Look To The Stars News: Joe Mantegna

Bid On Celebrity Puzzle Pieces For Autism

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0000

In support of Autism awareness, Baby Swags has received over 40 celebrity signed puzzle pieces to show support for Autism Awareness and the charity ACT Today!.

Some of today’s hottest teen celebrities came out to show support, such as Tiffany Thornton and Allisyn Ashley Arm from the hit show, “Sonny With A Chance”, Jennifer Stone from Wizards of Waverly Place, iCarly star Jennette McCurdy and many more.

“We have asked each celebrity to sign his or her puzzle piece and return it to Baby Swags”, states Phyllis Pometta, founder of Baby Swags. “Once each piece was received, we framed it and have placed it up for auction with Charity Folks and 100% of the profits will go directly to benefit the non-profit charity organization, ACT Today!”

The celebrities attended the two-day, highly anticipated, Baby & Tween Celebration LA that was held on April 25 & 26, 2009. At this event, each celebrity had the opportunity to hand deliver their signed puzzle piece over to Baby Swags at their exclusive lounge; “The Rockin Lollipop Lounge”. By being present at this event, each celebrity was photographed while holding their ‘piece to the puzzle’.

The Baby Swags online charity auction will take place online and can be found at http://www.charityfolks.com/babyswags, where you will find signed puzzle pieces from supporters such as actress Holly Robinson-Peete, Pro-Skateboarder Tony Hawk, actress Jennie Garth, reality star Trista Sutter, singer Chris Daughtry, The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney, actor Jim Belushi, actor Joe Mantegna, singer Carnie Wilson and many others.

Baby Swags specializes in promoting pregnancy and juvenile related products by providing celebrity, corporate and charity gifting opportunities to entrepreneurial women. Baby Swags fully supports the work-at-home mom, their products and services to which they provide to and for the everyday mom.

ACT Today! is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase access to effective autism treatments. Their goal is to introduce and help facilitate early and on-going treatment by providing the necessary resources including guidance, referrals, funding and follow up to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and their families.

For more information on ACT Today!, visit www.act-today.org.

Celebrities Urge People To Stop Using The "R" Word

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Celebrities & Special Olympics Bocce Athletes joined together for the Southern California’s inaugural Celebrity Bocce Tournament held on the lawn at the historic Culver Studios, where all proceeds benefited the Special Olympics Southern California, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

This inaugural event saw guests, athletes and celebrities strolling the lawn dressed in white attire while eating and drinking One Hope Wine, while asking the world to “Spread the Word to End the Word.” It was just one such event encouraging people to stop and think before using the disparaging and hurtful word: ‘retard.’ To learn more, please visit www.r-word.org.

Kristy Swanson

The participating Bocce teams were each comprised of four players, one celebrity and one Special Olympics Bocce Athlete as team captain. KCAL9 News Anchor Pat Harvey and Olympic Decathlon Gold Medallist Rafer Johnson served as the events co-chairs, while the event’s emcee was Jesse “Boy Toy” Lozano of KIIS-FM.

Maureen McCormick

Participating celebrities who would like you to think twice before the using the ’Word" included: Joe Mantegna, John Ratzenberger, Kristy Swanson, Matthew Gray Gubler, Victor Alfieri, Yvette Nicole Brown, Maureen McCormick, Jeremy Ratchford, Brandon Molale, Jimmy Jean Louis, Sunny Mabrey, Jason Dolley, Ethan Embry, AJ Michalka, Anthony Anderson, Jillian Claire, Marta McGonagle, Danielle Petty, Nancy LaScala, DB Freeman, Andrea Freedman, Lloyd Eisler and Anya Monzikova.

Joe Mantegna

Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) offers year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and closely-related developmental disabilities. All programs are free to the athletes and their families. By instilling lifelong habits of physical fitness and influencing each athlete’s willingness to accept new challenges, Special Olympics changes lives. Many new doors are opened as athletes build on their athletic successes and gain the courage to try new things in all areas of their lives- classroom, workplace, home and the community. For additional information, please visit www.sosc.org.

