Look To The Stars News: Chris Rock

Ray Romano Returns For Annual Charity Night Of Comedy

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Hollywood’s favorite comedians will once again come together for the Ninth Annual Night of Comedy benefitting the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF). The event will be hosted by Doris Roberts, and will see event regular Ray Romano hit the stage with a variety of comedy friends.

The event will feature performances by Bryan Callen, Kevin Nealon, Garry Shandling and Fred Willard. Past performers include Wayne Brady, Drew Carey, Dane Cook, Kathy Griffin, Kevin James, George Lopez, Chris Rock, Bob Saget, Sarah Silverman and David Spade. The event is considered one of the best annual charity comedy shows in the US.

Proceeds benefit the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, the only organization solely devoted to providing social, educational, recreational, and other critical support programs to vulnerable children impacted by HIV/AIDS in the United States and in other countries.

Susan Sarandon To Host Celebrity Charity Ping-Pong Ball

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Susan Sarandon will join Mary-Louise Parker as host of a very special night of celebrity charity ping-pong and live music in New York later this month.

The Ping-Pong Ball will benefit Hope North – a 40-acre campus in northern Uganda where refugees, orphans and escaped child soldiers find a place to call home – and will feature live music from Rufus Wainwright, Josh Ritter, Jesse Malin, Martha Wainwright, Charlie Mars and Hope North founder Okello Kelo Sam. There will also be an auction hosted by Ryan Willard.

The host committee for the event includes Forest Whitaker, Chris Rock, Malaak Compton-Rock, Julianne Moore, Adrian Grenier and many more.

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.

Meet Chris Rock And Malaak Compton-Rock For Charity

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Actor, comedian & author Chris Rock and wife Malaak have teamed up with premiere auction website Charity Folks to raise money for their charity, Journey For Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service.

Some of the incredible and unique charity packages available to bidders include a “double date” with Chris & Malaak Rock courtside at a New York Knicks game; two VIP tickets to “The Tonight Show” in Los Angeles and a meet-and-greet with host Jay Leno; a day at NBC’s “The Today Show” and a meet-and-greet with Al Roker for four fans; a two person VIP tour of CNN and meet-and-greet with Anchor & Special Correspondent Soledad O’Brien; a one-of-a-kind Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards Bicycle autographed by “Grown Ups” stars Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Kevin James and David Spade and a special personalized special video gift produced by Chris Rock! They are all available at Charity Folks.

Malaak Compton-Rock Releases Book on Volunteering

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:30:00 +0000

With years of charity experience under her belt, Malaak Compton-Rock’s new book containing tips for creating a better world is now available.

If It Takes a Village, Build One: How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service and 100+ Ways You Can Too offers advice on how to find the right volunteer opportunity and how to get kids involved in a life of service, as well as offering tips on how to research charities and how to start a nonprofit.

Malaak, wife of Chris Rock, is well-versed in the field of philanthropy. She spent 3 years working for UNICEF as head of the newly created Special Events and Celebrity Relations Department before founding her own charity, styleWORKS, an organization that provided comprehensive grooming services, such as hair styling, make-up application, skincare services, clothing, accessories, and image consulting to women moving from welfare to work.

Football Star Invites Celebrities To Charity Golf Tournament

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:30:00 +0000

A huge number of sports stars, actors and singers – including Rodney Peete – are to hit the greens near Dallas on May 15 for the inaugural Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament to benefit the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities – an organization that creates educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children.

Stars invited to play include Don Cheadle, Kenny G, Wayne Gretzky, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Greg Kinnear, George Lopez, Ludacris, Chris Rock and many more.

Emmitt Smith is a Hall of Fame Footballer who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals. To find out more about the charity and the tournament, click here.

Michael Bay Hosts Number 1 Super Bowl Charity Party

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The 2nd annual Big Game Big Give invitation-only fundraiser benefiting The Giving Back Fund raised more than $200,000 for charity on Super Saturday, the night before Super Bowl in Miami.

