up and when we realized nobody was coming, we had to rally together towards a collective cause and survived by connecting the dots of goodwill.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n We make 60 new puppets a year. We\u2019ve had commissions from Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles and Lil Nas X. We just got announced at Coachella and will soon open our first new show in 40 years, Choo Choo Revue. Our puppets officiate weddings at the theater, we do live music shows and our puppets danced alongside Basquiat and Dal\u00ed art at Luna Luna. Last year, 30,000 people came to Bob Baker Day at L.A. State Historic Park. It\u2019s free for everybody and is another huge opportunity to share that Bob Baker is an expression of imagination. I have a dream that we\u2019ll own our building and one of the most beautiful things in L.A. will be securing forever.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jay Ellis, Actor <\/p>\n @jayrellis\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n Lawrence on Insecure. It was pretty amazing to be on a show that takes place in a city that you love, and everyone else on the cast and crew loves so much, while also playing a messy relatable character that challenged me as an actor.\u00a0<\/p>\n Top Gun and Freaky Tales \u2014 the amount of work you put in off camera before \u201caction\u201d really sets everything up when you show up to set. I got to learn that with Tom Cruise on Top Gun and then put it to practice for myself as Sleepy Floyd in Freaky Tales.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n Kobe Bryant, Nipsey Hussle, Kendrick Lamar, Michael Tubbs, Prentice Penny, Nick Melvoin, Charles King and Wendell Ellis Sr. (my dad).\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently working on Running Point season 2 for Netflix and NSFW (Not Suitable For Work) season 1 for Hulu. Next \u2026. If I tell you then it\u2019ll ruin the surprise. And I\u2019m all about the reveal of a magic trick.\u00a0<\/p>\n Robert Hertzberg, Senator <\/p>\n @hertziela\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n The Crime Lab at Cal State LA. Ten years in the making with Governor Davis, it is home of the LAPD and Sheriff\u2019s Crime Lab, as well as the Incredible School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics \u2014 the best and largest in the country.\u00a0 The lab includes the Innocence Project, which finds evidence to exonerate the wrongly convicted and it has 100% eliminated the backlog of rape kits in all 88 cities of LA County.\u00a0<\/p>\n San Fernando Valley Orange Line (G line) working with Zev Yaroslavsky: over 400,000 riders a month, far exceeding expectations.\u00a0<\/p>\n 10th University of California campus in Merced with Congressman Dennis Cardoza. It now serves nearly 10,000 students.\u00a0<\/p>\n California Consumer Privacy Act with Alastair Mactaggart: First-in-the-nation privacy act that serves as a model for the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have served as inspirations to you?\u00a0<\/p>\n Lew Wasserman, Chairman of MCA\/Universal and Eli Broad, Broad Foundation. Both men were extraordinary leaders, visionaries and had a deep impact on so many who never knew their names.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n The Middle-Class Homeownership Act: I am the author of the November 2026 ballot initiative.\u00a0I have been working on it for nearly five years with Doug McCarron, National president of the carpenters union, among others.\u00a0 It is a new 3% downpayment program exclusively benefiting the middle class. Only for brand new homes; not existing homes.\u00a0 It authorizes $25 billion for down payment assistance to be funded by private, corporate and philanthropic investors \u2014 no taxpayers\u2019 funds.\u00a0 It will result in over 100,000 new homes in California for middle class buyers and is not limited to first-time homebuyers.\u00a0 With rent, childcare, groceries and gas prices so high, so many young families cannot save enough to buy a home. This measure will increase the middle-class housing supply. Home is where the wealth is!\u00a0<\/p>\n Non-Partisan Candidate School: In Sacramento, I was part of creating the Capitol Institute to train staff and new assembly members. In the Senate, I helped create the Senate Academy for new members. Now I want to start a non-partisan program for any and all candidates who want to run for political office.\u00a0So many candidates have great and inspiring stories that propel them to public office, but few really understand how government works.\u00a0 How is the sales tax shared among various governments? Where does property tax go? How are schools funded? How is water delivered to Southern California and by which agencies?\u00a0 Understanding the basics will make government work better.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other Projects Coming\u00a0<\/p>\n Stay tuned: www.robert.hertzberg.com<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Brian Kito, Owner Fugetsu-Do Bakery <\/p>\n fugetsu-do.com\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n I am the president of the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association. Back in the 1980s, this area became kind of crime ridden. Cars were getting broken into and then we had the Rodney King riots, which shut down all tourism to L.A. We started a volunteer security patrol and cleaned up the neighborhood. It made people feel safe.