Look To The Stars News: Morgan Freeman

Meet Golden Globe Winner Morgan Freeman For Charity

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

On the heels of being honored at this year’s Golden Globes, Morgan Freeman hits the auction block to raise money for Plan!t Now!

This is your chance to meet the man himself, and help a great cause at the same time.

Morgan Freeman is one of the most recognizable figures in American cinema. We were reminded of his many distinguished roles in a moving montage at this year’s Golden Globes Sunday night, where he was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Previous winners include Alfred Hitchcock, Lucille Ball and Sidney Poitier to Sophia Loren, Sean Connery and Barbra Streisand.

Jennifer Aniston Joins Celebrity Charity Campaign For St. Jude

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

For 50 years, the entertainment industry has embraced the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

When Danny Thomas set out to build the hospital in 1962, some of the biggest stars of that era such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., Dinah Shore and Jack Benny donated their time and talents to help raise awareness and funds for St. Jude. Today, that tradition continues with celebrities from film, television, music and sports all donating their time, talents and support to the 2011 St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign.

Diane Lane And Josh Brolin To Attend Celebrity Charity SeaChange Party

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Diane Lane and Josh Brolin will be special guests at Oceana’s 2011 SeaChange Summer Party this weekend.

The “Must Attend” SeaChange Summer Party is an Orange County, California benefit for Oceana that gives donors an opportunity to help bring back the sea’s bounty for ourselves and our children.

It is a sophisticated and fun star-studded affair garnering extensive local and national press. Last year’s sold-out SeaChange event was a wonderful summer garden party held at a breathtaking exclusive Laguna Beach villa overlooking the Southern California Riviera.

Celebrities Take Part In Seventh Annual Clinton Global Initiative

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Last week, during the seventh annual Clinton Global Initiative event, President Bill Clinton welcomed Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Prize laureate, peacebuilder, and general secretary of the National League for Democracy via satellite and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chairman of The Elders in a first-time conversation between the two visionary leaders.

Suu Kyi spoke about her own struggles for human rights, democratic governance, and ethic reconciliation, while Archbishop Tutu discussed his recent work to end child marriage. The highlight of the conversation was the overwhelming admiration Tutu and Suu Kyi expressed for each other’s efforts to promote world peace and democracy.

“The lives and accomplishments of Aung San Suu Kyi and Archibishop Desmond Tutu are an inspiring testament to the tremendous good than can be achieved by a boundless reserve of courage, humility, and conviction,” said President Clinton. “Suu Kyi and Archibishop Tutu exemplify the positive work of CGI members – who have made 194 new commitments this year, valued at $6.2 billion that will positively impact more than 100 million people.”

Stars Unite In Support Of The Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Celebrities including Annie Lennox, Deepak Chopra and Morgan Freeman are championing international health organization the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and are appealing to the public to support its work.

The stars are backing the work of the Global Fund, which provides two-thirds of global funding for tuberculosis and malaria as well as treatment for over half of the world’s AIDS patients, and is saving over a million lives a year. They say that with continued support, the Global Fund and its partners will be able to save millions more lives.

Celebrity Cast For New Proposition 8 Play

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:30:00 +0000

The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), in partnership with Broadway Impact, has announced additional casting and roles for the highly anticipated one-night only staged reading of “8,” a new play chronicling the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California’s Proposition 8.

The play is written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and will be directed by two-time Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello.

Academy, Tony and four-time Emmy Award nominee Bob Balaban; acclaimed “White Collar” television star Matt Bomer; Emmy Award-winning journalist Campbell Brown; celebrated playwright and gay rights activist Larry Kramer; two-time Academy Award-nominated, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning, two-time Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow; Tony Award nominee and Broadway Impact Co-Founder Rory O’Malley; and Emmy Award winner and three-time Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Whitford will appear in the world premiere of “8” on Broadway, joining the previously announced Anthony Edwards, Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti, Rob Reiner, Yeardley Smith and Marisa Tomei. The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.

Morgan Freeman Prepares For Disasters With Celebrity Charity Auction

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Morgan Freeman, co-founder of Plan!t Now, and Robert L. Johnson – founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies – have announced through ClubCharity.com the launch of a fundraising auction to underwrite a new Bahamas Hurricane Prep website, www.bahamashurricaneprep.com, aimed at assisting the island community with hurricane preparedness for hurricane season.

