Look To The Stars News: Oscar Torre

Look To The Stars Asks Oscar Torre

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:16:45 -0000

Oscar Torre’s face is one you will probably recognize. His role in the recent CBS drama Cane is just one in an impressive list that encompasses theater, television, and independent film, including CSI:Miami, Ladron Que Roba A Ladron, Hunting of Man, and film festival favorite Rent-A-Person.

One of the profession’s true tall, dark, and handsome leading men, Torre first gained attention with the lead role in Libertad, in which he played a Cuban artist unjustly sentenced to 15 years jail. NBC-TV critic Maria Salas predicted Torre would “be the next Latin star”, and her prophecy looks set to come true.

Torre is constantly being sought out by top directors to fill challenging roles, but Look To The Stars was lucky enough to catch up with him and ask a few questions about his charity work, as well as his ideas on how to make the world a better place.

A few weeks ago you attended an AIDS fundraiser for the Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. Tell us a little about the night and what attracted you to it.

I got the invitation from Latin Heat Magazine, who were doing the event in conjunction with Charles Drew Hospital. They said it was a fundraiser for AIDS, and that obviously caught my attention right away – because it’s an important cause and you’ve gotta be blind not to be affected by it.

Do you know anyone who has been affected by AIDS?

Oh yeah, definitely, over the years, in the theater and the entertainment industry. And years ago… I was a therapist for people who had alcohol and drug problems. I was a substance abuse counselor, and I worked in that field for eight years when I first started acting. I worked in a mental health hospital… we had many people who were HIV positive or had AIDS, and also we had an HIV testing program… so I ended up meeting a lot of people who ended up testing HIV positive.

What can people do about the AIDS problem?

There are many organizations that are out there helping; they can go online; you can donate money; you can donate time, you can volunteer to the hospitals – you should inform yourself, I think that’s the key. Some people are afraid of it, and they think that by not knowing about it then they are safe – [but] ignorance is dangerous.

In November you attended the 15th annual Diversity Awards, which celebrated cultural diversity in the fields of film and television. That’s obviously another issue that you are interested in. What is its importance to you?

We have people from all over the world come over here [to America], and I think that films should represent that. I think it’s getting a little better. My parents are Cuban. When I was growing up… there weren’t too many Cubans on TV… Steven Bauer on Scarface was a Cuban, and later Andy Garcia, but that was about it. I didn’t see many Cubans on the TV.

Cane obviously had a lot of ethnic diversity in it.

Yes, it was incredible, it was the first time ever that I found myself going to work and most people there were Spanish. And all these faces that you never see in the same place together… it was very diverse.

On your website you have a link to a children’s cancer charity called Padres Contra el Cancer. That’s obviously a cause close to your heart, tell me a little about that.

One of my jobs here when I moved to LA was as a Spanish interpreter at the Children’s Hospital of LA. So having worked there, I saw firsthand the jobs the doctors, nurses, and everybody in children’s hospitals do. It’s their profession, but the passion that they have for these kids is amazing. And I saw true courage from these children I never imagined, and that courage from the kids and the parents and the professionals was something that really moved me.

As a kid I was an asthmatic, although I’m no longer, thank God. Up to the age of 12 I was very sick, so I spent a lot of time at the Children’s Hospital in Miami. So in a way, I owe them a lot.

What sort of work do you do for children’s hospitals now?

Whenever I’m on a talk show or something like that, I always mention them as one of the causes that people should support. It’s one of the advantages of being on TV, you have that vehicle that reaches thousands or even millions of people.

What would you tell someone who wants to help a cause?

I would tell people to find what you are passionate about, what has touched your life, and give. To give is very rewarding…you will be helping yourself.

In what way do you think you help yourself by giving to others?

It’s very rewarding to know that by doing a little on your part, just taking a few minutes or writing a check for a few dollars, it goes a long way for all these causes that are really fighting to be able to get money. And if you don’t have money, then give time. Do your part.

What would attract you to a charity? How could they gain your attention?

I try to look for the things that move me, something I’m passionate about.

I can only say for myself, I don’t know about other actors, but [charities] can always reach me, and if they are who they say they are and they’re a good cause, I’m usually more than happy to lend my name or even my presence. By giving them my presence, by mentioning them, I know I’m helping them… that’s one of the great things about being in the public eye, that you’re really able to help people in need, sometimes just by mentioning them. Because if you put that into money value of having to get PR or something, its worth a lot.

