TheMet150 Celebration: Costume Institute’s Spring 2020 Exhibition to Present a Disruptive Timeline of Fashion History

Costume Institute Benefit on May 4 with Co-Chairs Nicolas Ghesquière, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Emma Stone, Meryl Streep, and Anna Wintour

The Metropolitan Museum of Art recently announced that The Costume Institute’s Spring 2020 Exhibition will be About Time: Fashion and Duration, on view from May 7 through September 7, 2020 (preceded on May 4 by The Costume Institute Benefit). Presented in The Met Fifth Avenue’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall, it will trace more than a century and a half of fashion, from 1870 to the present, along a disruptive timeline, as part of the Museum’s 150th anniversary celebration. Employing philosopher Henri Bergson’s concept of la durée—time that flows, accumulates, and is indivisible—the exhibition will explore how clothes generate temporal associations that conflate the past, present, and future. The concept will also be examined through the writings of Virginia Woolf, who will serve as the “ghost narrator” of the exhibition. Michael Cunningham, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novel The Hours, which was inspired by Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, will write a new short story for the exhibition catalogue that reflects on the concept of duration.

Surreal, David Bailey (British, born 1938), 1980; Image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo © David Bailey

The exhibition will feature approximately 160 examples of women’s fashion dating from 1870—the year of The Met’s founding and the start of a decade that witnessed the development of a standardized time system—to the present. The majority of objects in the show will come from The Costume Institute’s collection, including gifts made as part of The Met’s 2020 Collections Initiative in celebration of the Museum’s 150th anniversary.

A linear chronology of fashion comprised predominantly of ensembles in black will run through the exhibition reflecting the progressive timescale of modernity, and bringing into focus the fast, fleeting rhythm of fashion. Unlike traditional chronologies, which reduce the history of fashion to a limited number of decade-defining silhouettes, this timeline will be presented as a ceaseless continuum that is more complete and comprehensive in scope. Interrupting this timeline will be a series of counter-chronologies composed of predominantly white ensembles that pre-date or post-date those in black, but relate to one another through shape, motif, material, pattern, technique, or decoration. For example, a black silk faille princess-line dress from the late 1870s will be paired with an Alexander McQueen “Bumster” skirt from 1995, and a black silk velvet bustle ensemble from the mid-1880s will be juxtaposed with a Comme des Garçons “Body Meets Dress – Dress Meets Body” dress from 1997.

The Clock, Sarah Moon (French, born 1941), 1999; Image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo © Sarah Moon

The exhibition will conclude with a section on the future of fashion, linking the concept of duration to debates about longevity and sustainability.

“This exhibition will consider the ephemeral nature of fashion, employing flashbacks and fast-forwards to reveal how it can be both linear and cyclical,” said Max Hollein, Director of The Met. “As such, the show will present a nuanced continuum of fashion over the Museum’s 150-year history.”

Tom Hanks to be Recipient of the 2020 Cecil B. deMille Award at The 77th Golden Globes Awards

September 24, 2019– The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) announced that eight-time Golden Globe winner and 15-time nominee, Tom Hanks, will be honored with the coveted Cecil B. deMille Award at the 77^th Annual Golden Globe Awards. The highly-acclaimed star of such legendary films such as Big, Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, and the upcoming release of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood will accept the honor at Hollywood’s Party of the Year® on Sunday, January 5, 2020 airing LIVE coast-to-coast from 5-8 p.m. PT/8-11 p.m. ET on NBC.

Tom Hanks the star of Columbia Pictures’ “Captain Phillips.” Photo Credit: AUSTIN HARGRAVE

“The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is proud to bestow the 2020 Cecil B. deMille Award to Tom Hanks,” said HFPA President Lorenzo Soria. “For more than three decades, he’s captivated audiences with rich and playful characters that we’ve grown to love and admire. As compelling as he is on the silver screen, he’s equally so behind the camera as a writer, producer, and director. We’re honored to include Mr. Hanks with such luminaries as Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese, and Barbra Streisand to name a few.”

Chosen by the HFPA Board of Directors, the Cecil B. deMille Award is given annually to a talented individual who has made a lasting impact on the film industry. Honorees over the decades include Jeff Bridges, Robert De Niro, Audrey Hepburn, Harrison Ford, Jodie Foster, Sophia Loren, Sidney Poitier, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Robin Williams, and many more.

Hanks’ complex and moving performances have earned him the honor of being one of only two actors in history to win back-to-back Best Actor Academy Awards®, he won his first Oscar® in 1994 for his moving portrayal of AIDS-stricken lawyer Andrew Beckett in Jonathan Demme’s Philadelphia. The following year, he took home his second Oscar for his unforgettable performance in the title role of Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump. He also won the Golden Globe Award for both films, as well as a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® for the latter.

In 2013, Hanks was seen starring in Golden Globe-nominated film Captain Phillips, for which he received Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA nominations as well as in AFI’s Movie of the Year Saving Mr. Banks with Emma Thompson. Hanks was most recently seen alongside Streep in Spielberg’s Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated film The Post, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe and won Best Actor with the National Board of Review. He will next be seen portraying Mr. Fred Rodgers in the upcoming biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Additional upcoming projects include the WWII drama Greyhound, which he also wrote, the post-apocalyptic BIOS and Paul Greengrass’ pre-Civil War drama News of the World.

His other feature credits include the Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski film Cloud Atlas; Stephen Daldry’s Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close; the animated adventure The Polar Express, which he also executive produced and which reunited him with director Robert Zemeckis; the Coen brothers’ The Ladykillers; Spielberg’s The Terminal and Catch Me If You Can; Sam Mendes’ Road to Perdition; Frank Darabont’s The Green Mile; Nora Ephron’s You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle; Penny Marshall’s A League of Their Own; Ron Howard’s Apollo 13; The Da Vinci Code; Angels & Demons; Splash; Hologram for a King; Inferno;Sully; and the computer-animated blockbusters Cars, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4.

