Look To The Stars News: Martin Sheen

Stars Take On 8 For Charity

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:15:00 +0000

The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact are proud to announce an all-star cast for the West Coast premiere of “8,” a play chronicling the historic trial in the federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8, written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and AFER Founding Board Member Dustin Lance Black and directed by acclaimed actor and director and AFER Founding Board Member Rob Reiner.

“8” is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which stripped gay and lesbian Californians of the fundamental freedom to marry.

Black, who penned the Academy Award-winning feature film Milk and the new critically-acclaimed film J. Edgar, based “8” on the actual words of the trial transcripts, first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families.

Sean Connery Joins Sea Shepherd Advisory Board

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:15:00 +0000

Academy Award-winning actor and producer Sean Connery, best known as the original James Bond, has joined the International Advisory Board of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the world’s leading marine wildlife conservation nonprofit organization.

Connery joins the SSCS advisory board alongside two valued new additions: four-time Women’s World Surfing Champion Stephanie Gilmore and Emmy Award-winning Writer, Producer and Director/Co-Creator of The Simpsons, Sam Simon.

In announcing her husband’s alliance with the leading global marine conservation non-profit, Micheline Roquebrune, Connery’s wife of 36 years, said, “It’s natural that Sean and I bring our support to the mandatory mission of Sea Shepherd.”

George Clooney's Signed Jacket Up For Auction To Benefit RFK Center

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Celebrities spanning the worlds of politics, sports and entertainment have joined together for The Robert F. Kennedy Center’s annual Ripple of Hope Holiday Auction.

Icons including Madeleine Albright and George Clooney have donated exclusive experiences and VIP access to raise funds for the organization’s integral human rights work. Bidding is currently live and runs through December 15th at leading charity auction site charitybuzz.com at www.charitybuzz.com/RFKHoliday2011.

Michael Moore, Martin Sheen, Mark Hamill and many more celebrities have donated exclusive experiences to raise funds for the 42-year-old organization dedicated to providing an ongoing base of support to human rights defenders around the world. Additional notable participants include: Jenna Fischer, George Clooney, Rosie Perez, Debra Messing, Bill Maher, Michael Lombardi, John Starks, Ray Romano, James Earl Jones, Chris Matthews, Marc Summers, Florence Henderson, Kate Mulgrew, Jay Leno, Joe Scarborough, Steve Case, Robert Wolf, Austan Goolsbee, Paul Volcker, Mort Zuckerman and Dr. Madeleine Albright, with more A-listers joining the auction each day.

Stars Take A Vow Of Silence For Charity

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Shaquille O’Neal, Martin Sheen, will.i.am, Joe Jonas, Nina Dobrev, Mia Farrow and many others are part of Free The Children’s social media efforts in support of its Vow of Silence campaign – an annual fundraising and awareness initiative encouraging youth to stand together in solidarity for 24 hours with millions of their peers who have been silenced by poverty, disease and exploitation.

The new video montage showcases each of the celebrities with their hand over their mouth as an act of solidarity and support for the millions of youth silenced for their basic rights.

LTTS Exclusive: Bill Clinton, Emilio Estevez And Martin Sheen Celebrate Film Premiere For Charity

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Last Wednesday evening, Look To The Stars’ Allison DiLiberto and Scott Cable celebrated the premiere of The Way at an after party benefiting the Walkabout Foundation at the Imperial No. Nine at the Mondrian SoHo in Manhattan’s posh downtown neighborhood, on Crosby street.

Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez attend the after party for the premiere of The Way to benefit the Walkabout Foundation. Photo: PMc.

Bill Clinton To Speak At Martin Sheen's Charity Movie Premiere

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:30:00 +0000

On October 5th, Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen will premiere their new movie “The Way” with a screening to benefit the Walkabout Foundation in NYC.

President Clinton will be the screening’s keynote speaker, supported by honorary chair committee members Mario Bell, Paul Farmer, Donna Karan, Mike Myers, Chris Pine, Ivanka Trump and Christy Turlington Burns.

