Look To The Stars News: Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington To Attend Charity 100th Anniversary Gala

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000

The road to the 100th Anniversary Gala of the venerable Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon just took a giant step. Award-Winning actor Denzel Washington, a proud product of the century-old youth organization, has agreed to host the celebration gala and benefit set for Saturday night, March 24, 2012, at the Rye Town Hilton.

The monumental announcement brings Washington, a two-time Emmy Award, two-time Golden Globe Award and Tony Award recipient, back to his Mt. Vernon roots. He has been a longtime spokesman and board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America since the mid-1990’s.

Denzel Washington Donates $2.25 Million To Fund Scholarship

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Denzel Washington has donated $2.25 million to his former university to fund a new scholarship.

$2 million of the money will endow the Denzel Washington Chair in Theatre and $250,000 will establish the Denzel Washington Endowed Scholarship for an undergraduate student studying theatre at Fordham University.
 

Denzel Washington And Celebrity Friends Launch New Charity PSA

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America (BGCA) have announced a star-studded new Public Service Advertising (PSA) campaign, featuring 21 notable Club alumni dramatically showcasing the impact of the Boys & Girls Club experience in transforming the lives of young people.

The Great Future Start Here PSA made its debut yesterday during an event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

On hand for the release of “Great Futures Start Here” was its director, Academy Award-winner Ron Howard, and Club alumnus Denzel Washington, who secured Howard’s support, along with that of producer Brian Grazer and Imagine Entertainment. The spot was filmed in June in Los Angeles.

Stars Take The Hollywood Pledge For Charity

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:15:00 +0000

Inspired by Bill Gates & Warren Buffett’s Giving Pledge, the Give Back Hollywood Foundation has brought together some of the biggest names in music, fashion, sports and entertainment to demonstrate their commitment to philanthropy with the launch of the “Hollywood Pledge”.

Stars who have already taken the Pledge include Laurence Fishburne, Richard Gere, Dwight Howard, Hugh Jackman, Jewel, Kim Kardashian, Ricky Martin, Kelly Osbourne, Rachel Zoe, Jordin Sparks, Denzel Washington, and many others.

Celebrities take the Hollywood Pledge through the HollywoodPledge.com website and list the charity or charities they support. Fans are also encouraged to give back, whether through monetary donations, volunteer work, or just getting involved in their communities to make a difference.

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.”

Jennifer Lopez Named As Charity Spokesperson

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

On Tuesday, Nov. 30, actress/singer Jennifer Lopez joined 18-year veteran Denzel Washington as an advocate for young people by becoming an official spokesperson for Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America.

To celebrate BGCA’s 20th anniversary of its name change to Boys & Girls Clubs, BGCA introduced Lopez at the Nokia Plaza in Los Angeles.

LTTS Exclusive: Denzel Washington Talks Charity At National Press Club

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

On a whirlwind tour through Washington, D.C., Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington yesterday spoke to reporters at The National Press Club to spotlight the high school dropout crisis in America.

Washington, national spokesman for the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America (BCGA), appeared with Grammy Award winner Ashanti and BGCA’s National Youth of the Year Ramona Dixon to help launch the nonprofit’s new slogan “Great Futures Start Here” and to advance its goal to increase graduation rates.

Maria Shriver To Be Honored With Charity Award

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:00:00 +0000

The Carousel of Hope, the world’s premiere charity event benefiting childhood diabetes, hosted bi-annually by Barbara Davis, will honor California First Lady Maria Shriver with the “Brass Ring Award” at its 32nd anniversary gala on Sat., Oct. 23, in Beverly Hills, Calif., at the Beverly Hilton.

“Maria Shriver has long been a fearless and tireless advocate for children and families, a trailblazer in this area for the good of mankind, carrying on a tradition of selfless dedication to those in need started by past generations of her remarkable family,” says philanthropist Barbara Davis.

The first lady of California since 2003, Maria Shriver has been a national presence for several decades, as a broadcaster, speaker, and best selling author. Six of her books have been New York Times best sellers and her groundbreaking reports on women’s issues have been featured on NBC, CBS and HBO, where she co-executive produced the Emmy winning four part film on Alzheimer’s, “Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?” A graduate of Georgetown University, Maria Shriver is married to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and is the mother of four children.

