Look To The Stars News: Marlee Matlin

LTTS Exclusive: Dancing With The Stars' Louis Van Amstel Talks Charity

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Misty Schwartz of Look To The Stars recently caught up with Dancing With the Stars pro Louis Van Amstel, who is on tour to promote his lifestyle brand (and just-released 5-disc workout DVD set) called LaBlast Fitness.

What is the criteria for choosing the charities that you so strongly support?

Meat Loaf And Miley Cyrus To Perform So The World May Hear

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Bill Clinton, Marlee Matlin, Doug Pitt and Randy Hogan will be honored at this year’s Starkey Hearing Foundation So The World May Hear Awards Gala.

Each year, the Foundation’s So the World May Hear Awards Gala recognizes those who have made a commitment to helping others and affect positive change in the world. The Starkey Hearing Foundation joins forces with celebrities and athletes alike to raise awareness and deliver the gift of hearing to those in need around the world.

The So the World May Hear gala will feature performances by Reba, Meat Loaf, LIBERA and Miley Cyrus, along with two surprise performances. Additional celebrities currently scheduled to attend include: Patricia Arquette, Hilary Swank, Whoopi Goldberg, Maria Bello, Verne Troyer, Buzz Aldrin, Kevin Sorbo, Gary Busey, Kevin Costner, Phil Hellmuth, Larry Fitzgerald, Santonio Holmes, Roy Williams and many more.

Marlee Matlin And Dana Delany Stand Up For Their Fathers

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Marlee Matlin and Dana Delany have both paid tribute to their fathers to help raise awareness of Stand Up To Cancer.

“For people who are afraid to TALK about cancer, for people who are afraid to communicate with their loved ones about it, and for the people who want to pretend cancer doesn’t exist, either delaying diagnosis or not getting regular checkups, the consequences can be fatal,” said Marlee, whose father was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, in a post in the Huffington Post. "Doing nothing about cancer will kill you. That’s why in honor of my Dad this Father’s Day, I’m STANDING UP, encouraging men like my Dad to talk openly and freely when it comes to matters of health. It’s up to us to remind our Dads to get regular checkups, and if something just doesn’t feel right, to get to the doctor. Tell your Dad to make sure to deal with your family honestly about your fears. No one should ever be ashamed to cry. This Father’s Day, let’s remind our Dads that family and friends are probably the best weapons one could have against cancer. They can share the burden, potentially provide information and resources or just be there to hold your hand.

“I love you Dad. I want us to spend many, many more Father’s Days together. It may be true that silence is easy, but believe me when I say that when it comes to cancer, silence is the last thing the world will hear from me. You can bet on it.”

Marlee Matlin And Celebrity Friends To Deliver Hearing Aids To Children

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:30:00 +0000

With the help of a star-studded line-up of celebrities from daytime, primetime and reality television, the Starkey Hearing Foundation, dedicated to building better lives for the hearing impaired by providing hearing instruments to those in need, announced today that it will deliver the gift of hearing to more than 100 under-served, hearing-impaired children and adults from the Las Vegas area.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation Las Vegas Hearing Mission will take place on Saturday, June 18, 2011, at the Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom C from 10:00am to 3:00pm. The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s Las Vegas Hearing Mission sponsors are the Las Vegas Hilton, Associated Television International, and the Daytime Emmy’s (National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences).

John Rich Wins Celebrity Apprentice

Mon, 23 May 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Country music star John Rich has been named the overall winner of Celebrity Apprentice 2011, narrowly beating deaf actress Marlee Matlin.

During the series, he won $1.5 million for his chosen charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. According to his official website, "The real winners are the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. John has fought hard all season for these kids and tonight we are happy to report John came out on top.

“With over $1M raised for the kids John would like to thank everyone who helped – friends, family and you, the fans. What an amazing feat and to think of the thousands of kids this is going to help is just that – amazing.

Red Cross Announces New Stars For National Celebrity Cabinet

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Five celebrities join the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need – down the street, across the country and around the world.

New members include talk show host and designer Nate Berkus, Emmy and Tony award winning performer Kristin Chenoweth, Latin star and multiple award winner Rogelio Martinez, award-winning country artist Darius Rucker, and Christian/Pop recording artist, Michael W. Smith.

With the addition of the five new members, the Red Cross now has 40 members on its National Celebrity Cabinet. This group of newcomers joins the National Celebrity Cabinet that also includes Josh Duhamel, Alyssa Milano, Greg Biffle, Pierce Brosnan, Jim Cantore, Jackie Chan, Chayanne, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Sara Evans, George Foreman, Leeza Gibbons, Amy Grant, Pat Green, Marcia Gay Harden, Patricia Heaton, Julianne Hough, Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Patti LaBelle, Demi Lovato, Eli and Peyton Manning, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Phil McGraw, Nancy O’Dell, Masi Oka, Rascal Flatts, Amanda Peet, Sally Pressman, Elisabeth Rohm, Anika Noni Rose, Jane Seymour, Jimmy Smits, Raven Symone and Daddy Yankee.

