Look To The Stars News: Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert Spoofs Link Between Money And American Politics

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Political satirist Stephen Colbert has extended his critique of American politics from The Colbert Report stage onto a new one – the campaign stage for the Republican nomination.

And he’s getting votes – over 6,000 in South Carolina under the name of Herman Cain, since Colbert’s name is not on the ballot but Cain’s name is, even though he dropped out of the race last year.

Colbert has been particularly relentless in his mocking of the separation between Super PACs and the candidates they’re supporting, and of unlimited third party spending on political campaigns:

Stars Line Up For The Return Of The Secret Policeman's Ball

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +0000

The Secret Policeman’s Ball is back – and its heading for America!

Amnesty International’s legendary charity show – featuring a plethora of music and comedy talent – will hit the Radio City Music Hall on March 4. Organizers have confirmed Coldplay, Russell Brand, Mumford & Sons, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and Reggie Watts as part of the lineup, with more to come.

“We are so happy to be involved with the 2012 Secret Policeman’s Ball,” said Chris Martin of Coldplay. “We have followed and supported Amnesty International – and the amazing work they do around the world in the field of human rights – for years, and it is a pleasure to be asked to contribute to such an inspiring event.”

Smile Train Performs 250,000th Cleft Repair In China

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity with over 2,200 partner surgeons operating in over 1,100 partner hospitals in over 80 countries, today announced that it has performed its 250,000th cleft repair surgery in China, since it began operations there in 1999. All 250,000 surgeries have been performed by local Chinese surgeons.

Smile Train was founded in 1999 with the mission of providing every child born with a cleft the same opportunities in life as a child born without. The charity has a large number of celebrity supporters, many of which used their star-status to increase the organization’s profile last year. Among the many efforts during the year, Dean Cain, Tatyana Ali and Erik Estrada appeared on The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards to help raise awareness for Smile Train by highlighting a recent trip they took to Mexico with the charity. Additionally, Erik Estrada continued his mission to support Smile Train by choosing to dance for the charity on the Univision hit show Mira Quien Baila! raising over $10,000. Lastly, comedian Jimmy Pardo continued the giving trend with his Third Annual PARDCAST-A-THON.

Other celebrity supporters include Robin Williams, the late Walter Cronkite, Hilary Swank, Colin Powell, Jane Kaczmarek, Sammi Hanratty, Kevin Connolly, Stephen Colbert, Christie Brinkley, Helena Bonham Carter and many more.

Stars Honored For Charity At Do Something Awards

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

DoSomething.org and VH1 have announced the winners for this year’s 2011 Do Something Awards.

Hosted by Glee star Jane Lynch, the ceremony honored and celebrated the nation’s best young world-changers who represent the pivotal “do-ers” in their field, cause or issue.

Celebrities such as Tyra Banks, David Beckham, Justin Bieber, Sophia Bush, Will Ferrell, Demi Lovato and Olivia Wilde were on-hand to receive awards in a variety of categories from ‘Do Something Movie Star’ to ‘Do Something Athlete’ for all they have done to inspire young people.

Stephen Colbert Offers To Cover Rebecca Black For Charity

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Stephen Colbert has offered to sing Rebecca Black’s Friday – the internet song/video that is creating waves around the world – with The Roots to raise money for charity.

Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert recently announced that they’ve become Best Friends Forever (for Six Months) and are generously donating each others’ time and money to DonorsChoose.org.

  Last week, Stephen announced that Jimmy had matched Stephen’s gift of $26,000 from the proceeds of a Colbert portrait sold at auction. Unfortunately, Stephen did not tell this to Jimmy.

Stephen Colbert Gets Horns And A Mustache For Charity Auction

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Stephen Colbert is pleased to announce the auction of Portrait 5, Stephen(s), a noted work of portraiture attributed to the host, enhanced by the artistic contributions of Shepard Fairey who spray-painted it, Andres Serrano who Sharpie’d it, and Frank Stella who glanced at it.

The Phillips de Pury & Company auction of the portrait will take place at 450 Park Avenue in New York City on Tuesday, March 8 with proceeds to benefit school arts projects through DonorsChoose.org, an online charity connecting donors to classrooms in need. The auction will be taped and air in a future episode of “The Colbert Report.”

DoSomething.org's Top 20 2010 Celebrity Charity Champions

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0000

DoSomething.org – the website that aims to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of doers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action – has released a list of what it considers to be the top 20 “Celebs Gone Good” for 2010.

20. 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord ventured outside of her zip code more than once this year to support her favorite causes, including access to clean water in Africa and helping victims of global sex trade. This Christmas she’s off to Cambodia with Somaly Mam to bring needed supplies to sex trafficking survivors there.

