The Late Cher

By Stephen M. Silverman

Thursday July 09, 1998 12:00 AM EDT

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Cher kept the crowd waiting in New York last night, at the 53rd birthday bash for Senate candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. The star was about 20 minutes tardy for her part of the celebrity-packed celebration, prompting Chevy Chase to quip that she must be having "last-minute liposuction." "It's kind of like waiting for Godot," said Clinton right before the diva did make her appearance. "So I'm the late Cher," she told the First Lady. "I'm really sorry Hill." Others on the stage to help sing "Happy Birthday" -- the event was a fund-raiser for Clinton's campaign -- included Tom Cruise, Nathan Lane, Robert De Niro and Bill Clinton. The last two did a cute routine in which the quintessential New York actor tried to teach the President how to say "Fuhgeddaboutit." Replied the Chief Executive: "You talkin' ta me?"