\u00a0 We have a small police kiosk called a koban. In Japan, you have one in every neighborhood. They check on the elderly, they give directions. You can go to their box and get help.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Our business is not like most businesses. It\u2019s connected to our culture and our religion, so it\u2019s very unique. They use certain types of pastries for funerals, some for weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. It\u2019s a glutinous rice and we pound it up and we take that dough and mix it with sugar and encrust sweet bean paste inside \u2014 that\u2019s the basic old style mochi. For our 100th strawberry, we made strawberry mochi with peanut butter (think of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich), and we now have chocolate ganache mochi. My customer base is majority non-Asian now. We always wanted to break into mainstream acceptance of the product. We\u2019ve created some longevity here, and there\u2019s a future in it that I\u2019d love to pass on to my son. He\u2019ll be the fourth generation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Frank Lima, International Association of Fire Fighters General Secretary-Treasurer\u00a0 <\/p>\n @iaffgstlima<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve worked on many projects over the years to better the lives of fire fighters in Los Angeles City and across the nation, but if I were to choose two in particular:\u00a0 Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n There have been a lot of influences in my life from a mentorship standpoint, but two stand out more than others.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n First is Jesus Pasos, one of my first fire captains when I was a rookie fire fighter over 33 years ago. He was a legendary firefighter and a great leader. His reputation as a truck captain was stellar, and he is someone I have always strived to emulate. He taught us what it meant to be a great fire fighter and be involved in the community. He continues to be an LAFD chaplain and a deacon in the Catholic church and a national handball champion \u2014 things that made him all the more loved and respected by young firefighters like me. He was my confirmation sponsor and godfather for two of my children. We grew particularly close when my father and his son both died approximately 20 years ago. His support and love helped so much in a really tough time in my life.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since his days as the youngest president ever on the Los Angeles City Council, when I worked with him as a union president, I have continually been inspired by my close friend Alex Padilla, now one of two United States senators representing California in Washington, D.C. Alex is a man committed to his cause like few people I have ever seen before. He is smart, kind and a ferocious fighter for those who cannot fight for themselves, and he does it without ego, while being humble and approachable at the same time. He is the epitome of what a public servant should be \u2014 a servant to everyone he represents. I will never forget when, as council president, he reached out to my wife and family to offer his personal assistance for anything that they needed while I was deployed to the World Trade Center attack in New York City as part of the FEMA California Urban Search and Rescue Team on Sept. 11, 2001. It is those seemingly small outreaches that make him not only a special leader, but a great man.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n There are so many projects I am working on, as I represent over 361,000 professional fire fighters across the U.S. and Canada as the general secretary-treasurer of the International Association of Fire Fighters. It all stems from my unwavering commitment to helping working people and improving the odds in middle class that every family can live the American dream. I am also passionate about standing up for the United Farm Workers and Hotel Workers (HERE) and defending some of the hardest working, yet most exploited workers in America. Next for me is to never miss an opportunity\u00a0 to support and bring a\u00a0 louder voice to all the hard workers out there, whether they are picking vegetables on the farms to feed us, cleaning hotel rooms, riding fire trucks, stocking milk in our grocery stores, taking blood pressures, teaching our children, building our infrastructure, or keeping our streets safe (to name a few) and generally bust their butts every day for others.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lawerence Longo, Food Entrepreneur <\/p>\n @bigshot\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n Opening Prince St. Pizza in L.A. during COVID taught me resilience and the power of community. Reviving the iconic Irv\u2019s Burgers was a chance to preserve a piece of the city\u2019s history while navigating the challenges of running a business here. Launching Bar Next Door and now Hall Pass has let me keep pushing boundaries and creating spaces that bring people together. What I\u2019m most proud of is building places that not only serve great food, but also become part of Los Angeles culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Right now, I\u2019m producing a YouTube series I created called Delivering Happiness, starring Nick Turturro. It\u2019s a mockumentary-style short-form series about finding joy in unexpected places. Nick, a veteran actor and lovable underdog, goes back to his roots delivering pizza for Prince St.