In 1996, Hanks made his successful feature film writing and directing debut with That Thing You Do!, in which he also starred. More recently, he wrote, produced, directed and starred in Larry Crowne, with Julia Roberts. Hanks and Playtone produced 2002’s smash hit romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding, with his wife Rita Wilson. Other producing credits include Where the Wild Things Are, The Polar Express, The Ant Bully, Charlie Wilson’s War, Mamma Mia!, The Great Buck Howard, Starter for 10, and the HBO series Big Love, Band of Brothers, The Pacific and From the Earth to the Moon.

In 2002, Hanks received the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award.

He was later honored by the Film Society of Lincoln Center with the Chaplin Award in 2009. In 2014, Hanks received a Kennedy Center Honor.

Oscar® Nominees Honored At Annual Academy Luncheon

Nominees for the 89th Oscars® were celebrated at a luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton, Monday, February 6, 2017. The 89th Oscars will air on Sunday, February 26, live on ABC.

More than 165 Oscar® nominees came together at noon when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honors this year’s Oscar contenders at its annual Nominees Luncheon.

Among the Lead Actor and Actress nominees, Casey Affleck, Ryan Gosling, Isabelle Huppert, Viggo Mortensen, Ruth Negga, Natalie Portman, Emma Stone, Meryl Streep and Denzel Washington were in attendance at the pre-Oscars® event.

Supporting Actor and Actress nominees Mahershala Ali, Jeff Bridges, Viola Davis, Naomie Harris, Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Octavia Spencer and Michelle Williams also joined in the celebratory lunch.

All five nominees in the Directing category – Damien Chazelle, Mel Gibson, Barry Jenkins, Kenneth Lonergan and Denis Villeneuve – attended as well.

Nominees for the 89th Oscars® were celebrated at a luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton, Monday, February 6, 2017. The 89th Oscars will air on Sunday, February 26, live on ABC. Seated: Joanna Natasegara, Burt Dalton, Dave Parker, Joi McMillon, Emma Stone, Matt Damon, Natalie Portman, Octavia Spencer, Kimberly Steward, Theodore Ushev, Mahershala Ali, Andrew Coats, Dustin O’Halloran, Justin Timberlake, Ruth Negga, Rafaela Niehausen, Joe Walker, Georgio Gregorini. First Row: Lou Hamou–Lhadj, Sélim Azzazi, Gary Summers, Juanjo Giménez, Luke Davies, Anna Pinnock, Chris Scarabosio, Giacun Cadull, Timo von Gunten, Vincent Cirelli, Arrianne Sutner, Oliver Jones, Lauren Beck, Kevin O’Connell, Alan Barillaro, Mary Zophres, Sylvain Bellemare, Max Martin, Kahane Cooperman, Stephen Elliis, Osnat Shurer, Jordan Horowitz, Carla Hacken, Nancy Haigh. Second Row: Jake Roberts, Max Karli, Kim Magnusson, Dan Levine, Marc Platt, Richard Bluff, Dan Lemmon, Julie Yorn, Christopher Nelson, Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie, Craig Hammock, Fred Berger, Pharrell Williams, Patrick Osborne, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adele Romanski, James Laxton, Bernard Gariépy Strobl, Michael Dudok de Wit, Taylor Sheridan, Kevin J. Walsh, Steve A. Morrow, Aaron Ryder, Alan Robert Murray, Daphne Matziaraki, Karl Johan Schuster, Hannes Holm. Third Row: Julie Goldman, Bub Asman, Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Aske Bang, Brad Schiff, David Linde, Damien Chazelle, Lucas Hedges, Stephane Ceretti, Adam Valdez, Caroline Waterlow, Nicholas Britell, Jeff Bridges, Ron Clements, Justin Paul, Gianfranco Rosi, Renée Tondelli, Thomas Newman, Marc Sondheimer, Ai-Ling Lee, Stuart Wilson, Brian McLean, Byron Howard, Angie Fielder, Clark Spencer, Barry Jenkins, Mildred Introu Morgan, Hal Hickel, Andrew R. Jones, Wylie Stateman, Gene Serdena. Fourth Row: Joel Harlow, Paul Hotte, Todd Black, Raoul Peck, Marcel Mettelsiefen, Jenno Topping, Viggo Mortensen, Chris Moore, Steve Emerson, Andy Nelson, Denzel Washington, Jess Gonchor, Alessandro Bertolazzi, Orlando von Einsiedel, Cara Speller, Robert Legato, Travis Knight, Eva von Bahr, David Permut, Love Larson, Guy Hendrix Dyas, Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Mel Gibson, Ezra Edelman, Mike Mills, Naomie Harris, Donna Gigliotti, Jeremy Kleiner, Neil Corbould, Claude Barras, Viola Davis, Greg P. Russell, John Gilbert, Richard Alonzo. Fifth Row: Martin Zandvliet, Linus Sandgren, Nat Sanders, Iain Canning, Greig Fraser, Kenneth Lonergan, Rich Moore, Justin Hurwitz, Isabelle Huppert, Tom Cross, Spencer Averick, Maren Ade, Denis Villeneuve, John Knoll, Roger Ross Williams, Jeffrey J. Haboush, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Shawn Levy, Dan Krauss, Ryan Gosling, Benj Pasek, John Musker, Bill Mechanic, Eric Heisserer, Kristof Deak, Patrice Vermette, Allison Schroeder, J. Ralph, Theodore Melfi, Howard Barish. (Photo Credit: Image Group LA / ©A.M.P.A.S.)

 

World AIDS Day 2015 Will Introduce A Holiday Shopping Extravaganza To Fight AIDS, Co-Produced By (RED) & VICE Media

The First Ever (SHOPATHON)RED Launches On ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! On World AIDS Day, December 1

Enter To Win Once-In-A-Lifetime Experiences Through Omaze With Bono, Snoop Dogg, Game Of Thrones, The Weeknd, Kim Kardashian, Meryl Streep & Shaquille O’neal, Among Many Others

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Double Impact By Matching Every Dollar Raised Up To $20 Million

Tomorrow, on December 1 – World AIDS Day and Giving Tuesday – the first ever (SHOPATHON)(RED) to fight AIDS officially kicks off. A (RED) shopping extravaganza featuring the likes of Bono, Scarlett Johansson, Snoop Dogg, The Weeknd, Meryl Streep and co-produced by VICE Media, (SHOPATHON)(RED) will live on-air and online through the holidays, selling iconic (RED) products, limited edition pieces, and the chance for fans to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences with celebrities in partnership with the online giving platform, Omaze. Raising money for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, every dollar will be matched by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, up to $20 million, meaning there have never been more reasons to SHOP (RED) and SAVE LIVES.