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.

George Clooney Joins Stand Up To Cancer Lineup

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:00:00 +0000

The extraordinary lineup of actors, musicians, athletes and journalists participating in the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) primetime roadblock television fundraising event (September 10, 2010, at 8PM EST & PST / 7PM CT) continues to grow.

The following supporters have now joined the broadcast: 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 and Renee Zellweger.

Jennifer Lopez Tells Kids To Be Great For Charity

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Jennifer Lopez was in Times Square yesterday, June 10, to unveil a billboard as part of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America’s (BGCA) Be Great campaign.

The campaign – which was launched in 2008 – features a collection of celebrity alumni from the BGCA who have donated their childhood photos for advertising. Stars such as Denzel Washington, Martin Sheen, Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Cosby, Muhammad Ali, Swin Cash, Bill Clinton, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Jordan, Queen Latifah, Mario Lopez, John Mellencamp, Edward James Olmos, Smokey Robinson, John Singleton, Ruben Studdard, Usher, Courtney Vance, Mark Wahlberg, and Kerry Washington have all been part of the campaign.

Sean Astin Writes A Letter To The Troops

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin is the latest celebrity to write a letter of encouragement to US troops stationed overseas as part of D.B. Sweeney’s Letter From Hollywood initiative.

“I served for 10 years as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army,” wrote Astin. "It was an incredibly rewarding way to learn about the Civilian and Military leadership of our Armed Forces. I remember doing what you are doing now for Armed Forces Radio Network in Germany. Denzel Washington and I were standing in full battle tank gear in El Paso Texas recreating a scene from Persian Gulf 1 and I shoved a microphone in front of him and said, can you say Merry Christmas to the troops. He stood tall with a fat cigar in his hand surrounded by a bunch of Australian Sheridan’s made up to look like T-72’s and started talking to the guys in the field, hunkered down (in Bosnia I think) like they were having a beer together around a barrel fire.

  "Civilian Aides can only serve for 2 five-year terms, which I did under Sec. Army’s during the Clinton and Bush administrations. I remember having a little conflict with one of them who was disparaging of “Hollywood.” I reminded him of the extraordinary legacy that movie stars and studios have had working along side the fighting men and women of our country.

Ellen DeGeneres Launches Peace For Animals Auction

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0000

It’s not every day one of Hollywood’s hottest celebrity couples invites the public to go shopping with them, but as chairs of Farm Sanctuary’s “Peace for the Animals” holiday auction, that’s exactly what Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are doing by encouraging shoppers to join them in using their shopping dollars to protect farm animals from abuse.

All funds raised by bidding on such coveted items as the Volturi crest from the set of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Emily Deschanel’s personalized lab coat from the hit series Bones and a private yoga session with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons will directly support Farm Sanctuary’s rescue, education and advocacy efforts for farm animals.

ICAP To Hold 17th Annual Charity Day

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:00:00 +0000

ICAP, the world’s premier interdealer broker, will hold its 17th annual global Charity Day on Wednesday, 9 December, 2009. On this day, 100% of company revenues and commissions will be donated to a selection of over 120 charities around the world.

Since the inception of ICAP Charity Day, ICAP and its customers in over 50 countries have raised funds for over 700 well-deserving charities globally. This year, ICAP will be supporting a further 120 charities globally, almost 30 in North America alone. Last year, $16.3 million was raised on Charity Day, bringing the total to over $100 million since 1993. These funds went towards such diverse programs in North America as helping sick children, supporting literacy, and funding cancer research.

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.

Taylor Swift Signs Elephant For Family Health International

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:29:00 +0000

As reported earlier by Look To The Stars, Family Health International is one of many charities to benefit from the current auction of celebrity-signed toy elephants organized by PROJECT ZAMBI.

Among those who have signed the elephants specifically for FHI are Taylor Swift (pictured below), the Jonas Brothers, Hugh Jackman, Heidi Klum and Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi.

