Look To The Stars News: James Cromwell

Celebrities Sign Letter To Stop Tail Docking

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

An animal rights charity has gathered support from a number of celebrities for its urgent call to end a cruel practice commonplace in the dairy industry.

On behalf of Kim Basinger, Alicia Silverstone, Bill Maher, Bob Barker and a host of other California celebrities – as well as their more than 200,000 members and supporters – Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, sent a letter today to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to do the right thing and sign a bill sitting on his desk that would end the cruel and outdated practice of amputating dairy cows’ tails.

Both chambers of the California legislature recently passed a bill that would ban tail docking in the dairy industry, but the bill will not become law unless the governor signs it.

Tail docking, the amputation of a cow’s tail by applying a tight rubber ring around the appendage until the tissue becomes necrotic and falls off, or is alternatively cut off with shears, is a procedure usually performed without analgesics and causes the animal to suffer acute and lingering pain. It also prohibits them from warding off biting insects with their tail, leading to greater distress during fly season. Peer-reviewed research from both governmental and academic sources indicates there are no health or safety benefits associated with tail docking, and the procedure has been opposed by numerous professional associations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

“With last November’s landslide passage of Prop 2, banning the three cruelest farm animal confinement systems in the state, Californians made it clear they will no longer tolerate cruel and unnecessary practices on factory farms,” said Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary’s president and co-founder. “By putting an end to tail docking, Governor Schwarzenegger has the opportunity to continue this wave of compassion and send a humane message to the rest of the country.”

Celebrities who signed Farm Sanctuary’s letter to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to ban tail docking in California include Alicia Silverstone, Bill Maher, Bob Barker, Emily Deschanel, Eric Roberts, Esai Morales, Fred Willard, Ginnifer Goodwin, James Cromwell, Joan van Ark, Kim Basinger, Kristen Bell, Mariel Hemingway, Mimi Kennedy and Valerie Harper.

Stars To Support Anti-Death Penalty Awards Dinner

Tue, 19 May 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Advocacy organization Death Penalty Focus is to hold its annual Awards Gala on Thursday, May 21, with some high profile guests slated to attend.

The 18th Annual Awards Dinner will honor Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico; John Van de Kamp, former Attorney General of California; Nancy Miller, creator of TV series Saving Grace; and several others. Guests will include Six Feet Under’s James Cromwell, Mike Farrell and Amy Brenneman, and the host committee includes Alec Baldwin, William Baldwin, Jackson Browne, Morgan Fairchild, Danny Glover, Lily Tomlin and Noah Wyle.

Founded in 1988, Death Penalty Focus is dedicated to the abolition of capital punishment through public education; grassroots and political organizing; original research; media outreach; local, state and nationwide coalition building; and the education of religious, legislative and civic leaders about the death penalty and its alternatives.

More information about the event, including tickets, can be found at the organization’s website.

Dom DeLuise's Charity Legacy

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Actor Dom DeLuise sadly passed away on Monday, May 4, after a long battle with cancer. But the comedian is leaving a lasting legacy for charity.

In lieu of flowers, DeLuise’s family has asked for donations to some of his favorite charities, such as the Elixir Fund, the Lily Sanctuary, the Hydrocephalus Foundation, and the Pearl S. Buck Foundation.

DeLuise is also one of the stars who has donated doodles to this year’s annual Celebrity Doodle auction to raise money for Neurofibromatosis, Inc..

Imagine an unpredictable disease that causes tumors to form on the nerves of your body. Depending on their location, these tumors can cause disfigurement, dysfunction, deafness or blindness. In the wrong place they can be fatal. That is Neurofibromatosis, or NF for short. If that weren’t enough, NF can also cause learning disabilities, seizures, bone deformity and cancer. Currently, 100,000 Americans have NF; worldwide, 115 babies are born each day with this same genetic disorder.

Neurofibromatosis can affect any family. Half the children born with it have no family history of NF. Despite the many researchers studying this devastating condition, there is still no cure, and treatments are largely inadequate.

