Look To The Stars News: Steven Spielberg

Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Attend War Horse Premiere For Charity

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:30:00 +0000

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the UK premiere of War Horse last week in aid of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Her Royal Highness is Patron of The Foundation, which was set up by The Duke and Prince Harry in 2009 and supports the Armed Forces as one of its key areas of focus.

The premiere was attended by 600 serving and ex-serving military personnel and their families as well as beneficiaries of military charities.

Steven Spielberg, Oprah And Tom Hanks Join Forces For PSAs

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:15:00 +0000

Hollywood heavyweights have come together for Michelle Obama and Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative in a new series of PSAs.

Steven Spielberg joins Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks in the three PSAs to bring attention to the unique needs and strength of America’s military families.

“The entertainment community answered the Joining Forces call and has done what they do best — bring to life stories that move us,” said Obama. “Through this PSA campaign, Americans will learn more about the unique challenges and needs of our military families, see their strength, resilience and service, and find out how they can give back to these extraordinary troops and families who have given us so much.”

Bono Nominated For Mikhail Gobachev Charity Award

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Bono, Steven Spielberg and Ted Turner are among the nine nominees of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Man Who Changed The World Award.

The award will be announced by the former Soviet leader on March 30 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, during a celebrity charity concert to celebrate his 80th birthday.

“This is an award for those who have shown themselves to be people capable of changing the world for the better,” said Gorbachev. “Each of the award nominees already made a big personal contribution to the development and changing of the world we live in for the better.”

Conan O'Brien To Host Unforgettable Evening For Charity

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Conan O’Brien will host this year’s An Unforgettable Evening benefiting the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund.

The event – to be held on Thursday, Feb 10 – will mark the 15th anniversary of the Women’s Cancer Research Fund which continues to raise support for innovative cancer research, such as the Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery Project and recognize remarkable individuals for their commitment to the cause. The Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery Project is working to identify and verify biomarkers that will lead to the development of a blood test for the detection of breast cancer at its earliest and most curable stages. The Women’s Cancer Research Fund is also funding research being conducted at prestigious, National Cancer Institute (NCI)-accredited medical institutes, UCLA Johnson Comprehensive Cancer Center and USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Martin Short will accept the 2011 Courage Award on behalf of his wife Nancy Short, who lost her battle with cancer in 2010. The Nat King Cole Award will be presented to Academy-Award nominee Annette Bening for her charitable works and contributions. The event will also feature a special musical performance by Grammy-winning artist Rihanna, who is nominated for four awards at the 2011 Grammys.

Stars Celebrate A Time For Peace

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

Time For Peace – the humanitarian film and music awards – was held in Paris on Friday, with Sting winning an accolade for best music, and Jimmy Jean-Louis attending.

The Time for Peace Film & Music Awards launched in New York in 1994 by Marion Einbeck and Robert Einbeck, is a response to the need for popularizing films and music recognized for their artistic quality that further the ideals of humanist values such as tolerance, better understanding between people, respect for differences, and human solidarity.

The award has previously been presented to filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg for Schindler’s List and later Amistad, Michael Radford for Il Postino, Scott Hicks for Shine, Caroline Link for Jenseits der Stille (Beyond Silence), Jan Sverak for Kolya, actor Robin Williams for his performance as Sean McGuire in Good Will Hunting, and last year to Edward Zwick for Blood Diamond; in music the award has gone to artists such as Stevie Wonder for Conversation Peace, Jewel for her songs Pieces of You and A Night Without Amor, Charles Trenet for his lifetime achievement, and in 2007 to Charles Aznavour for Colore Ma Vie, to mention only a few.

Steven Spielberg To Honor Dreamworks CEO With Humanity Award

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0000

On December 9, 2010, Steven Spielberg, founder of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute, will present Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation and longtime philanthropist, with the USC Shoah Foundation Institute’s highest honor, the Ambassadors for Humanity Award.

Jeffrey Katzenberg will be honored for his commitment and support of the organization and recognized for his work as a philanthropist and community leader. Craig Ferguson will host the Ambassadors for Humanity Gala with Grammy and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson as special musical guest.

The USC Shoah Foundation Institute collected and maintains an archive of nearly 52,000 video testimonies of Holocaust survivors and other witnesses in 32 languages and from 56 countries. The Ambassadors for Humanity Award honors individuals who embody the Institute’s goals of promoting tolerance, cultural understanding, and mutual respect through the educational use of the testimonies in its Visual History Archive.