19. Stephen Colbert, who is a massive supporter of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, as well as being on the Board of Directors for the education charity DonorsChoose.org and has even testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee on immigration.

George Clooney And Friends To Appear On Comedy Central Charity Special

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Over 50 amazing performers will show their support and lend their comedy chops to “Night Of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert For Autism Education,” the biennial/bi-coastal event which raises funds to help ease the severe shortage of effective schools and education programs for autistic children and adults.

This year’s presentation features star-studded taped segments from the Beacon Theatre in New York City with additional live wrap-arounds from Los Angeles including a celebrity phone bank which allows viewers to call in during the show to donate while speaking with additional comedic heavyweights. Jon Stewart hosts an evening filled with live performances and sketches from a roster of comedy all-stars with live wrap-arounds in LA and showcasing the taped segments from New York City which premieres on COMEDY CENTRAL on Thursday, October 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Comedy Stars Overbooked For Charity!

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Olivia Munn was one of many who turned out in New York City for a stellar night of comedy on Saturday as part of the Night Of Too Many Stars – An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education.

A massive number of comedy’s greatest talents hit the stage at the Beacon Theatre for the event, including Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Lewis Black, Jimmy Fallon, Ricky Gervais, Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, Jon Stewart and many more.

The Night of Too Many Stars benefited a variety of autism education and family service programs across the country, in support of the overabundance of autistic individuals that so desperately need quality services. One exciting new initiative is The Institute for Brain Development—an all-inclusive diagnosis and treatment center positioned to undertake groundbreaking collaborative research into the causes and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The Institute is the product of New York Center for Autism’s partnership with New York-Presbyterian and its affiliated medical school of Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical College.

Stephen Colbert Raises Charity Cash For Gulf Oil Spill

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Stephen Colbert has received a donation of $100,000 from Microsoft’s Bing to help clean up the Gulf oil spill.

Microsoft agreed to donate $2,500 to Colbert’s Colbert Nation Gulf of America Fund, an initiative managed by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, every time he mentioned the word “Bing” on his show – something he did 40 times.

“Fortunately there is a corporation that has offered to help me help the gulf: the website Bing,” said Colbert on his show. "OK, let me explain what happened. Bing has offered to donate $2,500 to a charity of my choice every time I say the word ‘Bing.’ By the way, Bing is a great website for doing Internet searches. I know that because I Googled it.

Glee's Jane Lynch To Host Do Something Charity Awards

Wed, 26 May 2010 13:30:00 +0000

DoSomething.org has announced comedic actress and star of “Glee”, Jane Lynch as host of its star-studded “Do Something Awards” live telecast on VH1 on July 19, 2010 at 9PM EDT.

The final five nominees and grant recipients to be honored during the show were also announced. Each nominee is honored for their commitment to service and social change with a community grant of $10,000. Of these five nominees, a grand prize winner will receive a $100,000 grant for their cause during the live broadcast from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation’s best young world-changers, 25 and under. The Do Something Award is the premier national award for community service, and nominees and winners represent the pivotal “do-ers” in their field, cause, or issue.

Bid On A Potrait Sitting With Shepard Fairey For Charity

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

For the first time in his career, Shepard Fairey, one of the world’s most renowned and influential contemporary artists, is auctioning off a coveted portrait sitting.

This unbelievable art experience is up for bidding at Charitybuzz, the leading destination for online charity auctions, as part of The Art of Elysium’s Pieces of Heaven Art Auction in partnership with Christie’s. Art of Elysium encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions.

The auction will run from February 24 – March 4. Complete details on the Shepard Fairey experience can be found here.

Chevy Chase Launches Annual GREEN Auction

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Here is your chance to hit the links with Chevy Chase and Bill Murray for a Caddyshack Golf Outing! Chevy & Bill will go on the block once again in support of GREEN Community Schools providing the chance for the lucky winning bidder and a guest to go golfing with these old friends and stars of the beloved Caddyshack film. Who knows what hijinks will ensue out on the links with these two?

Also up for grabs, a chance to join Howard Stern in the studio. The winner of this incredible experience will be able to sit in during a taping of the show and observe all the action. A meet and greet with the entire crew is included in this package. Once again, Chevy Chase will go on the Howard Stern show to talk about his latest acting projects including the acclaimed new NBC comedy, Community.

