Look To The Stars News: Eddie Izzard

Paul McCartney Honored As MusiCares Person Of The Year

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Beatles legend Paul McCartney was honored as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year at a special event in Los Angeles on Friday, celebrating his exceptional artistic achievements as well as his philanthropic work.

The sold-out tribute to McCartney benefits MusiCares’ emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery programs. Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute — now in its 22nd year — provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that members of the music community have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Hosted by Eddie Izzard, performers included Cirque du Soleil, Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, James Taylor, Diana Krall, Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Sergio Mendes and Katy Perry. The evening also featured a special performance by 14-time GRAMMY winning artist and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Paul McCartney.

Stars To Come Out For Paul McCartney At Charity Gala

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

An impressive star-studded cast will come together to honor 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Paul McCartney during a sold-out gala on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles, two days prior to the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Hosted by actor/comedian Eddie Izzard, artists set to perform are current GRAMMY nominees Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Katy Perry; GRAMMY-winning artists Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Diana Krall, James Taylor, and Neil Young with Crazy Horse; two-time Latin GRAMMY-winning artist Sergio Mendes; and the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “Love” Beatles tribute show. The evening will also feature a special performance by McCartney.

The 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year gala, which will celebrate McCartney’s exceptional artistic achievements and philanthropic work, will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction sponsored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation that will offer an exclusive selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The auction will be followed by a gala dinner sponsored by AEG Live, and a star-studded tribute concert sponsored by Acura/ELS. This year’s red-carpet press arrivals will be sponsored by Kinect for Xbox 360 and Dance Central 2. Other event supporters include CenterStaging — A SoundCheck LA Company, Classic Wines of California, Delta Airlines, Double Platinum, Gibson, Global Art, Heineken, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Jackson Limo, Korbel, Patron Spirits Company, Pepsi, and Sweetwater.

Sting And Trudie Styler Attend Bag Issue Launch

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:25:00 +0000

Broadcasting legend David Frost and rock royalty Sting were amongst the stars who joined Sting’s wife, and recent Big Issue guest editor, Trudie Styler to launch The Bag Issue initiative in central London this week.

The Big Issue is one of the UK’s leading social businesses, which twenty years since its inception continues to offer homeless and vulnerably housed people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income.

Eddie Izzard Makes Charity Trip To Africa

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Whimsical comedian Eddie Izzard this week began a journey through Africa with UNICEF to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

He has been tweeting and blogging his progress and has been both shocked by the poverty and encouraged by the progress of the country. His tweets have shown both carcasses of parched cattle and the more encouraging sight of locals enjoying a ‘water-truck filling station’.

Whilst on the trip, Eddie will be filming his travels to show people just what life is like.

Photos: Stars Take Part In 25th Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon For Charity

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:10:00 +0000

While only one person could be named the official winner of the 25th Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon, all who showed up to Zuma Beach left with a sense of victory as the competition raised more than $1.1 million for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. With attendees and competitors including celebrities, athletes, philanthropists and organizations, a good time was had by all with a common good cause in mind.

Ryan Sutter

Celebrities Call On World Leaders For Urgent Horn Of Africa Funds

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:00:00 +0000

A group of global artists, activists and business leaders have signed a joint letter urging world leaders to step up their response to the famine in the Horn of Africa. They call on them to act “without reservation, prevarication or equivocation” when they meet at an emergency summit in Rome.

Among the signatories are Annie Lennox, Bob Geldof, Simon Cowell, Richard Curtis, Stephen Fry, Eddie Izzard, Kristin Scott Thomas, and representatives from charities such as Oxfam, the ONE Campaign, Comic Relief, CAFOD, ActionAid, Save the Children and many others.

“As we write, more than 11 million people are suffering the great agony of the worst famine in Africa for many years. It is incomprehensible that in 2011 anyone should die of starvation. $600 million* is needed now for our fellow humans. Not a great sum for the world, even in a time of great economic difficulty for some. Last week European leaders found over hundred times this amount to shore up the euro and bail out banks, yet countries like France, Italy, the Arab States and Germany have so far given miniscule amounts of money to prevent people dying from hunger. Surely this must be unacceptable? A true measure of strength is how one cares for the weak. A true test of power is how one protects the frail.

Richard Hammond Among Stars Honored By British Scouts

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0000

A host of stars have been honored by the British Scout Association for their charity work in the organization’s annual birthday honors list.

Eddie Izzard, Richard Hammond, David Attenborough, David Walliams and James Corden were among those honored. A number of winners were Scouts themselves, including novelist Jodi Picoult, chef Ainsley Harriott and Richard Hammond. Hammond – the Top Gear and Brainiac presenter – reflected on his time spent Scouting: “I look back on my days making periscopes and pin hole cameras very fondly. Young people should always be adventurous and inquisitive and Scouting offers a huge amount of opportunities to foster this.”

