Look To The Stars News: Sean Penn

Ellen DeGeneres And Brad Pitt To Make It Right In New Orleans

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

Make It Right has announced that Ellen DeGeneres will join Brad Pitt as host of “A Night to Make It Right”, a charity gala to raise vital funds to complete Make It Right’s goal to build 150 environmentally friendly homes in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward.

The gala will be held at Hyatt Regency New Orleans on Saturday, March 10, 2012 and also celebrates the hotel’s grand re-opening. Performers will include Rihanna, Sheryl Crow, Seal and The Neville Brothers, and the host committee includes Sean Penn, Kevin Spacey, Spike Lee, Blake Lively, Djimon Hounsou, Josh Brolin, Bennett Miller and Chris Paul.

“I’m so happy I can be a part of this incredible foundation,” said Ellen DeGeneres, a long-time supporter of Make It Right. “I’m from New Orleans, I love New Orleans and I love that Make It Right continues to help the people there rebuild their beautiful city. Brad Pitt is amazing – not only for what he started, but also because, who else can make a hard hat look like a jaunty fall fashion accessory?”

Meet Leonardo DiCaprio For Charity

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:15:00 +0000

Acclaimed actor and hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio has partnered with leading charity auction site charitybuzz.com to auction the chance for a winning bidder and guest to meet him at one of his upcoming film premieres, with VIP seats and access to an excluisve after party.

Bidding on the experience, valued at $25,000, is open through February 8 – to access the auction, click here. 100 percent of net proceeds will benefit Sean Penn’s JP/HRO through the Cinema For Peace “Help Haiti Home” Online Auction.

The Cinema for Peace Foundation was founded in 2008 to raise public awareness of social inequality and injustice in the world through the medium of film. DiCaprio has been a longtime supporter of Cinema for Peace. Back in 2009, he received a “Green Oscar” from the organization.

Stars Help Honor Sean Penn's Work In Haiti

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

A host of stars were out in Beverly Hills in the weekend to celebrate Sean Penn and his work with the J/P Haitian Relief Organization.

A swag of celebrities – including Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Kim Kardashian, Mel Gibson, Orlando Bloom, George Clooney, Demi Moore, Diane Lane, Josh Brolin, Petra Nemcova, Emily Watson, Hilary Swank, Harvey Weinstein, James Gandolfini, Rumor Willis and many more – turned out at the Montage Hotel on Saturday to watch Penn be awarded the Cinema For Peace Honorary Award for his work in Haiti.

The event also featured a huge celebrity charity auction that saw one of Angelina Jolie’s rings go under the hammer for $60,000. Damien Rice bought one of Bono’s guitars for $475,000, and Julia Roberts’ husband, Danny Moder, forked out $50,000 for the chance to work with Penn in Haiti.

Meet Madonna And Help Sean Penn's Charity In Haiti

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Since her rise to super celebrity status, Madonna has auctioned everything from her gold-embellished tassled bustier to autographed Chanel boots to penned love letters. Now, the pop queen and living legend is putting herself on the online auction block for the first time ever to raise funds for a cause close to her heart.

Madonna has partnered with leading charity auction website Charitybuzz.com to offer the chance for one lucky winning bidder and a friend to meet her at the January 23rd premiere and afterparty for her newest film W.E. in New York City.

The experience, valued at $25,000, will raise funds for J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO), a nonprofit founded by Madonna’s ex-husband Sean Penn to rebuild the infrustructure destroyed by the earthquake and combat the poverty that the majority of Haitians are facing.

George Clooney To Present Sean Penn With Critics' Choice Charity Award

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) has announced that renowned actor and humanitarian Sean Penn will be presented with the fifth annual Joel Siegel Award at the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. The award will be presented by fellow actor and 13-time Critics’ Choice Award nominee George Clooney.

The ceremony will air live on VH1 on Thursday, January 12 at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

Given annually, this special award pays homage to beloved “Good Morning America” film critic and BFCA member Joel Siegel, who lost his long struggle with cancer in June 2007. It seeks to honor those who understand, as Joel did, that the greatest value of celebrity is as an enhanced platform to do good works for others.

Sean Penn And Miley Cyrus Feature In Celebrity Charity PSA For Haiti

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO) is proud to unveil a special new PSA campaign entitled “Help Haiti Home” featuring actors and artists such as Sean Penn, Edward Norton, Miley Cyrus, Zooey Deschanel, Sarah Silverman, Rainn Wilson, LL Cool J, Eric Dane and Pras describing what home means to them, connecting the dots to the struggles many Haitian people still face.