John Ratzenberger

LTTS Exclusive: Hollywood Knights Slam-Dunk For Charity

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Look To The Stars’ Delinda Lombado recently got the chance to talk to the CEO of Hollywood Knights International, whose celebrity basketball team is a leader in charity fundraising.

Back in 1973, David Mirisch was way ahead of the curve. As founder of Hollywood Knights International, he is credited with being the first (or at least most important) person to pair celebrities with fundraising, producing some of the first consecutive tennis and golf charity tournaments in Hollywood.

Now headed by David’s son Michael (who took the reins as CEO in 1992), Hollywood Knights International are still going strong and its Celebrity Basketball Team has become a symbol for fundraising world-wide.

This years celebrity roster includes: Aaron Carter (House of Carters), Frankie Delgado (The Hills, Bromance, Keeping up with the Kardashians), Josh Henderson (90210, Desperate Housewives), James Kyson Lee (Heroes), James Lesure (Lipstick Jungle, Las Vegas), Cody Linley (Dancing With The Stars, Hannah Montana), Venom (American Gladiators), Wolf (American Gladiators) and Aaron Yoo (Friday the 13th, Disturbia).

Among the thousands of stars, musicians, and world-class athletes who have devoted their time and influence at Hollywood Knights International events: Frank Sinatra, Charlton Heston, Gregory Peck, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, Mariska Hargitay, Coolio, David Arquette, Michael Landon, Merv Griffin, Muhammad Ali, Joe Dimaggio, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Evander Holyfield, Mark Harmon, Matthew Perry, Tara Reid, Fergie, Backstreet Boys, Woody Harrelson, Bruce Jenner, Pat Boone, Mario Lopez, Wilt Chamberlain, Gladys Knight, Sugar Ray Leonard, Olivia Newton-John, Pamela Anderson, Shaquille O’Neal, Tony Hawk, Wayne Gretzky, Jimmy Connors, Mike Tyson, Buzz Aldrin, Kevin Sorbo, Boyz II Men, Joe Mantegna and many more.

From March 16-22, the full-service celebrity events production and promotional firm will be making our troops happy during their annual USO Hawaii Tour.

Hollywood Knights International’s CEO, Michael Mirisch, along with HKI’s Director of Marketing/PR, Vicky Mirisch, were kind enough to speak to us about their USO Tour and what drives them to produce some remarkable events.

First of all, tell us more about the USO Tour?

“Our second USO tour takes place in Hawaii and consists of basketball games of celebrity players versus our US troops and will be held on Army, Air Force, and Marines bases. The games are high energy, fun antics, lots of fan interaction on the court, and of course some healthy competition between the players. There will also be autograph signings during halftime and lots of pictures taken with fans and celebrities,” explained Vicky.

I know most of your events are open to the public, is this also the case with the USO Tour?

“Unfortunately, the games are not open to the public; only military personnel and their families.”

What is the most rewarding aspect of being part of this organization?

“That’s an easy question. Raising money to help people all over the world through events that incorporate celebrities, fun, and giving back to the community. There is a feeling of incredible satisfaction after every event we produce because we know at the end of the day countless lives are going to change for the better. There is that quote from Emerson that states: “to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded.” This quote hangs in our office and we read it every single day. It really sums it all up for us."

Have you seen an increase in awareness about ‘charity’ from the celebrities involved?

“The majority of the celebrities with whom we work are charitable people in general, and want to give back to the community. It’s not something you can fake,” said Michael. “Most of our events are not paid personal appearances where the stars receive a fee, so when you see a celebrity at a Hollywood Knights event, they are lending their name to the cause itself. We are so grateful to the countless celebrities that have year after year taken the time out of their busy schedules to support our events and the charities that are involved.”

Is there any celebrity in particular that has gone above-and-beyond to lend their name and time to the Hollywood Knights International?

“The truth is, it’s impossible to just name one celebrity,” Vicky told us. "But there are several people who, over the years, have contributed so much to our programs: Josh Henderson and Wesley Jonathan, The Miz, Adrian R’Mante, Brutha, Bryan Datillo, Thad Luckingbill.

