Look To The Stars News: Elizabeth Taylor

Drew Barrymore To Be Honored By Gay And Lesbian Alliance

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:10:00 -0000

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has announced that Golden Globe Award-winning actress and producer Drew Barrymore will receive the Vanguard Award, and Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian Wanda Sykes will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 17 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

The GLAAD Media Awards elevate and promote fair, accurate and inclusive stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, people and allies that have increased awareness, understanding and respect for the lives of LGBT people. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD’s work to bring stories of LGBT people and issues to Americans.

Actress Drew Barrymore will receive the Vanguard Award which is presented to media professionals who have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. In 2009, Barrymore took on the role of the lesbian daughter of a widower played by Robert De Niro in Everybody’s Fine, nominated for Outstanding Film – Wide Release at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, and in 1995 starred in Boys on the Side which won the Outstanding Film award at the 7th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. She also joined thousands of marriage equality advocates in the streets of West Hollywood when the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, which eliminated marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Past recipients of The Vanguard Award include Charlize Theron, Antonio Banderas, Sharon Stone, Eric McCormack, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Kathy Griffin and Whoopi Goldberg.

“I was born, bred and raised among diversity, it has defined me and made me the person I am today,” Barrymore said. “I’m honored and humbled to be receiving this award.”

Comedian Wanda Sykes will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award which is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for our community. In November 2008, Sykes decided to come out at a Stand Out for Equality rally of over 1,000 people in Las Vegas and announced that she legally married her wife in California. She has spoken out about LGBT issues by appearing in LGBT PSAs, performing at LGBT fundraisers and as a Board Member for the Equality California Institute. The Emmy Award-winner became the first openly gay and first African American woman to be the featured entertainer for the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in 2009 and last year debuted her own late night talk show on FOX. Previous recipients of the Stephen F. Kolzak Award include Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge, Bill Condon, Alan Ball, Ellen DeGeneres, and Sir Ian McKellen.

“I am truly honored to receive the Stephen F. Kolzak award,” said Wanda Sykes. “I greatly appreciate the work that GLAAD continues to do, promoting equality, fair representation and tolerance for our LGBT community. I just pray that I don’t ruin what GLAAD has achieved with all of my shenanigans.”

Toronto Film Festival To Host Cinema Against AIDS

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0000

On September 15, 2009, amfAR – The American Foundation for AIDS Research – and Dignitas International will partner on the first-ever Cinema Against AIDS event during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and amfAR Ambassador Michelle Yeoh will serve as chairs of the evening, along with amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, John Demsey, Milutin Gatsby, Trudy Grant, amfAR Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde Krim, Dignitas co-founder Dr. James Orbinski, and Kevin Sullivan. Grammy Award-winning musical artist Sarah McLachlan will deliver a special performance.

The black-tie gala will take place at the acclaimed Carlu in Toronto, and will include cocktails, dinner prepared by renowned Canadian chef Jamie Kennedy, and a luxury live auction. amfAR and Dignitas will share all proceeds from the event, funding that will benefit crucial AIDS research initiatives and efforts to improve quality of life for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Over the years, amfAR has awarded 52 grants to HIV/AIDS organizations in Canada, totaling more than US$2.6 million, making Canada the recipient of more amfAR funding than any countries except the U.S. and Australia.

amfAR’s first Cinema Against AIDS benefit was held in Cannes during the 1993 Cannes International Film Festival and was hosted by Dame Elizabeth Taylor, amfAR’s Founding International Chairman. Since then, this annual black-tie gala has established itself as the most consistently exciting and well-publicized party held during the Cannes festival. In addition to Dame Elizabeth, who has hosted the benefit on seven occasions, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Sharon Stone has been a chair and auctioneer since 1995.