Another winner, Blue Peter’s Helen Skelton, paddled her way to the Canoeist Award by kayaking down the Amazon to raise money for Sport Relief.

Gary Barlow Plans Second Charity Adventure

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:30:00 +0000

At the ripe age of 39, Gary Barlow is up for anything – even if it’s hiking to the North Pole. For charity, of course.

Don’t underestimate the Take That singer though. Barlow raised more than 1.3 million euros for Comic Relief for leading a team of nine celebrities to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the fourth highest freestanding mountain in the world.

The Spring 2012 trip will raise money for BBC Sport Relief, a charity in the UK that has a history of attracting celebrities, such as David Walliams swimming across the English Channel and Eddie Izzard’s 43 marathons in 52 days.. BBC Sport Relief incorporates physical activity into fundraisers like their Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile and uses the money for disadvantaged people around the world, whether they be homeless children or people in disease-infected conditions.

Glee's Jane Lynch To Host Do Something Charity Awards

Wed, 26 May 2010 13:30:00 +0000

DoSomething.org has announced comedic actress and star of “Glee”, Jane Lynch as host of its star-studded “Do Something Awards” live telecast on VH1 on July 19, 2010 at 9PM EDT.

The final five nominees and grant recipients to be honored during the show were also announced. Each nominee is honored for their commitment to service and social change with a community grant of $10,000. Of these five nominees, a grand prize winner will receive a $100,000 grant for their cause during the live broadcast from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation’s best young world-changers, 25 and under. The Do Something Award is the premier national award for community service, and nominees and winners represent the pivotal “do-ers” in their field, cause, or issue.

Sport Relief Brings In The Charity Cash

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Britain has just hosted a weekend of sport and entertainment to benefit Sport Relief’s work helping vulnerable people – and a whole bunch of celebrities were involved.

The weekend kicked off with the Sport Relief TV Extravaganza on BBC One and Two on Friday night, hosted by Richard Hammond, Davina McCall and others. The show raised an unbelievable £31.6 million for charity, and featured appearances by Annie Lennox, Robbie Williams, Emma Bunton, Cheryl Cole, Andy Murray, Kylie Minogue and many others. David Beckham even got warm and cosy in the bath with comedian James Corden in a special comedy sketch filmed especially for the event.

Michael Parkinson also took part in an episode of Ashes to Ashes, and there were special charity episodes of TV shows such as Masterchef.

Celebrities’ Quick Response To Haiti Disaster

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Here’s what some celebrities are up to, in response to the earthquake disaster that has destroyed Port-au-Prince and devastated Haiti:

Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt: “The people of Haiti are in desperate need of help. Our organization, Not On Our Watch, will do whatever it can and we know the international community will as well.” Not On Our Watch has donated $1 million in emergency response funds to provide medical services to victims of the disaster.

Wyclef Jean: “Yéle Haiti Foundation has pulled together a group of like minded organizations and first responders in order to help coordinate the delivery of emergency services and materials needed by victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Each of the organizations will undertake their own fundraising and on-the-ground operations, but have agreed to share resources, collaborate when it makes sense and avoid duplication.” Four airlifts of medical and emergency supplies and food have already gone out. ONEXONE, one of the like minded organizations, has also already shipped medical supplies, water and blankets for on-the-ground support.

Eddie Izzard Heads To South Africa For Charity

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Comedian Eddie Izzard has already established himself as one of the foremost Stand-Ups of this generation, shattering box office records with his latest show ‘Stripped,’ and now the funny man is set to make the rounds in South Africa to help raise funds for the ongoing work of the Nelson Mandela charitable organizations.

In conjunction with 46664 and Real Concerts, Izzard will perform for five nights on 2 and 3 February 2010 at The Mandela Theatre; The Johannesburg Theatre in Johannesburg; on 4 and 5 February in Cape Town at the ICC Auditorium 1 and on 6 February at Durban ICC in Hall 1 AB.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to perform in South Africa to help raise funds for Nelson Mandela’s charities,” explained Izzard, “It is because of this iconic world leader, Madiba, that I have the privilege of performing my show to a live audience in what is now a free country and at a very significant time in the country’s history.”

Lance Armstrong, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie Donate To Earthquake Victims

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:15:00 +0000

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong is the latest star to donate to victims of the Haitian earthquake.

The star’s LiveStrong Foundation, has pledged $250,000 to relief charities to help in the rebuilding of the country.