This year, Oprah Winfrey is also supporting Jayni and Chevy Chase’s Green School project with the lucky winning bidder receiving VIP tickets to a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show including a chance to go backstage and meet the talk-show queen backstage! Dave Matthews Band is in support as well offering lucky fans the chance to meet them backstage after a concert of choice in Summer 2010. Robert Downey Jr has graciously offered a pair of tickets to the premiere of his upcoming film Due Date also starring Jamie Foxx & Michelle Monaghan, and Stephen Colbert and Regis Philbin are offering the chance to meet them backstage of The Colbert Report and LIVE! with Regis & Kelly respectively, and acclaimed actor Dustin Hoffman is offering the chance to join him on the set of an upcoming film. You can also spend a day on the set of Community with Chevy Chase; meet Joel McHale backstage on The Soup; Take a 10 Day expedition to The Galapagos aboard the National Geographic Endeavor; or catch Jimmy Buffett in concert, plus many more being added daily.

Stephen Colbert Broadcasts From Iraq

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Stephen Colbert is broadcasting “The Colbert Report” from Iraq this week to support an initiative with DonorsChoose.org, the online charity that connects individual donors nationwide to classrooms in need.

Colbert is taping four episodes of “The Colbert Report” in Baghdad. According to the New York Times, “It’s the first time in the history of the U.S.O. that a full-length non-news show has been filmed, edited and broadcast from a combat zone.”

Colbert is a long-time supporter of DonorsChoose.org and the USO. Last month he donated his birthday to address the scarcity and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in public schools, and all iTunes downloads of the Iraq shows will go to the USO.

Stephen Colbert Donates His Birthday To Charity

Fri, 08 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Stephen Colbert has donated his 45th birthday to charity!

The comedian and host is one of the first stars to sign up to the new Great Give-Back Birthday campaign being hosted at DonersChoose.com, a website dedicated to addressing the scarcity and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in public schools. The new campaign invites individuals to donate their birthdays to support high-need public school classrooms nationwide.

Here’s how it works: birthday donors create custom birthday giving pages at www.DonorsChoose.org/Birthday, then select their favorite classroom projects, and then invite friends and family to donate to those projects in honor of their birthdays.

Lunch With Anderson Cooper And Help AIDS Sufferers

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Fancy meeting with some of the media’s most interesting news anchors and discussing current events? This charity auction gives you the chance to do just that.

The 21st Annual Bailey House Auction and Party will take place on February 26 at the Roseland Ballroom in New York to benefit the lives of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. Up for grabs on the night will be the chance to enjoy lunch with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, the opportunity to meet Katie Couric and tour the CBS News studio, and the chance to meet Charles Gibson and watch a live broadcast of World News With Charles Gibson.

Bailey House has been providing housing and support services to homeless men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS in New York City for 25 years. They address the fundamental human needs—housing, food, safety and deliver comprehensive and compassionate support services, including access to healthcare, counseling, support groups, and substance abuse treatment.

Stephen Colbert's Christmas Special For Charity

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Stephen Colbert will host his own holiday special this Sunday, November 23, with the show being released as a charity DVD next week.

“A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All” is an hour-long tongue-in-cheek extravaganza with the Colbert Report host belting out Christmas hits from Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, and even David Bowie.

“This is just some good fun to watch during your eggnog-induced dementia,” Colbert joked.

John Mayer Explores Arts With Tony Bennett

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:30:00 +0000

John Mayer joined Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, and Terrence Howard at a special art’s education benefit on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old singer/songwriter performed 3 songs – “Waiting on the World to Change,” “Daughters,” and “Find Another You” – at Tony Bennett’s Exploring The Arts gala held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Hosted by Goldberg, the evening raised over $1.2 million for Bennett’s charity that supports arts education in public schools. Honored at the event were Reed Hastings, Chairman, President and CEO of Netflix; Sumner Redstone, Executive Chairman of Viacom and CBS Corporation; and Steve Wynn, Chairman of Wynn Resorts. Also in attendance were Katie Couric, Quincy Jones, and Rachael Ray. Tony Bennett closed the evening with trademark renditions of “Watch What Happens,” “For Once In My Life,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Who Cares,” “Fly Me To The Moon” and “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

As part of Bennett’s charity drive for the Exploring The Arts organization, an online auction is also currently running. Items up for grabs include meet-and-greets with Elton John, Katie Holmes, Andre Agassi, Bette Midler, Stephen Colbert, Kevin Spacey, Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire, as well as a dress owned by Christina Aguilera, signed prints and sunglasses from Bono, guitars signed by KD Lang and Sting, and many more items from Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Bruce Springsteen and others.

Stand Up To Cancer A Huge Success

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:30:00 +0000

A multitude of stars came out on Friday night as part of the Stand Up To Cancer television extravaganza to raise money for cancer research.

The hour-long program – simulcast live on NBC, ABC, and CBS – featured celebrities such as Jennifer Garner, Halle Berry, Forest Whitaker and Casey Affleck reading accounts of people battling cancer, as well as musical items, comedy sketches, and the opportunity for people to ring up and pledge donations – with stars such as Ellen DeGeneres, America Ferrera and Kirsten Dunst answering the phones.