“The progress we have made in the fight against AIDS is immense, but so is the jeopardy if we grow complacent and think we’ve conquered this vicious little virus… Because we haven’t! We have to keep pushing until everyone who needs treatment can get it and until we can prevent the millions of unnecessary new infections we are still seeing every year,” said Bono, co-founder of (RED) and ONE. “Justice often calls for the power of strange bedfellows, which is why (SHOPATHON)(RED )is where you’ll see everyone from Bill Gates to Snoop Dogg, VICE and Game of Thrones campaigning to get closer to finishing AIDS once and for all.“

Enter to win once-in-a-lifetime celebrity experiences on Omaze.com/RED (PRNewsFoto/(RED))

Jimmy Kimmel Hosts Star-Studded Shopping Special On December 1, World AIDS Day

On December 1, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! will kick off (SHOPATHON)(RED ) with a tongue-in-cheek take on the world of home shopping. Joined by Olivia Wilde, the show will feature (RED) products and guest stars launching once-in-a-lifetime experiences to help the fight to end AIDS. Appearances include Bono, Matt Damon, a live performance by The Killers and special segments with Tom Brady and Shaquille O’Neal, among other surprises. Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs weeknights at 11:35|10:35 CT on ABC.

“We’re doing a very special show on December 1 with many stars in support of (RED) to raise money to fight AIDS on World AIDS Day. It will be a great show for an important issue,” said Jimmy Kimmel.

Sell-ebrity sells on www.Omaze.com/RED; $10 can get you the experience of a lifetime.

Want to visit the Game of Thrones set, or hit the saddle for a bike ride with Bono? These are just some of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that can be won on Omaze, the online giving platform. Other experiences include:

— Going on a wellness retreat with Snoop Dogg in Colorado

— A ‘K’ONTOUR’ makeover with Kim Kardashian and her glam squad

— Having your portrait painted by James Franco

— Jimmy Kimmel giving your kid ‘the talk’!

— Getting a passing lesson from Tom Brady

— Walking the red carpet with Meryl Streep

— Getting snapped with Shaquille O’Neal for your 2016 holiday card

— Hanging backstage with The Weeknd

— Going to a UT game with Matthew McConaughey

— Announcing the No.1 track with Ryan Seacrest on the American Top 40

— Assisting Steph Curry with his pre-game tunnel shot!

These stars, and many others, are offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences in support of World AIDS Day. For as little as $10, fans can enter now for their chance to win on www.Omaze.com/RED, with proceeds going to fight AIDS with (RED). Entries close on January 21, 2016.

Gilt Free Shopping For The Holidays; Stylish ‘Gifts That Give Back’

(RED) has teamed up with Gilt, the innovative online shopping destination, to be the official e-commerce partner for the campaign. From December 1^st thru 16^th, www.Gilt.com will offer more than 100 stylish (RED) and limited edition products that ‘give back’ with every purchase, raising money to fight AIDS. Gilt will offer something for everyone’s holiday list, featuring products from brands including Alessi, Alex and Ani, Warby Parker, Jennifer Meyer, Converse, Le Creuset, Fatboy, Fresh, Jonathan Adler, Moleskine, Mophie and more.

The store will also offer special limited edition items including a ‘Love Me’ canvas tote bag by artist Curtis Kulig, a printed motif t-shirt designed by EJ Johnson and a very special (RED) flower bouquet from Farmgirl Flowers. To shop this exclusive sale, visit www.gilt.com/RED.

(RED)’s founding apparel partner, Gap, is announcing a $1 million commitment to the fight to end AIDS and is debuting a range of new (RED) styles that will support this promise. Gap denim jackets and t-shirts for men, women and children and a onesie for baby will all be available on www.Gilt.com/RED, and will also be available in the U.S. on www.Gap.com, and at the 680 5th Avenue (at 54th Street) New York City store.

First Documentary on Mike Nichols Will Launch 30th Season of American Masters

THIRTEEN’s American Masters Launches 30th Anniversary Season with First Documentary about Legendary Director Mike Nichols Premiering January 29, 2016 on PBS

Directed By Elaine May, Featuring New Interviews With Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Alec Baldwin, Paul Simon And Others

THIRTEEN’s American Masters will launch its 30th anniversary season with the first documentary ever about legendary director Mike Nichols, to premiere January 29, 2016 on PBS. Winner of an Oscar, a Grammy, four Emmys, nine Tonys, three BAFTAs and many other awards, director, actor, writer, producer and comedian Mike Nichols (November 6, 1931 – November 19, 2014) was an artistic trailblazer. As the legendary comedy duo Nichols and May, Nichols and his partner Elaine May revolutionized comedy in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Now, May has directed the first documentary about her former partner, American Masters: Mike Nichols(w.t.).

The comedy duo Nichols and May (Elaine May at left, Mike Nichols at right).

With charm and wit, Nichols discusses his life and 50-year career as a performer and director. American Masters: Mike Nichols(w.t.) features new interviews with his friends and colleagues, including Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Alec Baldwin, Paul Simon, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and many others, conducted by film, TV and theater producer Julian Schlossberg (Bullets Over Broadway, American Masters — Nichols & May: Take Two, American Masters: The Lives of Lillian Hellman).

Schlossberg also conducted an exclusive interview with Nichols for the film. The documentary features insights and highlights from Nichols’ acclaimed films, including The Graduate, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Catch 22, Silkwood, Biloxi Blues, Working Girl, Angels In America and Charlie Wilson’s War, as well as his theatrical productions Barefoot in the Park, Luv and The Odd Couple.

“Producing this special was a labor of love. Working with Elaine May was a nightmare,” says Schlossberg, who has produced many of May’s plays, including Relatively Speaking, Power Plays and Death Defying Acts.

“Julian Schlossberg was very nice and he really seemed to like me,” says May.

