People

By Guy D. Garcia

These are days of outrageously good fortune for Bette Midler. First came a string of three hit movies -- Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Ruthless People and Outrageous Fortune -- followed by the arrival of a new baby, Sophie. Good luck continued to bloom for the Rose last week as she became the top prize winner of the first American Comedy Awards. La Bette clinched four of the trophies: best actress in a motion picture, funniest record or video, funniest female performer and lifetime achievement. Robin Williams was next in line with three awards. In addition to Midler, lifetime awards went to Lucille Ball, Woody Allen, Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin, Mary Tyler Moore, Mel Brooks, Steve Allen and All in the Family Producer Norman Lear. "Anytime they want to include me in the same breath with Lucille Ball is fine by me," said the Divine Miss M. "I've never had quite a year like this before -- every dream I ever had came true."

With reporting by David E. Thigpen/New York