Look To The Stars News: Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry To Take Part In Charity Tennis

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

A host of celebrities will take part in the 2009 Celebrity Pro-Am To End MS tennis event this weekend.

Stars such as Matthew Perry, Gavin Rossdale, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Brody Jenner, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Alan Thicke, Linda Thompson, Matthew Lillard, and Wayne Bryan will join professional tennis players such as Tracy Austin, Pam Shriver, Derek Rostagno, Bill Scanlon, Katrina Adams, Taylor Dent, Michael Chang, Elliot Teltscher, Chuck Adams, Vijay Amritraj, Scott Davis and more at the event, which aims to raise money for the Southern California Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The event takes place on Saturday, November 14, at the Jack Kramer Club, 11 Montecillo Drive, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 (30 minutes south of Santa Monica).

For more info and tickets, click here.

LTTS Exclusive: Hollywood Knights Slam-Dunk For Charity

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

Written by Delinda Lombardo

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.

This years celebrity roster includes: Aaron Carter (House of Carters), Frankie Delgado (The Hills, Bromance, Keeping up with the Kardashians), Josh Henderson (90210, Desperate Housewives), James Kyson Lee (Heroes), James Lesure (Lipstick Jungle, Las Vegas), Cody Linley (Dancing With The Stars, Hannah Montana), Venom (American Gladiators), Wolf (American Gladiators) and Aaron Yoo (Friday the 13th, Disturbia).

Among the thousands of stars, musicians, and world-class athletes who have devoted their time and influence at Hollywood Knights International events: Frank Sinatra, Charlton Heston, Gregory Peck, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, Mariska Hargitay, Coolio, David Arquette, Michael Landon, Merv Griffin, Muhammad Ali, Joe Dimaggio, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Evander Holyfield, Mark Harmon, Matthew Perry, Tara Reid, Fergie, Backstreet Boys, Woody Harrelson, Bruce Jenner, Pat Boone, Mario Lopez, Wilt Chamberlain, Gladys Knight, Sugar Ray Leonard, Olivia Newton-John, Pamela Anderson, Shaquille O’Neal, Tony Hawk, Wayne Gretzky, Jimmy Connors, Mike Tyson, Buzz Aldrin, Kevin Sorbo, Boyz II Men, Joe Mantegna and many more.

From March 16-22, the full-service celebrity events production and promotional firm will be making our troops happy during their annual USO Hawaii Tour.

Hollywood Knights International’s CEO, Michael Mirisch, along with HKI’s Director of Marketing/PR, Vicky Mirisch, were kind enough to speak to us about their USO Tour and what drives them to produce some remarkable events.

First of all, tell us more about the USO Tour?

“Our second USO tour takes place in Hawaii and consists of basketball games of celebrity players versus our US troops and will be held on Army, Air Force, and Marines bases. The games are high energy, fun antics, lots of fan interaction on the court, and of course some healthy competition between the players. There will also be autograph signings during halftime and lots of pictures taken with fans and celebrities,” explained Vicky.

I know most of your events are open to the public, is this also the case with the USO Tour?

“Unfortunately, the games are not open to the public; only military personnel and their families.”

What is the most rewarding aspect of being part of this organization?

“That’s an easy question. Raising money to help people all over the world through events that incorporate celebrities, fun, and giving back to the community. There is a feeling of incredible satisfaction after every event we produce because we know at the end of the day countless lives are going to change for the better. There is that quote from Emerson that states: “to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded.” This quote hangs in our office and we read it every single day. It really sums it all up for us."

Have you seen an increase in awareness about ‘charity’ from the celebrities involved?

“The majority of the celebrities with whom we work are charitable people in general, and want to give back to the community. It’s not something you can fake,” said Michael. “Most of our events are not paid personal appearances where the stars receive a fee, so when you see a celebrity at a Hollywood Knights event, they are lending their name to the cause itself. We are so grateful to the countless celebrities that have year after year taken the time out of their busy schedules to support our events and the charities that are involved.”

Is there any celebrity in particular that has gone above-and-beyond to lend their name and time to the Hollywood Knights International?

“The truth is, it’s impossible to just name one celebrity,” Vicky told us. "But there are several people who, over the years, have contributed so much to our programs: Josh Henderson and Wesley Jonathan, The Miz, Adrian R’Mante, Brutha, Bryan Datillo, Thad Luckingbill.

Michael: What was it like to take over as CEO? Growing up with such an incredible role model (David of course) must have been an amazing experience?

“My father is an icon and pioneer in the celebrity fundraising business. He pretty much invented this genre and at 73, he’s still producing events. He is an incredible role model and it’s been a blessing and my good fortune to have him as a father first and foremost, and also a business mentor. He continues to inspire me every single day. I became CEO when I officially took the basketball team under my wing and infused it with young talent that packed the gyms out with screaming fans.”

What was the public reaction like when HKI first started producing events? Was it embraced by Hollywood?

“It was a new concept, but it was definitely embraced. The fact that we’re still here and thriving is a testament to that!”

What was the driving force behind David establishing HKI? It seems that no one else was doing this in the 70’s, so what ignited the spark?

“Back in the early 1970’s, David was a very successful publicist with clients such as Merv Griffin, Omar Sharif, Johnny Mathis, [”Pat Boone":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/548-pat-boone], Lindsay Wagner, Raquel Welch, The Supremes and Perry Como. He was representing Tony Trabert, the tennis champion and also representing Murietta Hot Springs in Palm Springs. He decided to put the two together and create a celebrity tennis tournament. A few other events were added and the outcome was a successful event that he really enjoyed producing – and the public enjoyed attending. He realized that this was a niche business that he could launch and he’s been doing it ever since!"

If HKI could eradicate one ‘thing’ (hunger, poverty, cancer, homelessness) from the face of the Earth, what would it be?