With the help of host Transformers director Michael Bay, and his beautiful waterfront estate as its backdrop, over 350 celebrities, athletes and business leaders united for philanthropy. The spectacular event was produced by MMG, an event-marketing agency based in Miami and New York, and was voted the number one Super Bowl party on ESPN’s party report.

Included in the star-studded night was the debut of Aston Martin’s new four-door sports car, the Rapide. The elite crowd toasted Michael Bay alongside The Giving Back Fund’s Founder and President, Marc Pollick, while enjoying a pairing menu created by Jonathan Eismann’s Pacific Time restaurant and Dewar’s Signature cocktails. Each guest received a gift from Spanx for Men and Hydroxycut.

Hope For Haiti Now - Muhammad Ali's Plea For Charity

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:08:00 +0000

As the stars came out and shone for Haiti last night during George Clooney’s Hope For Haiti Now telethon, it was boxing legend Muhammad Ali who spoke loudest about the need for charity in times of hardship.

Appearing on stage in a wheelchair and unable to speak, the former boxer – who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease – looked on as comedian Chris Rock read out a speech he prepared earlier.

“By any name, charity can bring the people of our planet together … charity changes lives and saves lives … we call upon all the good people in every corner of the world to help … please give now,” he said. “In my life I’ve been called by many names. There are many names for the charity of the people of the earth and one of them is Zakat.”

Malaak Compton-Rock To Talk For Charity In Kentucky

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The Welcome House in Northern Kentucky has announced its annual fundraising benefit, ‘Home is Where the Heart Is’, will be held on January 30 at The Madison Grand Ballroom, Covington, Kentucky. Featured special guest speaker is Malaak Compton-Rock, philanthropist, author and wife of entertainer Chris Rock.

Compton-Rock is founder of The Angel Rock Project, an e-village promoting everything to do with service, humanity, peace, equality, social responsibility, and sustainable change. She is also involved with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and has founded the non-profit company, StyleWORKS, which provides a wide range of grooming services for women transitioning from welfare to the workplace. Compton-Rock was also a judge on Oprah Winfrey’s ‘The Big Give.’

Welcome House of Northern Kentucky Inc. was founded in 1982 to work with the community by providing assistance for families and individuals who are homeless or who may become homeless.

Judd Apatow To Be Honored By Fulfillment Fund

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann will be honored at the Fulfillment Fund’s annual STARS Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel on October 26.

Each year, the Fulfillment Fund’s STARS gala honors a leader in the entertainment industry for extraordinary generosity and philanthropic involvement.

STARS has been recognized as one of the top five most successful annual fundraising events in Southern California, raising up to $2 million each fall to support programs offered through the Fulfillment Fund.

Meet Chris Rock On The Set Of His New Movie For Charity

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Comedian Chris Rock has launched a new charity auction in which you can meet him on the set of his new movie.

Proceeds from the charity auction will go to Journey for Change, a charity set up by Malaak Compton-Rock to empower young people through global service.

“Journey for Change is a great cause,” said Chris Rock. "Not just because it is my wife’s charity… well she is making me say this… but the kids from Brooklyn that she helps are kids that are just like me. Someone helped me and I came out okay. Now we are trying to help them. So bid on the auction and come hang out with me on the set of my new movie “Death of a Funeral.”

Bono Faces The Real Deal In Elle Magazine

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:00:00 +0000

As a rock and roll star, Bono has written some of the most important music of our time, and now, the U2 front man has been asked by ELLE Magazine to turn a page (RED) and address “the greatest health crisis in 600 years: HIV/AIDS.”

In his one page letter, which appears in this month’s edition, Bono shares startling statistics on HIV/AIDS, including the fact that 90% of new cases occur in females aged 15-24. “I can’t get my head around that fact, let alone get it out of my head” he writes. Bono also shares details of his journey to Africa six years ago, where he witnessed the devastating effect the disease has had on the communities, including “orphans raising orphans.”