\u00a0\u2014 but every delivery turns into an unscripted moment of connection. Through comedy, vulnerability and heart, each episode transforms a simple drop-off into a story about friendship, truth and purpose. Next up, I\u2019m expanding on a global scale by\u00a0opening 12 new restaurants in the next 12 months.\u00a0<\/p>\n Frank McCourt, Civic Entrepreneur and Former Dodgers Owner\u00a0<\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve spent the last decade tackling what I believe is one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the societal and personal harms created by the current design of the internet. Project Liberty, an organization I founded over six years ago, is developing solutions that put people \u2014 not platforms\u2014 back in control.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n During my time with the Dodgers, I had the immense pleasure of working with the iconic Vin Scully, and we maintained a friendship up until his passing. Like so many Angelenos, I was deeply inspired by his commitment to the Dodgers and belief in the power of sports to uplift and unite people\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m excited about the impactful projects McCourt Partners is spearheading here in Los Angeles. Our partnership with Homeboy Industries helps support a landmark fundraising campaign focused on their campus expansion and the growth of Hope Village.\u00a0<\/p>\n Enrique Melendez, Stylist <\/p>\n @mrenriquemelendez\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m super blessed to be just doing what I love with people that I love and to still have a career I can support myself with. Recently, I just closed out styling an international press tour with Jenna Ortega for her Wednesday season 2 run. So many looks I loved, and I couldn\u2019t even pick my favorite.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n My best friend Reginald Haywood is a constant line of support and his work ethic in the corporate world keeps me going.\u00a0 Larry Sim\u2019s, an amazing hairstylist and dear friend who is so talented, also makes time to live his best life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0<\/p>\n I have a number of award season clients that I\u2019ll be creating and collaborating with on looks. I\u2019m super excited about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Floyd Norman, Animator <\/p>\n @norman.floyd\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n Looking back over a long career, I truly enjoyed my time at the Walt Disney studios, especially having the opportunity to work with the old man himself on his last feature film, The Jungle Book, back in 1966. I always enjoy the creative process. One of the things we learned while I was working on Sesame Street was how quickly children could absorb information no matter how fast we threw it at them. Kids are fast learners, and I didn\u2019t learn how fast until I worked on that show.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt about it. Walt Disney truly inspired me. Many years later, I was working for Pixar and Steve Jobs had many questions about Walt Disney. He was really curious about Disney, the man, as a visionary leader. I often tell friends if Steve had lived, we might have seen him as CEO of the Walt Disney Company. One of my heroes was Sterling Holloway, whose voice I heard as a child when my mommy took me to see Dumbo. Many years later, I ended up on the recording stage with the very same actor. The fact that we can all work together and make these fun movies that entertain millions of people is enjoyable. It\u2019s good work.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jason Oppenheim, Reality TV Star and Real Estate Firm Owner <\/p>\n @jasonoppenheim\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n As most people know, Los Angeles was hit by some of the most destructive fires in its history. I\u2019m especially proud of the work that we did at The Oppenheim Group during that time. My office hosted a donation drive to collect clothing and supplies for displaced families, and we did nearly 100 interviews calling out landlords who were price-gouging fire victims. We also spent several months after the fires working to help displaced families find new homes free of charge. In addition, we donated $100,000 to the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department to help highlight their incredible efforts and the urgent need for continued funding. We also donated more than $50,000 to Foodonfoot.org, an organization where I have volunteered for more than 15 years, placing homeless people throughout L.A. into apartments and jobs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n Although I never met him, my great grandfather Jacob Stern has been one of the greatest inspirations to me among men in Los Angeles. He founded The Stern Realty Co. in 1889\u2014what is now The Oppenheim Group\u2014and helped shape the city\u2019s real estate and cultural landscape. Long before Hollywood became a global symbol of entertainment, Jacob had the vision to invest and build there, developing his own residence at Hollywood and Vine, which would later become one of the most famous intersections in the world. His entrepreneurial foresight not only contributed to the city\u2019s architectural growth but also to its cultural foundation\u2014leasing his horse barn to Cecil B. DeMille, Jesse Lasky and Samuel Goldwyn, which became Hollywood\u2019s first movie studio and the birthplace of Paramount Pictures. That single decision helped ignite an industry that would define Los Angeles for generations.