Look To The Stars News: Bill Murray

Look To The Stars Film Pick: Reach For Me

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles (DFFLA) is proud to announce A MediaVision Production’s of LeVar’s Burton’s film “Reach for Me” as the 2009 Centerpiece Gala film, to be presented on Friday, August 14th, 2009 at 7:30pm at the United Artists Screening Theater inside the AT&T Center.

The film’s star, Seymour Cassel will be presented with the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and a gala party will follow the evening’s programming. The award will be presented by actress and Screen Actor’s Guild Foundation executive Connie Stevens, with video tributes from Wes Anderson, Steve Buscemi, Angelica Houston, Luke Wilson and more!

This special event will be located at the festival’s main screening venue, LBA Realty’s AT&T Center (formerly, the Transamerica Center), located at corner of Hill St. and 12th St , in downtown L.A.’s burgeoning new South Park district. The gala party will be held on the 32nd penthouse floor of the complex.

“Reach for Me” (2008, USA, 89 minutes) directed by LeVar Burton follows Alvin (Seymour Cassel), a bitter man confined to the Valley Meadow Hospice who unexpectedly discovers the joys of life and its many intricacies. Ready to pass away after a disappointing life, he is interrupted by the vivacious young man named Kevin (Johnny Whitworth), a new patient and roommate who loves to live life to the fullest. Kevin and his girlfriend Sarah (Lacey Chabert) do their best to make Alvin’s life meaningful in his last few days and even get him to fall in love for the first time with Valerie (Adrienne Barbeau). Setting all the wheels in motion for the intersecting relationships is head nurse Evelyn (Alfre Woodard).

Mr Burton says “The heart and humanity of Michael Bruce Adams’ script leapt off the page. When my producing partner Mark Wolfe brought me this amazing project I was committed immediately.” Producer Susan R. Rodgers has been pleased at both the critical and audience reception to the film, commenting, “This is a filmmaker’s dream to make a great film you care so deeply for and put so much work and sacrifice into it that has garnered both commercial and artistic success.” She and producing partner Charlene Blaine-Schulenburg adds, “…we tend to shun the aging and the sick and this film paints aging and dying with both humor and dignity and most of all honor.” Producer Mark Wolfe noted that “Having such a stellar ensemble cast lead by a talent like Seymour Cassel, and under LeVar’s direction, is the essence of successful indy filmmaking.”

Cassel, an Academy Award nominated actor for Faces (1968), will be presented the lifetime achievement award. One of Hollywood’s most familiar faces, Cassel has performed in more than 170 films with numerous distinctions throughout his career as well as television appearances in shows like “The F.B.I.” (1962 ) and “Heist” (2006). He is highly celebrated for his work and dedication with the American indie film community, beginning with director John Cassavetes’ Shadows (1950) and along with other Cassavetes’ titles like Minnie and Moskowitz (1971). In addition, he starred In The Soup (1992), in which Cassel received the Special Jury Recognition for Outstanding Performance at the Sundance Film Festival, and co-starred with Bill Murray in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004).

Much like many others in the film industry, Director LeVar Burton was amazed by Cassel’s heart and devotion to his craft. “By anyone’s standard, Seymour is a legend,” Burton comments. “He’s an amazing actor who’s had the kind of longevity in his career every actor dreams of….”

Starring along with Cassel is Alfre Woodard. In addition to her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her work in television, Woodard was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her celebrated role in director Martin Ritt’s 1983 film Cross Creek. As well as appearing in Desperate Housewives, Woodard is the co-founder of Artists for a New South Africa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating the African AIDS pandemic and advancing democracy and equality in South Africa. ANSA also works to further civil rights and safeguard voting rights in the U.S.

The Centerpiece Gala and Awards Ceremony will be attended by celebrity presenters to be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit the festival’s website: www.dffla.com

Bill Murray To Host Annual Caddyshack Golf Tournament

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Bill Murray is once again behind the annual Murray Brothers Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament, this year to raise money for Guardian Catholic Schools – a non-profit organization located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Bill Murray and his five brothers – Andy, Brian, Ed, Joel, and John – began the annual tournament eight years ago at the launching of their Caddyshack Restaurant at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. Since then they have raised millions of dollars for charity.

