Eva Longoria Among Celebrities & Entertainment Figures Encouraging World Leaders to “End the COVID-19 Pandemic Now”

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is urging on world leaders to take action to end the ongoing coronavirus pandemic…

Tuesday morning, just before President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations for the first time, more than 80 celebrities and entertainment figures, including the 46-year-old Mexican American actress, producer and activist, issued an open letter to world leaders calling for them to end “the COVID-19 pandemic now.”

The letter, which mentioned the United Nations General Assembly Session specifically, was posted on the website of CARE, an organization dedicated to ending poverty worldwide.

It was signed by a raft of boldfaced names including Longoria, Debra Messing, Alyssa Milano, Anne Hathaway, Malin Akerman, Debbie Allen, Jordana Brewster, Connie Britton, Ciara, Peter Dinklage, Richard Gere, Dolores Huerta, Joel McHale, Iman, Edward James Olmos, Laura Linney, Julianna Margulies, Joel McHale, Idina Menzel, Ana Ortiz, Adam Shankman, Michael Sheen, Adam Shulman and Sarah Silverman.

Specifically, the letter calls COVID-19 “a manmade pandemic of apathy.” It states that “Only 2% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose.” The signatories call on “global leaders to make 7 billion vaccine doses available before the end of 2021, and an additional 7 billion doses by mid-2022 to fully vaccinate 70% of the world by next summer.”

Those are lofty goals given the world’s most highly vaccinated countries, like the U.S., remain well under 70%.

It also asks leaders to “invest in last-mile delivery systems, public education, and frontline healthcare workers to get vaccines from tarmacs into arms.”

Here’s the full letter:

An open letter to world leaders on ending the COVID-19 pandemic now.

None of us are safe until all of us are safe.

We call on leaders gathering at the United Nations General Assembly Session to boldly act
together to end COVID-19 everywhere.

COVID-19 is now a manmade pandemic of apathy. Only 2% of people in low-income countries have received a single dose, leaving the world’s most vulnerable to face COVID with no
protection. This situation also lets new variants, like Delta, emerge and ravage the lives of
millions.

We are joining with CARE to call on global leaders to make 7 billion vaccine doses available before the end of 2021, and an additional 7 billion doses by mid-2022 to fully vaccinate 70%
of the world by next summer.

To get this done the world community must also invest in last-mile delivery systems, public education, and frontline healthcare workers to get vaccines from tarmacs into arms. Millions
of doses could go to waste because low-income countries don’t have the support they
need to get vaccines to vulnerable people.

We can save millions of lives — and trillions in further economic damage — by meeting this moment with the resources and political will needed to end COVID-19 for everyone,
everywhere. Because none of us are safe until all of us are safe.

Malin Akerman
Debbie Allen
Dorothy Amuah
Morena Baccarin
Adriana Barraza
Troian Bellisario
Bobby Berk
Jordana Brewster
Connie Britton
Karamo Brown
Gloria Calderón Kellett
Ciara
Tena Clark
Kim Coates
Madison Cowan
Alexandra Daddario
Peter Dinklage
Melinda Doolittle
Tan France
Richard Gere
Duff Goldman
Tony Goldwyn
Fiona Gubelmann
Anne Hathaway
Ingrid Hoffmann
Anders Holm
Dolores Huerta
Osas Ighodaro
Joel McHale
Iman
Edward James Olmos
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja
Ellie Krieger
Iskra Lawrence
Annie Lennox
Lola Lennox
Esther Lewis
Laura Linney
Kimberly Locke
Eva Longoria
Anja Manuel
Julianna Margulies
Catherine McCord
Joel McHale
Spike Mendelsohn
Idina Menzel
Debra Messing
Alyssa Milano
Sepideh Moafi
Tamera Mowry-Housley
Yvette Nicole Brown
Christina Ochoa
Ana Ortiz
Helen Pankhurst
Jessica Pimentel
Julie Plec
Adina Porter
Zac Posen
Leven Rambin
April Reign
Holland Roden
Sheila Shah
Adam Shankman
Omar Sharif Jr.
Michael Sheen
Adam Shulman
Sarah Silverman
Hannah Skvarla
Todd Snyder
Kimberly Steward
Curtis Stone
Christy Turlington Burns
Laura Vandervoort
Gabby Williams
Michelle Williams
Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Russell Wilson
Scott Wolf
Kelley Wolf
Bellamy Young
Rachel Zoe

Rosario Dawson Among the Narrators for Legwork Collective’s Docuseries “Catching a Shadow”

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Rosario Dawson is catching a shadow…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actress, activist and Voto Latino co-founder has been selected as one of the narrators of Legwork Collective’s new docuseries Catching a Shadow.