Michael: What was it like to take over as CEO? Growing up with such an incredible role model (David of course) must have been an amazing experience?

“My father is an icon and pioneer in the celebrity fundraising business. He pretty much invented this genre and at 73, he’s still producing events. He is an incredible role model and it’s been a blessing and my good fortune to have him as a father first and foremost, and also a business mentor. He continues to inspire me every single day. I became CEO when I officially took the basketball team under my wing and infused it with young talent that packed the gyms out with screaming fans.”

What was the public reaction like when HKI first started producing events? Was it embraced by Hollywood?

“It was a new concept, but it was definitely embraced. The fact that we’re still here and thriving is a testament to that!”

What was the driving force behind David establishing HKI? It seems that no one else was doing this in the 70’s, so what ignited the spark?

“Back in the early 1970’s, David was a very successful publicist with clients such as Merv Griffin, Omar Sharif, Johnny Mathis, [”Pat Boone":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/548-pat-boone], Lindsay Wagner, Raquel Welch, The Supremes and Perry Como. He was representing Tony Trabert, the tennis champion and also representing Murietta Hot Springs in Palm Springs. He decided to put the two together and create a celebrity tennis tournament. A few other events were added and the outcome was a successful event that he really enjoyed producing – and the public enjoyed attending. He realized that this was a niche business that he could launch and he’s been doing it ever since!"

If HKI could eradicate one ‘thing’ (hunger, poverty, cancer, homelessness) from the face of the Earth, what would it be?

“Delinda, great question but tough to answer! But HKI seems to gravitate towards causes that help children in need. So many kids are suffering in the world. We also find that celebrities gravitate and involve themselves more when they can lend their names to children’s causes as well. "

In your opinion, do celebrities make better golfers, ballers or soccer players?

“There are so many amazing celebrity golfers, then basketball players, then poker players. The other sports are more for show and fun than skill!”

Who is the best Hollywood Knight Int. celebrity basketball player? Soccer player?

“Basketball player is a tie between Cylk Cozart and Nana Gbewonyo. Golfer is hands down Jack Wagner.”

Craziest stunt one of your ‘celebrities’ has pulled in efforts to raise awareness?

“Wolf from American Gladiators actually climbed up the basketball backboards and caught the balls as they were going in the baskets and slammed dunked them in! At first we were all worried if the backboards would collapse; Wolf is a built like a body builder. But the fans went crazy and it was just the funniest thing to watch. "

Any thoughts, ideas or quotes regarding what we all can do in terms of making this world a better place?

“Try to live your life without being selfish. Focus on the positive, because there’s no benefit to focusing on the negative. Smile at people and show kindness, even if you have to fake it, over time it will feel natural. Most importantly, learn to love yourself first, faults and all, so that you can honestly and sincerely show love to everyone that matters to you.”

LTTS and Delinda would like to thank Vicky, Michael and David Mirisch for their time and dedication to helping the less fortunate and keeping all of us entertained while doing so.

Here’s just a sampling of what the Hollywood Knights have planned for this year: The Foothill Aids Project Celebrity Bowling Classic (April 09); Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley Celebrity Golf Classic (May); Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Celebrity Fishing Tournament (May); A.G.Spanos Golf Tournament (June); Cedars Sinai Sports Spectacular at the Century Plaza Hotel, California (June); Byron Scott Foundation Gala Dinner in Century City CA (August); The K.I.S. Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament (Oct).

For more info and a list of all events, please visit:
HOLLYWOOD KNIGHTS INTERNATIONAL

LTTS Exclusive: Shane's Inspiration Shooting Stars Gala

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

Look To The Stars’ lead host Michele Vink attended the star-studded Shane’s Inspiration gala in LA on Saturday, and met one of the children who benefit from the charity’s efforts.

“I will sing for everybody in the world….Once I see some people. I will walk on stage on my legs!” His brand new robot legs to be exact.

