Dallas Power Couple With Major Hollywood Influence Knows That the Best Lessons Linger: Anne and Steve Stodghill Remember Their Scouting Days in Generously Giving Back

They are entrepreneurs and art patrons, executives and serious philanthropists. And they all effect change in Dallas in a personal way. PaperCity is zooming in on NorthPark Center’s 2018 Luxury Ambassadors as they embark on a year of supporting charities close to their hearts. This is the ninth story in the series — to read the entire series, click here.

Anne & Steve Stodghill

Anne Stodghill, past Ball chair, Cattle Baron’s Ball

Steve Stodghill, Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP

Cause: Cattle Baron’s Ball

Cattle Baron’s Ball memories. We loved seeing Pat Green the first time he played at Cattle Baron’s. My husband became a huge fan, and Pat played at Steve’s 50th birthday party. So when I chaired Cattle Baron’s in 2017, it would have not been complete without Pat Green.

Hollywood moments. Steve is the chair of the National Advisory Council for the American Film Institute. His work on that board, and our general love of movies take us to L.A. frequently. Some of our favorite tales include dinner at George Clooney’s villa in Lake Como, with George and Matt Damon; meeting Steven Spielberg at his production offices; conducting a board meeting in Walt Disney’s screening room in his Hollywood Hills home; playing golf with Bill Murray; dinner with Robin Williams and Jamie Foxx; dinner at the Tribeca Film Festival with Bono and Robert DeNiro; meeting Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman backstage after a Broadway show; hanging out with Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan on the set of Rush Hour 2; dinner with Sophia Loren and Sophia Vergara.

We happen to be on a plane as we write this, on our way to attend a dinner with Bryan Cranston and the creator of Breaking Bad, Vince Gilligan.

Film memorabilia collection. Steve is the biggest film fan, so it’s fun to have a little bit of Hollywood at home. We own Jimmy Stewart’s suit that he wore in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance; a shirt worn by John Wayne in The Commancheros; Edward G. Robinson’s humidor; a program from the world premier of Gone with the Wind in Atlanta, signed by the entire cast; a pair of Roy Rogers boots; and the jewelry box given to Clark Gable from his wife Carole Lombard, inscribed “From Ma Gable to Pa Gable.”

Art collection. Our art is an important part of our home and family. Each piece is a living breathing entity that changes over the years as you view it in different lighting, on different occasions, and with a different perspective.

Party rules. We host as many as four to five parties a month, depending on the time of year. My cardinal rule is to be happy and gracious, regardless of what happens — and to have a sense of humor with the flexibility to handle whatever pops up. Don’t be afraid to call a burned, inedible tenderloin a disaster.

Preside over an impromptu funeral for the entree in the back yard, while you wait for the pizza to arrive. Steve has a more streamlined approach to entertaining: “Don’t run out of liquor.”

Sage advice. From his Eagle Scout days, Steve says, “Be Prepared.” For me, the best advice is, “Forget the doubters — living well is the best revenge.”

Commitment. The couple that laughs together stays together.

The root of giving back. Steve’s involvement in giving back was sparked by his Boy Scout service. With me, it was in college when I became a Girl Scout leader because I felt the need to be more engaged in the greater community.

More about this series: Dallas is a city famed for giving back. Each year, NorthPark Center recognizes our city’s most influential philanthropists who are making differences in our community to garner further exposure for their favorite charities. 

NorthPark Center Luxury Ambassadors are hand-selected for their contributions and efforts in the areas of visual and performing arts, children’s causes, and research in health and sciences. Each year-long ambassadorship offers the opportunity to partner with NorthPark Center for various initiatives and events benefiting their favorite North Texas non-profit institutions. 

The program was formed in 2016 as an extension of the shopping center’s “Fifty Years of Giving” anniversary celebration in 2015.