The project was conceived by actress and advocate Soleil Moon Frye after an inspiring trip to Haiti and a visit to J/P HRO Petionville Camp. She produced the spots and co-directed them along with the help of her brother, renowned photographer Meeno Peluce,

Oprah Makes Charity Trip To Haiti

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Oprah Winfrey has been in Haiti this week to visit some of the efforts being made to help the earthquake-ravaged country as the second anniversary of the disaster approaches.

The Talk Show Queen visited refugees with Sean Penn on Monday, saying “This is part of the next chapter, going around the world to see interesting and fascinating cases of profound examples of what can be done to make a difference in the world.”

Oprah also dined with Haiti President Michel Martelly during her trip, and visited several charity ventures, including Caribbean Craft, a business that was established through a loan scheme launched by Bill Clinton earlier this year.

Stars Celebrate Queen Noor Of Jordan At UNICEF Ball

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

The biennial UNICEF Ball, one of Los Angeles’ most notable black-tie benefit galas, took place on Thursday, December 8 at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel.

Nicole Richie

Celebrity Charity Gifts That Give Twice

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Looking for a gift to top all gifts this holiday season? Leading charity auction site charitybuzz.com is offering access to hundreds of once-in-a-lifetime celebrity experiences.

The site’s “Gifts That Give Twice Holiday Auction” features lots ranging from the chance to meet Christina Aguilera on set at The Voice to the chance to hang with BB King backstage.

Auction proceeds support the work of hundreds of nonprofit organizations around the world, such as the the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, Tibet House, True Colors Fund, GO Campaign and more.

Sean Penn Honored At Happy Hearts Fund Celebrity Charity Gala

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

More than 500 guests from over eight countries gathered on Saturday night in New York City to celebrate the Happy Hearts Fund Land of Dreams: Haiti event and to recognize “Heart of Gold” honoree Renee Haugerud and “Lifetime Achievement” honoree Sean Penn.

Photo: Petra Nemcova, Founder and Chairwoman, Happy Hearts Fund and evening performer Wyclef Jean.

Stars Honor Elizabeth Taylor At Inspiration Gala

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Last week’s amfAR Inspiration Gala in LA – “A Celebration of Men’s Style” – welcomed some of the biggest stars and honored the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who helped created amfAR in 1985.

Alek Wek, Reca Group’s Paolo Diacci and Colin Farrell

Sean Penn Helps Free American Hikers In Iran

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:05:00 +0000

Sean Penn reportedly helped secure the release of two Americans freed by Iran this week, by flying to Venezuela to ask President Hugo Chavez to talk with Iran’s leader.

Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer were freed last week after being arrested and charged with spying in July 2009 while trekking near the Iranian border.

Although highly critical of the US, Hugo Chavez provided a direct link to Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Sean Penn has been vocal in calling for an end to economic sanctions put on Venezuela.

Stars To Celebrate World Peace Day At Bullets4Peace Event

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:30:00 +0000

A number of celebrities will come together on Wednesday for a very special World Peace Day celebration in Hollywood with Bullets4Peace.

The third annual Reloading Life event will feature a very special live performance by peace activist and international vocal sensation Liel Kolet, with a guest list that includes host Chris Noth, Bullets 4 Peace founder Rafi Anteby, LOVA Tea co-founders Stephanie Cence and Tara Wilson, Akon, America Ferrera, Bill Maher, Bobby Brown, Boris Kodjoe, Brandon T. Jackson, Brandy, Brian McKnight, Cedric the Entertainer, Chris Pine, Cynthia Nixon, Dennis Haysbert, Donald Faison, Eric Dane, Esai Morales, Eva Marcille, Forest Whitaker, George Lopez, Hill Harper, Idris Elba, Jill Hennessy, John Corbett, John Slattery, Jordin Sparks, Julie Benz, Kathy Griffin, Kiefer Sutherland, Keke Palmer, Kristin Davis, Kyle Maclachlan, Lance Gross, Lenny Kravitz, Paul Johansson, Regina King, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sean Penn, Shannon Elizabeth, Taraji P. Henson, Tatyana Ali, Travis Barker, Vivica Fox, Zoe Kravitz, Wayne Brady and many others.

Bullets4Peace is a jewelry line made of recycled bullet casings taken from reload centers, streets, and war zones. When a bullet is fired the tip flies towards the target and the casing falls to the ground. Manufacturers reload these casings with live ammunition. Bullets4Peace intercepts this vicious cycle by transforming the casings into unique and stylish pendants insuring that these bullets will never find their way back to war zones, thus promoting harmony and peace. Bullets4Peace transforms war bullets into beautiful and unique jewelry as a way of spreading consciousness of peace.

Emma Stone And Olivia Wilde Honored For Supporting Cruelty-Free Cosmetics

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:30:00 +0000

When actors Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde chose to partner with Revlon, they were signing on to represent one of the country’s first mainstream cruelty-free cosmetics companies.