Cinema Against AIDS has also been held on various occasions during the Venice, Sundance, Rome, and Dubai film festivals, and in all cases these events have attracted a stunning guest list of top celebrities, entertainment industry elite, and international society. Traditionally, celebrities in the room assist with the live auction. Participants have included Ben Affleck, Prince Albert of Monaco, Lance Armstrong, Mary J. Blige, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Sofia Coppola, Penelope Cruz, Matt Damon, Catherine Deneuve, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sheryl Crow, Carla Fendi, Andy Garcia, Richard Gere, Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Anjelica Huston, Elizabeth Hurley, Iman, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Wyclef Jean, Scarlett Johansson, Milla Jovovich, Nicole Kidman, Kevin Kline, Diane Kruger, Diego Luna, David Lynch, Madonna, Sienna Miller, Liza Minnelli, Kylie Minogue, Clive Owen, Robert Pattinson, Sean Penn, Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha Richardson, Lionel Richie, Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan, Kurt Russell, Claudia Schiffer, Julian Schnabel, Monica Seles, Mira Sorvino, Sylvester Stallone, Rod Stewart, Quentin Tarantino, Charlize Theron, Sigourney Weaver, Harvey Weinstein and Robin Williams, among others.

The film and entertainment communities have been committed and generous supporters of amfAR and the fight against AIDS since the start of the epidemic, and the Cinema Against AIDS galas have proven to be among the most high-profile and successful AIDS benefits worldwide. Since 1993, these signature amfAR events have played a pivotal role in focusing attention on the continued fight against AIDS, and have generated more than US$48 million in support of the foundation’s AIDS research programs.

Ticket info can be found here.

Bill Clinton To Attend AmfAR Gala

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former US President Bill Clinton is to address the annual amfAR charity gala at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21.

Hosted by Sharon Stone, the Gala is one of the hottest tickets at the Cannes film festival each year, with hundreds of guests traveling to nearby Mougins for an auction dinner held in a giant marquee. This year’s gala will be held for the first time at the Riviera palace, the Eden Roc, at Cap d’Antibes, and will also see Annie Lennox perform.

Last year’s event raised over $10 million for amfAR, an organization dedicated to the support of AIDS research, AIDS prevention, treatment, education and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Madonna was guest of honor at the event, and she auctioned off a private concert for $560,000.

The organization’s annual Cinema Against AIDS gala has been an important and successful fund-raising event for the Foundation since 1993, generating more than $44 million for essential AIDS research. Past events have been hosted by Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, and Sir Elton John.

President Obama Inspires Elizabeth Taylor To Give

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Screen legend Elizabeth Taylor has made a $100,000 donation to the Alliance for Christian Education and is crediting Barack Obama for her inspiration.

The Jewish 77-year-old said she chose the Christian charity “because our new president challenged us to break down barriers that divide us. To honor that challenge and to help rebuild our nation, I feel we have to reach beyond the limitations we place on ourselves in the name of religion or other ways we define ourselves.”

The money will go towards funding the organization’s pilot program for global outreach: a Providence Hall Christian High School in Santa Barbara. More information about the organization can be found here.

Jerry Lewis Awarded Oscar For Charity Work

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Jerry Lewis was awarded a very special humanitarian award at last night’s Oscars.

The 82-year-old actor received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his untiring work in hosting the annual telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as an advocate of “Jerry’s Kids” – a role he has taken on every year since 1966.

“For most of my life I thought that doing good for someone didn’t mean you would receive commendation for that act of kindness,” Lewis said in his acceptance speech. “At least until now. This award touches my heart and the very depth of my soul because of who the award is from, and those who will benefit.”

The award – which in the past has been presented to Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Sherry Lansing, Quincy Jones, Bob Hope and many others – is named after screen actor Jean Hersholt, who served as the president of the Motion Picture Relief Fund for 18 years. The honor was a great thrill for the MDA, who are grateful for the support of Lewis.

“MDA always has been immensely proud of its inspiring national chairman, who for more than five decades has personified the Association’s missions of help and hope. He is well deserving of this extraordinary honor,” said Gerald C. Weinberg, MDA president and CEO. “The impact of his humanitarian efforts on people with muscle-wasting diseases is beyond measure.”

The award is not the first honor for the comedy legend. He was presented the U.S. Defense Department’s highest civilian award, the Medal for Distinguished Service, in 1985. In 1996 the American Medical Association presented him and MDA Lifetime Achievement Awards “for significant and lasting contributions to health and welfare of humanity.” He is also one of an elite few to have been made a Commander in the French Legion of Honor. In 2007, Look To The Stars revealed that Lewis had topped a survey of the most effective celebrities for charity causes, with 43% of those surveyed saying he was the best at raising funds and driving change for the issues he supports.