Bahamas Hurricane Prep, which is an effort between PLAN!T NOW and its Bahamas partners, is a key program component that will benefit residents, visitors and business owners in the Bahamas. The Website will provide vital information about hurricanes and how they affect those on the islands, and make available information about preparing emergency kits, lists of emergency shelters, and links to relevant authorities and outlets where they can find up-to-date information. The website will be updated regularly with new information about preparedness in the islands.

“I am pleased to partner with Bob Johnson and his ClubCharity.com platform to help individuals who are most in need during critical weather months,” said award-winning actor and a co-founder of PLAN!T NOW, Morgan Freeman. “We are approaching some of the most severe and deadly weather months across the country and have already witnessed the devastating impact hurricanes, flooding and other natural disasters can have on our families, our communities, homes and businesses,” he concluded.

Celebrity Charity Party Follows Screen Actors Guild Awards

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 05:30:00 +0000

The Screen Actors Guild presented its coveted “Actor” statuette for the outstanding motion picture and primetime television performances of 2010 at the “17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards” in ceremonies attended by film and television’s leading actors last night at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. The event was followed by an exclusive charity party.

Voting procedures to choose the recipients were sent to the nearly 100,000 active members of Screen Actors Guild nationwide. Morgan Freeman presented Ernest Borgnine with Screen Actors Guild’s highest honor, the 47th Annual Life Achievement Award, following a filmed tribute introduced by Tim Conway.

Honored with individual awards were Christian Bale, Colin Firth, Melissa Leo and Natalie Portman for performances in motion pictures and Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Claire Danes, Julianna Margulies, Al Pacino, and Betty White for performances in television. Screen Actors Guild originated awards for the outstanding performances by a motion picture cast and by television drama and comedy ensembles. The Actor for a motion picture cast performance went this year to “The King’s Speech”, while the Actors for television drama and comedy ensemble performances went this year to “Boardwalk Empire” and “Modern Family.” Screen Actors Guild’s honors for outstanding performances by a stunt ensemble in film and television were awarded to “Inception” and “True Blood.”

BET Founder Launches Celebrity Charity Auction Site

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +0000

CharityBids.org, an online auction platform tailor-made for charities and non-profits, today announced its new online endeavor with Robert L. Johnson, founder & chairman of The RLJ Companies and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET). ClubCharity.com, an online auction site for celebrity and corporate charitable giving, launched last week with auctions from celebrities including Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman and Holly Robinson-Peete.

Leveraging the Charity Bids platform, ClubCharity.com offers a multi-faceted auction site featuring items from celebrities, athletes, artists, and corporations to support a range of worthy causes. Built by a team of longtime volunteer fundraisers, Charity Bids is a secure, user-friendly, customizable solution to run fully branded auctions online. The platform makes it simple for consumers to find, bid, and buy one-of-a-kind and unique auction items. Auctions can also be displayed on multiple web properties simultaneously, allowing charities, corporations, and their affiliates to promote the same auction across multiple sites in a seamless and branded way. This creates infinite opportunities for fundraising, and maximizes exposure via the web.

Morgan Freeman Wants You To Plan For Hurricanes

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Academy Award winning actor, long-time supporter of disaster relief, and co-founder of Plan!t Now Morgan Freeman is encouraging residents at risk for hurricanes to start preparing now for hurricane season. Today, The Great Hurricane Blowout launched Ready, Set, PLAN!T, the first of several steps that, when completed, will leave residents ready for the risks hurricane season can bring.

A longtime supporter of coastal communities, Morgan Freeman is one of the Blowout campaign’s celebrity spokespeople.

“Hurricanes have the power to destroy, but we have the power to prepare,” he says. “The Great Hurricane Blowout will provide your family with the tools to be ready in the face of an emergency.”

Idol Gives Back To Charity With Celebrity Help

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Idol Gives Back rocked television sets across the US last night to raise funds for charity, with a show that saw performances by Elton John and Alicia Keys, as well as the departure of another contestant.

American Idol contestant Tim Urban was voted off the special edition of the show that has already raised more than $15 million for charities such as the Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Save the Children, the United Nations Foundation and Malaria No More.

Joining Elton, Alicia and the contestants live on the show were Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, Joss Stone, Mary J. Blige, The Black Eyed Peas and Jeff Beck. Taped segments were shown from Annie Lennox (who was unable to attend due to the Icelandic volcanic ash), Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, David Cook, Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Victoria Beckham and many others.

Stars Sign Chrysler Car For Charity Auction

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:30:00 +0000

February 20 will see a Chrysler 300 signed by hundreds of celebrities go under the hammer to raise money for the Red Cross’ relief efforts in Haiti.

