Rosario Dawson to Star in Hulu’s Limited Series “Dopesick”

It’s a dope time for Rosario Dawson…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actress and activist has been cast as a series regular on DopesickHulu’s eight-episode limited series based on Beth Macy’s best-selling book.

Rosario Dawson

Written by Danny Strong and directed by Barry LevinsonDopesick is described as an ambitious, harrowing and compelling look into the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction. It takes viewers from a distressed Virginia mining community to the hallways of the DEA and the opulence of “one percenter” Big Pharma Manhattan. The unsparing yet deeply human portraits of the various affected families and their intersecting stories hold up a mirror to where America is right now, while shining a hopeful light on the heroes battling the worst drug epidemic in American history.

Dawson will play Bridget Meyer, a tough DEA agent who fights to curtail the use of OxyContin.

She joins previously announced Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Kaitlyn Dever, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker, Philippa Soo and Jake McDorman.

The project hails from The Handmaid’s Tale executive producer Warren Littlefield and Touchstone Television.

Dawson most recently fronted the drama series Briarpatch, which aired for one season on USA Network. She also stars in the HBO Max/DC Comics pilot DMZwhich is being directed and EP’ed by Ava DuVernay and showrunner/writer Roberto Patino.

And she’ll soon appear on season two of Disney+’s The Mandalorian.

Rita Moreno Dons ‘Vote’ Mask as Part of When We All Vote’s New ‘Get Out The Vote’ Campaign

Rita Moreno isn’t masking her feelings about the importance of voting this year…

With the November election right around the corner, the 88-year-old Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress and Latina icon is encouraging people to do their civic duty without uttering a single word.

Rita Moreno

Moreno is taking part in When We All Vote’s new campaign.

Director and producer Allen Hughes has brought together a wide range of artists, athletes, industry leaders, and notable community members wearing a “VOTE” face covering to inspire maximum voter participation.

When We All Vote

Those taking part in this year’s mask campaign include Tony Bennett, Dr. Dre, Robert De Niro, Larry David, Megan Rapinoe, Sean Penn, David Crosby, Snoop Dogg, Diane von Furstenberg, Padma Lakshmi, Sterling K Brown, Tyler Oakley, Kevin Love, Ron Howard, Judd Apatow, Lindsey Vonn, Michael Keaton, Bryan Cranston, Sandra Oh, Steve Buscemi, Pamela Adlon, Christopher Poindexter, Rita Moreno, Iliza Shlesinger, and Deepak Chopra, along with healthcare worker Cady Chaplin.

“This is clearly an existential election year, and it’s critical that every eligible voter in every community engage in this election,” Hughes says. “The very soul of our nation is on the ballot November 3rd, 2020.”

Launched in 2018 by co-chairs Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, When We All Vote uses a data-driven approach to increase participation in elections. The group focuseson increasing participation in every election while closing the race and age voting gap. The goal is to change the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and through strategic partnerships to reach every American.

In addition, Michelle Obama has added Selena Gomez, Liza Koshy, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson to this year’s co-chair list.

For more information on the organization and its new campaign, visit whenweallvote.org.

Aimee Garcia to Star In & Executive Produce the Rom-Com “Match Me If You Can”

Aimee Garcia has met her match

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress and Lucifer star will executive produce and star in Match Me If You Can, a romantic comedy about the world of dating in today’s geek culture. 

Aimee Garcia

Marian Yeager is directing the film from a script by Betsy Morris.

Garcia, who’ll reprise her role as Ella Lopez in the sixth and final season of Netflix’s Lucifer, will play Kip Parsons, a talented computer nerd who is rejected by an online dating service as “unmatchable.” After her online blog about her humiliating status goes viral, Kip quickly becomes the reluctant spokesperson for all the frustrated singles out there. There’s just one problem: the dating service swears they didn’t reject her and she becomes the target of a kangaroo court.

Production is slated to commence Spring 2021 in Texas.

Garcia, who can be heard in the forthcoming Marvel M.O.D.O.K. animated series at Hulu, has previously appeared in Showtime’s DexterThe George Lopez ShowRoboCop, opposite Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton, Lorenzo DiBonaventura’s superhero movie El Chicano, and MGM’s The Addams Family with Charlize Theron and Oscar Isaac.

Mateo Melendez to Star in Broadway’s “Beetlejuice” Musical

Mateo Melendez is juicin’up for Broadway…

The Latino actor has been added to the cast of Broadway’s Beetlejuice when the new musical begins previews next month.

Mateo Melendez

Melendez will star alongside last fall’s pre-Broadway cast members Jill AbramovitzKelvin Moon LohDanny Rutigliano and Dana Steingold.

Other cast members include Alex Brightman(in the title role), Sophia Anne CarusoKerry ButlerRob McClureAdam Dannheisserand Leslie Kritzer.

Rounding out the 25-member cast include Tessa AlvesGilbert L. Bailey IIWill BlumJohnny Brantley IIIRyan BreslinNatalie Charle EllisBrooke EngenAbe Goldfarb, Eric Anthony JohnsonElliott MattoxSean Montgomery, Ramone OwensPresley Ryanand Kim Sava.

