Look To The Stars News: Joan Rivers

Stars Join Twitter For The Critters Challenge

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:10:00 +0000

The stars are tweeting for charity – and they need your help.

Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Peter Facinelli, Kelly Osbourne and Eric Stonestreet are taking part in the Twitter For The Critters Celebrity Challenge to benefit the Onyx and Breezy Foundation, an animal charity formed in 2004 by Mark and Wanda Shefts to honor the memory of their two labrador retrievers.

Adrienne Shelly Foundation Launches Annual Celebrity Charity Auction

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

The Adrienne Shelly Foundation (ASF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the memory of adored writer, director and actor Adrienne Shelly, is hosting its 4th annual celebrity charity eBay auction, which kicked-off on the 5th anniversary of Shelly’s passing, November 1, and will run through November 10.

The auction of 60+ items features once-in-a-lifetime celebrity experiences including:

Exclusive breakfast/lunch dates with celebrities like Jon Hamm, Cheryl Hines, Rosario Dawson, Alison Brie, Paul Haggis, Keri Russell, Paul Rudd, Michelle Williams, Bill Hader, Meredith Vieira, Rosanna Arquette, John Slattery, Patricia Clarkson, and more

Angela Lansbury And Regis Philbin Are Living Landmarks In New York

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The New York Landmarks Conservancy is honoring another incredible group of New Yorkers who have made outstanding contributions to the City at this year’s Living Landmarks gala on November 2 at the Plaza Hotel at Fifth Avenue.

Philanthropist Lewis Cullman, theater historian Louise Kerz Hirschfeld, legendary actress Angela Lansbury, restaurateur Danny Meyer and TV personality Regis Philbin will join an illustrious list of current “Landmarks.” Former Mayor David Dinkins will receive the special Lew Rudin Living Landmark Award for Public Service.

Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch are Honorary Co-chairs for the evening. The Celebration Committee includes Living Landmarks Mica Ertegun, Agnes Gund, Barbara Goldsmith, Marian Heiskell, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Philippe de Montebello, Elizabeth and Felix Rohatyn, Tommy Tune and Bunny Williams.

Celebrities To Wear Purple For Spirit Day

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will join millions of lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and allies by participating in Spirit Day and wearing purple on October 20, 2011.

Wearing purple on this day symbolizes support for LGBT people and against bullying of LGBT teens.

GLAAD is working with organizations including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the PACER Center, GLSEN, GSA Network, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), PFLAG and The Trevor Project as part of National Bullying Prevention Month to inspire Americans to wear purple on Spirit Day.

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.

Stars Donate Shoes To Celebrity Charity Auction

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity, has announced a complete line-up of A-list celebrities who decided to take off their shoes for a good cause.

What began as a staff shoe drive internally at NBCUniversal 30 Rock studios for the charity’s Japan relief efforts quickly caught on to stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Sir Elton John, sisters Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, John Krasinski, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mariska Hargitay, Yoko Ono, the TODAY show cast, and many more. Jennifer Wilson, an NBCUniversal employee who helped initiate the celebrity shoe auction, said it was the kindness of organizations like Soles4Souls during Hurricane Katrina that drew her to help.

“I’m a Louisiana girl with family in New Orleans, so I saw first-hand the destruction, pain, and uncertainty that comes with a natural disaster,” Wilson said. “I started this to help those that helped us.”

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.

Joan Rivers Supports New Dog Laws In New York

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Joan Rivers has written to the New York City Council in support of proposed new bills that would require dogs to be spayed or neutered and stopping owners from tethering animals for long periods of time.

“I’m thrilled to learn from my friends at PETA that two terrific animal bills got a hearing on Friday: the Licensing Bill encouraging people to fix their animals and the Tethering Bill prohibiting people from chaining animals outside,” wrote the star. "I hope this Tethering Bill passes not just for the sake of the poor dogs tied up outside in the cold, but for the sake of the sons of bitches who do this—because what I’d do to the creeps would be far worse than what any police officer would do!

“I’ve always admired your work on gay issues. I just wish more animals were gay—people would pay more attention!

Celebrity Videos Support Human Rights Charity In New York

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:30:00 +0000

The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – this week released the seventh video of the “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality” campaign, which features actors Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, the first married couple of the series.

The campaign raises the public profile of marriage equality in the Empire State following the win of three marriage equality supportive state senators last week.

“With pro-equality gains in the legislature last week and a Governor-elect ready to sign a marriage bill into law, New York can be on the leading edge of fairness for all families,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “But the work is not done and these high-profile New Yorkers will spur fair-minded citizen to make their voices heard on this critical equality issue.”

Stars Back Jerry Lewis Telethon With Charity Auction

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

To celebrate Jerry Lewis’ Labor Weekend telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, charity auction site BiddingForGood.com has some fantastically massive celebrity items going under the hammer.

Here is a selection of what is on offer:

Celebrity Signed Harley Gas Tank

Ellen DeGeneres Kicks Up Her Heels For Celebrity Charity Auction

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Kimmel, and Elton John are just several celebrities who are kicking off their shoes for the Second Annual Hillsides Foster Soles auction.