Marlee Matlin Takes Hearing Aids To African Children

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Deaf actress Marlee Matlin was in Africa this week to help the Starkey Hearing Foundation build better lives for the hearing impaired by providing hearing instruments to those in need.

Along with a number of football stars, Marlee has embarked on a 24-day mission to Africa to deliver more than 22,000 state-of-art hearing devices to children and adults across the continent.

“I have been a friend and supporter of the Starkey Hearing Foundation for about eight years now and believe whole-heartedly in their work to bring the gift of hearing to those who would normally not have access to this level of hearing care, which is essential for one to realize their true and full potential,” said Marlee Matlin. “I have participated in previous hearing missions, and look forward to joining them on this second trip to Africa where there is such a great need for what Starkey is doing.”

Gary Busey To Support Head Injury Center In Celebrity Apprentice

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:16:00 +0000

Actor Gary Busey is set to appear on the 11th season of ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ and will donate any winnings from the reality-show to the St. Louis-based charity, The Center for Head Injury Services.

Busey was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in 1988. At the time, he was not wearing a helmet and suffered a fractured skull, a brain injury and a four week coma. After recovery, he returned to his film career and has since worked as an advocate for traumatic injury treatment and prevention, particularly urging the use of motorcycle helmets.

He was looking to donate any money he got from “Celebrity Apprentice” to an organization that works directly with people who have survived brain injuries.

Celebrities Support Red Cross For Christmas

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

More than a dozen celebrities are urging their fans and the public to donate to the American Red Cross this holiday season and give a gift that could save the day for someone in need.

Celebrities who are actively encouraging support for the Red Cross holiday giving campaign include actors Josh Duhamel, Marlee Matlin, Jane Seymour, Jackie Chan and Jimmy Smits; television personalities Dr. Phil McGraw, Nancy O’Dell and Leeza Gibbons; and award-winning music stars Chayanne, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Wynonna Judd, Sara Evans and Pat Green. All are members of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet.

The Red Cross holiday giving campaign features an online Gifts that Save the Day catalog that enables people to make a tax-deductible charitable donation this holiday season that could provide food and shelter for a disaster victim for a day; a military comfort kit with a robe, phone or music card and other supplies for a wounded warrior; or basic necessities for a family who lost everything in a disaster.

Michael Douglas Takes Part In Stand Up To Cancer Event

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Michael Douglas made an emotional appearance via video at the massive Stand Up To Cancer television event on September 10.

“Cancer doesn’t care how many Oscars you’ve won or how many tough guys you’ve played,” said the actor, who is currently battling stage 4 throat cancer.

A huge number of stars took part in the event – simulcast live and commercial-free on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Bio, Discovery Health, E!, G4, HBO, HBO Latino, MLB Network, mun2, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, The Style Network, TV One, and VH1 – including Elizabeth Banks, Kathy Bates, Sir Richard Branson, Michael Chiklis, George Clooney, Baron Davis, Emily Deschanel, Bill Hader, Dorothy Hamill, Anne Heche, Cheryl Hines, Randy Jackson, George Karl, Dr. Jon Lapook, Rob Lowe, Jane Lynch, Marlee Matlin, Shareen Mitchell, Olivia Munn, Lisa Niemi, Kelly Osbourne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Passmore, Will Smith, Sam Trammell, Denzel Washington, Aaron Yoo, Renee Zellweger, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tatyana Ali, Dave Annable, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, David Boreanaz, Abigail Breslin, Cindy Crawford, Fran Drescher, Elizabeth Edwards, Donald Faison, Sally Field, Derek Fisher, Michael C. Hall, Alyson Hannigan, Tony Hawk, Jon Heder, Marg Helgenberger, Terrence Howard, Ken Jeong, Rashida Jones, Minka Kelly, Laura Linney, Zachary Levi, Ray Liotta, Seth MacFarlane, Mandy Moore, Apolo Anton Ohno, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Jim Parsons, Aubrey Plaza, Dr. Ana Maria Polo, Yarel Ramos, Naya Rivera, Robin Roberts, Seth Rogen, The Simpsons, Eric Stonestreet, Marcia Strassman, Alison Sweeney, Maura Tierney, Gabrielle Union, Sofia Vassilieva, Sofia Vergara, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Reese Witherspoon and Ethan Zohn.