Beetlejuice starts previews Thursday, March 28 at the Winter Garden Theatre. Opening night is April 25.

Beetlejuice, based on Tim Burton’s 1988 film starring Michael Keaton, is directed by Alex Timbers, with an original score by Eddie Perfect, book by Scott BrownAnthony King, and choreography by Connor Gallagher.

Other credits for the Broadway production include David Korins (scenic design), William Ivey Long (costume design), Kenneth Posner (lighting), Peter Hylenski (sound), Peter Nigrini (projections), Michael Curry(puppet design), Jeremy Chernick(special effects) and Michael Weber(illusions).

Mars to Receive Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016

There’s no denying Bruno Marsstar power… And now he’ll have an iconic plaque to prove it.

The 29-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter is among the celebrities whose names will be added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016.

Bruno Mars

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced its class of 2016, with a list that includes Adam Levine, Cyndi Lauper, Quentin Tarantino and actors Steve Carell, Bradley Cooper, Ashley Judd, Michael Keaton and Kurt Russell.

Entertainers are recognized in five categories: motion picture, television, radio, recording and live theater/live performance. Each recipient is responsible for their star’s $30,000 cost of installation and they have two years to schedule star ceremonies from the date of selection before they expire.

Mars, a two-time Grammy-winner who was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, in 2011, is being recognized in the recording category.

But Mars isn’t the only Latino artist to make the 2016 list…

Angelica Maria, heralded as La Novia de México, will also receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The 70-year-old Mexican American actress and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is being recognized in the and live theater/live performance.

Individual ceremonies have not yet been scheduled.

The full list of 2016 recipients can be seen at www.walkoffame.com.

González Iñárritu Takes Home Three Oscars, Including Best Picture, for “Birdman”

And just like that, Alejandro González Iñárritu is a three-time Oscar winner…

The 51-year-old Mexican filmmaker, who had previously come away empty-handed after four previous nominations, walked away with three golden statuettes as the 87th Academy Awards, becoming the first-ever three-time Latino Oscar winner in history.

Alejandro González Iñárritu

González Iñárritu’s dark comedy Birdman was named Best Picture at the end of Sunday night’s telecast. The film, starring Michael Keaton, tells the story of a down-and-out actor looking to get back into the spotlight with a passion project on Broadway. The film was produced by González Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan and James W. Skotchdopole, who were on-hand to accept the award.

Additionally, González Iñárritu took home the prize for Best Director, a recognition of the awe-inspiring technical feat of making nearly the entire film appear to take place in a single shot, as well as a tip of the hat to his incredible career. He’s the second Latino director to win the prize, following Alfonso Cuarón’s win last year for Gravity.

González Iñárritu’s third Oscar came in the Best Original Screenplay for co-writing the script for Birdman with Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo.

In his acceptance speech, González Iñárritu mentioned issues facing Mexicans and Mexican Americans, “I pray that we can find & build a government that we deserve. And the ones that live in this country that they can be treated with the same dignity and respect as ones that came before in this great nation.”

Meanwhile, Birdman cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki won his second Oscar in two years. The Mexican cinematographer, a frequent collaborator of auteurs Terrence Malick and Cuarón, won his first Oscar for 2013’s Gravity, and brought his awe-inspiring single-take methodology back for Birdman.

Backstage following his acceptance speech, Lubezki stressed that the decision to shoot in one take was Gonzalez Iñarritú’s. “At first I told him I wasn’t interested, it sounded like a nightmare! But then he talked about the characters and why it had to be one shot. He captivated me.  It was complex and hard; there’s no book on how to do it, but I have to say that the style was because Alejandro is a strong, curious artist.”

Leto to Serve as a Presenter at This Year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards

It’s another night with The Actor for Jared Leto

The 43-year-old part-Spanish American actor, who picked up a SAG Award, also known as “The Actor,” last year for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club, will serve as a presenter at Sunday’s 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Jared Leto

In addition to Leto, other presenters just added to the roster include Matthew Beard, Colin Farrell, Jeff Goldblum, Allen Leech, Lupita Nyong’o, Emmy Rossum, Andy Samberg, Liev Schreiber and Reese Witherspoon

They join previously announced Patricia Arquette, Adrien Brody, Ellar Coltrane, Kevin Costner, Laverne Cox, Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Eric Dane, Viola Davis, Carrie Fisher, Ethan Hawke, SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard, Felicity Jones, Rashida Jones, Michael Keaton, Lenny Kravitz, Matthew McConaughey, Edward Norton, Eddie Redmayne, Julia Roberts, J.K. Simmons, and Emma Stone.

The SAG Awards will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS at 8:00 pm ET/ 5:00 pm PT.

Rodriguez Wins Her First-Ever Golden Globe for Her Starring Role on “Jane the Virgin”

Gina Rodriguez is officially a golden girl…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican actress took home the award for Best Actress, Television Comedy at this year’s Golden Globes.

