Ecorazzi

Hollywood trade paper Variety has taken a rather compelling look at the effect that celebrities have on political issues in the Beltway, especially since the ascension of the Obama Administration.
The piece notes that Brad Pitt, Richard Gere, Paul Simon, Bono, Julianne Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Tony Bennett, Michael J. Fox, George Clooney and a reunited West [...]

George Clooney took his fuel-efficient Vespa Scarabeo around Lake Como, Italy yesterday — only to get pulled over by police. Instead of a ticket, however, the cops only wanted his autograph and a photo-op. The life of a celebrity must truly border on the surreal sometimes. Check out TMZ for more images.
Photo credit: Revista Quem

Not On Our Watch, the international advocacy and aid organization founded by actors George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, producer Jerry Weintraub and human rights lawyer David Pressman, has awarded the U.S. Fund for UNICEF a grant of $438,000 to assist at-risk Zimbabwean refugee children living on the South Africa-Zimbabwe border. The grant [...]

“This just should invigorate people to get it back on the ballot in 2010 and 2012 and every two years until all people are allowed a basic civil right.“ — Actor George Clooney speaking out on the California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Proposition 8. For additional celebrity quotes on the decision, jump here.

Last year, George Clooney wrote about the charitable efforts of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. This year, Leonardo DiCaprio hit the keyboard to praise green jobs-pioneer Van Jones as part of Time Magazine’s “Top 100 Influential People” for 2009. His words are below:
“When Van Jones was tapped to serve as special adviser on green jobs [...]

Adding a bit of levity to the emotionally wrenching trip he took to the Darfur region last month, George Clooney shot a series of videoblogs while bunking with NY Times reporter Nicholas Kristof. So far, two vids have been released with Clooney doing an Andy Rooney impersonation, giving a tour of the bathroom features, and [...]

Yes, you read that right. And don’t act surprised. This is PETA we’re talking about here — the masters in coming up with new, creative ways to draw attention their causes.
Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA (read our recent interview with her here), has a new idea for promoting tofu: make it George Clooney-flavored.
The organization received [...]

If you’re not interested in learning too much about Sacha Baron Cohen’s upcoming mockumentary Bruno, please do not read further.
A few reviews of the new film Bruno, scheduled for release on July 10, have leaked out — and the news for Cohen fans is very postive. For those not in the know, Bruno is [...]

In a surprise event, Brad Pitt paid a visit to the White House yesterday for meetings with both President Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders. The actor was in town to discuss his charity and green rebuilding efforts in New Orleans through the organization Make It Right NOLA. “I just want to say thank you [...]