Will Smith's Children Support Charity Initiative

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Jaden and Willow Smith – the actor children of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith – have spoken about their support for PROJECT ZAMBI, a charity initiative started by a group of Hasbro employees to help raise awareness and funds for the estimated 15 million children who have lost parents and relatives to the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

“Willow and I joined Project Zambi to represent all the kids out there who want to make the world a better place,” said Jaden. “We want to encourage kids everywhere to lend a hand and join us in spreading the word about how much children who have been orphaned by AIDS in Africa need our help.”

The children have joined a host of stars – including Jessica Biel, George Clooney, Glenn Close, Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joely Fisher & Brad Garrett, Jennie Garth & Peter Facinelli, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Heidi Klum, Kathy Najimy, Rhea Perlman & Danny DeVito, Graham Rahal, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, Taylor Swift, James Taylor, Barbara Walters, Denzel Washington, and Naomi Watts – in signing toy elephants to benefit charities such as Keep A Child Alive, the African Children’s Choir, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps, the Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project, the Children of Uganda, Global Action for Children, the Global Fund, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages and many more.

Stars Gather For Brent Shapiro Foundation Event

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:00:00 +0000

The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug and Alcohol Awareness will hold a star-studded benefit in Hollywood tomorrow night, September 12.

The private party at an undisclosed residence will be attended by many of the celebrity supporters of the charity, including Larry King, Jessica Alba, Sean Combs, Denzel Washington, Barry Bonds, Rod Stewart, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Lindsay Lohan, Brody Jenner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Karina Smirnoff, Lionel Richie, Sylvester Stallone, Brent Bolthouse, Danny Masterson, Adrian Grenier, Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, Bruce and Kris Jenner, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, Cheryl Tiegs, Jayde Nicole, Jacquelyn Smith, Nicky Hilton, Carolina Bacardi, Esai Morales, Ashley Hamilton and many others.

Brent Shapiro was the son of Robert Shapiro, who was an attorney on OJ Simpson’s defense team in 1995. Brent – who had battled with addictions most of his life – died in 2005 at the age of 25. It is the vision of the Brent Shapiro Foundation to fight the stigma of addictions through education, and help parents communicate with their children on addiction issues.

Celebrities Sign Elephants For Project Zambi

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

A host of celebrities have come together to be part of an online auction that features one-of-a-kind collectible elephant models.

Jessica Biel, George Clooney, Glenn Close, Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joely Fisher & Brad Garrett, Jennie Garth & Peter Facinelli, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Heidi Klum, Kathy Najimy, Rhea Perlman & Danny DeVito, Graham Rahal, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, Taylor Swift, James Taylor, Barbara Walters, Denzel Washington, and Naomi Watts are some of the stars who have signed the elephant toys for Project Zambi, a charity initiative started by a group of Hasbro employees to help raise awareness and funds for the estimated 15 million children who have lost parents and relatives to the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

“It is encouraging to see that companies such as Hasbro are developing initiatives to support global health issues,” said Alicia Keys. “Through my involvement in this project, I’m proud to support Keep A Child Alive, an organization dedicated to providing care and support to children and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India by directly engaging the global public in the fight against AIDS.”

Celebrities Give Their Soles To Foster Care Centre

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The first “Foster Soles” online charity auction took place last month to support Hillsides, a Los Angeles foster care and treatment centre.

Foster Soles collected the shoes of dozens of big names, such as Denzel Washington, Elton John, Jake Gyllenhaal and Nicolas Cage, who autographed their footwear before putting them up on the block.

Proceeds of the auction will be used by Hillsides for their programs and in public awareness. Once an orphanage, it is now a private, non-profit centre providing abused children with a safe refuge and advocating for their rights. Hillsides’ website says, “Although [the children] come from all over Southern California and encompass every ethnic and socioeconomic group, they share a common experience – the emotional scars that result from child abuse. With counselling and mental health treatment, children at Hillsides learn that they are not alone, that they are safe and cared for. Six programs constitute the framework for Hillsides treatment services – Residential Treatment, the Education Center, the Family Center and Advocacy.”