“I think what’s on top of everybody’s mind is the earthquake in Haiti and the devastation we all have seen on television or the newspaper or the internet,” he said in a video message. "Some say more than a 100,000 lives lost.

Eddie Izzard Encourages Good Health And Fitness

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0000

British actor/comedian Eddie Izzard is using his recent award for the 43 marathons he ran for charity earlier this year to encourage people in the UK get fitter.

The star was presented with a special award at the annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year event on Sunday, December 13, for his effort, which saw him run 1,100 miles in 51 days for Sport Relief. The run raised over US$300,000 for the charity, which is part of Comic Relief.

And now the star is urging the people of the UK to follow his lead and get fitter.

Eddie Izzard Visits Homeless Charity

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard surprised a homeless shelter in Wales last week when he dropped in for a chat.

Llamau works in South Wales to improve the lives of socially excluded, homeless people. Izzard, who recently ran 43 marathons for charity, dropped in at the charity to learn more about their work and raise awareness for their annual Christmas gift appeal.

The charity was the one of the first specialist young person’s support providers in Wales and was originally founded when a group of concerned social workers and probation officers realised that there was nowhere for their young people to go when they left the care system or came out of an institution. ‘Llamau’ is an old Welsh word for ‘steps’ ‘progression’ or ‘threshold’ and typifies the work they have been undertaking for over 18 years – developing and providing a wide range of innovative and holistic services to meet the needs of a very vulnerable and high risk client group. They are specialist providers of advice, accommodation and support services to homeless young people with exceptionally high support needs, a client group that few other organisations are willing or able to assist.

Eddie Izzard Completes 43 Marathons For Charity

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:00:00 +0000

British comedian and actor Eddie Izzard has completed his massive charity marathon challenge.

The actor set out in August to run 1000 miles and raise money for Sport Relief – a part of Comic Relief – and the 47-year-old finished his odyssey across Britain on Tuesday when he crossed the finish line at London’s Trafalgar Square.

“I feel dead!” he said as the London rain fell around him.

Double Donations For Eddie Izzard's Epic Charity Run

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Comedian Eddie Izzard is running over 1000 miles around the UK for charity, and an anonymous donor is helping every last mile count double.

Eddie’s running his 39th almost-consecutive marathon today in support of Sport Relief, and with only five more marathons remaining before he reaches his destination in London on Tuesday 15th September, a donor has promised to match up to £43,000 ($71,000) in donations made by midnight on Sunday 20th September.

In exhausted breaks between his full days of running, Izzard has been sharing via twitter how significant even a small donation can be:

Eddie Izzard Runs For Sport Relief

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Comedian Eddie Izzard has just set out from London for a 1000-mile run to raise money for Sport Relief, which supports Comic Relief, a charity that helps vulnerable people in need both at home in the UK and abroad.

Izzard’s effort is a serious marathon challenge with comedic results, at least when reading the Press Association’s report: Running 30 miles per day, Izzard achieved a blister and bandaged leg by day two, following a damaged hamstring and shin problems during his mere four-week training period. “He is not a runner,” says Izzard’s publicist.

The pay back, however, is more than honking horns from passing fans in recognition of his daily run. It’s in getting kids with behavioural problems into team sports, child labourers in Bangladesh into school, abused children off the streets of Brazil and finding homes and care for AIDS orphans in Zambia.

Celebrities Raising Voices For Burma

Wed, 07 May 2008 10:46:12 +0000

Will Ferrell and Jennifer Aniston have joined the US Campaign for Burma, and are asking others to do the same for the Burma: It Can’t Wait Campaign. Stars are on a mission to raise one million voices in 30 days against the human rights atrocities occurring in the Southeast Asian country.

The people of Burma are being attacked by their own government, and, just as the world stood together to demand the freedom of Nelson Mandela, the campaign is asking people to speak up for the leader of Burma’s democratic party, Aung San Suu Kyi. The world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Suu Kyi has been deprived of her freedom for 12 of the last 18 years. She has appealed to people around the world, saying, “Please, use your liberty to promote ours.”

Return of the Secret Policeman's Ball

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:56:11 +0000

In 1979, John Cleese headlined the first of a series of performances entitled ‘The Secret Policeman’s Ball’. The show was to raise awareness of Amnesty International UK, which it certainly achieved. Amnesty International UK stated that after the first 3 shows, public awareness of AIUK increased by 700%.

The first show starred other members of Monty Python, Billy Connolly, and it also gave Rowan Atkinson his big break. The Secret Policeman’s Ball was then made into a feature-length film.

In 1987, musical acts were added to the line-up, starring such artists as Kate Bush, Bob Geldof and Duran Duran.