Iranian Director Released From Jail

Wed, 26 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Earlier this month, LookToTheStars.org reported that a number of top Hollywood legends had signed a petition urging the Iranian government to free jailed filmmaker Jafar Panahi. We can now happily report that he has been released on bail.

Robert De Niro, Steven Spielberg, Robert Redford, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, the Coen Brothers, Ang Lee, Oliver Stone and Michael Moore all put their signatures to the petition, following the arrest of the filmmaker in March.

Panahi was arrested for his vocal support of Iran’s opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi. His release follows the end of the Cannes Film Festival, of which he was supposed to be a judge.

Filmmakers Unite To Free Jailed Director In Iran

Mon, 03 May 2010 15:30:00 +0000

A host of the film industry’s biggest names have signed a petition to urge the Iranian government to free jailed filmmaker Jafar Panahi.

Robert De Niro, Steven Spielberg, Robert Redford, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, the Coen Brothers, Ang Lee, Oliver Stone and Michael Moore have put their signatures to the petition, following the arrest of the filmmaker in March.

Panahi was arrested for his vocal support of Iran’s opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi.

Celebrity Guests Celebrate Oscars At Charity Parties

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The stars were out for charity over the weekend to celebrate the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.

The eighth annual Night Before gala hit Hollywood on Saturday night to raise money for the Motion Picture & Television Fund, an organization that supports people in the Southern California entertainment community with health and human services needs.

Among the stars to converge on the Beverly Hills Hotel for the event were George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Steven Spielberg, Robert Downey Jr and many more.

George Clooney Presents Jerry Weintraub Humanitarian Award

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

On December 10, the UNICEF Ball brought together Hollywood’s biggest stars for a fundraising gala to honor those individuals who have made key contributions to UNICEF’s mission to save and improve children’s lives worldwide. The evening raised more money for the organization than any UNICEF Ball to date.

Producer and long-time philanthropist Jerry Weintraub was honored as Man of the Year with UNICEF’s Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award. The special black-tie evening took place at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, in Beverly Hills, CA.

Steven Spielberg To Receive Human Rights Award

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:30:00 +0000

He is one of the best known movie directors in the world, and now Steven Spielberg is being recognized for his human rights work.

The director will be presented with The Anti-Defamation League’s highest honor – America’s Democratic Legacy Award – at their annual Los Angeles fundraiser next month.

The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Now the nation’s premier civil rights/human relations agency, ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all.

Stars For A Cause To Raise Charity Funds Tonight

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A selection of items designed and decorated by some of Entertainment’s biggest stars will go under the hammer at Bonhams and Butterfields Auction House in Los Angeles tonight, May 28.

The Stars For A Cause Auction features a wide range of rare and collectable items, such as posters signed by Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anna Paquin, David Duchovny, Rumer Willis, Jonas Brothers, P. Diddy, America Ferrera, Hayden Panettiere, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Anne Hathaway, Steve Carell, Emma Thompson, Marisa Tomei, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Tina Fey, Steven Spielberg and many more.

There are also shoes from William Shatner and Ludacris, and bags adorned with kisses from Al Roker, Nancy O’Dell, Nicollette Sheridan, Marcia Cross, Hugh Laurie, Phillip Seymore Hoffman, Geena Davis, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher, Reese Witherspoon, Kelly Clarkson, Green Day, Keira Knightley, Paula Abdul, John Legend and many more.

George Clooney Makes Statement Against Imprisonment Of Nobel Prize Winner

Mon, 18 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

George Clooney joined Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and many others on Friday in calling for the immediate release from prison of Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Along with Bono, Madonna, Steven Spielberg, Nobel Laureates professor Elie Wiesel and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright and US Senator John McCain, the group released a statement protesting about the fact that Aung San Suu Kyi – who has been under house arrest for 19 years – has now been moved to a prison facility.

The only Nobel Peace Prize recipient currently imprisoned, and leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma, Suu Kyi is a noted prisoner of conscience and advocate of nonviolent resistance.

Philanthropy Spotlight: Harrison Ford

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars’ Features Editor Tim Saunders takes an in-depth look at the career and philanthropy of Harrison Ford.