Founded by Carolina and Luis Gonzales-Bunster, the Walkabout Foundation focuses on finding a cure for paralysis and donating wheelchairs to people in need all over the world. By pure coincidence, Carolina and Luis’ father Rolando met Emilio on a flight during which they started talking about the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage path after which the movie is named. Rolando explained that his family walked the Camino to launch the Walkabout Foundation the same year Emilio filmed “The Way.” Inspired by Luis being the first person ever to conquer the Camino using just the strength of his arms and the Gonzalez-Bunsters’ dedication and commitment to finding a cure to paralysis, Emilio decided to turn the screening into a fundraiser for the foundation.

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.

AARP To Host Film Festival As Part Of Life@50+ Event

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

AARP today announced it will bring its Movies for Grownups Film Festival to Los Angeles, CA, as part of the organization’s annual National Event & Expo, Life@50+.

Taking place September 22-24, this year’s lineup features some of the season’s great new films, including a few pre-release titles and a Hollywood premiere. Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Seth Rogen and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are just some of the actors confirmed to attend the screenings and participate in panel discussions throughout this three-day event.

Other speakers at the Life@50+ event will include Leeza Gibbons, Jane Goodall, Tim Gunn, Spike Lee, Martina Navratilova, Richard Simmons and many others.

Natalie Portman Joins Celebrities In Supporting Freedom To Marry

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Natalie Portman and her fiance, Benjamin Millepied, are the latest stars to sign a letter urging Barack Obama to consider the marriage rights of same-sex couples.

The I Do letter has gained the support of 100,000 people, including Lance Bass, Dustin Lance Black, Ellen and Portia DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, David Geffen, Anne Hathaway, Cyndi Lauper, Jane Lynch, Eric McCormack, LeAnn Rimes, Martin Sheen, Lily Tomlin and Rufus Wainwright.

“Natalie Portman and her fiance, Benjamin Millepied, are in love, and believe all loving couples should be able to share in the freedom to marry without discrimination,” says Evan Wolfson, president of campaign group Freedom to Marry, "That is why they are joining the more than 100,000 people on Freedom to Marry’s Say, “I Do” Open Letter calling on the president to do the right think and become part of America’s majority for marriage."

Celebrities Pen Letter To President Obama For Gay Rights

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

A number of stars have added their names to a letter to Barack Obama urging him to end discrimination of same-sex marriages.

Anne Hathaway, Ellen DeGeneres, Jane Lynch, David Geffen, Eric McCormack, Martin Sheen, Melissa Etheridge, Rufus Wainwright and many others have signed the letter.

“In law, in love, in life, marriage says ‘we are family’ in a way that nothing else does,” reads the letter. “Marriage is the coming together of two lives, marked by a public promise of love and responsibility in front of friends and family. And marriage brings not only public respect and personal significance, but also a safety net of legal protections, rights, and responsibilities for which there is no substitute.”

Celebrities Doodle For Disabilities

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Life Steps Foundation, with the support of M*A*S*H star, Mike Farrell is hosting Doodle for Disabilities: a celebrity art silent auction that will take place at the Farrell home, on Wednesday, October 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Creative contributions and doodles have been created by Elizabeth Taylor, Al Pacino, Martin Sheen, Jay Leno, Glenn Close, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ed McMahon and other celebrities. To view their doodles, click here.

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served; the event is free and open to the community.

Stars Sign Classic Games For Charity Auction

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Toy giant Mattel Inc has been joined by a host of celebrity fans in its new charity auction.

The Celebrity Signed Mattel Auction runs until October 1, and features games such as Apples to Apples, Pictionary Man, Loopz and Blokus Classic autographed by a plethora of stars such as Edward Norton, Keanu Reeves and Josh Hartnett.

“The Celebrity Signed Mattel Auction is a great example of how companies and celebrities come together to support important charity causes,” said Amanda LeBlanc, Vice President at Vonality, host of the online auction.

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.

Annual Celebrity Charity Doodle Auction Set To Launch

Fri, 07 May 2010 15:00:00 +0000

The annual Neurofibromatosis, Inc. Celebrity Doodle Auction – reported earlier by LookToTheStars.org – is about to launch.