How can 1 person make a difference?

I think that by doing the little things… sometimes we think of a problem and we look at the big picture, [and we think] there’s nothing we can do about that. But if you think in your place, in your home, in your person, what you can do, what small things you can do to make them better, then you’re doing your part. At home, you can decide to be environmentally aware, what you throw in the garbage, how you dispose of things. If you deal with respect towards your neighbor, your neighbor will hopefully deal the same way with you. If everybody does all these little things, then I think it affects the world you live in, globally I think it translates into countries getting along – if you take one person at a time. If you do your part, if you are responsible, and are respectful, then I think it goes a long way. I think that’s what sometimes we’re lacking.

It starts at home. It starts as parents. Those people who are out there who are parents of little kids, they should teach them self respect and teach them to respect others, to care for the environment, to be respectful towards your neighbor. Then I think these little kids will grow up to be adults who grow up to act in the same way.

Do you think the way your parents brought you up has affected the way you live your life today?

Totally, I owe everything to them. I have a younger brother, and he and I have this conversation all the time. We are very clear that we are a product of the way we were brought up and the values we were taught. He’s a school teacher, and he [finds] the same problems he sees in the students when he meets the parents – he sees the same problems in the adults. The student’s problems are just a symptom of what’s going on at home. Unfortunately the students soon become adults, and the cycle will go on and on and on.

What made you become an actor?

I fell into acting by accident. For my last credit in college, I needed an elective, and the only class that was available at the time I could attend was an acting class. The girlfriend I had at the time signed me up for the class because I couldn’t sign up myself, I was very shy. She thought it would be very funny for me to be stuck in an acting class.

What’s your next project?

I’m going to Miami in two weeks to shoot a film that’s meaningful to me. It’s about school violence. I play a hostage negotiator who talks this kid out of killing everybody in the classroom. The story is the kid has been bullied, and finally the kid snaps, and kind of goes crazy and goes into school with a weapon, and takes a class hostage. So they call in a hostage negotiator. The film has a lot of heart, and it has a good message. And that’s one of the reasons why I took the project when it was offered to me, because I thought it was a good message.

Do you always try to pick roles that have a good message?

I try to do that whenever possible. Sometimes it’s not possible, but if the message is something I cannot get behind, then I will not do the project.

In one or two sentences, can you give our readers one final message on how they can make the world a better place?

Love yourself and love your neighbor.

Thanks very much for your time, Oscar, and all the best.

Eva Longoria Accepts Donation For Children's Cancer Charity

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:30:31 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Eva Longoria was on hand at a benefit in Burbank on Saturday, March 1, to accept a donation to one of her favorite charities.

AT&T Inc, the telecommunications holdings company, handed over a cheque for $200,000 to Padres Contra el Cancer, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Latino children battling cancer.

“We are extremely grateful for AT&T’s generosity and commitment to PADRES and the Latino community,” said Longoria, actress and PADRES national spokeswoman. “The money AT&T raised will help us continue supporting families coping with the devastating effects of childhood cancer.”

The donation is a result of AT&T’s second annual Answer Hope’s Call campaign, which featured a massive fundraising effort to increase awareness of childhood cancer. Donations were collected at stores throughout the Los Angeles area, and a bone marrow drive set a national record by adding 253 new donors in one day to the National Bone Marrow Program.

“AT&T has a long-standing tradition of supporting charitable organizations and initiatives that strengthen the Hispanic community,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager of AT&T’s Greater Los Angeles wireless market. “Nearly 50 percent of the children suffering from cancer in California are Hispanic, and PADRES provides critical support for families that need it most.”

Eva Longoria has been National Spokesperson for the organization since 2005, and joins Oscar Torre as a celebrity supporter. The charity has been bringing together children, families, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to promote a comprehensive understanding of childhood cancer and other blood disorders, as well as effective methods for treatment, for over 20 years. Their programs, activities and services, while primarily oriented to the Latino community, serve childhood cancer patients from all races and ethnic origins. No family is turned away, and the organization is in constant need of donations – cancer affects approximately 1,500 children annually in California; nearly 50% of those children are Latino. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among children under 15 years old and is second only to accidents in most age groups.