Held during Foster Care Awareness Month in May, the annual online auction raises awareness of national foster care issues and the plight of children and youth in the system by auctioning off celebrity signed shoes and photographs.

The online auction, which runs from May 4 through May 20, includes autographed shoes from Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Kimmel, Elton John, Billy Joel, Larry King, Ryan Seacrest, Billy Zane, Dave Koz, Jack Johnson, Jamie Kennedy, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Drew Pinsky, “Dancing with the Stars” performers, Wayne Newton, Adam Sandler, Florence Henderson, Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, and many more – including USA Network’s cast of “Burn Notice.”

Celebrity Apprentice To Raise Charity Cash Again

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

NBC and Donald Trump have officially announced the famous faces that will line up for charity in the new season of The Celebrity Apprentice this year.

Although the charities are yet to be announced, celebrity contestants will include Sharon Osbourne, Sinbad, chef Curtis Stone, Cyndi Lauper, Bret Michaels, Holly Robinson-Peete, Michael Johnson, former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich, Darryl Strawberry, Bill Goldberg, Summer Sanders, Maria Kanellis, Carol Leifer and Selita Ebanks.

Last year’s season of the show was won by Joan Rivers, who played for the charity God’s Love We Deliver.

Stars Attend Charity Party For A Special Cause

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:30:00 +0000

A host of Hollywood A-Listers were out and about in New York earlier this week for a very special charity party.

God’s Love We Deliver provides meals and nutritional counseling to people living with life-altering illnesses. On December 22, stars such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Hartnett, Matt Dillon, Justin Theroux, Mark Ronson, Scott Campbell, Mary Louise-Parker and many others gathered at the Smyth Tribeca Hotel to raise money for the cause.

The charity has also announced that Joan Rivers will perform a series of shows in January to raise money for the organization. The star will perform at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York on Jan 5/6/12/20 and February 3 and 24. Proceeds will also go to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Annie Duke To Join Joan Rivers Impersonators For Charity Poker

Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Fans of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice may need to do a double take on May 27th after seeing Annie Duke join forces with archrival Joan Rivers at a charity poker tournament in Las Vegas… well, kind of.

Leading online poker site UltimateBet.net has announced the sponsorship of the Sucking out on the Rivers charity poker tournament in support of Refugees International. UltimateBet.net’s own Annie Duke will be hosting the event alongside Frank Marino, a well-known Joan Rivers impersonator, and nearly all of the top poker pros in Vegas are already on board to play in the charity tournament.

“I think that after this poker tournament, the real Joan Rivers will quickly realize that poker players are good-natured people – professional people with respected occupations and families – who really want to change the lives of those less fortunate,” stated Annie Duke. “As poker players, we’re all banding together, not just to prove a point to Joan, but to actually change the world.”

Annie Duke Blogs About Celebrity Apprentice 2

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Poker star Annie Duke is currently appearing on Celebrity Apprentice 2 to raise money for Refugees International, and she is blogging about her experiences.

Every week Duke writes about what goes on behind the scenes of the show, which sees celebrities such as Dennis Rodman, Brian McKnight, Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, Clint Black, Tom Green, Khloe Kardashian and many others raising money for charities such as the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, the Lili Claire Foundation and StandUp For Kids.

As well as writing about the show, Duke is also guest blogger for Refugees International.

British Stars Get Really Naked For Charity Calendar

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:00:00 +0000

The National Osteoporosis Society in Britain is giving you the chance to see some of the nation’s favorite stars as you have never seen them before – completely and truly naked.

Joanna Lumley, Michael Parkinson, Joan Rivers, and Bruce Forsyth are among the celebrities that have shed their clothes – and their skin and organs – for the new calendar, which features x-ray photos taken by Nick Veasey of the stars’ bones.

The Really Naked Calendar is part of Love Your Bones, a campaign to raise awareness of the steps people can take in younger years to increase their chances of bone health as they age.

Bid 2 Beat AIDS Auction Jam-Packed With Stars

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:30:00 +0000

December 1st marked World AIDS Day. It was also the first day of BID 2 BEAT AIDS’s 4th annual charity auction.

Fans of celebrities in film, music, television, sports and Broadway have 10 days to bid on eBay for autographed items, VIP seats, original art, costumes and props, memorabilia, exclusive events and meet-and-greets from a legion of stars.

Autographs range from CDs by stars like Bon Jovi and Amy Winehouse, books signed by Madonna and Kevin Bacon, posters signed by Jake Gyllenhaal, Owen Wilson, and Matthew McConaughey, DVDs signed by Will Ferrell and Steven Spielberg, and toys, clothes, instruments and other memorabilia.

Bid2Beat AIDS For Special Christmas Gifts

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

One of the biggest celebrity charity auction events of the year is currently gearing up for its launch on December 1.