The list is like a “who’s who” of celebrities, and includes Gillian Anderson, Jason Alexander, Carol Channing, Tim Conway, Tim Daly, Phyllis Diller, George Foreman, Terry Fator, Charles Fazzino, Neil Gaiman, Paul Michael Glaser, Seth Green, Melissa Joan Hart, Florence Henderson, Stephen Hillenburg, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tea Leoni, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Joshua Malina, Howie Mandel, Frank Marino, Cory Monteith (Glee), Kevin Nealon, Amanda Palmer, Jodi Picoult, Amy Poehler, Alan Rachins, Eric Roberts, Mark Ryden, Ronnie Schell, Martin Sheen, Sarah Silverman, Roy Thinnes, Carrie Underwood, Sela Ward, plus many others. All have contributed a piece of their own creativity to help support NF, Inc. and their 4th annual Doodle Auction.

Beginning Thursday, May 13, the celebrity Doodles will be auctioned on eBay. Over the past three years, this fundraiser has generated more than $45,000 to benefit NF, Inc., a national non-profit organization dedicated to serving families affected by Neurofibromatosis. One of the most popular doodles was drawn by then-Senator Barack Obama for the inaugural auction in 2007. It fetched $2,075!

Stars Support RFK's Human Rights Dream With Charity Auction

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Whether you dream of dancing up a storm with Elton John or grabbing a cup of joe with Robert De Niro, learning to run a fashion empire from Diane Von Furstenberg or belting out a ballad with Alicia Keys, you can help support the RFK Center’s dream of worldwide human rights.

The 2010 Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights’ spring auction is launching on April 8th at Charitybuzz with a star-studded line-up of once-in-a-lifetime experiences up for auction.

Pop culture icons including Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys, Reggie Bush, Diane Von Furstenberg, Elton John, Robert DeNiro, Shepard Fairey and many more have donated jaw dropping experiences to raise funds for the 42-year-old organization dedicated to providing an ongoing base of support to human rights defenders around the world. Additional notable participants include: George Lucas, Michael Buble, Tim Gunn, Bill Maher, Whitney Houston, Oprah Winfrey, Venus Williams, Evan Lysacek, Ken Burns, Anderson Cooper, Bobbi Brown, George Lopez, Paula Zahn, Martin Sheen, Jimmy Smits, Ray Romano, John Cusack, James Taylor, Meryl Streep, Tom Ridge, Viggo Mortensen, and Laird Hamilton, with more A-listers joining the cause each day.

World March For Peace Starts In New Zealand

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The World March for Peace and Non-Violence kicked off in Wellington, New Zealand, today, beginning a trek that will visit 90 countries on 6 continents, ending in Argentina on January 2 of next year.

Marchers braved chilling winds in the country’s capital to start the march, which has been endorsed by world leaders and celebrities such as Penelope Cruz, Viggo Mortensen, Desmond Tutu, Martin Sheen, Jane Fonda, Jimmy Carter, Lou Reed, Yoko Ono, Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Bryan Adams and many more.

The 160,000-kilometre (99,419 mile) march has been organized by World Without Wars. A core group of 25 marchers will complete the entire journey, carrying with them a “nuclear abolition torch” taken from the Hiroshima Flame which was lit from embers following the 1945 nuclear explosion in Japan. The primary goals of the World March include:

Stars To Host Eco-Film Screening

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Last month, Look To The Stars brought you news about a new eco-film featuring Trudie Styler that chronicles the effects that Chevron’s oil production facilities are having on locals in Ecuador. Now Amazon Watch – which works to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin – invites you to a special benefit party and premiere screening of “Crude” in Los Angeles.

The special screening of Crude will be co-hosted by Benjamin Bratt, Daryl Hannah, Esai Morales, Martin Sheen and many other big names, and will take place on September 17 at Harmony Gold Theater on Sunset Blvd.

Crude is a high-stakes David vs. Goliath legal drama with 30,000 Ecuadorian rainforest dwellers facing down Chevron – the fifth largest corporation on the planet. This special event will benefit Amazon Watch’s Clean Up Ecuador campaign to hold Chevron accountable and bring justice to affected communities, and is being held in association with the Rainforest Action Network.

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.”

Stars Design Plates For Parkinson's

Tue, 05 May 2009 15:00:00 +0000

More than 40 celebrities from around the world are doing their part to help the Parkinson Society Maritime Region (PSMR) fight a disease that affects over a million people in North America.