\u00a0<\/p>\n What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0<\/p>\n Over the past five years, I opened both my Orange County and San Diego offices, and they\u2019ve been absolutely thriving. While Los Angeles will always be home, I\u2019m planning to spend more time working out of the Newport Beach office. I\u2019ve really come to appreciate the safe environment and energy down there and have many agents and friends who make it feel like a second home.\u00a0<\/p>\n Harley Pasternak, Personal Trainer and Author <\/p>\n @harleypasternak\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n Aside from my family? I would say it\u2019s a tie between my latest book, The Carb Reset, the gym I designed at The Four Seasons Hualalai and the Four Seasons Naples and my academic appointments at the University of Toronto.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n As a foreign transplant to Los Angeles, most of my inspirations came from other cities. But I would have to add my old friend Gunner Petersen, who gave me the idea about turning a residential property into a high-end private training space; my old client Will Ferrell, who is probably the first person I\u2019ve ever seen loved by everyone in the world; and my friend Paul White, who taught me so much about real estate and hospitality.\u00a0<\/p>\n What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m very excited about my new VUORI partnership. We just built the VUORI studio by Harley Pasternak in Los Angeles, the most exclusive and special private fitness and recovery space in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n We are also in the middle of 65 new Gym by Harley Design projects around the globe, and I just started working on a new book about all the things I\u2019ve learned working with the most successful people in the world over the last four decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n Spencer Pratt, TV and Social Media Personality <\/p>\n @spencerpratt\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n Besides being a dad, definitely helping with the congressional investigation into the Palisades fire.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n My dad, \u201cSkipper,\u201d has worked hard as a dentist my entire life for his family.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0<\/p>\n Right now, I am focused on a documentary that uncovers the truth about the criminal negligence that caused the Palisades fire.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ben Shenassafar, Restaurateur, The Hundreds Streetwear Brand Co-founder<\/p>\n @benhundreds\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n Over the past 20+ years, I\u2019ve been very lucky to work on many great projects, but the ones I\u2019m most proud of are The Hundreds, Family Style Food Festival, The Benjamin Hollywood and Bar Benjamin. All of them are projects that I have poured my soul into and started from the ground up with my respective partners. I\u2019ll also just mention that raising three kids in L.A. is a huge accomplishment and something I\u2019m also very proud of!\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n There are plenty of inspirational people in L.A. and I\u2019m lucky to call some of them my good friends.\u00a0Bobby Kim, a.k.a. Bobby Hundreds, has been a huge inspiration to me over the past 20 years.\u00a0 Bobby is one of the most creative minds I\u2019ve ever met. He inspires me daily to think outside the box and push boundaries. He\u2019s constantly pushing me to draw outside the lines. Mike Amiri, who has been a friend of mine for 40 years, is another big inspiration in my life. He\u2019s like family to me. He is the hardest working person I know, and to watch what he\u2019s accomplished with his brand just shows me that dreams do come true.\u00a0 Mike inspires me daily to be a better businessman and build a better brand. Lastly, my friends Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo and Evan Funke. I\u2019ve watched them build empires in hospitality over the past 10 years and now that I\u2019ve entered their world, I look to them regularly to build the best restaurant and bar that I can.\u00a0<\/p>\n What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m currently working on The Hundreds 2026 and 2027 plans. Fashion is changing faster than ever, and we have to balance staying ahead and keeping up with the current trends. I\u2019m working with the team to design future collections, branding and sales strategies. I\u2019m working at making The Benjamin Hollywood and Bar Benjamin better every single day.\u00a0 We opened our doors just over a year ago and we have a lot of work to do. Our goal is to build a restaurant and bar that will outlive us all!\u00a0 You can find me on the corner of Melrose and Formosa most nights for the foreseeable future.