But there is hope. In support of its mission, NF, Inc., the national non-profit organization dedicated to serving families affected by NF, announces its third annual National Doodle Day fundraiser, an auction of “Doodles” by a wide range of celebrities and artists. Each contributor has donated and autographed a one-of-a-kind work of art drawn on a 5 × 8 Doodle Card. Beginning Thursday, May 7, these Doodles will be auctioned on eBay, with all funds raised supporting NF, Inc.

To date, over 75 celebrity Doodles have been posted to the NF, Inc. web site, and include: actors Christopher Atkins (The Blue Lagoon), Tom Bosley (Happy Days, Father Dowling Mysteries), James Cromwell (Babe), Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeannie), Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky & Hutch), Rue McClanahan (The Golden Girls), Chef Duff (Ace of Cakes), singers Tony Bennett, Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), Coach Bruce Boudreau (head coach, Washington Capitals ice hockey team), Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback), former Boston Celtics Tom Heinsohn, legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, bestselling author Jodi Picoult and many more. To take a “sneak peek” at the Doodles, visit www.doodledayusa.org.

Last year’s auction raised $28,000 for NF, Inc. The top seller, at $2,749, was a Doodle by X-Files actress Gillian Anderson. The premiere auction in 2007 featured a Doodle by the junior senator from Illinois, now President Barack Obama! It sold for $2,075.

Ellen DeGeneres Awarded By The Humane Society

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The stars gathered at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, March 28, for The Humane Society’s 23rd annual Genesis Awards, held in tribute of the organization’s ProtectSeals Campaign.

Special guests such as internationally acclaimed photographer Nigel Barker, Corey Feldman, Hal Sparks, Jorja Fox, James Cromwell, “Bones” star Emily Deschanel, former Oakland Raider Jarrod Cooper, Jennifer Coolidge, Carrie Ann Inaba, “Big Love’s” Ginnifer Goodwin and many more were on hand to present awards to a variety of celebrities, shows, and activists who have spent the last year making the world a better place for animals.

The major award of the night – the Wyler Award – went to Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi for using their wedding and Ellen’s talkshow as an opportunity to publicize to a broad audience their ethical decision to avoid animal products in the hope of influencing public behavior. After viewing videotaped congratulations from Sir Paul McCartney, both DeGeneres and de Rossi spoke about their journey toward ethical living and the changes they have made in their lives to reduce animal suffering.

“People need to understand that animals are thinking, feeling beings who have a right to a free life,” said DeGeneres.

Also throughout the evening, guests were treated to special video treats from stars such as Heather Mills and Lily Tomlin.

The complete list of prize winners was as follows:

Wyler Award ELLEN DEGENERES & PORTIA DE ROSSI
Feature Film  BOLT
Dramatic Series  GREY’S ANATOMY “Life During Wartime”
Sid Caesar Comedy Award  THE SIMPSONS “Apocalypse Cow”
Children’s Programming  HANDY MANNY “Manny’s Mouse Traps”
TV Newsmagazine – National 20/20 “Elephant PTSD”
TV Newsmagazine – Cable REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL “Hidden Horses”
National News Feature  WORLD NEWS WITH CHARLES GIBSON “Monkey Business,” “Person Of The Week,” “Rescuing Racehorses,” “Saving The Rhinos,” and wolf segment
Local News Series (a tie) KGO-TV (Bay Area) “I-Team Investigation: Battery Cages” & KLAS-TV 8 (Las Vegas) “Elephant Abuse: Life on the Road”
Local News Feature  KHOU-TV Houston “Slaughtergate”
 * TV Documentary  BLINDERS  
Unscripted Televison Series  30 DAYS “Animal Rights”  
Brigitte Bardot International  THE MONG LAH CONNECTION
Talk Show  THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW multiple shows   
Series of Newspaper Articles  USA TODAY multiple articles by Sharon L. Peters
News Magazaine  NEWSWEEK “Extinction Trade” by Sharon Begley
Magazine  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED “The Good News out of The Bad Newz Kennels” by Jim Gorant
Brigitte Bardot Internaional – Print DAILY MAIL (U.K.) multiple articles by Dr. Danny Penman
Special Recognition SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS multiple editorials

Lint Roller Party Picks Up Big Names

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:38:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

An impressive list of stars will be turning into party animals at the newly restored Hollywood Palladium on Thursday, November 13th, for the 15th annual Lint Roller Party.

