Look To The Stars News: Mark Harmon

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.

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

Take The Clothes From Celebrities' Backs For Awards Season

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:02:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

February is already upon us and that can mean only one thing: the start of the Hollywood Awards Season! And to celebrate, Clothes Off Our Back is giving you the chance to bid on red carpet clothing and Hollywood memorabilia to raise money for charity.

From now until March 10 you have the opportunity to bid on items such as sunglasses owned by Robert Downey Jr and Pushing Daisies’ Kristin Chenoweth, a shirt worn and autographed by David Duchovny, clothing and a book signed by Blair Underwood, a jacket worn and signed by Mark Harmon, the gown America Ferrera wore to the Directors Guild Awards, gowns belonging to Melora Hardin, Carrie Underwood and Tricia Helfer, Teri Hatcher’s handbag, a book autographed by Jodie Foster, and much much more.

Proceeds from the auction will go to Feeding America, The Art of Elysium, Hope North and H.E.L.P. Malawi. The auction can be accessed by clicking here.

Celebrity Doodle Sale For Genetic Disorder

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:48:44 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

One of the most exciting celebrity auctions of the year will take place in May to raise funds for an organization supporting sufferers of a painful and disfiguring condition.

National Doodle Day will kick off on May 8 as part of Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month, and will mark the start of a week-long auction of over 100 celebrity doodles from stars such as Ellen DeGeneres, Scarlett Johansson, and Goldie Hawn. Money from the doodles, which were hand-drawn by each celebrity on a 5" by 8" card, will benefit Neurofibromatosis, Inc., a national organization that supports NF patients, their families, and research into the disorder.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is one of the most common genetic disorders in the Untied States, affecting one in every 2,500 births. It is a disorder of the nervous system that causes tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in the body at any time, and can lead to disfigurement, deafness, blindness, seizures, bone deformities, and cancer. Half of the children born with the condition have no family history of the disorder, so it can strike in any family without warning.

The doodle auction runs from May 8 to 18, and follows a successful auction run by the organization last year that featured one-of-a-kind works of art from Cindy Crawford, Kathy Griffin, Kenny G, Josh Groban, Jay Leno, Rick Springfield, Donald Trump, and The Fonz himself, Henry Winkler. However, the highest bid went to a drawing from Barack Obama, which sold for a massive $2,075.

Funds raised from the Doodle Day auction this year will go to support education, advocacy, coalitions, and research for treatments and a cure. Other stars who have put their drawing skills to good use include Gillian Anderson, Candice Bergen, Jeff Bridges, David Cassidy, Dom DeLuise, Garfield creator Jim Davis, Julia Louis Dreyfus, David Duchovny, Seth Green, and many more. There is also an autographed photo and NCIS call-sheet from Mark Harmon on offer.

To view the doodles for sale, visit the Doodle Day website or www.nfinc.org.

Look To The Stars News: Mark Harmon

LTTS Exclusive: Hollywood Knights Slam-Dunk For Charity

Related past articles

Take The Clothes From Celebrities' Backs For Awards Season

Related past articles

Celebrity Doodle Sale For Genetic Disorder

Related past articles