In 1990 — more than 10 years before either Stone or Wilde landed their first acting roles — Revlon agreed to PETA’s request to permanently ban all product testing on animals. In the intervening decades, it has held fast to that pledge. And for choosing to promote only cruelty-free cosmetics, Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde have both earned a Kind Choices Award from PETA. They will each receive a framed certificate and a card signed by PETA staffers.

“Emma, Olivia, and Revlon have our thanks for encouraging millions of fashion-forward young women to choose makeup that’s luxurious, not lethal,” says PETA Vice President of Laboratory Investigations Kathy Guillermo. “Cruelty-free companies such as Revlon make it easy for all of us to get a glamorous look without harming a hair on a bunny’s head.”

Hugh Jackman Joins Celebrity Friends At Charity Polo

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Celebrities such as Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Naomi Watts, Kathy Griffin and musician Wyclef Jean attended the fourth annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic last weekend (5 June 11) in New York City to benefit Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation’s Hope, Help & Rebuild Haiti (HHRH) mission.

Co-hosts of the event included Stephane Baschiera, president and CEO of Veuve Clicquot, Vanessa Kay, president of Veuve Clicquot USA, Polo superstar and Ralph Lauren model, Nacho Figueras, his wife Delfina Blaquier, and fashion designers Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan.

Grammy-winning musician Wyclef Jean, who performed impromptu during the pre-polo luncheon, spoke to JustLuxe about the fundraiser:

Photos: Celebrities Join Real Men Don't Buy Girls Campaign

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:30:00 +0000

As reported earlier this week by LookToTheStars.org, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have been joined by a host of their celebrity friends for a new initiative to fight child sex slavery.

“Child sex slavery is a difficult issue to think about, which makes it all the more important that we do,” remarked Ashton Kutcher. “Real Men do not ever buy children for sex. Period.”

Added Demi Moore: “People don’t realize child sex slavery is a serious problem in the United States. Young girls are victimized in the commercial sex industry every day. No 13-year-old girl chooses to be exploited for sex. Real Men love, care, and protect girls. Real Men don’t buy girls.”

Demi And Ashton Fight Child Sex Slavery With Celebrity Charity Video

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have been joined by a host of their celebrity friends – including Justin Timberlake, Sean Penn, Jamie Foxx, Drake, Jason Mraz and Bradley Cooper – for a new video initiative to fight child sex slavery.

Demi and Ashton are using their charity – the DNA Foundation – to launch the campaign, with its message that “Real Men Don’t Buy Girls.” According to CNN, 100,000 to 300,000 American children between 11 and 14 are vulnerable to being sold for sex every year.

“The average age of a girl involved in the sex trade is 13,” said Kutcher. "And the average man who buys a girl is 30-years-old, has no prior criminal record, and has a well-paying job.

Sean Penn To Be Honored At Ben Stiller Charity Event

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Once again, actor/humanitarian Sean Penn is set to be honored by several noteworthy change-makers for his selfless work in Haiti.

On Friday, February 11 at the Urban Zen Center in New York, celebrities such as Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Brett Ratner, Russell Simmons, Donna Karan, Andre Harrell, and Andre Balazs will raise their glasses during ‘The Toast to Celebrate and Help Haiti event’.

Proceeds from the event benefit both Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization and Stlller’s Stillerstrong Foundation.

Haiti One Year On: Sean Penn To Be Honored For Charity

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Sean Penn is to honored by the Producers Guild of America for his charity work in Haiti.

The actor/director will be awarded the 2011 Stanley Kramer Award for his work with the J/P Haitian Relief Organization in Haiti since the earthquake struck a year ago.

Penn’s humanitarian work has found him in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and more recently in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. In January 2010, Penn founded the Jenkins-Penn Haitian Relief Organization which focuses on medical aid, protection, and re-location. His organization is currently serving as UN IOM designated Camp Management for one of the largest IDP camps in Port-au-Prince and established the first emergency re-location in the country. They work with both government and non government agencies to deliver immediate results where the need is greatest. Their efforts include but are not limited to providing emergency medical and primary care services, delivering badly needed medical equipment and medicine, distributing food and water purification systems, improving communication systems, and rubble removal in the neighborhoods surrounding the Petionville Camp when they are camp managers. J/P HRO’s goal is to help lift the nation of Haiti out of the rubble and give the Haitian people a better life.

Sean Penn Accepts Hollywood Humanitarian Award

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

In December 2010, actor/activist/humanitarian Sean Penn, received the Hollywood Humanitarian Award for his work in Haiti through his J/P Haitian Relief Organization.

The following is an excerpt of his tearful and authentically heartfelt acceptance speech.