Usher Urges Youth To Be Great

Mon, 11 May 2009 12:00:00 +0000

As part of Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America’s (BGCA) new advocacy campaign — BE GREAT — five-time Grammy award winner, philanthropist and Boys & Girls Club alumnus Usher has unveiled a new billboard featuring his childhood picture and a call-to-action — BE ICONIC. Usher joins 25 prominent alumni in the new advocacy campaign to help increase public awareness and understanding about the positive impact of Clubs.

From academic failure and gang violence to poverty, drugs and obesity, America’s youth face a daunting array of problems — with serious consequences and fewer safety nets at home and in the community. According to a 2007 BGCA alumni survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 57 percent of alumni reported, “The Club saved my life,” while another 28 percent credited Boys & Girls Clubs with keeping them in school.

“Growing up in the Club, I had the chance to experience a lot of positive things; it helped reinforce the values I learned at home including good character, leadership and giving back to my community, my country and my world,” said Usher. “It’s where I developed my love of singing and performing, received help with my homework, and it’s where I found a safe place to go after school.”

Stars Design Necklaces For Charity Auction

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:00:00 +0000

The World Gold Council has launched its charity auction featuring jewelry designed by some of entertainment’s biggest stars.

As reported by Look To The Stars last year, a range of celebrities – including Debra Messing, Christina Applegate, Whoopi Goldberg, Marcia Gay Harden, Samantha Harris, Eric McCormack, Chris Noth (“Mr Big”), Lena Olin, Rachael Ray, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, and Pauletta & Denzel Washington – have designed gold pendant necklaces incorporating a leaf motif. Participants will choose to have proceeds from the sale of their designs benefit their favorite charity or Jewelers for Children, the jewelers industry charity that has invested over $30 million in special programs to reach children whose lives have been devastated by catastrophic illness or life-threatening abuse and neglect.

Other charities to benefit from the auction include YouthAIDS, Right Action for Women, Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Waterkeeper Alliance, Project Angel Food, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Hope for Henry Foundation – a charity which improves the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses by providing carefully chosen gifts and specially designed programs to entertain and promote comfort, care and recovery – Yum-o!, and the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen.

LTTS Exclusive: Hollywood Knights Slam-Dunk For Charity

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars’ Delinda Lombado recently got the chance to talk to the CEO of Hollywood Knights International, whose celebrity basketball team is a leader in charity fundraising.

Back in 1973, David Mirisch was way ahead of the curve. As founder of Hollywood Knights International, he is credited with being the first (or at least most important) person to pair celebrities with fundraising, producing some of the first consecutive tennis and golf charity tournaments in Hollywood.

Now headed by David’s son Michael (who took the reins as CEO in 1992), Hollywood Knights International are still going strong and its Celebrity Basketball Team has become a symbol for fundraising world-wide.

Stars Sign Posters For Charity Foundation

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Now is the time to deck your walls with a selection of movie posters signed by your favorite stars in a new charity auction being run by ClothesOffOurBack.org.

Going under the hammer are a Brokeback Mountain poster signed by the late Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams, a Big Love poster and DVD set signed by Bill Paxton, a Philadelphia poster signed by Denzel Washington, and SAG Conversation Series posters signed by stars such as Kirk Douglas, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Greg Grunberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Holly Hunter, Rob Schneider, Kyra Sedgwick, Tom Selleck, Forest Whitaker, Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, Ben Affleck, Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Tim Robbins, Ali Larter, Jesse Spencer and many more.

Proceeds from the auction will go to the Screen Actor’s Guild Foundation, an organization that offers substantive services to Guild members in its mission to assist, educate and inspire actors in their professional endeavors and to give back to the communities in which they live. Founded in 1985, the non-profit SAG Foundation is governed independently of the Guild and funded through the generosity of grants, donations, volunteering and fundraising efforts.

Obama's Inauguration Set To Rock

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Barack Obama’s official inauguration concert this weekend is going to be a who’s who of the music industry, with some of the world’s biggest superstars confirmed to perform or attend.

The lineup for this Night Of Nights includes Bono and U2, Beyoncé Knowles, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, John Legend, James Taylor, {celerity:Josh Groban}, and Mary J. Blige. Historical passages will be read by Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington.

The show will be aired on HBO at 7pm EST on Sunday, January 18, via an open feed, which means cable and satellite viewers will see the show for free.