George Clooney Joins Stand Up To Cancer Lineup

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:00:00 +0000

The extraordinary lineup of actors, musicians, athletes and journalists participating in the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) primetime roadblock television fundraising event (September 10, 2010, at 8PM EST & PST / 7PM CT) continues to grow.

The following supporters have now joined the broadcast: Elizabeth Banks, Kathy Bates, Sir Richard Branson, Michael Chiklis, George Clooney, Baron Davis, Emily Deschanel, Bill Hader, Dorothy Hamill, Anne Heche, Cheryl Hines, Randy Jackson, George Karl, Dr. Jon Lapook, Rob Lowe, Jane Lynch, Marlee Matlin, Shareen Mitchell, Olivia Munn, Lisa Niemi, Kelly Osbourne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Passmore, Will Smith, Sam Trammell, Denzel Washington, Aaron Yoo and Renee Zellweger.

Ellen DeGeneres Kicks Up Her Heels For Celebrity Charity Auction

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Kimmel, and Elton John are just several celebrities who are kicking off their shoes for the Second Annual Hillsides Foster Soles auction.

Held during Foster Care Awareness Month in May, the annual online auction raises awareness of national foster care issues and the plight of children and youth in the system by auctioning off celebrity signed shoes and photographs.

The online auction, which runs from May 4 through May 20, includes autographed shoes from Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Kimmel, Elton John, Billy Joel, Larry King, Ryan Seacrest, Billy Zane, Dave Koz, Jack Johnson, Jamie Kennedy, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Drew Pinsky, “Dancing with the Stars” performers, Wayne Newton, Adam Sandler, Florence Henderson, Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, and many more – including USA Network’s cast of “Burn Notice.”

Alyssa Milano Among New Stars Named In Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The American Red Cross has announced eight new members to its National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need – down the street, across the country and around the world.

New members include actor Penn Badgley, who is best known as Dan Humphrey on the television series Gossip Girl, Giselle Blondet, a Puerto Rican who has long established herself as one of Spanish-language television’s most distinguished and popular on-air personalities, actor Josh Duhamel, who appeared in the hit movie Transformers, country music superstar Wynonna Judd, actor and hip hop music icon, LL Cool J, award winning actress and country music superstar Reba McEntire, actress and humanitarian Alyssa Milano, and actor, comedian and television personality David Spade. With the addition of the eight new members, the Red Cross now has more than 40 members on its National Celebrity Cabinet.

“The American Red Cross runs on the valuable service of volunteers to fulfill our mission, and we are grateful that these celebrities are setting an example by volunteering their time and talents to help raise awareness of our work in responding to disasters, providing blood, helping military members and their families and promoting preparedness through first aid or CPR classes,” states Gail McGovern, President and CEO of American Red Cross.

Alison Sweeney Hosts Celebri-Tree Charity Open House

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Hallmark Cards, Inc. and actress Alison Sweeney (“Days of our Lives,” “The Biggest Loser”) recently hosted the Celebri-Tree Holiday Open House to support Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity.

During the event at Sweeney’s Hollywood home, celebrity guests and their families personalized such items as Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, Recordable Cards, DVD Greetings and Hallmark’s new Recordable Storybook “The Night Before Christmas.” A selection of those personalized items are now available for purchase — just in time for Christmas — online at www.clothesoffourback.org; all proceeds will go directly to Feeding America. The online auction ends Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. CST.

“As a member of the Entertainment Council of Feeding America, I’m passionate about finding unique ways to help raise awareness and support for their cause. The opportunity to host this event with Hallmark couldn’t have been more perfect,” Sweeney said. “Anyone can join America’s fight against hunger by bidding on their favorite celebrity’s personalized holiday items from Hallmark.”

American Red Cross Announces Celebrity Cabinet

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

The American Red Cross is pleased to announce five new additions to its National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need.

New members to the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet include country singer and professional ballroom dancer Julianne Hough, Tony Award-winner and actress Anika Noni Rose, who lends her voice to the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated comedy adventure “The Princess and the Frog” and appears in the HBO/Anthony Minghella television drama series,“#1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”, Hollywood Records artist and Disney Channel star Demi Lovato, who is supporting disaster relief via a Text 2 Help campaign throughout her summer tour, actress Sally Pressman from Lifetime’s “Army Wives” who will be supporting Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces, and actress Amanda Peet.

Peet has already made a personal commitment to support the Red Cross Measles Initiative. “As a mom, I feel privileged to support the American Red Cross in their efforts to vaccinate millions of children around the world through the Measles Initiative, a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. I commend the American Red Cross for tackling this global health problem in developing countries, where measles remains a leading cause of death, despite the availability of a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine. I am passionate about this cause and look forward partnering with the American Red Cross to ensure children worldwide have this life-saving opportunity.”