Bono also writes about the importance of (RED), its products and the pure power of consumer activism. “They have power in their pockets,” he writes, “(RED) raises money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS—$120 million so far. That is enough to buy drugs for more than 750,000 people for a year. (RED) funds prevention and counseling programs as well as treatment, and is now the thirteenth biggest contributor to the Global Fund; it’s giving more than many countries.”

Comedians To Stand Up For Peace At NYC Event

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:30:00 +0000

The Seeds of Peace Young Leadership Committee will hold its annual StandUp for Peace benefit on January 6th at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.

The evening will feature comedians Dean Obeidallah, Scott Blakeman, Maysoon Zaid, Seth Herzog, and Jessi Klein. Aasif Mandvi of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show is set to host the “disarmingly funny” event.

Founded in 1993, the Seeds of Peace program seeks to empower youth from areas of historic conflict with leadership development in areas such as empathy, respect, communication skills, and conflict resolution in order to help foster peace for the next generation. Training in consensus-building skills is provided at the organization’s International Camp in Maine and continues in the participants’ home countries following their return.

Malaak Compton-Rock - A Champion For Children

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:12:58 +0000

Malaak Compton-Rock is no stranger to the spotlight. The former public relations executive and wife of comedian Chris Rock has spent years attending high-profile parties and red carpet events. Yet despite her glamorous lifestyle, the mother of two is not concerned with celebrity. Malaak Compton-Rock has dedicated her life to serving others, and this month she is putting all of her energy into preventing child abuse through her Champions for Children.

As part of child abuse awareness month in April, Compton-Rock helped organize a star-studded national campaign to highlight the issue of child abuse. The campaign, which was shot by renowned photographer Timothy White and appears in the April issue of Redbook magazine, provides critical information on child abuse prevention, as well as inspiration and hope for abuse victims and their families.

“We believe children have a right to grow up in families where they feel loved, safe and secure – where smiles and laughter are a part of everyday life,” she said on her Champions for Children website.

Oprah Gives Big With New Show

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:59:06 +0000

Oprah Winfrey is the brains behind a highly anticipated new series premiering next week on US television. Oprah’s Big Give is a reality show with a difference – contestants will compete to give and not receive.

In the eight one-hour episodes, a group of 10 people are given the challenge of a lifetime – to change the lives of complete strangers in the most creative and dramatic ways possible. The contestants must criss-cross the country, and find ways to impact the fates and fortunes of unsuspecting people who are in for the surprise of their lives.

The series will begin in Los Angeles, where Oprah will hand the contestants sealed envelopes with only a picture and the name of a complete stranger. Under intense pressure, they must give big to change this person’s life in just five days. The contestants must use their creativity and resources to generate the most powerful and sensational ways to make a real difference to their “charges’” lives.

Madonna And Friends Shine A Light On Malawi

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:23:58 +0000

If you were to look on a map, you could be excused for missing Malawi completely. Bordered by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique in South East Africa, the nation of Malawi is shaped like a lightning bolt, with much of its land area covered by a massive lake. But it a country that is in dire need of help, and a host of celebrities turned out to a dazzling evening of fun on Wednesday, February 6, to raise awareness for what is one of the poorest countries in the world.

The gala event was hosted by Madonna on the lawns of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, with the $3.7 million raised going to UNICEF and her own Raising Malawi organization. A long list of stars, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez, Tea Leoni, Lucy Liu, Billy Joel, Gwen Stefani, and Djimon Hounsou, attended the event, with tickets ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. The evening also featured performances by Alicia Keys, Timbaland, and Rihanna.

“I want to put Raising Malawi on the map,” said Madonna. “I want credibility as a philanthropic organisation. I want to inspire people. I don’t want them to just write me a cheque: I want them to give me a piece of their heart.”

Celebrities On Show For AIDS Relief

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:52:49 +0000

“A Dollar Saves A Life” is the catchphrase of a new advertising campaign featuring Alicia Keys, Jessica Alba, and Somalia-born model Iman, launched to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.

