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André Balazs has donated $100,000 to his Chateau Marmont employees after being forced to lay them off amid the coronavirus pandemic. The hotelier has put the cash into a GoFundMe he has set up for the 270 staffers at the iconic West Hollywood haunt, which is now being used to house medical personnel. “The drastic …
André Balazs has donated $100,000 to his Chateau Marmont employees after being forced to lay them off amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The hotelier has put the cash into a GoFundMe he has set up for the 270 staffers at the iconic West Hollywood haunt, which is now being used to house medical personnel.
“The drastic and unspeakably painful layoffs required could not be avoided, and the devastating impact on our family is incalculable,” he wrote.
“Today the Chateau is committing to recall workers as needed and, when possible, by seniority when business returns to normal. I have made a personal contribution to this fund which will be shared equally amongst those who have always been the heart and soul of our community.”
The Chateau’s cottages have been turned over to medical staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
There’s also a new online shop with all profits going to hotel staff as well as gift cards for the famous garden restaurant.
“These are only the first of a number of initiatives that we will share in the coming days,” Balazs said. “I invite our many friends and guests of long-standing who have enjoyed and benefited from the comforting embrace of the Chateau to join me in assisting those who have so loyally and consistently supported us all.”
To date, Hollywood luminaries and regulars who appear to have already donated to the Chateau’s GoFundMe page include, actors Patricia Clarkson and Sam Rockwell, writer-director Ryan Murphy, and Griffin Dunne, son of long-time Chateau habitué, Dominick Dunne.
Meanwhile, photographer Tony Kelly told Page Six he’s already raised $39,500 for staff from both the Chateau and Sunset Tower by selling off his art.
The Dubliner, who’s lived in LA for 10 years, told us: “They’re all my close friends and these are people left without pay and health care. We’ve already sent out checks to the staff. These are the people who run the cogs in this town and it’s important to remember them.”