Gina Rodriguez

Rodriguez, who was celebrating her first-ever Golden Globe nomination, won the award for her breakout starring role on the CW’s Jane the Virgin, beating out previous winner Lena Dunham (Girls), as well as seasoned veterans like Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco and Veep’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

“This award is so much more than myself,” Rodriguez said as she tearfully accepted the award. “It represents a culture that wants to see itself as heroes.”

Backstage after picking up her Golden Globe, Rodriguez expanded on her speech.

“First and foremost, the nomination alone was a win for me because it allowed our culture, it allowed Latinos to see themselves in a beautiful light,” Rodriguez said. “For me, the win meant everything.”

“I’m definitely part of the testament that it’s changing. It’s not only something that I see, but something I experience everyday.”

Rodriguez also said her big win “…allowed [Latinos] to see themselves invited to the same party. We want to create the effect that shows Latinos as the investment bankers and the lawyers that exist in my own home.” Rodriguez was referring to her sisters, who she thanked in her speech for being role models. One is an investment banker; the other is a lawyer.

Rodriguez is the first Latina actress to take home the Best Actress in a TV comedy prize since Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera in 2007.

But Rodriguez isn’t the only Latino/a to pick up an award during Sunday night’s show…

Alejandro González Iñárritu took home the award for Best Screenplay for co-penning the script for his dark comedy Birdman, which Michael Keaton called an “unbelievably gutsy, polished look at human nature.”

González Iñárritu shares the prize with his fellow writers Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo.

The seven-time nominee previously won a Golden Globe in 2007 for Babel, picking the prize for Best Picture – Drama.

Here’s a look at the winners at the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards:

FILM

Drama
Boyhood

Actor, Drama
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Actress, Drama
Julianne Moore, Still Alice

Comedy or Musical
The Grand Budapest Hotel

Actor, Comedy or Musical
Michael Keaton, Birdman

Actress, Comedy or Musical
Amy Adams, Big Eyes

Director
Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Supporting Actor
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Animated Feature Film
How to Train Your Dragon 2

Screenplay
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo, Birdman

Original Song
John Legend, Common, Glory (Selma)

Original Score
Johann Johannsson, The Theory of Everything

Foreign Film
Leviathan

PRIME-TIME TELEVISION

Drama
The Affair

Actor, Drama Series
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Actress, Drama Series
Ruth Wilson, The Affair

Comedy
Transparent

Actor, comedy series
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

Actress, comedy series
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin

Miniseries or TV movie
Fargo

Actor, Miniseries or TV Movie
Billy Bob Thornton, Fargo

Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
Matt Bomer, The Normal Heart

Actress, Miniseries or TV Movie
Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Honorable Woman

Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey

González Iñárritu Earns Three AACTA International Award Nods

Alejandro González Iñárritu is flying high Down Under

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts has revealed its nominations for its fourth annual AACTA International Awards for film in seven categories, with the 51-year-old’s dark comedy Birdman leading the field with seven nods.

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman

González Iñárritu, who penned and helmed the Birdman script, is nominated in the Best Director and Best Screenplay categories.

The film, starring Michael Keaton and Emma Stone, is also nominated for Best Film.

Here’s the complete list of AACTA nominations:

Best Film
Birdman
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Whiplash

Best Direction
Birdman, Alejandro González Iñárritu
Boyhood, Richard Linklater
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson
The Imitation Game, Morten Tyldum
Whiplash, Damien Chazelle

Best Screenplay
Birdman, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo
Boyhood, Richard Linklater
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson
The Imitation Game, Graham Moore
Whiplash, Damien Chazelle

Best Lead Actor
Steve Carell, Foxcatcher
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game
Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler
Michael Keaton – Birdman
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything 

Best Lead Actress
Essie Davis, The Babadook
Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon, Wild

Best Supporting Actor
Ethtan Hawke, Boyhood
Edward Norton, Birdman
Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher
Andy Serkis, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
Emma Stone, Birdman
Meryl Streep, Into the Woods
Naomi Watts, Birdman

González Iñárritu to Receive Director of the Year Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

Alejandro González Iñárritu may have a little extra spring in his step after his latest award… 

The 51-year-old Mexican film director will receive this year’s Director of the Year Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival‘s 26th annual Awards Gala on January 3.

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman

Inarritu, who has said that Birdman is a semi-autobiographical project, has already received Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations for his co-writing and direction of the project.

He previously received PSIFF‘s Director of the Year Award in 2007 for his work on Babel (2006).

Other previous recipients of the PSIFF prize include Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave (2013), Robert Zemeckis for Flight (2012), Stephen Daldry for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011), David O. Russell for The Fighter (2010), Jason Reitman for Up in the Air (2009), Sean Penn for Into the Wild (2007) and Alexander Payne for Sideways (2004).

“By creating the illusion that the film was shot in one take and directing award-worthy performances by Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone and a star-studded cast, Inarritu,” PSIFF chairman Harold Matzner said in a statement. “Inarritu has created a brilliant and original dark comedy.”

The film festival will run January 2-12.