\u00a0<\/p>\n JD Slajchert, Writer <\/p>\n jdwritesbooks.com\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m very proud of the titles I\u2019ve written and projects I\u2019ve created, sending them all out into the world, but I think I\u2019m most proud of the way I\u2019ve been able to stand tall and hopefully inspire those in our community during times of true, genuine need. Following the COVID pandemic, I had the opportunity to travel the country, speaking about teenage anxiety and mental health as I sought out opportunities to inspire those young adults most impacted. And after our family lost our restaurant, Moonshadows, in the Palisades fire, I had the chance to share the inspiration and heartbeat of our beloved eatery with the world to help raise funds for our displaced staff. I really feel that we reveal our true character during times of need, and I\u2019m proud of the strength I\u2019ve been able to manufacture to help our community meet these adversities and promise to only continue doing so moving forward. It\u2019s only made me feel closer to all our neighbors.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0 What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0 Owen Thiele, Actor and Podcaster <\/p>\n @owenthiele<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0 Which men in L.A. have served as inspirations to you?\u00a0 What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0 Eric Vetro, Vocal Coach <\/p>\n @ericvetrovocalcoach<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Which projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?\u00a0<\/p>\n I would say the movies that are about to be released \u2014 Wicked: For Good with Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere with Jeremy Allen White, who is portraying Bruce Springsteen \u2014 come to mind first. But because I\u2019ve worked on over 40 musical movies and 55-plus Broadway shows, it\u2019s difficult to answer by just mentioning two!\u00a0 I\u2019m also very proud of my work with countless recording artists through the years, including ones who are currently at the very top of the music charts, such as Sabrina Carpenter, Alex Warren, Ros\u00e9 (BlackPink), Audrey Nuna (KPop Demon Hunters), Katseye, Addison Rae and Benson Boone.\u00a0 In addition, I\u2019d have to mention my singing course that I did for BBC Maestro last year, which helps professional and aspiring singers alike to hone their craft. It\u2019s been incredibly gratifying to be recognized and stopped by strangers who tell me how helpful the course has been for them!\u00a0<\/p>\n Which men in L.A. have inspired you?\u00a0<\/p>\n That list is quite long! John Legend, Timothee Chalamet, Ryan Gosling, Shawn Mendes, Austin Butler, Charlie Puth, John Stamos, Will Ferrell and Hugh Jackman (all ironically younger than me) have all inspired me with their talent, creativity and strong work ethic, as well as songwriters and producers, such as Max Martin, Savan Kotecha and Greg Wells, as well as directors like Damien Chazelle, Pablo Larrain and James Mangold. There are too many to name here, but I can assure you that I have learned and been tremendously inspired by all of them!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n What are you currently working on and what\u2019s next for you?\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently I\u2019m working with some fantastic actors who will be singing in several new movies, including Millie Bobby Brown (for Just Picture It), Daisy Edgar-Jones (Here Comes The Flood), Melissa McCarthy (Margie Claus) and David Jonsson, who will be playing Sammy Davis Jr. in a film entitled Scandalous co-starring Sydney Sweeney.\u00a0In addition, I\u2019m also quite busy with my students, such as Rosal\u00eda, Camila Cabello, Ava Max, Conan Gray, Natalia Lafourcade, Omar Apollo, Sofia Carson, Becky G, Sebastian Yatra, Dominic Fike, and many others.\u00a0 It\u2019s a lot to juggle, but I love all of them, so it doesn\u2019t feel like work.\u00a0 I\u2019m so grateful to have them in my life, they truly fill me with energy and joy!\u00a0<\/p>\n Jonathan Tucker, Actor <\/p>\n![\"Jeffrey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LAM_JEFFREY_BEST_0001-801x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Irvin Rivera<\/p>\n![\"Sylvain](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LAM_SYLVAIN_BITTON_0004-801x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Irvin Rivera<\/p>\n![\"Ryan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LAM_RYAN_PHILIPPE0007-801x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Irvin Rivera<\/p>\n![\"Evan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LAM_EVAN_ROSS_0001-801x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Irvin Rivera<\/p>\n![\"JT_TORREGIANI](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LAM_JT_TORREGIANI_0004-801x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Irvin Rivera<\/p>\n![\"Marc](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20220406-Hanane-Marc-Leone-Victor-Stonem-2-1-min-800x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Victor Stoneme<\/p>\n![\"TIMUR](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/timur-1200x947.jpg\")
Credit: Sandra Powers<\/p>\n![\"Dyaln](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DylanEfron_LE_upscale_balanced_x2-927x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Brian Meller<\/p>\n![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Clair-vogel-5C3A9726-788x1200.jpeg\")
Credit: Clair Vogel<\/p>\n![\"Jay](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JE-Headshot-Credit-Cibelle-Levi-2-999x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Cibelle-Levi<\/p>\n![\"Robert](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_8641-1027x1200.jpeg\")
Credit: Courtesy Robert Herzberg<\/p>\n![\"Brian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Brian-w-plate-display-crop-978x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Courtesy Brian Kito<\/p>\n![\"Frank](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FrankLima-923x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Courtesy of Frank Lima<\/p>\n