These are the words of the brave young Spencer that I interviewed briefly before he prepared for his musical performance. Tonight he would be singing with some of his other friends from Shane’s Club Children’s Choir. I asked him for a preview of the song from the musical, Wicked, that they were to perform later that night but was denied so I would pay special attention for his important stage entrance.

“When I was first born I had bending legs. I was walking on them until I felt so much pain. I didn’t want to want to get the pain anymore. So… I cut my legs off. I went to [”Shriners Hospitals for Children":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/823-shriners-hospitals-for-children] and got surgery. I got two shots and I didn’t scream or nothing… they cut off both of my legs and I got the new robot legs."

It is amazing children just like Spencer that were the focus of the 2009 Gala for Shane’s Inspiration at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Guests like Derek Strong, former NBA player and now racecar driver, came out to support this great event and help raise funds for playgrounds and programs that will impact the lives of all children. The Gala Committee includes such stars as Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Emma Roberts, Steve Valentine, Laura Sangiacomo and Julia Roberts. Joe Mantegna’s own daughter has autism and he felt it was an honor for him to be the Master of Ceremony of this annual event tonight.

The mission of Shane’s Inspiration is to “create Universally Accessible Playground and programs that integrate children of all abilities socially, physically and emotionally fostering acceptance, friendship and understanding.” Not only do they make an impact with these new playgrounds, but they also offer free programs including field trips, play clubs and educational programs that reach over 5,000 children a year throughout Southern California.

Imagine taking someone like Spencer to the playground to meet up with his friends and not being able to interact with the other children because they are limited to only a few pieces of equipment on the playground. This creates an immediate obstacle in the benefits of play, keeping the children with disabilities segregated from their peer groups and social circles. By creating these Universally Accessible Playgrounds, it also allows the “typically-able” children the necessary opportunity to interact with children with disabilities. They learn to accept and interact with children that may be different than them and “eliminate bias against children with disabilities.”

So the next time a child like Spencer wants to walk on stage to “sing for everybody in the world”, the world will see his abilities, not his disabilities. If it takes a village to move a mountain, how hard could it be to build a few playgrounds?

Join The Shining Stars At Shane's Inspiration Gala

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A charity that aims to eliminate bias against children with disabilities by creating accessible playgrounds and programs that integrate children of all abilities is to hold a star-studded gala this Saturday, March 14.

Hosted by Joe Mantegna, the Our Shining Stars gala will benefit Shane’s Inspiration, a charity established in 1997 after founders Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams lost their son, Shane Alexander, to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type I: Werdnig-Hoffman Disease) only a few weeks after his birth.

Expected to attend the gala are Dakota Fanning, Slash, and former NBA Star and current NASCAR racer Derek Strong. Guests will be treated to cocktails, dinner, Rockstar Photobooth, entertainment from comedian Chris Fonseca and a special auction featuring a donated one-of-a-kind collaborative painting. Paraplegic artist Tommy Hollenstein – who paints with the wheels of his wheelchair – created the painting with the collaboration and signatures of sixteen rock stars, including Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Slash, and members of Incubus, Santana, The Cars, The Knack, and The Cult.

To date, Shane’s Inspiration has created 22 Universally Accessible Playgrounds in Los Angeles and around the world. It received the first “Heroes for Health Award” by Good Housekeeping Magazine and General Electric, and has been lauded by People Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, L.A. Parent Magazine, L.A. Business Council and numerous others.

The gala will take place at the Beverly Wilshire on Saturday, March 14, starting at 7pm. More information can be found here.

Have Your Favorite Star Record Your Voicemail Message

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Now is your chance to bid on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a celebrity record your outgoing voicemail message – with proceeds going to charity.

A range of stars have put their voicemail recording talents under the hammer for this very special charity auction, including Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, Cindy Crawford, Billy Crystal, Joe Mantegna, Isla Fisher, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Sacha Baron Cohen, Felicity Huffman, Jennifer Garner and many more.

Proceeds from the auction will go to the International Medical Corps and their work in supporting the women and children victimized by war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo has suffered 20 years of continuous fighting which has led to an estimated 5.4 million deaths.