Unlike Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford actually likes snakes. In fact he likes a lot of the creatures that most people fear. He even has a Californian spider, Calponia harrisonfordi, named after him, its eight hairy legs enough to give almost anyone nightmares, and a South American ant also bears his name. Snakes of all sorts make their home around the white-painted ranch house he built himself in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and they slither and slide their way in and out of the shrubs and pockets of grass that dot the barren landscape.

The mountains that surround Ford’s house are among the most rugged in the state. Their jagged peaks create a feeling that the whole world exists within their confines, and the arid plains that run between them consistently record some of the most extreme temperatures in the United States. It is an area that conjures up images of America’s pioneers, of Lois and Clarke, of place names such as Owl Creek, Dead Indian Pass, and the Big Horn Mountains, romantic visions of a past long gone.

Stars Come Out For Charity The Night Before

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:00:00 +0000

The entertainment industry’s biggest stars are set to shine this weekend at the annual Academy Awards, but the night before the big event they will be partying it up to support the Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation.

The 7th annual The Night Before event will take place on Saturday, February 21, at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, and aims to help provide charitable health and community services to entertainment industry people in need.

The first Night Before event was held in 2003 and instantly became one of the most coveted invitations in town kicking off what is now a much-anticipated awards season tradition. Since its inception, the Night Before fundraiser has raised more than $30 million for MPTF.

Bono Faces The Real Deal In Elle Magazine

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:00:00 +0000

As a rock and roll star, Bono has written some of the most important music of our time, and now, the U2 front man has been asked by ELLE Magazine to turn a page (RED) and address “the greatest health crisis in 600 years: HIV/AIDS.”

In his one page letter, which appears in this month’s edition, Bono shares startling statistics on HIV/AIDS, including the fact that 90% of new cases occur in females aged 15-24. “I can’t get my head around that fact, let alone get it out of my head” he writes. Bono also shares details of his journey to Africa six years ago, where he witnessed the devastating effect the disease has had on the communities, including “orphans raising orphans.”

Bono also writes about the importance of (RED), its products and the pure power of consumer activism. “They have power in their pockets,” he writes, “(RED) raises money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS—$120 million so far. That is enough to buy drugs for more than 750,000 people for a year. (RED) funds prevention and counseling programs as well as treatment, and is now the thirteenth biggest contributor to the Global Fund; it’s giving more than many countries.”

Gwyneth Paltrow And Courteney Cox Honored For Charity Work

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Gwyneth Paltrow and Courteney Cox were honored at the 14th Annual Saks Fifth Avenue’s Unforgettable Evening benefiting the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund in Beverly Hills last night, February 10.

The annual event raises much needed funds each year for innovative cancer research, and recognizes one remarkable individual for his or her unwavering commitment to the cause.

Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow received the 2009 Courage Award. She, along with her mother, Blythe Danner, and brother, Jake Paltrow, established the Bruce Paltrow Fund in memory of her father who lived with oral cancer for several years. The Bruce Paltrow Fund, set up through The Oral Cancer Foundation and with support from the EIF, works to prevent oral cancer through public education, early detection and patient support. In 2008, Paltrow served as ambassador for EIF and Saks Fifth Avenue’s KEY TO THE CURE Initiative, appearing in a nationwide public service announcement to raise funds and awareness for women’s cancers.

Bid 2 Beat AIDS Auction Jam-Packed With Stars

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:30:00 +0000

December 1st marked World AIDS Day. It was also the first day of BID 2 BEAT AIDS’s 4th annual charity auction.

Fans of celebrities in film, music, television, sports and Broadway have 10 days to bid on eBay for autographed items, VIP seats, original art, costumes and props, memorabilia, exclusive events and meet-and-greets from a legion of stars.

Autographs range from CDs by stars like Bon Jovi and Amy Winehouse, books signed by Madonna and Kevin Bacon, posters signed by Jake Gyllenhaal, Owen Wilson, and Matthew McConaughey, DVDs signed by Will Ferrell and Steven Spielberg, and toys, clothes, instruments and other memorabilia.

Anthony Edwards' African Mission

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

The last time “ER” fans saw Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene was in 2002, when his character died. But last week, Edwards reprised his role and Dr. Greene reappeared during a series of flashbacks to when he was still alive.

What would prompt the actor to reprise his role? Because he saw a way to help countless children in Kenya.