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Preventing cell phone towers from being installed on fire station property. Not just in L.A. city, but throughout California. It was a major win for the health of our firefighters, and we have assisted other fire departments throughout the country. \u00a0
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The other would be fighting for and winning pay parity with the LAPD in 2012. It is one of the biggest victories that the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) \u2013 IAFF Local 112 has ever won, and it continues today. This was an important landmark victory for our members, making sure that fire fighters not only got fair pay from the city (and it has made a huge difference in the livelihoods of so many), but delivered the dignity and respect my members deserved. As a father of both a Los Angeles City police officer and firefighter, they both put their lives on the line and take risks every day, and they should certainly be compensated the same. Personally, I would say my greatest achievement is being a good husband, dedicated father to my four children and a nonno (grandpa) to two energetic grandsons.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Lawrence](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/thecollectiveyou-digitalmasters-swanlongo-16-1200x800.jpeg\")
Credit: The Collective You<\/p>\n![\"Frank](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5609-800x1200.jpeg\")
Credit: Courtesy Frank McCourt<\/p>\n![\"Enrique](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image1-800x1200.jpeg\")
Credit: Ben Cope<\/p>\n![\"Floyd](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Floyd_LE_upscale_balanced_x2-copy.jpg\")
Credit: Adrienne Brown Norman<\/p>\n![\"Jason](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/headshot-1-1-1-882x1200.png\")
Credit: Courtesy The Oppenheim Group<\/p>\n![\"Harley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1G6A8878-800x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Courtesy Vuori<\/p>\n![\"Spencer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Heidi_LA_August_202510613-classic-chrome-900x1200.jpeg\")
Credit: Jon Premosch<\/p>\n![\"Ben](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TBH_Ben_Nick-Johnson-1200x960.jpg\")
Credit: Nick Johnson<\/p>\n![\"JD](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/JDSHeadshot1-800x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Courtesy JD Slajchert<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard for me to single out one individual, or even several individuals for that matter, that have served as my inspiration when so many Angelenos have presented such a persistent sense of passion in my life. I\u2019d honestly like to say that my biggest source of inspiration has come from the broader display of resilience proven day in and day out by the countless number of individuals impacted not just by the Palisades Fire as I previously mentioned, but also our neighbors close by in Altadena touched by disaster in the Easton fire. The resilience and strength displayed by all of the members of our community throughout these recent tragedies has continued to remain a constant source of motivation for me to push on, and I\u2019m so proud to be beside so many of these brave survivors in the fight to help rebuild our city. They inspire me every single day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Presently, I\u2019m incredibly excited to be preparing for my upcoming TEDx Talk at TEDxUnityPark in Greenville, South Carolina. I adore that place. The talk will be largely about my story, overcoming the adversities life throws at us and, more specifically, how different parts of my story have impacted my writing process and creative style. It\u2019s really a dream come true to be taking the famed TED stage so soon. And, I also can\u2019t say too much about it at this time, but I can share that I\u2019m in talks regarding a documentary about me and my story. I\u2019m very excited to hopefully be able to share more about that soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Owen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/OwenThiele-892x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Lucy Sandler<\/p>\n
Right now, I\u2019m so proud to be a part of two shows that explore queerness and queer friendship in 2025. They\u2019re both important stories and I\u2019m so honored to be even a little part of each. \u00a0<\/p>\n
My dad, Bob Thiele Jr., and my grandfather, Jay Kanter. I\u2019m constantly inspired by them. They taught me to always lead with love and stop to appreciate the small wins.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m developing a show right now with Amazon based on my own life story\u2014 being Black, gay and adopted into a white, Jewish family in L.A. Every day, I\u2019m hoping we hear good news on that. \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Eric](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EricVetro-1200x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Ken Sawyer<\/p>\n
![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MichelesSelect-800x1200.jpg\")
Credit: Matty Gerety<\/p>\n![\"Kyren](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Kyren-Williams_LA-Mag-e1762285128409-1200x1014.jpg\")
Credit: Los Angeles Rams\/ Brooke Sutton\/NFL<\/p>\n