The auction follows the star-studded event held last week honoring the organization.

To take part in the auction – powered by AuctionCause and ending very soon – visit eBay Giving Works.

James Caan Joins Stars At Callaway Charity Golf Event

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The Callaway Golf Foundation will host it’s second professional/celebrity golf tournament, the Callaway Golf Foundation Challenge, at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles on December 15 to benefit groundbreaking cancer research projects supported by the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF).

Professional golfers will be paired with actors, business leaders and entertainment industry executives for a round of golf, while amateur golfers will have a chance to improve their swing at the David Leadbetter Clinic, taught by the infamous golfing instructor himself.

Celebrities anticipated to attend include: Greg Kinnear, James Caan, Kyle Maclachlan, Tim Allen, Kevin Nealon, George Lopez, Josh Kelly, Matthew Lillard, Andy Richter, Peter Gallagher, Joe Mantegna, Bruce Greenwood, Jillian Michaels, and Callaway Golf staff professionals Phil Mickelson, Johnny Miller, Morgan Pressel, Rocco Mediate, David Leadbetter, Rich Beem, Jim Colbert, Leta Lindley, Fredrik Jacobson, Cameron Beckman, Roger Cleveland and Vicky Hurst.

Proceeds from the Callaway Golf Foundation Challenge will support Entertainment Industry Foundation’s efforts to fast track better prevention methods and improved therapies for ovarian, breast, colon and prostate cancers.

Please visit www.callawaygolfoundation.org to learn more and to make a donation.

Autism Speaks With Acts Of Love

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Autism Speaks is inviting you to a special evening of theatre featuring Bill Pullman and Joe Mantegna.

Acts of Love 2008 is a one-night only literary and musical celebration of Miracle Workers with inspiring celebrity readings and musical performances to raise money for autism. It is a WordTheatre production created, produced, and directed by Cedering Fox. Autism Speaks is proud to partner once again with WordTheatre and the entire entertainment community to inspire creativity, heighten awareness and draw support for families affected by autism.

In 2007, an ensemble cast performed a celebration children in the words of those who love them. Through ticket sales, sponsorship and donations the event benefiting Autism Speaks raised more than $185,000 for autism research and treatments.

Joining Pullman and Mangtegna are Marc Blucas, Linda Cardellini, Matt Dallas, Keith David, Gary Dourdan, Peri Gilpin, Tess Harper, Sally Hawkins, Sung Kang, Camryn Manheim, Adrian Pasdar, Julia Sweeney and Charlayne Woodard.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder, affecting 1 in 150 children born today. Despite the high prevalence and growing health care costs associated with caring for a child with autism, autism research receives less than 5% of the research funding of many other less prevalent, childhood diseases.

The show is on November 10 at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. More information and tickets can be found here.

Joe Mantegna Tees Off For Special Needs

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:39:31 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

This summer Joe Mantegna will hold his eighth Celebrity Golf Classic tournament benefiting Home Ownership Made Easy (H.O.M.E.), an organization that provides housing for the disabled in California.

As the father of a special-needs child, Mantegna understands the anxieties and the barriers for disabled adults in finding self-sufficiency.

“What these individuals face is a lifetime of worry and uncertainty as to what the quality of their lives will be,” said the 60-year-old Tony Award-winning actor. “The lifelong concern of safe and affordable housing for those whose specific disabilities puts them out of reach of housing opportunities the rest of us have is a daunting one.”

Founded in 1989, H.O.M.E. helps developmentally disabled people and their families achieve independence. Through their two programs, H.O.M.E. either rents apartments to individuals at an undervalued rate to allow that the balance of their income is enough to provide for themselves, or walks first time home buyers through the planning, purchase, and ownership processes providing key advice, counseling, education, and contacts at every step.

Having seen H.O.M.E.‘s programs at work, Mantegna is looking forward to the June tournament, as are actors and golf aficionados Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia, Joe Pesci, and Gary Sinise. The annual event, which includes a day of golf, a cocktail party, and both silent and live auctions, provides over 10 percent of H.O.M.E.’s annual budget.

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