For the past three years, Edwards has worked with Shoe4Africa, a non-profit dedicated to empowering Africans by providing them with running shoes, educating them about AIDS, and – in its largest project to-date – building a $15M children’s’ hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.

Slash Says No To Proposition 8

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:15:00 +0000

Former Guns ‘N’ Roses guitarist Slash has joined the fight against Proposition 8.

The musician has filmed a new video with his wife – Mrs Slash, AKA Perla Hudson – in which they urge people to protest against the decision that will ban same-sex marriages in California.

In the video, Slash plays the Star Spangled Banner on his guitar while Hudson says, “I married my sweetheart, you should be able to marry yours too. Say no to hate and yes to equal rights. Keep up the fight.”

ER's Anthony Edwards Returns For Charity

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Viewers of ER would have noticed the return of a favorite character in the latest episode that screened in the US last night, November 13. Dr Mark Greene, played by Anthony Edwards, made a welcome return after being killed off 8 years ago – and he has donated his appearance fee to charity.

The episode centered on Dr. Cate Banfield, played by Angela Bassett, and her attempts to revive a little girl submerged under Lake Michigan for 20 minutes. The storyline recalled a similar crisis in which Dr. Greene has to to save another child whose plight seemed helpless, and how that incident inspired Banfield in her career.

For Edwards, the chance to appear once more on the long-running hospital drama came at a perfect time for a project he was considering with Shoe4Africa, a charity that encourages empowerment through sports & education, creates unique health initiatives, and promotes Aids awareness.

Drew Barrymore Says No To Propostion 8

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Drew Barrymore joined thousands of protestors in West Hollywood over the weekend to march against Proposition 8, the controversial initiative to ban same-sex marriage in California.

“Thank you for allowing us be a part of this,” the 33-year said to protestors through a megaphone. “So many people that I love are being affected by this, people who have defined who I am. This cannot happen. We have to change this. This is so wrong. With all my heart, I could not feel more passionate about this.”

The actress is not alone in her opposition to Prop 8, with donations being made by Brad Pitt ($100,000), Steven Spielberg ($100,000), TR Knight ($50,000) David Geffen ($50,000), and Peter Wentz, and support from Barack Obama and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ellen DeGeneres, and Fall Out Boy.

5 Friends Voting Video Makes A Comeback

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Hollywood is a land of sequels – and so be prepared for another one. Hot on the heals of last month’s 5 Friends video organized by Declare Yourself comes 5 Friends 2.

With only days until the US elections, a new video has been produced to encourage people to get out and vote, with stars such as Orlando Bloom, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Snoop Dogg, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Ben Stiller, Will Smith, Steven Spielberg, Justin Timberlake, Zach Braff, Colin Farrell, Neil Patrick Harris, Scarlett Johansson, Shia LeBeouf, Tobey Maguire, Ryan Reynolds, and Jason Segal making an appearance.

Along with a selection of people off the street, the stars say exactly why they are voting.

Ellen DeGeneres Records Anti-Prop 8 PSA

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Ellen DeGeneres has produced a Public Service Announcement in opposition to Proposition 8, the initiative that seeks to ban same-sex marriages in California.

“I did something this year I thought I’d never get to do – I got married,” said the talk show host, who wedded Portia De Rossi in September. “It was the happiest day of my life… I believe in fairness, I believe in compassion, I believe in equality for all people – Proposition 8 does not. Please, please vote No on Prop 8.”

The PSA follows a blog posted on her website earlier this month, in which she openly blasted the bill, and her appearance at a high profile “Say Yes To Prop 2” party.

Grey's Anatomy Star Says No To Proposition 8

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Grey’s Anatomy actor TR Knight is the latest star to step up against Proposition 8 in California.

The 35-year-old has donated $50,000 towards the campaign to defeat the ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in California. His support of the issue follows recent donations to the cause by Brad Pitt ($100,000), Steven Spielberg ($100,000), David Geffen ($50,000), Peter Wentz, and support from Barack Obama and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ellen DeGeneres, and Fall Out Boy.

Knight’s donation comes in response to Ohio entrepreneur Jonathan Lewis’ challenge to the entertainment industry for LA’s actors to raise $500,000 against Prop. 8. Lewis and his family has pledged to match the contributions dollar for dollar. The issue goes to the polls on November 4, and according to a new survey carried out by CBS in San Francisco this week, 47% are going to vote for the ban with 42% likely to vote against.