“Delinda, great question but tough to answer! But HKI seems to gravitate towards causes that help children in need. So many kids are suffering in the world. We also find that celebrities gravitate and involve themselves more when they can lend their names to children’s causes as well. "

In your opinion, do celebrities make better golfers, ballers or soccer players?

“There are so many amazing celebrity golfers, then basketball players, then poker players. The other sports are more for show and fun than skill!”

Who is the best Hollywood Knight Int. celebrity basketball player? Soccer player?

“Basketball player is a tie between Cylk Cozart and Nana Gbewonyo. Golfer is hands down Jack Wagner.”

Craziest stunt one of your ‘celebrities’ has pulled in efforts to raise awareness?

“Wolf from American Gladiators actually climbed up the basketball backboards and caught the balls as they were going in the baskets and slammed dunked them in! At first we were all worried if the backboards would collapse; Wolf is a built like a body builder. But the fans went crazy and it was just the funniest thing to watch. "

Any thoughts, ideas or quotes regarding what we all can do in terms of making this world a better place?

“Try to live your life without being selfish. Focus on the positive, because there’s no benefit to focusing on the negative. Smile at people and show kindness, even if you have to fake it, over time it will feel natural. Most importantly, learn to love yourself first, faults and all, so that you can honestly and sincerely show love to everyone that matters to you.”

LTTS and Delinda would like to thank Vicky, Michael and David Mirisch for their time and dedication to helping the less fortunate and keeping all of us entertained while doing so.

Here’s just a sampling of what the Hollywood Knights have planned for this year: The Foothill Aids Project Celebrity Bowling Classic (April 09); Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley Celebrity Golf Classic (May); Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Celebrity Fishing Tournament (May); A.G.Spanos Golf Tournament (June); Cedars Sinai Sports Spectacular at the Century Plaza Hotel, California (June); Byron Scott Foundation Gala Dinner in Century City CA (August); The K.I.S. Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament (Oct).

For more info and a list of all events, please visit:
HOLLYWOOD KNIGHTS INTERNATIONAL

Stars Sign Posters For Charity Foundation

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.

The auction runs until March 23 and can be accessed here.

Feed America With George Clooney's Bowl

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of your favorite actors and musicians have autographed bowls for a new charity auction to raise money for the hungry.

The Fill A Bowl, Feed America campaign is being run in conjunction with Clothes Off Our Back, the celebrity charity auction site founded by Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek.

Now is your chance to eat from quality bowls signed by stars such as George Clooney, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Matt Damon, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Adam Sandler, Rascal Flatts, Paris Hilton, Sacha Baron Cohen, Maroon 5, Wyclef Jean, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Annie Lennox, Ben Harper, Josh Groban, Jordin Sparks, Carlos Santana, Sarah McLachlan, Richie Sambora, and many more.

All of the proceeds from the auction – which runs until December 12 – will go to Feeding America. The auction can be accessed here. And remember – it only takes $1 to provide 16 meals for a child.

Melissa Etheridge, Kelsey Grammar, Matthew Perry - A Week Of Charity Events

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Is the change of seasons bringing you down? Are you bored with waiting for winter to roll in (or, for you in the Southern Hemisphere, are you getting impatient for summer to hit)? Well, this week sees three great events to put a “spring” in your step.

Later tonight, September 30, singer and breast cancer survivor Melissa Etheridge is kicking off the Hard Rock Café’s month-long Pinktober campaign with a show in Universal City.

Pinktober is the ninth annual breast cancer awareness campaign launched by Hard Rock Café, and will feature special Pinktober parties and live music events at Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels around the world raising awareness and money for local, national, and international charities, such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. A huge range of music events are listed on the official Pinktober website, as well as awesome pink merchandise. Hard Rock Hotels will also be donating 25% of every room rate to breast cancer research.

After a late night tonight, you’ll have to be up early in the morning to catch the USO of Greater Los Angeles’ Fourth Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament. The event – to be played at Trump National Golf Club, One Oceans Trail
Drive, Palos Verdes – will feature a range of familiar faces, including Kelsey Grammar, Home Improvement’s Richard Karn, John Ratzenberger, Michael Reagan, Mickey Dolenz, and Kevin Farley.

Tee Off is at 8:30am, and the event will raise funds and support operational programs at the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX and the USO Centers at Palm Springs and Ontario, California International Airport. These USO Centers serve as recreation and service areas for American troops and their families on the move to and from duty stations worldwide. The centers serve more than 55,000 troops annually and have been increasingly active due to the continuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And finally, keep your calendars open for Saturday, October 4. That’s the night of the 11th Annual Lili Claire Foundation Benefit Dinner and Concert, hosted by Matthew Perry.

The evening will take place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and promises to feature a talented line-up of performing musical guests, including Ed and Dean Roland of Collective Soul, Terri Nunn of Berlin, and many more. Guests expected to attend the event, chaired by Randy Jackson, include Joely Fisher, Brad Garrett, Bianca Kajilich, Sara Rue, John Schneider, and Bradley Whitford.

Due to the new venue hosting this year’s event, concert only tickets are available at an affordable price which includes a California wine tasting party. All guests will have the chance to enter the draw for three luxurious vacation giveaways, as well as a diamond raffle where one lucky drinker will win a diamond from Simon G. Jewelry!

For more info – and tickets – visit the Lili Claire Foundation website.

Look To The Stars News: Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry To Take Part In Charity Tennis

Related past articles

LTTS Exclusive: Hollywood Knights Slam-Dunk For Charity

Related past articles

Stars Sign Posters For Charity Foundation

Related past articles

Feed America With George Clooney's Bowl

Related past articles

Melissa Etheridge, Kelsey Grammar, Matthew Perry - A Week Of Charity Events

Related past articles