Look To The Stars News: Cuba Gooding Jr.

Stars Support Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) 24th Anniversary Awards Dinner, themed “Developing Minds…Delivering Dreams” is scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2011 at The Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers in New York City.

The almost 2000 Attendees include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Students, HBCU Alumni, and leaders of the community, corporate, and government sectors. Multi-Award Winning Gospel Music Artist, Pastor Shirley Caesar will be hosting the event.

Musical performances include Marsha Ambrosius, Maya Azucena, Soloist Reverend Mishael Miller, DJ R-WAN, and the Soul Play Band. Scheduled honorees include Russell Simmons, Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, John Esposito, and Ban Ki-moon. Special celebrity guest slated to make appearances include Blair Underwood, Cuba Gooding Jr., Tichina Arnold, Rockmond Dunbar, Lamman Rucker, Terrence J and Carl Lewis.

Denzel Washington And Celebrity Friends Launch New Charity PSA

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America (BGCA) have announced a star-studded new Public Service Advertising (PSA) campaign, featuring 21 notable Club alumni dramatically showcasing the impact of the Boys & Girls Club experience in transforming the lives of young people.

The Great Future Start Here PSA made its debut yesterday during an event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

On hand for the release of “Great Futures Start Here” was its director, Academy Award-winner Ron Howard, and Club alumnus Denzel Washington, who secured Howard’s support, along with that of producer Brian Grazer and Imagine Entertainment. The spot was filmed in June in Los Angeles.

Annie Duke To Host Charity Poker For Life Rolls On

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Poker legend Annie Duke and Life Rolls On founder, Jesse Billauer, are set to host the 1st Annual “A Night of Poker” on May 7 in Gardena California to benefit Billauer’s Life Rolls On Foundation.

Life Rolls On, a subsidiary of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, was founded in 1996 by Jesse Billauer. On the verge of becoming a professional surfer, Billauer suffered a spinal cord injury while surfing and was rendered a quadriplegic, Jesse’s spirit was not broken, and the phrase “Life Rolls On” was born.

Today, LRO remains dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury and utilizes action sports as a platform to inspire infinite possibilities despite paralysis.

Stars Line Up For Itty Bitty Celebrity Charity Art Sale

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Cuba Gooding Jr. and Conan O’Brien are just two celebrity names bringing their artistic skills to a unique art sale in Santa Monica in March.

The Itty Bitty Art Sale will feature original postcard-sized art, each to be sold for $40 on a first-come, first-served basis. The work is unsigned on the front, so no one knows the artists’ identity until it is purchased and the name is revealed on the back. The artist can be anyone with a passion or idea – a well known architect, professional designer, Hollywood celebrity, talented amateur, rock & roll musician, or a well meaning animator.

This is the third time the event is being held – previous sales have included works by Jamie Lee Curtis, Ray Liotta, Ben Stiller, George Thorogood, Ashley Tisdale, Christopher Guest, Randy Newman and many others.

Jennifer Lopez Tells Kids To Be Great For Charity

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Jennifer Lopez was in Times Square yesterday, June 10, to unveil a billboard as part of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America’s (BGCA) Be Great campaign.

The campaign – which was launched in 2008 – features a collection of celebrity alumni from the BGCA who have donated their childhood photos for advertising. Stars such as Denzel Washington, Martin Sheen, Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Cosby, Muhammad Ali, Swin Cash, Bill Clinton, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Jordan, Queen Latifah, Mario Lopez, John Mellencamp, Edward James Olmos, Smokey Robinson, John Singleton, Ruben Studdard, Usher, Courtney Vance, Mark Wahlberg, and Kerry Washington have all been part of the campaign.

Sean Astin Writes A Letter To The Troops

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin is the latest celebrity to write a letter of encouragement to US troops stationed overseas as part of D.B. Sweeney’s Letter From Hollywood initiative.