“Jerry is well-known as the ‘face’ of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, which he has hosted without fail for 43 years and counting,” Weinberg said. “The Telethon is the most effective philanthropic event of its kind, so it’s appropriate that the man who makes it all possible has been singled out for his matchless compassion.”

Bid On Signed Harry Potter Book For Charity

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fans of Harry Potter are able to bid on a rare first edition of The Deathly Hallows – the seventh book in the series – signed by author JK Rowling.

The auction is being run Celeb2nds.com, a website that specializes in celebrity charity auctions, and will raise money for Children with AIDS (CWAC) – a charity that responds to the specific practical, emotional and educational requirements of children and their families infected and affected by HIV.

Established in 1992 to help the youngest of those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS maintain a good quality of life, CWAC is a UK-based charity that aims to work towards a future without poverty or prejudice for these children and their families.

Celeb2nds.com was set up in 2006 by Steve Howell to specifically raise much needed funds for charities using authentic celebrity memorabilia.

“Celeb2nds.com is an exciting new concept that allows users to get their hands on money can’t buy items from their celebrity idols, whilst raising money for some very worthy charities,” he said.

Currently on the site are items from John Travolta, Status Quo, Travis, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Branson and many more.

The Harry Potter auction runs until March 7 and can be accessed here.

The Hiltons Help Out For Christmas

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Paris Hilton's mother, Kathy, held her annual Christmas auction to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Saturday, December 20.

The auction was broadcast live on the internet and featured over 200 items, such as a meet-and-greet with the Jonas Brothers, shoes and a necklace donated by Elizabeth Taylor, autographed guitars from Melissa Etheridge and Avril Lavigne, a tambourine signed by Brian Wilson and designer clothes taken from the closets of Paris and Nicky Hilton.

Kathy Hilton held her first celebrity auction last year, and raised over $27,000 with items such as Mel Gibson's jeans, Tom Cruise's sunglasses, and an Ocean’s Thirteen script signed by the movie’s stars, including George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

The auction isn’t the only good thing Paris and Nicky are doing this Holiday Season. Last week they were spotted distributing toys to disadvantaged children at the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles.

Macy's Passport Hits The Big Screen

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

For the first time ever, Macy’s Passport – the number 1 fashion fundraising event – will be brought to the silver screen across the US this month.

Keep the evening of October 23 free because special screening parties will be held in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale, Long Island , Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Petersburg in Florida, and Washington DC. Each party will include performances from celebrities such as the Pussycat Dolls and Fall Out Boy. Proceeds from each party will go to a local HIV/AIDS charity.

Macy’s Passport 2008 celebrates 25 years of dedication to people with HIV/AIDS, and is the result of fashion and compassion joining forces for the common good.

The first Macy’s Passport show took place in 1980, when Macy’s presented “GQ Live,” a men’s fashion show featuring American designers in the employee cafeteria of Macy’s San Francisco. Although only 300 people were in the audience that year, word got out about the initiative. By 1983, the audience had grown to 2000. Since then, through the help of Elizabeth Taylor, Claudia Schiffer, Magic Johnson, Sharon Stone, Will Smith, Tina Turner, KD Lang, Macy Gray, Cindy Crawford, P. Diddy, Jennifer Lopez and many more, Macy’s Passport has grown to be one of the biggest fashion charity events in the world, raising over $27 million for AIDS charities.

To find out more about 2008’s shows – including ticket information – visit the Macy’s Passport website.

Paul Newman - A Life Spent Giving

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor and philanthropist Paul Newman leaves behind a legacy modern celebrities will find hard to match.

83-year-old Newman – who passed away after a short illness on Friday – made his movie debut in 1954, and went on to become one of the most well known faces to grace the silver screen, appearing in over 50 films. Born in Ohio, Newman made his acting debut at the age of seven, but didn’t start acting professionally until after serving as a gunner in the Pacific in World War II. When the acting bug did bite, it went on to net Newman 10 Oscar nominations in his five-decade-long career – winning the best actor accolade for his role opposite Tom Cruise in The Color Of Money in 1986 – two Golden Globe awards, a Screen Actors Guild award, a Cannes Film Festival award and an Emmy award.