Lisa Edelstein along with Eric and Tania Idle are Honorary Co-Chairs for the night, which supports the Best Friends Animal Society. The party’s honorary committee includes animal lovers such as Adrian Grenier, Charlize Theron, Nicollette Sheridan, Bill Maher, Dan Aykroyd and Willie Nelson, to name but a few.

The event raises funds for the Society’s programs in LA, which improve and save the lives of animals, including: A Puppy-Store-Free LA, Pet Adoption Festivals, Date with a Dog, Indie Rescue, Catnippers, Best Friends Brigade, Pup My Ride Transport Program.

A Founders’ Reception starts the event off at 6, with the party beginning in earnest at 7 P.M. Guests will enjoy an evening of celebrity presenters, live entertainment, live and silent auctions, special guests, an open bar and great veggie food, as well as meet some of the Founders of Best Friends and the stars of National Geographic Channel’s hit series DOGTOWN.

Emmylou Harris will be the feature entertainer for the evening, with the gourmet dinner cooked up by Wolfgang Puck Catering. Those taking part in the auction could win getaways, walk-on-parts, premiere tickets, jewelry, sports and hollywood memorabilia and fine art, among other items. An online auction is currently being held on eBay, which includes autographed items, such as one of Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves, Simspons and Star Wars memorabilia, and one lucky person will win a walk on part in a Clint Eastwood film.

For more information, visit the Lint Roller Party website.

Signed W Film Posters Up For Auction

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Lionsgate Films are auctioning signed film posters of their latest movie, W, to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

W tells the story of George W Bush – one of the most controversial public figures in recent memory. Lionsgate describes the film as an: “unprecedented undertaking, [with] acclaimed director Oliver Stone bringing the life of our 43rd President to the big screen as only he can. W takes viewers through Bush’s eventful life – his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith, and of course the critical days leading up to his decision to invade Iraq.”

The auction – which runs until October 20 – features five W posters signed by the film’s director, Oliver Stone, and leading actors – Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, Elizabeth Banks, and Ellen Burstyn.

The auction can be accessed through eBay.

Shanna Moakler Makes PETA Ad

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Meet The Barkers’ Shanna Moakler is the latest celebrity to appear in an ad for PETA.

The 33-year-old joins Sir Paul McCartney, Joss Stone, Alicia Silverstone, Forest Whitaker, Casey Affleck, and James Cromwell in advertising for the organization, and didn’t hesitate when asked to film an advert.

“There are so many good reasons not to eat meat, but for me, the well-being of my children is the most important,” said Moakler, who has appeared in several films and on many TV shows, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Dancing With the Stars. “I want them to be healthy and also to understand that when they say ‘No!’ to meat, they’re saying ‘No!’ to animal cruelty. We talk about our pets, and I say, ‘You wouldn’t eat Biscuit, would you? Well, then let’s not eat any animal, O.K.?’”

The model is also against the use of fur in fashion – she won several fur coats in various pageants but now plans to donate them to PETA to use in its campaign to educate the public about the cruelty of the fur industry.

“I don’t think I really realized what I was putting into my body and the actual effects that it was having on me, so now I feel so much healthier, and I have so much more energy, and foods taste better!”

For more information and to view the ad, visit PETA.org.

Look To The Stars News: James Cromwell

Celebrities Sign Letter To Stop Tail Docking

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