The docuseries will highlight diverse and exceptional people who broke boundaries in different domains, overcoming personal traumas and the prejudices of their time.

Zach Barack, Dawson, Ken Jeong, Debra Messing, Sendhil Ramamurthy and Norman Reedusare attached to narrate the docuseries, which will feature deep dives into the likes of pioneers including chemist Alice Ball, author William Melvin Kelley, photojournalist Gerda Taro, photography pioneer Robert Cornelius, physicist Narinder Singh Kapany and more.

“The power of these countless untold tales depends entirely on the imagination and creativity of the people we’ve teamed up with. We’re beyond thrilled to be collaborating with such extraordinary talents,” Green said.

Krysta Rodriguez to Take Part in Special “Smash” Virtual Cast Reunion to Benefit Actors Fund

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Krysta Rodriguezis ready for a Smashing reunion…

The 35-year-old Latina actress/singer is expected to take part in a virtual Smash cast reunion.

Rodriguez, who portrayed Ana Vargas on NBC’s 2012-2013 musical series, will appear in the one-night-only Actors Fund benefit event alongside her Smashcastmates Jaime Cepero, Will Chase, Brian d’Arcy James, Jack Davenport, Ann Harada, Jeremy Jordan, Andy Mientus, Leslie Odom Jr. and Wesley Taylor.

The show’s stars Debra Messing, Katharine McPhee, Christian Borle, Megan Hilty and other cast members will virtually reunite on May 20 for a streaming of the 2015 Bombshell in Concert, with Renée Zellwegerintroducing the event and Julie Klausner hosting a live, virtual cast reunion.

The concert of the show-within-the-show about the life of Marilyn Monroewas taped at Broadway’s Minskoff Theateron June 8, 2015, an event that remains one of the most successful fundraisers ever for The Actors Fund. Bombshell– the creation of which formed the plot of Smash– features a score by Marc Shaimanand Scott Wittman, who also served as executive producers of Smash.

Rodriguez and her cast members will appear in a livestream reunion during the intermission.

The concert and reunion will stream on Wednesday, May 20, at 8:00 pm ET on people.com, PeopleTV, and People social platforms.

Tony Awardwinner and Actors Fund chairman Brian Stokes Mitchell said, “Bombshell in Concertwill be a wonderful evening to share this benefit night with fans far and wide, and will raise much-needed funds to help The Actors Fund continue to help everyone in need in our entertainment community across the country.”

In the past seven weeks, The Actors Fund has distributed $10.1 million in emergency financial assistance to 8,558 people in need due to the current COVID-19pandemic, or more than five times the funds normally provided in a year.

Smashwas based on an original idea by Steven Spielberg, who was also executive producer of the series, and created by Theresa Rebeck.

Perez & Fellow Broadway Stars Sing DNC Tribute to Victims of Gun Violence

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Rosie Perez is sharing the love at the Democratic National Convention…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actress, community activist, talk show host, author, dancer and choreographer joined fellow Broadway stars Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel and others to promote peace and support Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Perez and the gang performed their charity single “What the World Needs Now is Love“ as a tribute to victims of gun violence during the D.N.C. on Wednesday (July 27).

Performers included Ben Vereen, Darren Criss, Brian Stokes Mitchell, with each getting a chance to sing the classic song written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, inciting the audience to join arms and sing along in unity.

The joyous performance also included Kristen Bell, Debra Messing, Richard Kind and Stephanie J. Block, Tyne Daly and more.

Smart Starring in ABC’s “Dirty Dancing Remake

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Beau “Casper” Smart is dancing his way onto the small screen…

The 28-year-old Latino actor-dancer-choreographer has been cast as Billy Kotsecki in Dirty Dancing, ABC’s three-hour remake of the hit Patrick Swayze–Jennifer Grey film.

The role was played by Neal Jones in the original film.

Like the 1987 feature, ABC’s Dirty Dancing movie centers on Baby (Abigail Breslin), an innocent young woman in the early 1960s who vacations with her affluent parents and siblings in the Catskills and falls for Johnny (Cole Prattes), the resort’s charismatic, skilled dance instructor and leader of the working-class entertainment staff.

Smart’s Billy is Johnny’s close friend from the old neighborhood. They grew up together and Johnny got him his job at Kellerman’s, for which he is grateful. Billy mostly works as a bellhop and does maintenance jobs for the staff. He likes to let loose and dance with Johnny and Penny after hours in the Staff Quarters – a world he inadvertently introduces Baby to, setting her on a journey of self-discovery.

Sarah Hyland, Nicole Scherzinger and Debra Messing also star.