But it is Newman’s humanitarian and philanthropic efforts that gained him true popularity in the American heart. Much has been written about his Newman’s Own Food Company, the initiative he established in 1982 to manufacture his special salad dressings. Over $200 million were generated by the company for charity over the years, and earlier in 2008 the actor announced he had signed ownership of the company to charity. He wrote a book – titled Shameless Exploitation in the Pursuit of the Common Good – about his work with the company, explaining that the inspiration behind his humanitarian outlook was the death of his son from a drug overdose in 1978, which led him to set up the Scott Newman Center for Drug Abuse Prevention. Much of the money Newman raised went to the Hole in the Wall Gang summer camps he established in 1988. The camps allow ill children to participate in activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, archery, arts and crafts, woodworking, performing arts, horseback riding, overnight camping and group adventures, all while receiving superior 24-hour medical care free of charge. More than 100,000 children from 31 countries have attended the Hole in the Wall camps.

Newman was also one of the founders of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), an organization of CEOs and corporate chairpersons committed to raising the level and quality of global corporate philanthropy. He regularly donated to causes around the world, including a donation of $40,000 to a Welsh Breast Cancer Center and $10 million to Kenyon College last year, and $250,000 to aid refugees in Kosovo in 1999. At the age of 79, he flew to Britain to entertain sick and disabled children in north London by performing as a clown in a special version of Zippo’s Circus.

Newman was a huge fan of car racing, and competed in the San Jose Grand Prix (where he came in second) in 2004 to help raise money for the Canary Foundation. His love of racing led him to narrate the film Dale – based on the life of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt – in 2007, the last film project Newman was to be involved in.

In 2007, Newman announced he was retiring from acting to concentrate on charity work. Last month he was named as one of the top celebrity givers of 2007 in the Giving Back Foundation’s Top 30, with over $10 million donated to needy causes.

“He was really all about philanthropy, and people caring, and people voting, and that’s really who he was,” said Newman’s daughter, Melissa. “So many of his ideas were reaching out. That is what he would like people to remember. Reach out, keep doing it. If we all did something for somebody or some organization today, can you imagine the change that would happen?”

Tributes for Newman have poured in from around the world, and many of the actor’s fellow philanthropic celebrities have been quick to praise the man who inspired several generations, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elizabeth Taylor, Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Letterman, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, and many others.

“He was purity of heart,” said Taylor. “Working with him was such a joy. Knowing him, being his friend, was as golden as the sunset and a privilege I’ll never forget.”

But perhaps the most poignant tribute came from Robert Redford, Newman’s co-star from 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: “There is a point where feelings go beyond words. I have lost a real friend. My life – and this country – is better for his being in it.”

Newman is survived by his wife – actress Joanne Woodward – and their three daughters, Elinor, Melissa and Claire. He also has two daughters, Susan and Stephanie, from his first marriage to Jackie Witte.

Madonna To Attend AIDS Charity Cannes Event

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:52:37 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, will join Sharon Stone and Michelle Yeoh at this year’s annual amfAR Cinema Against AIDS fundraiser on May 22, during the 61st annual Cannes International Film Festival.

The event, which will benefit the American Foundation for AIDS Research, will take place at Le Moulin de Mougins and will include a formal dinner and a live auction. In addition, this year’s event will feature a short clip of I Am Because We Are , the Madonna-produced and -narrated documentary about children orphaned by AIDS in Malawi.

The organization’s annual Cinema Against AIDS galas have generated more than $33 million for essential AIDS research since 1993, and have been hosted by Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, and Sir Elton John. Last year’s live auction raised $4 million, making a total of $7 million for the night, and featured a surprise performance by Kylie Minogue.

A full screening of I Am Because We Are is scheduled to take place in Cannes the evening before the gala, and will tie in with amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS event.

Tables for this year’s Cinema Against AIDS will range in price from $40,000 to $150,000. For event reservations and details, visit www.amfar.org.

Stars Prepare For Oscar Glory With Charity Parties

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:56:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The next few days will be busy for Hollywood’s elite, as they practice their speeches and iron their gowns in anticipation of the 80th Academy Awards to be held on Sunday, February 24. As always, part of the pizzazz of the event is the glamorous parties in the days leading up to the big night. And although many of these soirees give the rich and famous a chance to be seen in the right places, a few are designed to raise awareness and funds for causes other than fame.