“This is an absolutely historic night, thanks to the unbelievable generosity of the three networks,” event organiser, producer and cancer survivor Laura Ziskin told the audience at Los Angeles’ Kodak Theatre.

What Book Got The Stars Hooked?

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Before they were famous, they were reading under the covers with flashlights like the rest of us, and now, stars are sharing their love of reading with us through the What Got You Hooked? campaign.

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 15, visitors to the First Book Web site 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. Oklahoma was last year’s campaign winner with over 34,000 votes in its favor. Visitors are also invited to make a $10 donation, to help provide four brand new books for a child in need.

Eat From Your Favorite Celebrity's Plate!

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:35:18 +0000

“Let them eat cake,” said Marie-Antoinette, the Queen consort of Louis XVI, and now you have the chance to do just that – eat cake from a plate designed and signed by one of Tinsletown’s finest.

The auction, currently underway at the Auction Wire website, features one-of-a-kind plates from stars such as Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, and Carmen Electra, and is raising money for the Parkinson Society Maritime Region – an organization in Canada that aims to be the voice of Maritimers living with Parkinson’s disease. Funds will be used to supply services such as exercise programs, speech therapy, massage therapy, conferences, and workshops, and will also be used towards the National Research Program of the Parkinson Society Canada.

“The Parkinson Society is thrilled that so many celebrities from a variety of backgrounds – movies, television, politics, the arts – have come together to raise awareness of Parkinson’s and raise funds through this auction of celebrity designed plates,” said Paul McNair, executive director of the Parkinson Society Maritime Region.

Celebrities Unite For Earth Day

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:32:47 +0000

Tomorrow, April 22, will see one of the largest global events uniting the planet against climate change to be held this year. Millions of evironmentally-minded people around the planet will hold events to celebrate the 38th annual Earth Day, a massive campaign focussing on global warming and raising awareness for a cleaner environment.

First held in 1970, and established by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, the event marks the anniversary of the modern environmental movement. All over the world, the day will see concerned citizens of the planet out in force, calling for action against global warming and a healthy, sustainable environment. Breakfasts, Scuba diving contests, celebrations, parties, wine and food festivals, marathons, and concerts are just some of the thousands of events that have been planned around the globe by the Earth Day Network, the driving-force behind the event.

One of the major campaigns being promoted in the US as part of Earth Day 2008 is the Call For Climate initiative, which encourages people to ring Congress and demand climate change action to be taken.

Stewart to Host Night Of Too Many Stars

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:53:19 +0000

The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart is set to host the Night Of Too Many Stars, an “Overbooked Concert For Autism Education”, on April 13th. The music-and-laughter-packed event will be televised live from The Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Some of the guests joining the comic news anchor in the fundraising efforts are Matthew Broderick, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Conan O’Brien, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

Proceeds of the evening will be split among autism education programs, including new schools which provide vocational and life skills for teenagers and adults with autism, and outreach programs which provide training and consultation to families of young autistic children. A portion of the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks, an organization which funds research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, while raising public awareness about the disorder.

Celebrities Kept Busy With Charity Initiatives

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:34:00 +0000

Philanthropic celebrities have been more than busy lately, helping charities through a series of unique and exciting initiatives and events.

Although the current Hollywood writers’ strike is keeping the 2008 Academy Awards up in the air, model Heidi Klum has announced she will press ahead with her plans to donate the red dress she intends to wear at the Oscar ceremony to charity.

The donation is part of the “Red Dress Program”, an initiative between Diet Coke and the National Institutes of Health’s The Heart Truth to raise awareness of heart disease in women.

Fox Raises Millions At Parkinson's Fundraiser

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:05:12 +0000

Actor Michael J. Fox received an exciting surprise after his 7th annual “A Funny (Groovy) Thing Happened on the Way to the Cure for Parkinson’s” fundraiser last month – the Woodstock-themed event raised an incredible $5.5 million.

Over 1000 guests, including Julianne Moore, Bart Freundlich, Katrina Bowden and Masi Oka, were in attendance, as well as New York’s Governor Eliot Spitzer and Newark’s Mayor Cory A Booker. Stephen Colbert was the comedic host, while musical performances from John Mayer, Joan Osborne, Levon Helm, Gavin DeGraw, and The Soul Ramblers created a psychedelic groove. Even Michael couldn’t resist grabbing his guitar and jamming on stage with the band, performing “Summertime Blues”, “Up On Cripple Creek”, and “Love the One You’re With”.

“He lives in the moment so much,” said Fox’s wife, Tracy Pollan. “I find that a real inspiration.”