The stars will join actress Lisa Bonet, Indian model Padma Lakshmi, and Zöe Kravitz – daughter of Lenny Kravitz – in a series of advertisements in magazines across America, as part of Keys’ Keep A Child Alive Foundation’s new “Good Cents Initiative”.

The advertisements will see the stars dressed in stylish black clothes, striking simple yet elegant poses surrounded by accessories and props to promote the new campaign. Keys has been photographed clutching a large pink piggybank, and Alba smiles under an umbrella as coins rain down from above.

ANSA Shakes the Blues With Stars in Los Angeles

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:42:33 +0000

On Thursday, November 15, 2007, Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) will host “Shaking The Blues,” a star-studded benefit, at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The evening combines the power of music and activism to shake off our blues – from the personal to the global – and make a difference in the world. The event will feature blues-influenced musical artists as well as a multi-cultural array of renowned entertainers who are donating their time and talents to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the US and Africa.

The event begins with a pre-show cocktail party for major donors at 6 PM. Shaking The Blues performances start at 7:45, immediately followed by a VIP after-party. Those confirmed to appear include Erykah Badu, Nikka Costa, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal Trio and The Roots, with Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson serving as the event’s musical director. Additional highlights include appearances by George Lopez, Jurnee Smollett, Blair Underwood and other special guest stars soon to be announced.

Shaking The Blues, which continues ANSA’s tradition of presenting one unique and extraordinary major fundraiser annually, is chaired by Dianna Cohen & Jackson Browne, Myrna Colley-Lee & Morgan Freeman, LaTanya Richardson Jackson & Samuel L. Jackson, Ann & George Lopez, Deborah Santana, Alfre Woodard & Roderick Spencer and Keisha Nash-Whitaker & Forest Whitaker. Host committee members include J.J. Abrams, Gillian Anderson, Johnny Clegg, Danny Glover, Dulé Hill, Quincy Jones, Norman Lear, Lebo M, Alexandra Paul, Chris Rock, Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, Alice Walker, Denzel Washington and other luminaries.

Vanity Fair Charity Issue Edited By Bono

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:35:00 +0000

Bono is putting his philanthropic energy into Vanity Fair’s July 2007 special issue about Africa. The issue has 20 different cover photos of high-profile individuals, all taken by renowned photographer Annie Liebowitz.

The magazine includes information about the issues and charities supported by actors, athletes, models, politicians, musicians, activists, and billionaire philanthropists, all of whom are using their celebrity status and the publicity they receive to bring attention to the complex set of problems faced by the inhabitants of Africa.

Africa is a continent with great need, and has been given a disproportionately low amount of attention and aid from wealthy nations. It is the first Vanity Fair issue to have a guest editor, and Bono’s highly publicized commitment to aiding Africa makes him an obvious choice for editor of this issue. In recent years, celebrities have used their status to bring a great deal of attention to Africa.

The Magnitude of Fortitude - When Parkinson’s Patients Feel Their Lives Are Crumbling, The HollyRod Foundation Provides Stability

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:08:00 +0000

It is a tremor that will send shockwaves through nearly 60,000 families in the U.S. this year. However, it will not be registering on the Richter scale; the shift in their world will be caused by the diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. They will join the estimated 1.5 million afflicted Americans, along with their loved ones, who feel the reverberations of a disorder that leaves physical destruction, emotional devastation and financial ruin in its wake. Out of this rubble, a resolve emerges to research and fund a cure amongst the chaos.

For many, the first rumblings of Parkinson’s Disease are noticed in slurred speech, muscle stiffness, a shuffling gait; for actress Holly Robinson-Peete, it was noticing her dad walking with a limp while dropping her off at college in 1982. Upon returning home for Christmas of that year, Holly was told of his Bell’s Palsy, a condition that causes the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. At the age of 46, this was the onset of his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease.

His name may not sound familiar, however many know Matt Robinson as the man who swept our cares away. His role playing the original Gordon on Sesame Street endeared us to this gentleman who would go on to write and produce for some of televisions best-loved comedies, including Sanford & Son, Eight is Enough, and The Cosby Show.