Wednesday, February 20, will see the Fifth Annual Global Green Pre-Oscar Party hit Hollywood between the eyes, with an event formulated to promote “smart solutions to global warming”. The party, to be held at the Avalon in Hollywood, will feature performances by Damien Rice and Michelle Branch, as well as Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, the stars of Oscar-nominated musical, Once.

A huge selection of stars are expected to attend the event, including Salma Hayek, Alicia Silverstone, Val Kilmer, Adrian Grenier, Dana Delany, and Josie Maran. There is also a strong possibility that committee members Orlando Bloom and Leonardo DiCaprio may also attend.

Tickets to the party, available from the Global Green website, cost $250 for general admission and $5,000 for “green carpet” access and entry to the Patron Lounge, with all proceeds going to Global Green’s climate initiatives and their efforts to rebuild a green New Orleans.

Another big event in the next few days is the 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party, to be held at the Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, on February 24.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation gala is the most highly visible and successful fundraising event in Hollywood on Oscar night, and over the past 15 years has generated over $15 Million for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“This event is our most important fundraiser of the year,” the Foundation stated in a media statement. “Last year, we raised over $4.3 million, and we expect to exceed that record this year.”

The evening will begin at 4pm, with a special cocktail reception, followed by a formal dinner and a live screening of the Academy Awards. An auction, featuring items such as a vintage Corvette from Sharon Stone's collection, will also be held, and Sir Elton will perform for guests such as Victoria and David Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, and Elizabeth Taylor.

“With the loyal support of the Hollywood community, the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party has raised significant attention and funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS over the past 15 years,” said Foundation Director Scott Campbell. “This year we hope to set the bar even higher and let the world know that we are as committed as ever to fighting this devastating disease.”

Absentee bids and more information on the event can be found at the Elton John AIDS Foundation website.

Gere Awarded Humanitarian Honor

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:29:43 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Richard Gere has received a prestigious humanitarian award in his home city of Philadelphia.

The Golden Globe winner accepted the Marion Anderson Award, named after the famous African-American opera singer who fought racial segregation in the 1930s, at a ceremony at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on November 12.

“I’m not worthy of this award in any way whatsoever,” said the 58-year-old star of films such as “Chicago” and “Pretty Woman”. “I can’t tell you how this makes me feel. My heart is so wide open.”

Gere received the award for his charity and humanitarian work over the last three decades. A devoted Buddhist, Gere has advocated Tibetan independence since 1978, and is a friend and student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He has made numerous trips through India, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, and China, and has released a book featuring his own photographs of these regions, with a foreword written by the Dalai Lama.

In 1987, Gere co-founded Tibet House, and is now Board Chairman for the International Campaign for Tibet. He has testified on Tibet’s behalf before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, the European Parliament, and the House International Operations and Human Rights Subcommittee in an attempt to free the nation from China’s grip. His own charitable organization, the Gere Foundation, was set up to award grants to humanitarian foundations, especially in relation to Tibet.

Gere also established Healing the Divide, an organization dedicated to improving care for HIV/AIDS patients, and in 2004 instigated the Heroes Project, which addresses the spread of AIDS in India. He is a spokesman for Meals On Wheels, and earlier in 2007 appeared in the charity’s first ever advertising campaign, along with his father who has been a volunteer for 17 years. He is also a longtime supporter of the American Foundation for AIDS Research, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

“We are proud to honor Richard Gere with the Marion Anderson Award,” said Philadelphia Mayor, John F. Street. “His accomplishments as an actor are only surpassed by his accomplishments as a humanitarian and as a advocate for human rights issues around the world. We are particularly pleased to honor Mr Gere this year as it will mark the first time that the award will be conferred upon a native Philadelphian.”

Gere attended the award ceremony with his friend and co-star of three films, Diane Lane, and made special mention of the woman the award is named after. He told the audience that Marion Anderson paved the way for artists to use their celebrity status for humanitarian work, and urged people to adopt her traits.

“I think that is what we are here for,” he said during the ceremony. “To make the road easier for those who follow us.”

