Look To The Stars News: Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas: Ban All Nuclear Weapons, Forever

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:03:00 +0000

Oscar-winning actor and producer Michael Douglas is well known for his commitment to nuclear disarmament. Now he has teamed up with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization on a series of austere but powerful TV spots aimed at raising support for the Treaty.

“The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is a guiding light on the road to a nuclear weapons free world. Once in force it will help prevent the kind of nuclear arms race we experienced in the past and will make it much more difficult to continue to build up nuclear arsenals,” says Douglas.

Douglas says his engagement with nuclear disarmament issues stems from a childhood set against the backdrop of the Cold War arms race. “I grew up in the United States at a time when nuclear weapons testing was commonplace. We used to have air raid drills at school and my father had a bomb shelter built in his yard in California. As a child, it was difficult to grasp the meaning of what was happening. It had a nightmare, monster-like quality which always haunted me,” he says. “Later, as I began to understand the ramifications of nuclear weapons testing, my commitment to nuclear disarmament grew.”

Elton John To Host Annual Celebrity Charity Ball Next Week

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Sir Elton John will once again host his annual White Tie and Tiara Ball at his home in the UK next week to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Thirty years ago this month, a mysterious new illness that seemed to attack the body’s immune system was first diagnosed in the United States. Buoyed by denial, stigma and lack of understanding, HIV spread across the world infecting 60 million people and taking the lives of 30million.

Michael Douglas Gives Back To Hospital

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Michael Douglas will appear at a charity fundraiser for the Canadian hospital that diagnosed him with throat cancer.

The actor – who was misdiagnosed a number of times before physicians at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal finally discovered the cancer – will attend the event on May 3, and has also contributed to an auction.

“It was his very gracious offer to help us in view of his own battle with throat cancer,” said Dr. Saul Frenkiel, a co-chair of the fundraiser. “Certainly, Michael Douglas… helps to bring to the attention of the public the need to do important research in the head and neck cancer field. We were very appreciative of his kind support – it was a gracious personal offer and certainly reflected his own inner personality and willingness to help battle head and neck cancer.”

Elton John Announces Annual Celebrity Charity Oscar Viewing Party

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) announced today that the 19th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish will take place on Sunday, February 27, at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.

Sir Elton stated, “I am tremendously excited to announce that Best New Artist Grammy nominee Florence + The Machine has accepted my personal invitation to perform for guests attending this year’s gala event.”

Elton John To Host Celebrity Charity Ball In June

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:00:00 +0000

In July 1999, Sir Elton John and David Furnish opened the doors of their Old Windsor home for the first White Tie & Tiara Ball, and the tradition will continue in 2011 on June 23..

Set amongst 37 acres of rolling English countryside next to Windsor castle, the White Tie & Tiara Ball is a spectacular evening, raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Since then, it has become an annual event hosted by Elton and David and one of the premier fundraising events of the UK.

Michael Douglas Takes Part In Stand Up To Cancer Event

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Michael Douglas made an emotional appearance via video at the massive Stand Up To Cancer television event on September 10.

“Cancer doesn’t care how many Oscars you’ve won or how many tough guys you’ve played,” said the actor, who is currently battling stage 4 throat cancer.

A huge number of stars took part in the event – simulcast live and commercial-free on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Bio, Discovery Health, E!, G4, HBO, HBO Latino, MLB Network, mun2, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, The Style Network, TV One, and VH1 – including Elizabeth Banks, Kathy Bates, Sir Richard Branson, Michael Chiklis, George Clooney, Baron Davis, Emily Deschanel, Bill Hader, Dorothy Hamill, Anne Heche, Cheryl Hines, Randy Jackson, George Karl, Dr. Jon Lapook, Rob Lowe, Jane Lynch, Marlee Matlin, Shareen Mitchell, Olivia Munn, Lisa Niemi, Kelly Osbourne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Passmore, Will Smith, Sam Trammell, Denzel Washington, Aaron Yoo, Renee Zellweger, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tatyana Ali, Dave Annable, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, David Boreanaz, Abigail Breslin, Cindy Crawford, Fran Drescher, Elizabeth Edwards, Donald Faison, Sally Field, Derek Fisher, Michael C. Hall, Alyson Hannigan, Tony Hawk, Jon Heder, Marg Helgenberger, Terrence Howard, Ken Jeong, Rashida Jones, Minka Kelly, Laura Linney, Zachary Levi, Ray Liotta, Seth MacFarlane, Mandy Moore, Apolo Anton Ohno, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Jim Parsons, Aubrey Plaza, Dr. Ana Maria Polo, Yarel Ramos, Naya Rivera, Robin Roberts, Seth Rogen, The Simpsons, Eric Stonestreet, Marcia Strassman, Alison Sweeney, Maura Tierney, Gabrielle Union, Sofia Vassilieva, Sofia Vergara, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Reese Witherspoon and Ethan Zohn.