The car has been signed by everybody who is anybody in Hollywood, including George Clooney, Oprah, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman, Paul McCartney, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Mariah Carey, Stanley Tucci, Nicole Kidman, Sigourney Weaver, Mark Wahlberg, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Gerard Butler, Seal, Heidi Klum, Kiefer Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Hugh Laurie, Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and many more.

Tulsa’s Leake Auction Company will auction the car at their Collector Car Auction in Oklahoma City.

Harrison Ford To Host Environmental Charity Awards

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart will host a special event for Oceana this Friday, November 20, to honor Deepak Chopra and Arianna Huffington.

The 2009 Oceana Partners Award Gala honors those individuals who have made outstanding contributions through their personal commitment to the cause of protecting and conserving the environment. Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, a nationally syndicated columnist, and author of 12 books. Dr. Deepak Chopra is the Founder of Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, California and Manhattan, New York. He is also the author of many best-selling books.

Joining Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart in hosting the event will be Morgan Freeman, Jeff Goldblum, Trudie Styler, Sting, Robert Redford and Ron Howard. Working behind the scenes are Ted Danson and Sam Waterston.

LTTS Exclusive - Ashley Judd Awarded As Hollywood Hero

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars contributers Fatima Fofana and Crystal A Johnson were guests at a very special event that honored a philanthropic actress this week. They filed this report and exclusive photos.

USA Today honored Ashley Judd with its annual Hollywood Hero award this week at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The award is presented to an exceptional entertainment industry humanitarian who has made a notable contribution to a non-profit organization. The recipient is recognized for his or her efforts that extend far beyond charitable contributions or lending’s one’s celebrity status to enhance a cause or concern. Judd’s work as a Global Ambassador for the past ten years with YouthAIDS, the education and prevention program of Population Services International (PSI), earned her this noteworthy award.

Charitable Celebrities To Receive 21st Century Leaders Awards

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Celebrities will be out in abundance in Doha, Qatar, next week for the Whatever It Takes Experience presented by 21st Century Leaders and Whatever It Takes.

As well as a private art experience and gala dinner, several stars will be honored with 21st Century Leaders Awards at this massive charity event.

The Doha 21st Century Leaders’ Awards are granted to individuals who, whilst being leaders in their own fields, have also made a serious commitment and significant impact on their chosen cause.

Carrie Ann Inaba iParticipates At Food Bank

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

ABC’s Dancing with the Stars judge and iParticipate celebrity ambassador Carrie Ann Inaba donated her time – along with 50-plus volunteers – for a day of service at the Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas on Wednesday, October 21.

The event was part of the iParticipate initiative that Look To The Stars reported on earlier this week, in which celebrities such as Michelle Obama, Blythe Danner, Morgan Freeman, Faith Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Simon Baker (CBS’ The Mentalist), Emily Deschanel (FOX’s Bones), Eva Longoria Parker (ABC’s Desperate Housewives), Julia Louis Dreyfus (CBS’ The New Adventures of Old Christine), Masi Oka (NBC’s Heroes), Michael Strahan (FOX’s Brothers), Kate Walsh (ABC’s Private Practice) and Rainn Wilson (NBC’s The Office) have joined with the Entertainment Industry Foundation to encourage people to volunteer for good causes.   

Inaba joined her fellow volunteers in sorting and packaging food for distribution to needy residents of Southern Nevada. Three Square is the only food bank in Las Vegas and prepares more than 8 million meals annually for underprivileged families.

LTTS Exclusive - The 2009 Noble Awards

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

I had the honor of attending “The Noble Awards” on their first annual show honoring charities and their celebrity supporters.

On Sunday, October 18th at The Beverly Hilton, “Access Hollywood’s” Billy Bush hosted the premiere of this special event honoring Morgan Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award and a list of celebrity honorees from Brett Ratner to Teri Hatcher.

Inaugural Noble Awards Celebrate Hollywood Philanthropy

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars was proud to be part of the inaugural Noble Awards on Sunday, October 18 – an event that honored a host of charities and the celebrities that support them, elevating awareness of the significant impact of their work.

Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the event honored Morgan Freeman with a lifetime achievement award, as well as Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Billy Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up To Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), AnnaLynne McCord (The Blind Project), Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies International), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org).

Lionel Richie was on hand during the ceremony to present an award to Joel Madden, who attended the event with Nicole Richie and his brother Benji.