The Marion Anderson Award, which includes a $100,000 honorarium, is bestowed annually upon individuals whose support for a cause upholds humanitarian principles and benefits society, and previous recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier, Danny Glover, Quincy Jones, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, and Harry Belafonte. Marion Anderson gained international fame in the music world in the 1930s, although she faced racial segregation at home in the United States. She bravely fought racism with her music, and became the first African-American person to perform at the White House in 1939. She was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Johnson in 1963, and died in 1993 at the age of 96.

“In honoring Richard Gere, we celebrate the achievements of an outstanding artist and humanitarian,” said Pamela A. Crawley, Chair of the Marion Anderson Award. “He has used his remarkable career as an actor to support his unparalleled advocacy for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. He has traveled the globe supporting efforts that allow people to live in health, in the integrity of their cultures, and with the fundamental human rights that all citizens of the world must possess. These are the qualities of a leader, and we are deeply honored by his acceptance.”

“Richard is a man whose heart dictates his choices,” added award winning actress, Diane Lane. “He has cultivated this tenacious advocacy for those who are in danger of being railroaded, shut out, and trampled under the big machine of ‘Business As Usual’.”

Gere intends to share the prize money between selected charities.

Celebrities Go To The Dogs Over Auction

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:41:16 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Looking for something a little different to give the special pet in your life? Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron may be able to help, as they are some of the stars donating items for the upcoming “Celebrity Collars For Dollars” auction, starting June 23rd.

The event aims to raise funds for Dogs Deserve Better, a non-profit organization dedicated to freeing dogs that are permanently chained and mistreated.

Bidders will have the chance to buy pre-used dog collars belonging to the canine friends of celebrities such as Robin Williams, who has donated three collars from his pets Gabby and MabelMae, three autographed photos, three signed DVDs, and an autographed Dogs Deserve Better calendar.

Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, has been enjoying preparations for the auction over the last few months, and has been touched by the generosity shown by the stars involved.

“It’s been great fun opening the mail from celebrities to see what they’ve donated,” she said. "Candice Bergen, who did not have a collar to send, had her assistant call to say they were sending a specially signed photo to DDB… and gave a generous donation for chained and penned dogs."

Other items up for sale include autographed photos of Dolly Parton, a signed copy of Bill Maher's book Polite Musings From A Timid Observer, and Martha Stewart has autographed a copy of the Dogs Deserve Better Calendar for the event.

Online bidding will run for 10 days, finishing on July 3rd, and can be accessed through www.dogsdeservebetter.org.

Kylie, Clooney, Stone Boost AIDS Charity At Cannes Event

Thu, 24 May 2007 14:40:49 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

A dinner and auction event in Cannes drew film festival attendees and raised more than $7 million for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR).

Tables for the Cinema Against AIDS gala ranged from $30,000 to $100,000, including Burlesque entertainment from Dita Von Teese and a suprise performance by Kylie Minogue of her songs “Locomotion” and “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”.

Guest auctioneer Sharon Stone sold lots which included a kiss from George Clooney, for which one woman happily paid $350,000.

AmfAR supports AIDS research, prevention, treatment, education and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Its Cinema Against AIDS gala has taken place annually since 1993, and has raised more than $22 million for essential AIDS research. Past events have been hosted by Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, and Sir Elton John.

Oprah Tops Celebrity Philanthropy A-List

Sat, 12 May 2007 08:24:00 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

A list of the 30 largest public donations made by celebrities in the past year puts Oprah in the top spot.

The Giving Back Fund, which encourages and advises on celebrity philanthropy, compiles its list each year. President Marc Pollick said, “Encouragement-by-example is the main reason for the Giving Back 30 list.”

Oprah gave $58.3 million to Oprah's Angel Network and her recently-opened Leadership Academy.

Of the other celebrities high on the list, Barbra Streisand was in fourth spot, having given $11.75 million through her Streisand Foundation.

Tiger Woods took fifth place, giving $9.5 million to organisations including the Tiger Woods Learning Center funded by the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Giving Back’s Marc Pollick praised an increasing trend in celebrity donations, saying, “Ten years ago when Slate magazine first published the Slate 60 reporting on the most generous American philanthropists, the last donor on their list gave $5 million. This year the last donor donated $30 million to charity. This is the type of growth we are hoping to inspire within the sports and entertainment community. One cannot help but be influenced by the generosity of his or her peers.”