“Elaine and Julian can joke about each other because they’ve known each other 40 years, and their work together has been so successful. What seems to unite them in both humor and friendship is a deep love and respect for Mike Nichols and his legacy,” says Michael Kantor, executive producer of American Masters. “They are the perfect team for this documentary.”

“American Masters,” THIRTEEN’s award-winning biography series, explores the lives and creative journeys of America’s most enduring artistic and cultural giants. With insight and originality, the series illuminates the extraordinary mosaic of our nation’s landscape, heritage and traditions. Watch full episodes and more at http://pbs.org/americanmasters. (PRNewsFoto/WNET)

Launched in 1986, American Masters has earned 28 Emmy Awards — including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series since 1999 and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special — 12 Peabodys, an Oscar, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards and many other honors. The series is a production of THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC for WNET and also seen on the WORLD channel. To take American Masters beyond the television broadcast and further explore the themes, stories and personalities of masters past and present, the series’ companion website (http://pbs.org/americanmasters) offers streaming video of select films, interviews, photos, outtakes, essays and more.

(See two web-exclusive outtakes of a Mike Nichols interview given for the 2012 film American Masters: Inventing David Geffen.)

American Masters: Mike Nichols (w.t.) is a production of Jumer Productions Inc., Witnesses Documentary Productions LLC, Bennington Productions Inc., and THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC’s American Masters for WNET. Elaine May is director. Julian Schlossberg is producer. Roy Furman is Executive Producer. Michael Kantor is executive producer for American Masters.

Funding for American Masters is provided by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Rosalind P. Walter, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Rhoda Herrick, Michael & Helen Schaffer Foundation, Vital Projects Fund, Rolf and Elizabeth Rosenthal, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Jack Rudin, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, and public television viewers. Additional funding for American Masters: Mike Nichols (w.t.) is provided by Harold and Ruth Newman, Daryl and Steven Roth Foundation, Andrew Tobias, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

OSCAR 2015 NEWS: NEW PRESENTERS ADDED

JASON BATEMAN, IDRIS ELBA, ANSEL ELGORT, NICOLE KIDMAN, LIAM NEESON, GWYNETH PALTROW AND CHANNING TATUM TO PRESENT AT 87TH OSCARS®

Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Ansel Elgort, Nicole Kidman, Liam Neeson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Channing Tatum has been added to the list of presenters for this year’s Oscars to be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and airing on Sunday, February 22, live on ABC.

Bateman appeared in the Best Picture Oscar®- nominated films “Up in the Air” (2009) and “Juno” (2007). Most recently Bateman starred in the “Horrible Bosses” (2011 and 2014) franchise, “This Is Where I Leave You” (2014), and “Bad Words” (2013), Bateman’s directorial debut.  He is currently working on “Untitled Joel Edgerton Project” and recently wrapped production of “The Family Fang,” his second directorial effort in which he also stars.

Elba most recently starred in the 2014 thriller “No Good Deed.” His other film roles include “28 Weeks Later” (2007), “Thor” (2011), “Pacific Rim” (2013) and “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (2013). He has been nominated for four Emmy Awards®, including three for Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for “Luther” (2010). Elba will next be seen in “Beasts of No Nation.”

Elgort made his film debut in 2013’s “Carrie” and followed up with three more films in 2014: “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Divergent” and “Men, Women & Children.” He will next be seen in the sequel “The Divergent Series: Insurgent.”

Kidman won an Oscar for Actress in a Leading Role for “The Hours” (2002) and was nominated for her leading roles in “Moulin Rouge” (2001) and “Rabbit Hole” (2010). Her other credits include “Dead Calm” (1989), “Far and Away” (1992), “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999), “Cold Mountain” (2003) and “The Golden Compass” (2007). Her upcoming films include “Lion” and “The Secret in Their Eyes.”

Neeson received an Oscar nomination for Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as the title character in “Schindler’s List” (1993). Other film roles include “The Dead Pool” (1988), “Husbands and Wives” (1992), “Michael Collins” (1996), “Love Actually” (2003), “Taken” (2008), “The Grey” (2011) and “Non-Stop” (2014). He will next be seen in “Ted 2” and “Run All Night.”

Paltrow is an Oscar winner for her leading role in “Shakespeare in Love” (1998).  She has starred in such films as “Great Expectations” (1998), “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1999), and “The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001) and most recently the “Iron Man” franchise (2008, 2010 and 2013).

Tatum, who currently stars in the sci-fi feature “Jupiter Ascending,” appeared in last year’s “22 Jump Street” (2014), “Foxcatcher” (2014) and “The Lego Movie” (2014).  His previous credits include “White House Down” (2013), “Magic Mike” (2012) and “21 Jump Street” (2012).  He will star in “Magic Mike XXL” later this year.

Previously announced presenters and performers include:

Presenters:

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Cate Blanchett, Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Benedict Cumberbatch, Viola Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Evans, Kevin Hart, Josh Hutcherson, Scarlett Johansson, Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, Jared Leto, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey, Sienna Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, Eddie Murphy, Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, Margot Robbie, Zoe Saldana, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep, Miles Teller, John Travolta, Kerry Washington, Naomi Watts, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon.

Performers:

Jack Black, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Anna Kendrick, John Legend, Adam Levine with Maroon 5, Tim McGraw, Rita Ora and Tegan and Sara with The Lonely Island.

The 87th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

 

OSCAR® NOMINEES COTILLARD, CUMBERBATCH, STREEP, WINFREY AND WITHERSPOON TO PRESENT AT 87TH OSCARS

Oscar® nominees Marion Cotillard, Benedict Cumberbatch, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon will be presenters at this year’s Oscars®, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will air on Sunday, February 22, live on ABC.

Cotillard is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for “Two Days, One Night.” She previously won an Oscar in this category for the 2007 film “La Vie en Rose.” Cumberbatch is nominated for Actor in a Leading Role for “The Imitation Game.”