An avid golfer, Murray worked alongside his brothers as a caddy to fund his high school tuition. Many of their antics showed up later in the Caddyshack movie.

“This weekend is always a highlight of my year,” he said. “It’s a great time to get together with my family, share laughs with old friends and new, and of course squeeze in a couple rounds of golf at some of the finest courses in the country.”

The Guardian Catholic Schools organization was established in 1995 by community and business leaders of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. Their mission is “to participate in God’s work by supplying resources to St. Pius V and Holy Rosary Catholic schools to support them in providing educational and spiritual opportunities to children and families regardless of religious preference or economic status.”

This year’s tournament takes place on April 23/24 at the King & Bear and Slammer & Squire golf courses in Florida. Celebrities confirmed to appear include Kevin Sorbo, Melissa Joan Hart, Diane Neal (Law & Order SVU), Paula Trickey (The OC and CSI) and many more.

More information can be found at the event website.

Bill Murray Tees Off For Health Clinic On Wheels

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:39:51 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actor Bill Murray and his brothers have once again opened the greens to the Murray Bros. Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament, to raise funds for a state-of-the-art mobile hospital serving Northeast Florida’s working poor, homeless, and disadvantaged children.

The six brothers – Andy, Brian, Ed, Joel, John and Bill Murray – began the annual tournament eight years ago at the launching of their Caddyshack Restaurant at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, and have raised over $1.3 million to date for the St. Vincent’s Foundation.

“The St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach Ministry is a charity specially chosen by my brothers and me as one of the most deserving non-profits in the area,” said Bill.

An avid golfer, Murray worked alongside his brothers as a caddy to fund his high school tuition. Many of their antics showed up later in the Caddyshack movie.

This year’s event will take place on April 3 and 4, with a pre-tournament party and auction in which competitors can bid for a celebrity teammate, Bill Murray’s signed guitar, and golf trips. Following the two days of golf at three courses, an awards party will also provide live entertainment.

The St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach Ministry provided over $32 million worth of charitable medical care last year.

Bill Murray auctions off custom-made bike at charity golf event

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 21:25:33 -0000

Written by Greg Hitchcock

Bill Murray, no stranger to celebrity golf charity, auctioned off a custom-made motorcycle at the sixth annual Murray Bros. Caddyshack Golf Tournament in St. Augustine, Fla., last May, which raised over $1 million for the St. Vincent’s Foundation Mobile Health Outreach Ministry.

The bike is an amalgamation of elements that Murray’s character Spackler in the film Caddyshack would have owned consisting of a
pitchfork over the rear tire, grass clippers where wheel spinners might be and a painting of a gopher that’s square in a rifle’s sights.

The bike, designed by Orange County Choppers of Montgomery, N.Y., impressed Murray so much that he himself was its highest bidder at the tournament.

“It was as artistic as anything I have ever been involved with,” Murray said in an interview. “It was very much like a creative writing session
where you’re trying to figure out some scene in a movie or show.”

The golf tournament partnership between Murray Brothers Caddyshack and St. Vincent’s Foundation began five years ago and coincided with the grand opening of the Caddyshack Restaurant at World
Golf Village in St. Augustine, FL.

Bill Murray was joined by his five brothers for the tournament – Ed, Brian, John, Andy and Joel.

All the Murray brothers worked as caddies
to earn Catholic school tuition. Their musings and mischief inspired the movie Caddyshack, co-written by Brian Doyle-Murray. Nearly 25
years later, the popularity of the film lives on, and so does the brothers’ love for the game.

The funds raised by the charity golf tournament will be used to provide medical care and medications for thousands of the area’s uninsured.

The examinations and care are provided on board St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Units, fully equipped doctor’s offices on wheels that visit churches and community centers throughout Northeast Florida delivering healthcare at a location easily within reach of those who need it.

Look To The Stars News: Bill Murray

Look To The Stars Film Pick: Reach For Me

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