In the past, AT&T have donated over $500,000 to the organization. They are also currently supporting a Telethon to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as sponsoring a celebrity skiing and snowboarding event to raise money for the Special Winter Olympics.

Celebrities Support AIDS Fight At Oscar Night Event

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:01:10 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Elton John’s bash was not the only one to raise money for AIDS on Oscar Night. The Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science held a function at the historic union station in downtown Los Angeles. Community leaders, actors, filmmakers and members of the fashion community traditionally show their support by attending the annual Oscar night fundraiser.

Among the celebrities in attendance included Yvette Yates (pictured below), Oscar Torre, Andrew Keegan (10 Things I Hate About You) and Aimee Garcia.

While on the red carpet, Oscar Torre of the CBS drama Cane shared his thoughts on the charity with us: “AIDS is an important issue, especially in the entertainment industry where you have friends that have passed away.”

“Awareness and education are important,” Torre added.

(Photos copyright Crystal A. Johnson)

Supporting A Colorful Vision Of Hollywood

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:23:33 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

The 15th annual Diversity Awards, a night when Hollywood celebrates diversity in the fields of film and television, took place at Universal Studios on November 17. The event is a benefit for the Multicultural Motion Picture Association’s (MMPA) Educational and Development Scholarship Fund, which helps talented and dedicated students seeking entry into the film and television professions.

The black tie event was open to the public at a ticket price of $300.00, and included a live auction conducted during the dinner in an effort to raise funds for the scholarship fund. A signed guitar by the members of R&B group Outkast was among the items for bid. A basketball signed by the original members of the Olympic Dream Team, including Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson, was also up for sale, and from the newer regime of basketball fame, there was a sneaker autographed by Kobe Bryant.

Celebrities of varied cultural backgrounds, including those of British, Haitian, Indian, Latino, Italian, and American descent, came to present awards and support the event. Antonio Sabato Jr, Tatayana Ali, Sharon Leal, Kel Mitchell, Kal Penn, Sally Richardson, Michael DeLorenzo, and Romeo were just a few of the stars of the film, television and music worlds to attend.

Oscar Torre, of the CBS hit “Cane”, expressed his excitement about presenting an award to “The Bronx is Burning”, a miniseries that represents multiple cultures. In a red carpet interview, Torre shared his sentiments about working on “Cane”: “I grew up watching very few Latinos on TV and when I would see them… they would be playing criminals, delinquents, and maids. It is great to do a show about Latinos, and Latinos doing well.”

Heroes star Jimmy-Jean Louis – commonly known as “The Haitian” – presented an award to his “Phat Girlz” co-star, Monique. Answering the question of how important it was to present drama that is diverse, Louis said “It is a shame that we have to make it a point, nowadays, when it should be normal to see all kinds of people on TV.” He also spoke proudly of the diversity on Heroes, “It has Japanese, Indians, Blacks, Haitians, Latinos and it is doing really well. The whole world is watching. Hopefully, in the next few years, there will be more shows like that which will bring people closer together to being able to accept each other.”

The awards gala opened with a spirited song and dance featuring moments from High School Musical 2, in homage to Kenny Ortega, winner of the award for Best Director of a Comedy or Musical for the blockbuster Disney sequel. Other distinguished award honorees included Leonardo DiCaprio and fellow producers of the eco-crisis documentary The 11th Hour, which received the award for Best Documentary.

Currently starring in American Gangster, Idris Elba took home the award for Best Actor in a Drama for Daddy’s Little Girls. When asked what it meant to him to receive the Diversity Award in this category, he replied “It‘s huge! The Diversity Award is a great award to get as a best actor…this is actually my first award ever. It’s also great to show there is diversity in our industry. The fact that a black man in a predominately black film can win this award is a huge step forward.”

Brittany Snow and Elijah Kelly won the Nova award for their artistic performance in the cult-classic turned hit summer film Hairspray. The Nova award is for rising young stars. Other Diversity Award winners included actor Jon Heder, and the casts of House, The Office, Shark, and Passions.

More information on winners can be found at www.thediversityawards.org.

Look To The Stars News: Oscar Torre

Look To The Stars Asks Oscar Torre

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