Stars Support First Book Campaign

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Following last year’s successful What Book Got You Hooked campaign, literacy charity First Book is once again joining with the stars to raise awareness.

What Book Got You Hooked is an initiative of First Book, a charity whose mission is to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. The online campaign highlights the importance of books in the lives of children – especially for those in need.

From now through September 30, visitors to the First Book website are asked to share their memory of the first book that made reading fun, then help get more children hooked by voting for the state to receive a special donation of 50,000 new books for children in need. Visitors are also invited to make a $10 donation, to help provide four brand new books for a child in need.

Celebrities Give Their Soles To Foster Care Centre

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The first “Foster Soles” online charity auction took place last month to support Hillsides, a Los Angeles foster care and treatment centre.

Foster Soles collected the shoes of dozens of big names, such as Denzel Washington, Elton John, Jake Gyllenhaal and Nicolas Cage, who autographed their footwear before putting them up on the block.

Proceeds of the auction will be used by Hillsides for their programs and in public awareness. Once an orphanage, it is now a private, non-profit centre providing abused children with a safe refuge and advocating for their rights. Hillsides’ website says, “Although [the children] come from all over Southern California and encompass every ethnic and socioeconomic group, they share a common experience – the emotional scars that result from child abuse. With counselling and mental health treatment, children at Hillsides learn that they are not alone, that they are safe and cared for. Six programs constitute the framework for Hillsides treatment services – Residential Treatment, the Education Center, the Family Center and Advocacy.”

Marlee Matlin Speaks Out Against Domestic Violence

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Actress Marlee Matlin is using the buzz surrounding her recently launched book to bring attention to abuse and domestic violence.

Her memoir, I’ll Scream Later, covers much of Matlin’s life, including her own battles with addiction and the physical and sexual abuses she has endured. But her message is that no one should put up with it.

In an interview on Larry King Live, Matlin made the point that much of her inability to help herself was due to ignorance. When a 16-year-old babysitter abused her as a child, she did not tell anyone because she didn’t know what to do, yet she couldn’t forget and found an escape in drugs. When her high school teacher traded molestation for passing grades, she thought the only thing wrong with the relationship was that he was married. When she was physically abused by a former boyfriend, she didn’t know that it was illegal, that she could ask a neighbour for help, that she could call 911.

NFL Star Holds Charity Golf Tournament

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:32:00 +0000

The day after setting the record straight about his future with the Miami Dolphins, NFL star Jason Taylor hosted a celebrity golf tournament in Florida to benefit the Jason Taylor Foundation.

The Dancing with the Stars defensive man was joined by an all-star list of celebrities including several of Taylor’s Dancing with the Stars cast-mates, such as partner Edyta Sliwinska, Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, and her dance partner Fabian Sanchez.

Activities prior to the big tee-off included a gala dinner and charity auction at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood (Florida). Sports stars that turned out in full force to support Taylor’s efforts at supporting the children of South Florida included: Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis Colts All-Pro), Mike Piazza (12-time Major League Baseball All-Star), Eddie George (former Tennessee Titans All-Pro), Alonzo Mourning (Miami Heat All-Star), Brady Quinn (Cleveland Browns Quarterback), Jeff Conine (1995 MLB All-Star MVP), Al Leiter (two-time MLB All-Star), and many others.

Red Cross Announces The 2008 Celebrity Cabinet

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:36:00 +0000

The American Red Cross unveiled their 7th annual National Celebrity Cabinet yesterday, February 28, with 15 new members from movies, sports, and television.

Skateboard legend Tony Hawk will join former Beverly Hills 90210 and Dancing With The Stars alum Jennie Garth, Heroes’ Masi Oka, Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley, House M.D.’s Lisa Edelstein and Kal Penn, Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz, Grey’s Anatomy’s Sara Ramirez, Scrubs’ Judy Reyes, Everyone Loves Raymond’s Patricia Heaton, Hairspray’s Brittany Snow, two-time NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, New York Yankee Robinson Cano, NFL star Matt Leinart, and Life Coach Iyanla Vanzant in the 2008 Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, part of a mobilizing force to urge people to perform extraordinary life-saving acts in dire circumstances through the assistance of the Red Cross.

“I am extremely honored to participate in the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, especially at a time when we have the ability to do so much for people around the world who have endured such tragedies,” said new member Jennie Garth. “The Red Cross brings help and hope to those in need and has done tremendous good for so many different people on a global level. I believe this is a time when we can educate others and the Red Cross allows for the opportunity for each individual to contribute to the effort. I am grateful that I am able be part of this amazing organization.”