“I served for 10 years as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army,” wrote Astin. "It was an incredibly rewarding way to learn about the Civilian and Military leadership of our Armed Forces. I remember doing what you are doing now for Armed Forces Radio Network in Germany. Denzel Washington and I were standing in full battle tank gear in El Paso Texas recreating a scene from Persian Gulf 1 and I shoved a microphone in front of him and said, can you say Merry Christmas to the troops. He stood tall with a fat cigar in his hand surrounded by a bunch of Australian Sheridan’s made up to look like T-72’s and started talking to the guys in the field, hunkered down (in Bosnia I think) like they were having a beer together around a barrel fire.

  "Civilian Aides can only serve for 2 five-year terms, which I did under Sec. Army’s during the Clinton and Bush administrations. I remember having a little conflict with one of them who was disparaging of “Hollywood.” I reminded him of the extraordinary legacy that movie stars and studios have had working along side the fighting men and women of our country.

D.B. Sweeney Launches Letters From Hollywood For The Troops

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Actors D.B. Sweeney and Cuba Gooding Jr. have launched a new initiative to support US troops overseas called Letter From Hollywood.

The initiative aims to get messages of support from the entertainment industry to the troops stationed away from home.

“It’s been my very good fortune to meet so many of you, the men and women in uniform serving our country,” writes D.B. Sweeney, whose films include “The Cutting Edge,” “Gardens of Stone,” “Memphis Belle,” and “Eight Men Out.” "I’ve seen first hand the great work you do all around the world under dangerous and often very challenging conditions. I’m extremely grateful for the sacrifices you and your families make every day to keep America safe. I’ve come across many other people in show business who also support you. Quietly appreciate the admirable reasons you volunteered and the ideals you uphold. And that’s what Letter From Hollywood is all about. Giving some of these folks a way to reach you. Every week, you’re going to hear from a different person. Actors, writers, directors, technicians. Patriots. People who GET what you do. And want to say thanks. Because what you’re doing deserves it.  

LA Kings Join Celebrities For Charity Hockey Game

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0000

On January 2, the Los Angeles Kings held a charity game, “Face-Off for Hope,” to benefit City of Hope. It took place at the Staples Center immediately after the Kings-Washington Capitals game.

A portion of proceeds from ticket sales and service fees was donated to City of Hope, a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Lakers forward Ron Artest was named an honorary coach. Professional hockey players Luc Robitaille, Jeremy Roenick, Russ Courtnall, Craig Johnson, Jamie Storr, Daryl Evans, Ian Turnbull, Brad Norton, Jamie Kompon, J.F. Jomphe, and John Blue participated in the game, as well as commentators Marty McSorley and Jim Fox. Actors David Boreanaz, Shaun Sipos, Michael Vartan and Cuba Gooding Jr. played, as did director Jason Reitman and E! Entertainment’s Ken Baker.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Leads Diabetes Campaign

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Dwayne Johnson has joined with Novo Nordisk, a world-leader in diabetes care, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a leading charitable organization of the entertainment industry, to encourage families to get active together as a means to help prevent diabetes.

As an ambassador for the Diabetes Aware campaign, Johnson will appear in a public service announcement (PSA) to educate families about the prevalence of diabetes and the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle.

The PSA is part of the ongoing Diabetes Aware educational campaign sponsored by Novo Nordisk and the EIF. The campaign aims to reach the 24 million Americans who are living with diabetes, as well as the estimated 6.2 million Americans who are unaware that they have the disease, to underline the importance of detection, monitoring and proper management of diabetes.

Usher Urges Youth To Be Great

Mon, 11 May 2009 12:00:00 +0000

As part of Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America’s (BGCA) new advocacy campaign — BE GREAT — five-time Grammy award winner, philanthropist and Boys & Girls Club alumnus Usher has unveiled a new billboard featuring his childhood picture and a call-to-action — BE ICONIC. Usher joins 25 prominent alumni in the new advocacy campaign to help increase public awareness and understanding about the positive impact of Clubs.

From academic failure and gang violence to poverty, drugs and obesity, America’s youth face a daunting array of problems — with serious consequences and fewer safety nets at home and in the community. According to a 2007 BGCA alumni survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 57 percent of alumni reported, “The Club saved my life,” while another 28 percent credited Boys & Girls Clubs with keeping them in school.