Smart co-stars in Perfect Match from Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Production.

Orrantia & Her “The Goldbergs” Castmates to Pay Homage to “Dirty Dancing”

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Hayley Orrantia is about to get dirty…

The 21-year-old Mexican-American actress/singer’s ABC comedy The Goldbergs has set its Season Three 1980s movie homage episode.

Orrantia and her castmates will tackle the 1987 hit film Dirty Dancing.

The selection comes just as ABC is heading to production on a three-hour contemporary remake of the romantic classic, with Abigail Breslin playing Baby and Debra Messing as her mom.

The Goldbergs’ Dirty Dancing has no connection to the ABC movie and will not feature either actors from the remake or cast members from the original feature toplined by the late Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

Last year’s Goldbergs tribute to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off included original co-star Charlie Sheen reprising his role. The Goldbergs’ first homage episode to a 1980s movie in Season 1 was devoted to The Goonies.

“Dirty Dancing is a huge 80’s cultural touchstone — the music, the memorable lines, and of course, Swayze,” said The Goldbergs creator/executive producer Adam F. Goldberg, who based the show on his family. “No one loved it more than my mom. I’ll always remember how she dragged me to see it in the theaters several times and then bought it on video. I knew this was our big movie to explore this season when all of the writers on the show also had their very own Dirty Dancing memories from years ago. It really is a gem of the 80s and it’s so exciting to bring it to life with my amazing cast.”

Vergara to Present at This Year’s Primetime Emmy Awards

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

She may not be nominated this year, but Sofia Vergara will still be taking the stage at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

The 42-year-old Colombian actress and Modern Family star has been added to the presenters list for the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Along with Vergara, the new additions to the list include Viola Davis, Allison Janney, Keegan-Michael Key, Lucy Liu, Debra Messing, Jordan Peele, Andy Samberg and Octavia Spencer.

They join previously announced Halle Berry, Bryan Cranston, Zooey Deschanel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Woody Harrelson, Adam Levine, Matthew McConaughey, Julianna Margulies, Jim Parsons, Amy Poehler, Julia Roberts, Gwen Stefani and Kerry Washington.

The Emmys telecast is set to air live on Monday, August 25 at 8:00 pm ET on NBC.

Alonso to Star in NBC’s Drama Pilot “The Mysteries of Laura”

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a mysterious time for Laz Alonso…

The 39-year-old Afro-Cuban American actor has signed on to co-star opposite Debra Messing in NBC’s drama pilot The Mysteries of Laura.

Directed by McG, from a script written by Jeff Rake, the project is based on the popular Spanish series Los misterios de Laura.

The telelvision project centers on the life and relationships of Laura Diamond (Messing), a female homicide detective who can handle murderous criminals — but not her hell-raising twin children.

Alonso will portray Billy, Laura’s partner in crime.

Alonso’s casting stems from a talent holding deal the network inked with him following his stint on last season’s short-lived drama Deception.

The Mysteries of Laura is being produced by Warner Bros. Television, Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment.

Alonso’s previous credits include Breakout Kings and Avatar.

English Adaptation of Spain’s “Los misterios de Laura” to Star Debra Messing

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Spain’s popular drama series Los misterios de Laura has its American star…

Producers of the NBC hour-long pilot project, an adaptation of the Spanish-Language version, have cast former Smash star Debra Messing in the lead role.

The casting of Messing in the pilot, entitled The Mysteries of Laura, has helped lift the project’s cast-contingency.

Written by Jeff Rake and directed by McG, the pilot is based on the popular Spanish series Los misterios de Laura.

It follows the life and relationships of Laura Diamond (Messing), a female homicide detective who can handle murderous criminals — but not her hell-raising twin children.

Production on the pilot and the series will be moved to New York, where Messing is based.

The Mysteries of Laura extends Messing’s long history at NBC where she became a household name with her Emmy-winning starring role on the hit comedy Will & Grace.

Lopez to Serve as a Presenter at Sunday’s Golden Globes

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez will be heading the Golden Globes…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer will be one of the presenters at this year’s awards show.

Lopez was one of the first celebrities announced by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as a presenter for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards, along with la Lopez’s Parker co-star Jason Statham, George Clooney, Will Ferrell, Jennifer Garner, Debra Messing, Jeremy Renner, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington and Kristen Wiig.

Each of the scheduled presenters is either a past Globe winner or nominee.

More names will be announced in the lead-up to the telecast, which will be broadcast live on NBC this Sunday, January 13 at 8:00pm ET from the Beverly Hilton Hotel, with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler serving as this year’s hosts.

This year’s Latino nominees include three-time nominee Sofia Vergara.

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