“When I was first notified – or rather asked – to accept the Hollywood Humanitarian Award recognizing the work of my organization JPHRO in Haiti, the very first thing that came to mind were the chuckles… of laughter of virtually everyone on my staff… at the notion of me being a humanitarian… I pride myself on being a functionary, and my staff rightly prides itself on being able to function under me despite the vitriol, slander and the outright tantrums and demand and bossiness placed on them by yours truly… they offer day in and day out their hearts, their hands, their skills and their love and generosity towards their fellow man, woman, and child in Haiti. It is they who are the humanitarians. They work through major storms, they dance through deadly bacteria, they looked past gun barrels and machete blades into the desperate eyes of people who have been left behind.

Sean Penn Calls On Doctors To End Cholera In Haiti

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Sean Penn is calling on doctor’s around the world to help end the cholera outbreak currently raging in Haiti.

“The current cholera epidemic in Haiti has affected over 7,000 Haitians and killed nearly 500 over the past few weeks,” he writes. "Dire sanitation conditions in camps throughout Port-Au-Prince make the dense population more vulnerable to this disease than ever before.

“J/P HRO NEEDS MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS TO JOIN THE FIGHT: We need at least 14 medics per week to support and continue our cholera-targeted medical operations. Licensed medical personnel who are flexible, resilient, resourceful, and comfortable working in an austere environment are encouraged to join our team.

Sean Penn And Bill Clinton Join Forces in Haiti

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:30:00 +0000

In a place that actor-activist Sean Penn describes as a “disaster beyond anyone’s experience, including the aid workers,” and where “the only legitimate leadership is fractured” due to the physical devastation caused by an earthquake in January of this year, there are those – besides Penn and his J/P Haitian Relief Organization (JPHRO) – who remain engaged in Haiti’s long and arduous recovery.

Former US president, Bill Clinton – who is a UN Special Envoy for Haiti – and his William J. Clinton Foundation will provide a half-million dollars for the camp run by JPHRO.

“Rebuilding housing for more than 1 million people displaced by the earthquake will take time, as teams on the ground continue to clear rubble and build infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems,” said Clinton in a press release. “In the interim, our commitment to the camp will ensure the 55,000 people living there, including many children, can access health care, education, and job training services until families are able to move into more permanent homes.”

Sean Penn To Be Honored For Charity Work At Hollywood Awards

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:30:00 +0000

The Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards are pleased to announce that Sean Penn will be recognized for his outstanding humanitarian achievements at the festival’s Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony.  

Sean Penn will be bestowed with the “Hollywood Humanitarian Award” for his incredible selfless and dedicated humanitarian efforts in saving lives, as well as bringing relief to the human suffering in Haiti.  

Penn’s humanitarian work has found him in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and more recently in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. In January 2010, Penn founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P Haitian Relief Organization) which focuses on medical aid, protection, and re-location. His organization is currently serving as UN IOM designated Camp Management for one of the largest IDP camps in Port-au-Prince and established the first emergency re-location in the country. They work with both government and non government agencies to deliver immediate results where the need is greatest. Their efforts include but are not limited to providing emergency medical and primary care services, delivering badly needed medical equipment and medicine, distributing food and water purification systems, improving communication systems, and rubble removal in the neighborhoods surrounding the Petionville Camp when they are camp managers. J/P HRO’s goal is to help lift the nation of Haiti out of the rubble and give the Haitian people a better life.

Sean Penn: A Hero In Haiti

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Caring for 50,000 people and delivering more than 100,000 medical supplies to Haiti in response to the January 12 earthquake, there’s nothing Sean Penn can’t do as the co-founder of the J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO).

“There’s something that takes over and it’s really an obligation because you see the strength of the people who have never experienced comfort, and the gifts that can give to people like myself and to our country and culture. You see the enormous gaps,” said Penn on “The Early Show.”

Penn, who has testified to Congress about the importance of taking action to rebuild Haiti, surely isn’t afraid of the dirty work, as he “dug trenches, hauled sacks of food, and delivered medicine,” reports The Independent.

Sean Penn Testifies For Haiti

Fri, 21 May 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Sean Penn missed the screening of his latest film – Fair Game – at Cannes yesterday so he could testify at a US Senate committee about the ongoing lack of staff and medical supplies in Haiti.

“In many cases, the bureaucracy of international aid is protecting people to death,” he said. “I come here today in the hope that we will address with bold clarity the razor’s edge upon which Haiti lies.”

The J/P Haitian Relief Organization (JP HRO) was set up by Sean Penn to save lives and bring relief to the Haitian people quickly and effectively. The organization was built to support the needs of hospitals, government, religious and community organizations, and works in tandem with U.S. government organizations and other charitable and non-governmental organizations. JP HRO currently employs nearly 100 Haitians including translators, security, drivers, doctors, nurses.