Michael Douglas And Catherine Zeta Jones Revisit Wales For Charity

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones took time out from their holiday in Wales this week to visit a children’s hospital.

The pair – who holiday with their children in Wales every year to get back to their Celtic roots – visited the Children’s Hospital for Wales, which they helped open in 2006. The couple toured the hospital facilities as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations for the Noah’s Ark Appeal, the main fundraising initiative for the hospital.

“I know how important it is to have a designated children’s hospital here,” said Catherine. “I’ll do as much as I can to help. I’m so proud of all the staff and doctors who have worked so hard. And just walking round the hospital with Michael today, to see the relief and gratitude on the parents’ faces as they take care of their little ones, I thank you all for doing such a wonderful job. It’s hard to believe there was never a designated children’s hospital in our country.”

Tiger Woods Joins Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Tiger Woods, the world’s Number One ranked golfer, will join celebrities and golf professionals in the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am tournament which takes place at the Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort in Adare, Ireland, on July 5th-6th.

“I am very happy to be joining this outstanding field,” Woods said. “Like my own Foundation, I understand the importance and necessity of raising funds to help deserving individuals. This tournament does just that.”

Tiger, who has led the Official World Golf Rankings for the past 261 weeks and for a total of 603 weeks in his career, confirmed he will join the world class field for the charity tournament which supports charities and groups in the Irish Mid-Western Region. On its last staging in 2005, the tournament raised over €30 million for nominated charities.

Michael Douglas And Sharon Stone Host NYPD Foundation Charity Gala

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Stars such as Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, David Blaine and others were out and about to benefit the New York City Police Foundation last week.

The Foundation hosted its 32nd Annual Gala at the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC on March 16, to raise funds to “strengthen the services of the NYPD and improve public safety.” Hosted by Douglas and Stone and featuring a performance by Marc Anthony, the evening attracted over 800 guests.

The New York City Police Foundation was established in 1971 and has invested over $900 million in innovative programs that have helped drive NYC crime down to the lowest levels in four decades and build a counter terrorism model that is recognized worldwide.

Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night Hits Phoenix For Charity

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:30:00 +0000

Reba McEntire resumed her hosting duties at this year’s Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night in Phoenix on Saturday night.

American Idol judge Randy Jackson had the honor of introducing the boxing legend on stage at the event, while Glenn Frey, David Foster, Sam Moore and Charice provided entertainment.

Among those to receive awards at the event included NASCAR driver Danica Patrick and film producer Jerry Weintraub. The evening also featured a live auction that included lots such as dinner with Muhammad Ali, Steve Nash, Kevin Costner, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Douglas, Billy Crystal or Robin Williams, a day out with Reba McEntire, a meet-and-greet with Michael Buble and much more.

Stevie Wonder Named As United Nations Messenger Of Peace

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:00 +0000

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has designated Grammy Award-winning songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder as a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a special focus on people with disabilities.

Recognized for his ability to focus attention on and mobilize support for civil and human rights issues, Stevie Wonder joins ten other United Nations Messengers of Peace who advocate on behalf of the Organization.

Messengers of Peace are individuals who possess widely recognized talents in the fields of art, academia, literature, sports and entertainment, helping to raise worldwide awareness of the Organization’s ideals and activities. Through their public appearances, contacts with the international media and humanitarian work, they expand public understanding of how the United Nations helps to improve the lives of people everywhere.

Kirk Douglas Will Feed The Hungry On Thanksgiving

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Veteran actor Kirk Douglas – along with his wife Anne – will once again host his annual Thanksgiving meal for the homeless on Los Angeles’ Skid Row on November 25.

For the past five years Kirk Douglas and his wife have hosted the street dinner at the Los Angeles Mission. Volunteers from TV, radio and movies, political leaders and others will bring Thanksgiving a day early to thousands of homeless men, women and children. The day will feature the traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, served hot and fresh in a friendly family atmosphere. Los Angeles Christian Health Centers will provide foot care and exams at the event.