“Growing up in the Club, I had the chance to experience a lot of positive things; it helped reinforce the values I learned at home including good character, leadership and giving back to my community, my country and my world,” said Usher. “It’s where I developed my love of singing and performing, received help with my homework, and it’s where I found a safe place to go after school.”

Kevin Coster Rocks For Charity

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Kevin Costner and his band Modern West rocked out during Super Bowl weekend in an effort to show people how serious he is about music, and to raise money for charity.

The 54-year-old actor said he’d be happy to ditch the fame of celebrity for the chance to just perform.

“It’s clearly not the need for attention. I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime,” Costner said laughing. “It’s no fun being a celebrity. I’d rather be a performer. I’d rather sing for my supper.”

John Mayer To Appear On Sesame Street Special

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:00:00 +0000

John Mayer is set to join Elmo, Big Bird and the rest of the Sesame Street gang in a TV special raising children’s awareness of the struggles of military families.

“Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change” will air on PBS on April 1, and tells the stories of U.S. service members who return home with injuries — visible and invisible — and explores the struggles their families face. Produced by Sesame Workshop and David Letterman’s production company Worldwide Pants Inc, the show will also feature other famous faces such as Queen Latifah.

“As America’s public broadcaster, PBS is proud to bring resources and tools to families that help them navigate their way through life,” John F. Wilson, chief TV programming executive for PBS, said in a statement. “These stories of courage and strength from military moms and dads will not only help reach and support families facing similar challenges, but also illustrate to all Americans the extraordinary sacrifices these military families make every day.”

Get Ready For The Carousel Of Hope This Weekend

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:30:00 +0000

The annual Carousel of Hope Gala will take place this weekend to raise money for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes.

Presented by Jay Leno, the gala will take place at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 25, and will honor Denzel Washington for his charity work.

This year celebrates 30 years of helping children with diabetes through the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. Held every two years, this is the 18th Carousel of Hope. From its inception in 1978, the Ball has raised over $70 million.

Denzel Washington Urges Kids To Be Great

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Denzel Washington, Martin Sheen, and Shaquille O’Neal have lent their childhood photos to the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America for a new advertising campaign.

The “BE GREAT” campaign launched last week, and aims to encourage volunteers to work at the clubs.

“What’s going on with children doesn’t worry me,” said the Oscar-winning actor. “What’s going on with adults worries me. If we are not more committed to these young people … they will go as far as we take them, so the onus is on us, not on the children. We’ve created this world for them, we are the ones that fall and we are the ones that can rectify it.”

Fifth Annual First Star Celebration Features Major Star Power

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:40:00 +0000

A bevy of stars, including Youth Ambassador and actress Dakota Fanning, came out to support the First Star organization’s Celebration for Children’s Rights on June 7, held at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.

Industry moguls were honored for their extraordinary contributions, such as Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of Relativity Media, receiving the Humanitarian Award. Additionally, Peter Levinsohn, President of Fox Interactive Media received the Community Award.

Alba, Cook Raise $260K for Variety

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:06:00 +0000

A Knoxville screening of “Good Luck Chuck” has benefitted the children’s charity Variety of Eastern Tennessee, thanks to the presence of Jessica Alba and Dane Cook. Fans paid $75 to attend the screening and see the actors, raising a total of $260,000 to help disabled children.

The Variety charity screenings began in 2003 with “Radio” and Cuba Gooding Jr., and “Walking Tall” raised funds the following year. 2005 saw “The Dukes of Hazzard” with Jessica Simpson, Seann William Scott and Knoxville native Johnny Knoxville, and last year’s benefit featured “Talladega Nights” with Will Ferrell. Altogether, nearly $1 million has been raised by the screenings.

The funds are used to purchase mobility equipment for children with physical disabilities and are also shared with other children’s agencies such as Feeding America, Tennessee School for the Deaf and the Empty Stocking Fund.