Reality-show star takes, then gives prize

Alicia Robinson

When you’re a millionaire, you can afford to throw a party for 500

guests with a steel-drum band and giant Tiki heads to greet them at

the door.

You can also afford to give some money away, and that’s what

Newport Beach couple Glenn and Mindy Stearns did Tuesday while

celebrating the finale of the reality show they appeared on. Glenn

Stearns was declared the winner of “The Real Gilligan’s Island,” a

reality show that premiered Nov. 30 on the TBS network and included

the couple in one of two competing casts representing characters from

the 1960s “Gilligan’s Island” sitcom.

Glenn Stearns, 40, and Mindy Stearns, 36, left their Pelican Hill

mansion for a month to shoot the show, performing physical challenges

and scavenging for food with fellow cast members.

Tuesday night, entrepreneur Glenn Stearns announced he will donate

his $250,000 prize to the Stearns Family Foundation, a children’s

charity he established, and he will match that donation with one from

his 26 companies.

The Stearnses, real-life millionaires who played the Howells on

the reality show, held a “Gilligan’s Island”-themed bash at their

home Tuesday.

Other cast members and a bevy of media types were among the crowd.

Party guests were dazzled by the no-holds-barred gala, but some of

them had never seen the reality show before.

“I’m embarrassed to say no -- I don’t have cable,” said Leslie

Giger, who works at Stearns Lending. She came to the event because it

was also a toy drive and charity raffle for Canyon Acres Children and

Family Services, she said. “It was a great show originally,” said

Gary Becker, who just moved into the Stearnses’ neighborhood. “It was

good to bring it back.”

While dozens of shutters clicked and flashbulbs popped, Newport

Beach Mayor Steve Bromberg read a proclamation declaring Tuesday

Stearns Family Foundation Day to recognize the Stearns for their

philanthropy.

Councilmen Don Webb and Steve Rosansky got to make grand entrances

on the red carpet.

“I think this is my first time [on the red carpet],” Rosansky

said, adding with a laugh, “We’re the celebrities of Newport Beach.

That’s pretty sad.”

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

She may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or by e-mail at alicia.robinson

@latimes.com.