Plates for Parkinson’s is a collection of celebrity signed and designed plates that are auctioned on eBay to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s. Celebrities are asked to draw a tulip – the Society’s symbol of hope on a plate – and this year over 40 plates will be auctioned – including designs by Chris Daughtry, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dennis Rodman, Martin Sheen, Jeff Bridges, Rachael Ray, Eartha Kitt, Sidney Crosby, Muhammad Ali, Alan Alda, Robert Downey Jr., Peter Facinelli, The Cast of CSI and many more!

Canadian favourites Paul Gross, David Suzuki, Paul Brandt, Alanis Morissette, George Stroumboulopoulos, Jully Black, Serena Ryder, The Cast of Degrassi: The Next Generation and Nickelback are also joining the 2009 honor roll.

Stars Donate Items To Charity Auction

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0000

The Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club’s first annual Reach for the Stars Celebrity Auction and Dinner was held last week and raised $7,800.

Fon du Lac is a city of 43,460 people located at the foot of Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin.

“We were very pleased with the results,” said Dan Hebel, director of operations for the Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac. “This was our first year, and with the economy, a very difficult year to be raising money.”

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.”

Sir Paul McCartney Busy With Charity Campaigns

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Sir Paul McCartney will appear in an advertising campaign in Britain this month to encourage people to support the Paralympic Games in Beijing.

The campaign, organized by ParalympicsGB, will ask people to donate cash to help disabled athletes who want to compete in the games, and McCartney hopes his input will help the future of disability sport.

“I met leading Paralympic dressage rider Sophie Christiansen and was completely blown away by her skill, dedication and the fact that she had won a gold medal for Britain, so I felt I had to do something,” said the 66-year-old ex-Beatle. “My suggestion was simple. Why not create an ad that would highlight the work of ParalympicsGB and call on the British public to donate much needed money.”

Martin Sheen To Receive Two Humanitarian Awards

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:58:45 +0000

Veteran actor and former President of the United States (at least on TV’s The West Wing) Martin Sheen is to be honored for his humanitarian work – not just once, but twice!

It has just been announced that the actor is to collect the Marlon Brando Award for his career and humanitarian efforts at the fourth annual Stella By Starlight gala benefit on March 17, and follows hot on the heels of the news that the 67-year-old is to receive the University of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal at a ceremony on May 18.

“He has used [his] celebrity to draw the attention of his fellow citizens to issues that cry out for redress,” said University President Rev. John Jenkins. “Such as the plight of immigrant workers and homeless people, the waging of unjust war, the killing of the unborn, and capital punishment”.

Daytime's Brightest Stars Shine For One Night Only Performance

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 09:36:00 +0000

Young & Restless (Y&R) star Judith Chapman has gathered award-winning daytime television actors to perform a play to benefit micro-loan charity Kiva.

The inspiration to help others in a very unique way came one night when Chapman (who plays Gloria) watched a very special reading of Daniel Berrigan’s play The Trial of the Catonsville 9, which was based on the author’s experience of protesting the Vietnam war in the Catonsville incident.

Performed by the Actor’s Gang in Los Angeles, the performance Chapman saw featured the talent of Martin Sheen, Beau Bridges, Neil Patrick Harris and others. Moved by the story and the caliber of talent, Chapman decided to put together a production of the same play with daytime’s best and brightest for a worthy cause.

Natural Heroes' Stories Told By Green Stars

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 14:14:28 +0000

“All over the world, ordinary citizens are finding ways to bring clean air and water back to their communities, preserve open spaces, protect endangered species, and ensure that their schools and neighborhoods are healthy.” The show Natural Heroes’ stories is back for its third season, narrated by a host of celebrities, and jointly made by award-winning non-profit organization Green Treks Network and KRCB Public Television.

The show’s stories span all types of environments, across the globe:

Plantations: impoverished coffee farmers gaining little from the increased sale price of coffee, American apple farmers losing their land and others who hold the answers to renewal, and the largest urban garden in the US, the South Central Farm in LA, where Daryl Hannah, Joan Baez, Martin Sheen and Willie Nelson profile the benefits, supporters, evictions, developers and farmers.