Streep earned a record 19th acting nomination this year for her supporting role in “Into the Woods.” She previously took home Oscars for her lead performances in “Sophie’s Choice” (1982) and “The Iron Lady” (2011), and her supporting performance in “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979). Streep’s previous Best Actress nominations were for “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (1981), “Silkwood” (1983), “Out of Africa” (1985), “Ironweed” (1987), “A Cry in the Dark” (1988), “Postcards from the Edge” (1990), “The Bridges of Madison County” (1995), “One True Thing” (1998), “Music of the Heart” (1999), “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), “Doubt” (2008), “Julie & Julia” (2009) and “August: Osage County” (2013). She also received Best Supporting Actress nominations for “The Deer Hunter” (1978) and “Adaptation” (2002).

Winfrey is nominated for Best Picture as one of the producers of “Selma.” She was previously nominated for Actress in a Supporting Role for “The Color Purple” (1985). She received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2011.

Witherspoon is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for “Wild.” She previously won an Oscar in this category for the 2005 movie “Walk the Line.”

TEGAN AND SARA RETEAM WITH COMEDY-MUSIC TRIO THE LONELY ISLAND FOR OSCARS® PERFORMANCE

Pop duo Tegan and Sara and comedy-music trio The Lonely Island will perform the Oscar®-nominated song “Everything Is Awesome” at the 87th Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will air on Sunday, February 22, live on ABC.

“Tegan and Sara and The Lonely Island?…..Everything Is Awesome, indeed. This is certainly an ‘Only on the Oscars’ moment,” says Zadan and Meron.

“Everything Is Awesome,” written by Shawn Patterson for the animated feature “The Lego Movie,” is nominated for Original Song. The four other nominated songs are “Glory” from “Selma,” “Grateful” from “Beyond the Lights,” “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from “Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me” and “Lost Stars” from “Begin Again.”

Canadian twin sisters Tegan and Sara have been releasing critically acclaimed albums and touring internationally alongside some of the biggest names in the industry since 1999. Their seventh and latest studio album, “Heartthrob,” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200, with certified gold single “Closer” charting in the top 20 at U.S. pop radio. Tegan and Sara were recognized with a Grammy nomination in 2013, and won Pop Album of the Year for “Heartthrob”, and Group of the Year, at Canada’s 2014 Juno Awards. “Everything Is Awesome,” which the duo recorded with The Lonely Island, has sold more than half a million copies in the U.S.

A comedy, music and filmmaking trio composed of “Saturday Night Live” alumni Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, The Lonely Island has released three studio albums and several gold and platinum singles. “I’m On A Boat,” featuring singer-songwriter T-Pain, achieved double-platinum status and earned a 2009 Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.  The group is responsible for one of the biggest channels on YouTube, garnering over 1.5 billion views.

The 87th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars, produced by Zadan and Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

CHIME FOR CHANGE SET TO REACH MILLIONS MORE WORLDWIDE AS IT HARNESSES THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY AND PARTNERSHIPS IN SUPPORT OF GIRLS’ AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

CHIME FOR CHANGE launches app featuring the voice of co-founder Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, available free at the App Store

New collaboration with Kellogg’s Special K Europe set to reach 25 million households and inspire 250,000 voices to join the movement

CHIME FOR CHANGE calls on the global community to lend their voices and #CHIMEIN in support of the girls and women who inspire them

CHIME FOR CHANGE, the global campaign for girls’ and women’s empowerment founded by Gucci, has launched important new strategic initiatives to further raise funds and awareness for issues affecting girls and women worldwide.

Since its launch at the TED 2013 conference in February 2013, CHIME FOR CHANGE has focused on the power of technology to create change, including through its strategic partnership with crowd-funding platform, Catapult, which serves as the campaign’s donation platform. Other strategic partnerships and an emphasis on social media activation have helped spread the message of girls’ and women’s empowerment to a global audience. To date, the campaign has raised more than $4.75 million, helping to fund more than 280 projects in 81 countries across 87 non-profit campaigns.

Building on this technology focus, today, CHIME FOR CHANGE celebrates the launch of its new app, which will help the campaign continue to unite, convene and strengthen the voices calling for change for girls and women. The app will enable supporters to lend their voices by issuing #CHIMEIN messages, and to further create change by funding projects supporting girls and women through Education, Health, and Justice. Available in four languages (English, Italian, French and Spanish) and free from the App Store, the app was inspired by #CHIMEHACK, a 3-day hackathon hosted at Twitter’s San Francisco HQ in December 2013, which convened the brightest minds and visionary leaders in technology to create innovative mobile app solutions to support girls and women. The CHIME app is available free from the App Store at: http://www.ichime.in/chimeapp.

In addition to launching the app, CHIME FOR CHANGE appealed to supporters around the world to mark International Women’s Day by tweeting their support for the women and girls who inspire them, using #CHIMEIN.

Gucci Creative Director and CHIME FOR CHANGE co-founder Frida Giannini, said: “Since launching CHIME FOR CHANGE last year, we have raised significant funds and awareness for girls and women around the world, but our work has only just begun. We believe in the power of technology and partnerships to drive change, as we are all stronger together. With the launch of this app, we are calling on our community to lend their voices – together, we can call for change in the loudest voice possible.”

CHIME FOR CHANGE co-founder Beyoncé Knowles-Carter created a signature bell sound for the new app, lending her vocals from “Pretty Hurts.” By sharing her voice, she is calling on others around the world to #CHIMEIN: “I am honored to be a part of the continuing work of CHIME FOR CHANGE on behalf of women and girls around the world, and especially at this time to mark International Women’s Day.”

CHIME FOR CHANGE also announced a strategic collaboration with Kellogg’s Special K Europe. Special K has committed to reaching more than 25 million households across Europe with the message of CHIME FOR CHANGE. The brand aims to digitally activate and engage 250,000 of their community members, and through generous financial support, will fund projects helping
more than 25,000 women.

Salma Hayek Pinault, co-founder of CHIME FOR CHANGE, said “Today marks a significant moment for CHIME FOR CHANGE as we continue to drive awareness of girls’ and women’s empowerment among millions of households across the world through a collaborative partnership with Kellogg’s Special K. CHIME is giving girls and women everywhere a platform to unite, and through strategic collaborations, their voices are getting louder and our fight against inequality and injustice even stronger.”

Commenting on the partnership, Peter Soer, VP Marketing at Kellogg Europe and a new member of the CHIME FOR CHANGE Advisory Board, said: “We are thrilled to join so many other voices helping girls and women to shine and be the best they can be, which is what Kellogg’s Special K is all about. Large brands like ours can use our scale and reach to help make a positive impact on the world by driving awareness, inspiring action and ultimately helping to make change happen.”

