Fifty years ago, Walter Levine asked Fritzie Mogford to dance at an NCO club in Colorado, and according to Walter, “We have been dancing ever since.” These 50 years of marriage have brought four children and true lifetime adventures which just could not be imagined or even scripted for the silver screen. Even before his marriage, for Walter, drama was part of his life – building businesses, losing businesses, and building them again - all, at the same time befriending some of the most famous stars in Hollywood and New York. He has a gift of making money, a lot of it. But his real golden touch has arisen from his desire and passion to help others, especially those who are ill. Along with his 50th wedding anniversary, he is now marking his 15th anniversary with multiple myeloma. Walter is a survivor. He says, “I am a tough kid from Brooklyn.”  Maybe, even as tough as they get.

And how tough is that? Well, when he was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1991, he had to deal with melanoma and bladder cancer as well. The doctor told him that he may have just a few days to live. So, what did Walter do? He went out and bought a Rolls Royce. The sales person said that it might take a few days for the sale to go through. Walter said, “Never mind a few days. I might not be here. I want it now.” He immediately wired money to the dealership and drove off with his Rolls. He could well afford it. He had been running over 40 companies and corporations, and at the time, lived in a 20,000 square foot mansion in the wealthiest enclave of Westport, Ct.

But the doctor he saw in New York didn’t seem to be getting it done for him. After a year of harsh chemo treatment, his cancer levels were no better, and he felt that he was dying. Walter served in the Military Police during his army years, and he always carried a gun. He let his doctor know that in no uncertain terms, and in a threatening way said, “You better connect me with the best myeloma doctor in the world, and right now.” Within a few days, Walter Levine was in Arkansas under the treatment of Dr. Bart Barlogie.

And here is more tough: While he was in New York, suffering from multiple cancers and undergoing dozens of rounds of chemo, he was placed in a typical hospital room – small but functional. He didn’t want small. He said, “This is not where I am going to die.” He convinced the hospital to turn over its largest suite, called the Revlon Suite which had every amenity of a large New York apartment, and a great view, as well. He was told that his insurance wouldn’t even come close to paying for the suite. So, Walter wrote a check for $100,000. It was now his for the next 54 days. But later, he was challenged by none other than Leona Helmsley who complained to Walter and hospital officials that this suite was to be used by her hotel magnate husband, Harry, when he comes to the same hospital. No deal. Walter paid, and it was his.

“You just can’t make these things up.” That is what Walter was always telling me as we recently talked in his office at his newest Westport estate which is on Long Island Sound, and his neighbors include Don Imus, Marlo Thomas and Martha Stuart. This is quite an accomplishment for a person who scrapped around for fallen clothespins along the streets of Brooklyn while growing up during the 1940s. Nobody had clothes driers, and as the wind would blow, the clothespins would drop from the lines. He would pick them up, put a little enamel on it, and sell them at three for a penny. He said he made more money than any other kid he knew. He had a huge family of uncles and aunts. His paternal grandparents had 18 children, and his grandfather was a rabbi. I asked him about family functions, about how crowded they must have been. He said, “My Bar Mitzvah took two days, people just kept coming in and out of the house. It was like the Automat.”