The Grinch and Max the Dog Present Betty White With The 'Who-Manitarian of the Year' Award as Universal Studios Hollywood Prepares to Ring in 19 Snow Filled Days of 'Grinchmas' with Tons of Real Snow, Celebrity Tree Lightings and Who-liday Cheer

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Grinch™ and Max the Dog ushered in the arrival of Universal Studios Hollywood's^SM festive "Grinchmas™" holiday celebration with the presentation of the "Who-Manitarian of the Year" Award to the illustrious Betty White, seven-time Emmy® Award, Grammy® Award and Screen Actors Guild® Award winner, versatile actor, comedian, author, producer and animal activist. 

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Ms. White's lifelong dedication to animal welfare also earned her the title of "Ambassador to the Animals" in a ceremony in which she was honored by the City of Los Angeles.  Featured in Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax," the "Hot in Cleveland" television star was recently named Chairman of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, in which she served on the board since 1974 and as Zoo Commissioner for eight years.  Ms. White also serves as President Emeritus of Morris Animal Foundation, a world leader in funding groundbreaking veterinary research. 

Ms. White's tireless efforts on behalf of animals will be recognized with the "Who-Manitarian of the Year" Award presented by Max, the Grinch's loveable canine sidekick.  Max is played by local rescue dogs throughout the nightly run of the "Grinchmas" show.

"Grinchmas" begins this weekend, Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9, continues daily from December 15 to 31, and is included in the price of admission. 

The family-friendly "Grinchmas" celebration will ring in a jolly Who-liday season with The Grinch, his faithful dog Max, tons of fresh snow, and celebrity readings of the Dr. Seuss classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" as part of the vibrant tree lighting celebration.  A whimsical, curving "Grinchmas" tree will tower 60 feet above the center of a snow-covered winter wonderland and will be lit in nightly ceremonies that will feature a colorfully costumed Who-ville choir, caroling and spreading holiday cheer in enchanting Whobilation performances.

Prior to select tree-lighting Whobilations, celebrities from the worlds of film, television and music will join the festivities to help Universal Studios Hollywood celebrate "Grinchmas" by reading entertaining interpretations of Dr. Seuss' heart-warming tale.  More than 30 celebrity readers are confirmed to participate in this year's program, including Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") and Allison Sweeney ("The Biggest Loser") on December 8; Jillian Michaels ("The Biggest Loser") on December 9; Blair Underwood and star of "Community," Yvette Nicole Brown on December 15; Tia Mowry-Hardict on December 20; Diego Boneta ("Rock of Ages") on December 22; Chris Gorham ("Covert Affairs") on December 25; Camryn Manheim ("The Ghost Whisperer") on December 27; and Dot Marie Jones ("Glee") on December 31, among others.

Throughout the event, The Grinch, Max and the Who-ville Whos will be on hand and paw to meet fans and take memorable holiday photos, while families gather to enjoy traditional winter fun, romping together in a playground of fresh, real snow.

"Grinchmas" will also provide fans of the blockbuster film a close-up view of the original Who-ville film sets, featured in the Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" movie, aboard the world-famous behind-the-scenes Studio Tour.  As the tram rolls to a stop amid the fanciful Who-ville buildings, guests will experience a one-of-a-kind performance by a Who's Who of Who-ville re-enacting favorite scenes and songs from the film.

More information, including updates on the "Grinchmas" celebrity readings, will be available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

As families prepare for holiday gift giving, Universal Studios Hollywood's popular "Buy A Day, Get 2013 Free" annual pass offers tremendous value and visits throughout 2013 for the price of a single day's admission. Guests who purchase the "Buy A Day, Get 2013 Free" pass will be able to come back to experience Universal Studios Hollywood's award-winning thrill rides, including the new "Transformers™:  The Ride—3D" and receive savings on tickets purchased for visiting friends and family.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A. includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas, the "5 Towers" state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue, and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event arena.  World-class rides and attractions include the critically-acclaimed, award-winning mega-attraction, "Transformers: The Ride—3D," the intense, award-winning ride, "King Kong 360 3-D" on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, "The Simpsons Ride™," "Revenge of the Mummy^SM —The Ride" and "Jurassic Park® —The Ride."

ABOUT DR. SEUSS ENTERPRISES, L.P. The primary focus of the Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. is to protect the integrity of the Dr. Seuss books while expanding beyond books into ancillary areas. This effort is a strategic part of the overall mission to nurture and protect the relationship consumers have with Dr. Seuss characters. Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) said he never wanted to license his characters to anyone who would "round out the edges." That is one of the guiding philosophies of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Audrey S. Geisel, the widow of Dr. Seuss, heads Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

SOURCE Universal Studios Hollywood