Kellogg’s Special K becomes the latest strategic partner for CHIME FOR CHANGE, joining Twitter, another recent strategic partner, the Kering Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Facebook, Hearst Magazines, Catapult, P&G Prestige and Twitter to support the empowerment of girls and women around the world. Through a worldwide Mother’s Day promotion at 13,000 points of sale, Gucci Fragrances is committing a minimum $1 million USD to support projects for girls and women around the world. The support of these partners, and today’s announcement from Special K, demonstrate an ongoing commitment by CHIME FOR CHANGE to growing a coalition of likeminded brands, organizations and individuals who are concerned about Education, Health and Justice for girls and women everywhere.

CHIME FOR CHANGE, founded by Gucci, campaigns to convene, unite and strengthen the voices speaking out for girls and women around the world, with a focus on using innovative approaches to raise funds and awareness for Education, Health and Justice projects. Through its crowdfunding partner Catapult, CHIME FOR CHANGE has fully funded more than 280 projects in 81 countries through 87 non-profit partners.

CHIME FOR CHANGE reports on the impact of these projects, and shines a spotlight on powerful stories of girls and women globally through journalism and film. To learn more about the campaign and the girls and women it reaches, visit http://www.chimeforchange.org and www.facebook.com/chimeforchange, and view the CHIME FOR CHANGE short films at
http://www.youtube.com/chimeforchange.

The CHIME FOR CHANGE Founding Committee includes Frida Giannini, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Salma Hayek Pinault. The CHIME FOR CHANGE Advisory Board includes Hafsat Abiola, Muna AbuSulayman, Valerie Amos, Humaira Bachal, Jimmie Briggs, Gordon and Sarah Brown, Lydia Cacho, David Carey, Joanne Crewes, Minh Dang, Juliet de Baubigny, Waris Dirie, Carolyn Everson, Helene Gayle, Leymah Gbowee, Yasmeen Hassan, Arianna Huffington, Musimbi Kanyoro, Alicia Keys, Yang Lan, John Legend, Madonna, Pat Mitchell, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Alyse Nelson, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Francois-Henri Pinault, Julia Roberts, Jill Sheffield, Alison Smale, Jada Pinkett Smith, Peter Soer, Caryl Stern, Meryl Streep, the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mpho Tutu, and Monique Villa.
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands. Alongside the values of quality, creativity and Italian artisanal craftsmanship, for which the brand is renowned, Gucci also believes in the importance of a responsible attitude towards people, the environment and the communities in which it operates. Corporate citizenship is a fundamental part
of the mission and operating philosophy of the company. For more information about Gucci, please visit http://www.gucci.com

Launched in 2009, the Kering Foundation combats Violence Against Women. It supports NGOs and social entrepreneurs, helps raise awareness on Violence Against Women and encourages employee involvement in Americas, Western Europe and Asia.
More than 140,000 women benefited from the Foundation’s support since its inception. www.keringfoundation.org @KeringForWomen

P&G Prestige is the producer of Gucci Parfums. Its President Joanne Crewes, also a CHIME FOR CHANGE Advisory Board Member, teamed up with Giannini to create the Gucci Parfums donation program launched in 2013. Gucci Parfums announced a minimum pledge of $1 million to support CHIME FOR CHANGE projects through the sales of five designated iconic Gucci fragrances: Flora by Gucci, Gucci Guilty pour Femme and Gucci Guilty pour Homme, Gucci Première and Gucci Made To Measure. With a unique donation code in each product, consumers will be able to help improve the lives of girls and women by choosing to support projects promoting Education, Health or Justice. Gucci Parfums is encouraging consumers to redeem their donation codes online at http://www.chimeforchange.org/gucciparfums, and to share their involvement, spreading the message of the campaign.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals Announce Dame Helen Mirren as 2014 Woman of the Year

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the oldest theatrical organization in the United States, announces Academy Award-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren as the recipient of its 2014 Woman of the Year Award. The Pudding is proud to honor a talented and renowned actress whose performances have garnered international critical acclaim.

The Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770’s philanthropic mission is to promote freedom of expression in all aspects of the

Helen Mirren, Photo Credit: Trevor Leighton. (PRNewsFoto/The Hasty Pudding Theatricals)

performing arts, to encourage satire, comedy and the cultivation of young talent, not just at Harvard but around the world. The Institute is comprised of The Hasty Pudding Club (the oldest social club in the United States), The Hasty Pudding Theatricals (the third oldest theater group in the world, after the Comedie Française and the Oberammergau Passion Players) and the Harvard Krokodiloes (the foremost collegiate a cappella group in the United States). Over the last two centuries, it has grown into a premiere performing arts organization, a patron of the arts and comedy, and an advocate for satire and discourse as tools for change worldwide.

The Woman of the Year Award is the Hasty Pudding Theatricals oldest honor, bestowed annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. Established in 1951, the Woman of the Year Award has been given to many notable and talented entertainers, including Meryl Streep, Katharine Hepburn, Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster, Elizabeth Taylor, Anne Hathaway, Claire Danes, and most recently, Marion Cotillard.

The Woman of the Year festivities, presented by The Related Companies, will begin at 2:45 p.m. on January 30, 2014, when Mirren will lead a parade through the streets of Cambridge. Following the parade, the Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for the actress. At 4 p.m., Mirren will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Hasty Pudding’s historic home in the heart of Harvard Square since 1888. A press conference will follow the presentation. Afterward, Hasty Pudding cast members will perform several musical numbers from the group’s production Victorian Secrets. Ms. Mirren will also receive a tour of the new Hasty Pudding Clubhouse, which recently relocated to the historic Hyde-Taylor House in Harvard Square.

“How very saucy of the Hasty Pudding organisation to offer me their award,” said Dame Helen Mirren. “As someone who adores Pudding in all its manifestations… Suet, Christmas, Treacle, Bread and Butter, Yorkshire, Plum, Figgy, etc., etc., I am so looking forward to the famous Hasty Pudding.”