The full list and information about how it was compiled can be found at givingback.org. This site has previously reported on many of the list’s featured celebrities and their donations; a comprehensively linked version of the list appears below:

Position	Celebrity	Donation	Cause(s)
1	Oprah Winfrey	$58,300,000	Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, Oprah's Angel Network, and other groups
2	Geoffrey Beene	$44,000,000 (bequest)	Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
3	Jack and Marie Lord	$40,000,000 (bequest)	Hawaii Community Foundation
4	Barbra Streisand	$11,750,000	Streisand Foundation, numerous civil liberties, environmental, and civil rights organizations “dedicated to democratic values”
5	Tiger Woods	$9,500,000	Tiger Woods Learning Center, Earl D. Woods Sr. Scholarship Fund, and other Tiger Woods Foundation programs
6	Rosie O'Donnell	$5,700,000	Katrina Relief efforts including Renaissance Village (a temporary shelter for Katrina victims), day care centers, a rehabilitation center in San Antonio, and a Habitat For Humanity sub division in Baton Rouge
7	Martha Stewart	$5,000,000	New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital for a center on healthy aging
8	Carmelo Anthony	$4,282,000	CAF Youth Center in Baltimore, AAU Basketball, Syracuse University Recreational Center, and other charities
9	Pat Boone & Shirley Boone	$3,000,000	Pepperdine University for the Graduate School of Education and Psychology Center for the Family
9	LeRoy Neiman	$3,000,000	The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to support a Master’s class in figure drawing
11	Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt	$2,415,000	School and Community Center in Swakopmund in Namibia, Daniel Pearl Foundation, Namibian hospitals, Doctors Without Borders, Global Action for Children and others
12	Nicolas Cage	$2,000,000	Amnesty International for a fund to help child soldiers
12	Dwayne Johnson (“The Rock”) and Dany Garcia Johnson	$2,000,000	University of Miami to name new Alumni Center living room
12	Paul McCartney	$2,000,000	Adopt-A-Minefield
12	Arnold Palmer	$2,000,000	Pledged to the Arnold Palmer Foundation ultimately to benefit the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
16	David Geffen	$1,600,000	David Geffen Foundation
17	Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol	$1,300,000	The Gunnery to help pay for a new dormitory in memory of their son Teddy killed in a plane crash
18	Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg	$1,250,000	Boston University to renovate facilities
19	Andre Agassi	$1,070,000	Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation
20	Tiki and Ronde Barber and family	$1,000,000	University of Virginia to support the McIntire School of Commerce, the Virginia Athletics Foundation, Childrens Hospital, a scholarship fund for African-American students, the Young Alumni Council, and to challenge young alumni to participate in the capital campaign
20	Bob Barker	$1,000,000	Georgetown University to endow a fund at its law school that will focus on the study of animal rights
20	Gloria Estefan	$1,000,000	The Miami Project
20	Dr. Phil McGraw & Robin McGraw	$1,000,000	Dr. Phil Foundation
20	George Steinbrenner & family	$1,000,000	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for Boshamer Stadium for baseball
20	Tony Stewart	$1,000,000	Victory Junction Gang Camp
20	Denzel Washington	$1,000,000	Save Africa's Children
27	Mike Sexton	$560,000	Special Olympics, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, Children, Inc., Wounded Warrior Project, Ohio State University, and other charities
28	Lance Armstrong	$500,000	Lance Armstrong Foundation
28	Dolly Parton	$500,000	Fort Sanders Medical Center
28	Elizabeth Taylor	$500,000	New Orleans AIDS Task Force to purchase mobile medical unit for AIDS sufferers in New Orleans

Elizabeth Taylor's Birthday Gift

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 21:42:19 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

For her birthday, Dame Elizabeth Taylor is donating an AIDS medical unit to the people of New Orleans.

Medical professionals who have lost clinics due to Hurricane Katrina will staff the 40-foot vehicle. The unit has two exam rooms and ex-ray facilities, and is already in the possession of the New Orleans AIDS Task Force.

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