Already scheduled to help out this year are Corbin Bleu (High School Musical), Booboo Stewart (The Twilight Saga – Eclipse), Carolyn Hennessy (Cougartown), Naya Rivera (Glee), Aldis Hodge (Leverage), Congress Members Maxine Waters and David Dreier, Sheriff Lee Baca, and others.

Jude Law Launches Peace Day Video Contest

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:30:00 +0000

Peace One Day’s annual International Day of Peace will take place on September 21, and actor Jude Law is encouraging people to enter a new video competition to celebrate the initiative.

World Peace Day has been held on September 21 annually since 2001, when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted September 21 as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The initiative came from an idea by Jeremy Gilley, who founded his non-profit organization – Peace One Day – in 1999. Since then he has amassed an impressive list of supporters, including Chris Martin, Sir Richard Branson, Angelina Jolie, Alan Rickman, and Michael Douglas.

This year’s World Peace Day will be preceded by a concert featuring Lenny Kravitz and Kasabian in Paris, and the organization has launched the video competition to help spread the word of peace. All you have to do is create a video showing how you will be making a difference on World Peace Day, no matter how big or small the action whether it’s bringing people together; making amends with someone; organizing a football match; doing something in the home, the workplace, the community; or simply offering your take on what peace means to you.

Stars Come Out For Charity The Night Before

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:00:00 +0000

The entertainment industry’s biggest stars are set to shine this weekend at the annual Academy Awards, but the night before the big event they will be partying it up to support the Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation.

The 7th annual The Night Before event will take place on Saturday, February 21, at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, and aims to help provide charitable health and community services to entertainment industry people in need.

The first Night Before event was held in 2003 and instantly became one of the most coveted invitations in town kicking off what is now a much-anticipated awards season tradition. Since its inception, the Night Before fundraiser has raised more than $30 million for MPTF.

Kirk Douglas To Feed The Homeless For Thanksgiving

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Kirk Douglas will host his annual Thanksgiving Meal for the Homeless on Wednesday, November 26.

Along with his wife, Anne Douglas, and a host of celebrities that will be announced just before the event, the 91-year-old actor will be dishing out meals at the Los Angeles Mission on the corner of Wall Street at 11am.

For over 50 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of Hope Central (known as Skid Row), providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs including education, job training/placement, transitional housing and counseling.

Charlize Theron Appointed UN Messenger Of Peace

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 +0000

Oscar award winning actress Charlize Theron’s next role will be that of a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Last Friday, UN spokesman Farhan Haq made the announcement that Theron will be inducted on Monday at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Haq added that she “will have responsibilities for promoting UN efforts to fight violence against women around the world”.

Honoring Theron for her work towards ending violence towards women, as well as the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project, whose goal is to promote HIV/AIDS education for impoverished children and their families in South Africa, Ki-moon stated “You have used your voice, compassion and special relationship with the public to create a better world.”

A World Record Stood Up And Took Action

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

The record for the biggest mass mobilization on a single issue was broken last month when over 116 million people participated in the Stand Up and Take Action Campaign to end world poverty.

It was a response to the troublingly slow progress being made in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) that were ratified by the leaders of 189 countries in 2000. Designed to end extreme poverty throughout the world by 2015, more than half of the timeline to the target date has passed but less than a quarter of the aid has been delivered. Meanwhile, according to Stand Up’s website, 50,000 people die every day from the very causes that the MDG aims to eradicate.

“No excuses,” said Michael Douglas in a video clip to promote the Campaign. “We spend $900 billion a year in arms. Do you think this small planet cannot afford $50 billion a year to end poverty and stop hunger? We are six billion people and this world will do what we say.”

Michael Douglas Accepts Donation In Dubai

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Michael Douglas was in Dubai over the weekend to support a donation for disadvantaged children made by local property giant Nakheel.

The 64-year-old was joined by his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, to recieve the funds on behalf of international charity group Free The Children (FTC).

The money will be utilized in various FTC projects to make clean water more accessible to an estimated 200,000 people in Kenya and Sri Lanka. 5,000 children die every day around the world from water-borne diseases, and over 1 billion people – 20 per cent of the world’s population – do not have access to drinking water. A percentage of the money will be used to sponsor 40 Dubai-based children to carry out volunteer work in third world countries.

Peace Day Concert 2008 To Rock London

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:30:00 +0000

After last year’s sell out show, the annual Peace One Day concert is set to rock the Royal Albert Hall in London.