“It gives us great pleasure to bestow Ms. Mirren with our prestigious Woman of the Year Award recognizing her significant contributions to entertainment,” said Tony Oblen, ’14, President of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.” “We look forward to welcoming Ms. Mirren and celebrating and honoring her achievements in a truly unique and memorable way.”

Helen Mirren has won international recognition for her work on stage, screen and television. For her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 of “The Queen,” she received an Academy Award®, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award®, and BAFTA Award for Best Actress.

In 2013, she again met critical acclaim for reprising her role of Queen Elizabeth II, this time in Peter Morgan’s play “The Audience.” For her performance, she was awarded the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress, the highest honor in British theatre.

Mirren will be seen starring in the upcoming Walt Disney Studios’ film “The Hundred-Foot Journey.” Her recent projects include HBO’s 2013 biopic “Phil Spector,” a role for which she received Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations; Summit’s action sequel “Red 2,” and Disney’s animated sequel “Monsters University.” In 2012, Mirren starred in Sacha Gervasi’s “Hitchcock,” a role for which she received Best Actress nominations from the Golden Globes, SAG, and BAFTA.

Her film career began with Michael Powell’s “Age of Consent,” but her breakthrough film role came in 1980 in John Mackenzie’s “The Long Good Friday.”  Mirren earned her first Oscar® nomination for “The Madness of King George” for which she also won Best Actress honors at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival.  Her second Oscar® nomination came for her work in Robert Altman’s 2001 film “Gosford Park.” Mirren earned both Oscar® and Golden Globe nominations for her performance in “The Last Station,” playing Sofya Tolstoy.

Mirren has worked extensively in the theatre in many varied and challenging roles over the years. She has received two Tony Award nominations, for her work in “A Month in the Country,” and for her role opposite Sir Ian McKellen in “Dance of Death.”  She also received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in “Mourning Becomes Electra” at London’s National Theatre.  In 2009, Mirren returned to the National Theatre in the title role in “Phèdre,” directed by Sir Nicholas Hytner.

On television, Mirren starred in the award-winning series “Prime Suspect” and earned an Emmy Award and three BAFTA Awards, as well as numerous award nominations.  She won another Emmy Award and earned a Golden Globe nomination when she reprised the role of Detective Jane Tennison in 2006’s “Prime Suspect 7: The Final Act,” the last installment in the PBS series. Mirren was also honored for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I in the HBO miniseries “Elizabeth I,” winning an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and a SAG Award®. Helen Mirren became a Dame of the British Empire in 2003.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will announce their Man of the Year at a later date and the recipient will be honored on February 7, 2014.

19TH ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS (2014) – BEST PICTURE: 12 YEARS A SLAVE

NEWLY-MINTED 2014 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED ACTRESSES, ACTORS AND DIRECTORS WON BIG

“12 YEARS A SLAVE” NAMED BEST PICTURE AT 19TH ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS

“GRAVITY” ROCKETS TO A RECORD SEVEN WINS

“AMERICAN HUSTLE” FOLLOWS WITH FOUR

Glamorous Porsche Vehicles Displayed at Critics’ Choice Movie Awards

Porsche 911 and Panamera S E-Hybrid make red carpet appearance at Los Angeles awards show

Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts arrives at the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards at the Barker Hangar on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) announced the winners for the 19th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards last night, live from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. The show aired on The CW Network at 8:00PM ET/PT and was hosted by Aisha Tyler. A live pre-show aired in various local markets before the awards ceremony. Stars walking the red carpet mingled with the Porsche 911 and Panamera S E-Hybrid, debuted by Porsche Cars North America, Inc., the exclusive importer of Porsche vehicles in the U.S. and the official sponsor of the 2014 ceremony.

Cristina Cheever of Porsche arrives at the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards presented by Porsche at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Porsche/AP Images)

B.J. Novak arrives at the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards presented by Porsche at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Porsche/AP Images)

Alessandro Nivola attends the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards presented by Porsche at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Porsche/AP Images)

Bob Odenkirk arrives at the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards presented by Porsche at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Porsche/AP Images)

Bob Odenkirk arrives at the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards presented by Porsche at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Porsche/AP Images)

Nia Long arrives at the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards presented by Porsche at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Porsche/AP Images)

Kristen Bell arrives at the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards presented by Porsche at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Porsche/AP Images)

SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 16: Critics’ Choice LOUIS XIII Genius Award during the 19th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards at Barker Hangar on January 16, 2014 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Ari Perilstein/Getty Images for LOUIS XIII)

SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 16: Critics’ Choice LOUIS XIII Genius Award during the 19th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards at Barker Hangar on January 16, 2014 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Ari Perilstein/Getty Images for LOUIS XIII)

SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 16: Critics’ Choice LOUIS XIII Genius Award during the 19th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards at Barker Hangar on January 16, 2014 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Ari Perilstein/Getty Images for LOUIS XIII)

SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 16: Critics’ Choice LOUIS XIII Genius Award during the 19th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards at Barker Hangar on January 16, 2014 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Ari Perilstein/Getty Images for LOUIS XIII)

SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 16: Critics’ Choice LOUIS XIII Genius Award during the 19th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards at Barker Hangar on January 16, 2014 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Ari Perilstein/Getty Images for LOUIS XIII)

Emma Thompson arrives at the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards presented by Porsche at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Porsche/AP Images)

Since its inception in 1995, the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards has been a star-studded bellwether event of the movie awards season. Among the night’s attendees were Barkhad Abdi, Jensen Ackles, Amy Adams, Christina Applegate, Kristen Bell, Cate Blanchett, Abigail Breslin, Daniel Bruhl, Sandra Bullock, Jessica Chastain, Kristin Chenoweth, Steve Coogan, Bradley Cooper, Chris Cooper, Alfonso Cuarón, Julie Delpy, Will Forte, Bruce Dern, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chiwetel Ejiofor,  Adele Exarchopoulos, Cuba Gooding Jr., Bill Hader, Tom Hanks, Ethan Hawke, Jonah Hill, Liam James, Spike Jonze, Sir Ben Kingsley, Brie Larson, Jared Leto, Juliette Lewis, Richard Linklater, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kellan Lutz, James Marsden, Melissa McCarthy, Matthew McConaughey, Steve McQueen, Dermot Mulroney, Sophie Nelisse, Lupita Nyong’o, Bob Odenkirk, David O’Russell, Jared Padalecki, Jeremy Renner, Margot Robbie, Julia Roberts, Sam Rockwell, Julia Roberts, Seth Rogen, Martin Scorsese, Tye Sheridan, Ian Somerhalder, Kevin Spacey, June Squibb, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Mark Wahlberg, Isaiah Washington, Marlon Wayans, Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.