Bid2Beat AIDS is an annual event that will feature over 1000 items from top stars such as 50 Cent, Adam Sandler, Adrian Grenier, Aerosmith, Alec Baldwin, Amy Winehouse, Antonio Banderas, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Common , Death Cab for Cutie, Denzel Washington, P. Diddy, Donny Osmond, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Hanson, Hilary Duff, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Blunt, James Earl Jones, James Morrison, Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z , Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jeremy Piven, Jessica Alba, John Legend, Johnny Depp, Kanye West, Kirsten Dunst, Ludacris , M.I.A., Madonna, Mariah Carey, Neil Patrick Harris, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Raven Symone, Razorlight, Rihanna , Sacha Baron Cohen, Sharon Osbourne, Victoria Beckham, Whoopi Goldberg, Will Ferrell, Wyclef Jean, and many, many more. Also up for grabs will be VIP tickets to concerts and backstage visits with stars like Bernadette Peters, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Joan Rivers, and Michael Feinstein.

The annual auction will raise money for LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity. The first three BID 2 BEAT AIDS auctions raised nearly $250,000, and this year’s looks set to be the biggest yet.

There'll Be Feuding And Fighting Between Celebrities... All For Charity

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:32:00 +0000

Celebrity Family Feud is set to invade primetime next week, when it premieres on Tuesday, June 24, on NBC.

Hosted by Al Roker, the familiar show will get a star twist when 24 celebrity “families” front up to do battle on behalf of their favorite charities. First up in next week’s maiden broadcast are Law & Order: SVU star Ice-T and family – playing for Unity 2 – going up against Team Rivers, led by the queens of the red carpet, Joan and Melissa Rivers, playing for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

During each episode of the new series, four celebrity families will be pitted against each other in tournament-style fun and games, with the winners from each round moving on to the final round — where they’ll compete to win up to $50,000 for their designated charity.

Olivia's Million Steps To Cure Cancer

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:44:54 +0000

Only four days into the 3-week, 228-km walk along the Great Wall of China and Olivia Newton-John’s team of fund-raisers is already suffering sore knees, pulled muscles and twisted ankles, and realizing that this will be far more challenging than expected. No one is giving up yet, though, on a goal to raise $5 million towards the building of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre in Melbourne.

The centre will provide in- and outpatient treatment and wellness therapies as well as integrated research into new and better cancer treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

Olivia – a cancer survivor – was diagnosed with the disease only two weeks after her father died from it. Fifteen years later, she has learned a lot on her road to recovery and is eager to give back. She says, “The whole experience has given me so much understanding and compassion I now want to help others going through the same journey.”

Olivia Newton-John Steps Out For Cancer Treatment

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:06:42 +0000

Olivia Newton-John is to lead a team of stars from sports and showbiz, as well as cancer survivors, on a 21-day extreme challenge to trek the entire length of the Great Wall of China.

The 59-year-old star and breast cancer survivor will be joined on the trip by stars such as Sir Cliff Richard, Leeza Gibbons, Jimmy Barnes, Joan Rivers, Dannii Minogue, members of rockband INXS, and many more as they trek along the landmark to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre being built in Australia.

“They say the longest journey starts with the first step,” said the singer. “Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago I have taken many steps on my cancer journey. In recent times, the journey has been working with wonderful people to build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre. Now, I’m taking one more step on that journey – all in the fight against cancer!”

Rosie O'Donnell Holds Benefit Show For Broadway Kids

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:41:19 +0000

Rosie O’Donnell has done it again, raising over $1 million for her “kids” in one evening of music and dance entertainment late last year.

Joan Rivers, Caroline Rhea, Jo Anne Worley, and Linda Dano were among the guests who enjoyed Rosie’s Broadway Kids benefit show, in which students from her theatre schools performed Broadway classics, and Paul Simon sang “Diamonds On The Soles of Her Shoes”, with students joining in song and dance. The evening also included a boisterous live auction that raised over $110,000.

O’Donnell’s dedication to helping kids born into poverty through the support and development of programs and activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them is persistent. Her Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation has awarded over $30 million in grants to child-related organizations since its inception in 1997. She also created Rosie’s Broadway Kids, which provides free music and dance instruction to over 5100 students, family members, and teachers through 22 New York public schools, and last year the institution built the Maravel Center, a state-of-the-art school for performing arts.

Tracey and Joan Clean House

Sun, 13 May 2007 12:15:00 +0000

Falling behind with your housework? Do you need a cleaner? One bidder at the charity auction at Christies bid £13,000 (approx $25,500 US) to have Tracey Emin and Joan Rivers come and do some ‘light cleaning’.

The annual Lighthouse Gala Auction raised over £320,000 for the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT). THT is the leading HIV / AIDS and sexual health charity in the UK. It was one of the first charities to be set up in response to the HIV epidemic and has been at the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS ever since.

Tracey Emin auctioned a neon sign which says ‘Keep Me Safe’, bought by George Michael’s partner Kenny Goss for £50,000, and a second bespoke neon sold to an anonymous bidder for a further £60,000. Other auctions included having your dog walked by Geri Halliwell, which raised £5,500, and a tour round the set of Coronation Street with Antony Cotton, raising a further £5,000.