This year’s concert will see performances from Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams, and a guest appearance from Jude Law. There will also be a gala screening of The Day After Peace, the acclaimed new documentary film made by Jeremy Gilley. The film, which received a great reception at its premiere during the 61st Cannes Film Festival, features Kofi Annan, The Dalai Lama, Angelina Jolie, Jude Law, Annie Lennox and Jonny Lee Miller.

George Clooney - A Messenger Of Peace

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Academy Award winner George Clooney was made a United Nations Messenger of Peace at a function in New York yesterday, January 31, and has pledged to “shine a light” on UN peacekeeping efforts around the world, particularly in Darfur.

“When I stood in the hospital next to women who had been raped and set on fire, they looked up to me and said ‘please send the UN’ – not the US, not China, not Russia, just the UN,” said the 46-year-old actor who has just returned from visiting the war-torn nation of Sudan. “You are their only hope.”

However, several UN member nations claimed the actor’s trip was “inappropriate”, and blocked him from delivering his full message to the assembly. Instead, Clooney read it to reporters during a press conference that followed.

Mia Farrow Blocked From Darfur Peace Rally

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:03:29 +0000

Police have stopped actress Mia Farrow from holding a rally in Cambodia as part of a campaign to end atrocities in Darfur.

Around 100 baton-wielding military police blocked Farrow, who established Fund4Darfur in 2007, and her fellow activists from entering the compound at Tuol Sleng, the Phnom Penh high school at the center of Cambodia’s Killing Fields.

“Darfur has nothing to do with Cambodia,” said Phnom Penh police chief, Touch Naruth. “Go protest in Darfur!”

2007 - The Year The Stars Gave Back

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:11:14 +0000

2007 was a year of giving, both on grand and not-so-grand scales. Celebrities from all fields, be it movies, music, sport or general entertainment, showed compassion beyond the call of duty, and in most cases had a lot of fun doing it.

Without a doubt, one of the biggest events of the year was Live Earth in July, where stars new and old shone in all of the corners of the Earth to raise awareness of the plight of the planet. The shows were generally well-received, and led to organizer Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

But celebrities also participated in smaller, more personal acts of kindness in 2007. Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melissa Gilbert, and Michael Douglas all donated their time to feed the hungry at the Los Angeles Mission, Fran Drescher launched the Cancer Schmancer Movement, and Ewan McGregor visited UNICEF projects during his epic motorcycle trip across Africa.

Celebrity Auctions For Christmas

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:34:00 +0000

As the clock counts down to Christmas, celebrities have been keeping busy and warm by signing as many different items as humanly possible and donating them to a plethora of auctions. The holiday season may be at fever pitch now, but there is certainly a wide range of gift ideas to ease the stress of last minute shopping.

The VH1 Holiday Auction is currently being held at www.vh1auctions.com, and includes a long list of memorabilia from the music industry. All proceeds from the auction will go to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, an initiative dedicated to restoring music programs in schools across the US.

Items up for grabs include a harmonica signed by Alice Cooper (which has already attracted bids of $250), signed photos of Aerosmith and Chris Cornell ($300), and a guitar personally autographed by Ryan Adams ($1500). Signed clothing is also big on the agenda, with a jacket from Snoop Dogg, a vest from Iggy Pop, and sneakers from Amy Winehouse.

Jude Law to Make Film in Afghanistan For World Peace Day

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 09:37:25 +0000

British actor Jude Law is to film a new documentary for the BBC in Afghanistan, as part of the lead up to World Peace Day on September 21.

The 35 year old star of “Cold Mountain” and “The Road To Perdition” will join documentary maker and humanitarian Jeremy Gilley in a film about the effects of war on Afghan children, and the efforts of UNICEF to provide aid. The pair will also record the preparations made by UNICEF in the war-torn country to celebrate this year’s World Peace Day.

“This is a historic project, rooted in film,” said Law. “I’m immensely proud to be a part of it.”

Celebrities Fuel Robin Hood Charity Excess

Mon, 07 May 2007 20:19:47 +0000

This year’s Robin Hood fundraiser saw top-tier investors driven by good-natured rivalry and celebrity encouragement to give a massive $71 million to charity.

Individual pledges of up to $10 million were made, totalling around $40 million, and guests participated enthusiastically in an auction of unique and decadent lots.

Winning bids included $400,000 to sing a song with Aerosmith (whose singer Steven Tyler performed for two hours of the evening), $1.3 million for a 10-person dinner with celebrity chef Mario Batali, and $2.2 million for an insider trip to the Beijing Olympics.