The Actors Hall of Fame to Induct 15 Stars of Film, Television and Theatre

The Actors Hall of Fame Foundation (The Actors Hall of Fame, 9415 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

www.actorshalloffame.org) has announced that 15 international award-winning actors will be inducted into The Actors Hall of Fame on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 2pm in Culver City. The 2014 Inductees are: Julie Andrews, Robert DeNiro, Judi Dench, Robert Duvall, Kirk Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Olivia de Havilland, Hal Holbrook, James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, William H. Macy, Maggie Smith and Meryl Streep

The Actors Hall of Fame banner. (PRNewsFoto/The Actors Hall of Fame)

The Actors Hall of Fame’s Board of Electors nominates and votes for 15 actors each year who have distinguished themselves by achieving an international peer recognition award, have developed a body of work that advances the dramatic arts and have shown an ongoing commitment to philanthropy and service to society.

The Actors Hall of Fame’s mission is to restore and support dramatic arts education on schools. Drama Week is the first national dramatic arts education program that includes The 2014 Inductions honoring dramatic artists, and helps to focus international attention to understand the importance and value of dramatic arts education.

Drama Week is a weeklong celebration of dramatic arts education. There will be a special screening to support Actors for Autism of the documentary Kids With Cameras directed by Alex Rotaru, starring award-winning teacher/producer Brad Koepenick as he teaches autistic students to create and star in their own animated film. The next day, a special performance of 10-minute plays by the award-winning students at CHAMPS High School in Van Nuys will be presented.

On the final day, high school and college students will have a chance to pitch projects for films, television or theatre productions to a panel of industry experts from the major talent agencies, networks and actors.  Drama Week concludes with an inspiring spoken word performance by 15 award-winning students from the nationally acclaimed GET LIT program.

A special performance by The Hobart Shakespeareans, a class of 5th graders from Hobart Elementary School in Los Angeles, under the guidance of their National Medal of Arts winning teacher Ralph Esquith will be one of the highlights of the Induction celebration.

The Actors Hall of Fame is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit foundation dedicated to restore and support dramatic arts education in schools. The Actors Hall of Fame was launched with the support of major entertainment and business organizations, educators, dramatic artists and students. For more information, please visit our website at www.actorshalloffame.org.

Meryl Streep To Narrate Colm Toibin’s THE TESTAMENT OF MARY

Simon & Schuster Audio (www.audio.simonandschuster.com) is proud to announce that Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep will narrate THE TESTAMENT OF MARY by Colm Toibin, recently long-listed for the Booker Prize and cited as one of The New York Times’ Notable Books of 2012.  The audiobook will be available on CD and for download on

Meryl Streep To Narrate Colm Toibin’s THE TESTAMENT OF MARY Audiobook. (PRNewsFoto/Simon & Schuster)

September 10, 2013. Colm Toibin is the author of six novels, including The Master, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize; and Brooklyn, winner of the Costa Book Award.

Streep’s haunting performance combined with Toibin’s tour de force of imagination and language create a listening experience so compelling your vision of Mary will be forever transformed.

Streep, one of the most celebrated performers of our time, offers a rare and powerful performance in THE TESTAMENT OF MARY, Toibin’s acclaimed and provocative imagining of the life of Mary in the years after Jesus’ death. The three-time Academy Award winner gives voice to Mary, a solitary, fully human woman–aging, flawed, courageous and outspoken–seeking to understand the events that become the narrative of the New Testament and the foundation of Christianity.

“What Meryl Streep manages first is a sort of calm force; there is a naturalness in the voice, and in the phrasing. And then slowly something sorrowful emerges, it is like an undertone. It comes from the stops and the half-sighs and that can move into moments of insistent pain and out of that again into memory,” says Toibin.  “She has a way of lingering on words and phrases which is always perfectly natural, but it gradually takes on a real power. I think anyone who hears it will be astonished by it.”

“To have one of the great actors of our time apply her craft to the audiobook medium is a true publishing event,” says Chris Lynch, President & Publisher of Simon & Schuster Audio. “Listeners will be spellbound by her interpretation of Colm Toibin’s vivid, compelling novel.”

Simon & Schuster Audio is a leading publisher of general interest audiobooks including bestselling fiction, nonfiction, business/finance, self-improvement, inspiration, language learning programs, original audiobook productions, and children’s titles. In addition to a list that includes such unparalleled authors as Mary Higgins Clark, Vince Flynn, Ernest Hemingway, Stephen King, Michael Lewis, and David McCullough. Simon & Schuster Audio has produced audiobooks that have won seven Grammy Awards and earned thirty-five Grammy nominations since 1989.

Simon & Schuster (www.simonandschuster.com) a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom.

DENZEL WASHINGTON FLIES TO NUMBER ONE AND IS AMERICA’S FAVORITE MOVIE STAR

CLINT EASTWOOD IS AT NUMBER TWO AGAIN AND TOM HANKS IS NUMBER THREE

DENZEL WASHINGTON played rogue spy and a hero pilot with a few problems in 2012, the latter role earning him his sixth Academy Award nomination, among other accolades. Washington also reclaims a title he last held in 2008 – AMERICA’S FAVORITE MOVIE STAR, rising one place from last year. Clint Eastwood had an “interesting” year and spoke to a now infamous empty chair, but remains at number two, and all around nice guy TOM HANKS rises one spot to the number three position. These are some of the results of The Harris Poll ^® of 2,141 adults surveyed online between December 12 and 18, 2012 by Harris Interactive^®.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 17: Denzel Washington attends the UK Film Premiere of ‘Flight’ at the Empire Leicester Square on January 17, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/ImageNet)