Stars Want Fans To iParticipate In Charity Initiative

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:00:00 +0000

The Entertainment Industry Foundation has mobilized the entertainment community around a groundbreaking initiative designed to inspire a new era of service and volunteerism.

Called iParticipate, the initiative aims to show what we can achieve when we all pull together. A number of celebrities have given their support to the campaign, including Michelle Obama, Blythe Danner, Morgan Freeman, Faith Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Simon Baker (CBS’ The Mentalist), Emily Deschanel (FOX’s Bones), Eva Longoria Parker (ABC’s Desperate Housewives), Julia Louis Dreyfus (CBS’ The New Adventures of Old Christine), Masi Oka (NBC’s Heroes), Michael Strahan (FOX’s Brothers), Kate Walsh (ABC’s Private Practice) and Rainn Wilson (NBC’s The Office).

As a centerpiece for this initiative, EIF has enlisted major broadcast networks including, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, for an unprecedented, week-long television event beginning Monday, October 19. Tune in to seven days and nights of television and watch how your favorite TV shows and personalities shine a light on the power of community service.

Look To The Stars Helps Promote Hollywood Philanthropy At Noble Awards

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look to the Stars is pleased to announce that we will work year-round with The Noble Awards to promote philanthropy in Hollywood.

The inaugural Noble Awards, taking place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, October 18, has announced five new award honorees. The Blind Project, The Lollipop Theater Network, Padres Contra el Cancer and Playing for Change will be honored along with six previously announced charities. In addition, Morgan Freeman will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The two-hour event, hosted by “Access Hollywood’s” Billy Bush, seeks to annually honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them, elevating awareness of these organizations and the significant impact of their work.

Celebrities who will accept awards on behalf of the charities being honored include Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Billy Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up To Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), AnnaLynne McCord (The Blind Project), Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies International), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org). During the ceremony, each will be presented with an award sculpture, designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Brian McKnight and Julio Iglesias, Jr., along with Emily Bear and Timothy Mitchum will provide live musical performances throughout the evening.

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.

Nelson Mandela's 91st Celebrated In Style

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A galaxy of stars turned out to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday in New York during the weekend, with proceeds going to one of the South African legend’s charities.

Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and many more appeared at the Radio City Music Hall on Saturday, July 19, with money raised going to 46664, Mandela’s campaign to help raise Global awareness of AIDS/HIV. 46664 aims to highlight the emergency of AIDS/HIV through unique live events and music related initiatives.

Mandela himself was unable to attend the event, but did send a video message in which he said “It is on your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” President Barack Obama also appeared via video, saying that Mandela’s life “teaches us that the impossible can be done, but only if people have the courage to make change happen.”

VIP Tickets To Mandela Day Concert Available

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation announced this week that a number of extra VIP tickets are available for the Mandela Day concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The concert forms part of the celebrations for Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday on July 18, 2009 at 8pm.

Mandela Day serves as a global call for people to recognize their individual power to help change the world for the better.

The concert will feature performances by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean and many more. Special guests include Whoopi Goldberg, Forest Whitaker, Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon and Susan Sarandon.

Forest Whitaker Gets Behind Mandela Day

Fri, 15 May 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Forest Whitaker joined a host of celebrities at an event yesterday to raise awareness of Mandela Day, an annual celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and a global call to action for people to recognize their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them.

Yesterday’s event was held in Los Angeles and was attended by stars such as Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Marisa Tomei, Sharon Stone, Noah Wyle, Alfre Woodard and Viola Davis.

Nelson Mandela has been making an imprint on the world for 67 years, beginning in 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human rights of every South African. The annual celebration is being created to inspire others to embrace Nelson Mandela’s values as they seek to improve their lives through service to their communities. 46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation are calling on people around the world to support the creation of an official Mandela Day, to be held annually on July 18, Mr. Mandela’s birthday.

Jonas Brothers Top List Of Favorite Celebrity Charity Auctions

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Charity auction website Charity Folks has released its list of the Top 10 hottest celebrity draws for 2008.

Heading the list is the Jonas Brothers, who raised a massive $450,000 in an auction that offered VIP tickets and meet-and-greets and benefited their Change for the Children Foundation, the charity they set up to support programs that motivate and inspire children to face adversity with confidence, determination and a will to succeed.

Coming in a close second on the list was Billy Joel, who raised $400,000 for Charity Begins At Home from a private New York concert. Bruce Springsteen was third with $300,000, followed by Morgan Freeman, Howard Stern sidekick Robin Quivers, and the cast of The Sopranos.