ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

August 31st 2008

Johnny Depp Jams On Guitar To Raise Money For Children’s Charity

Filed under: green and famous, music — michael @ 2:06 pm

Johnny Depp took to the stage Friday night and jammed with his former band The Kids to help raise money for a children’s charity in Florida. About 2,500 people cheered on the Oscar-nominated actor as he strapped on a guitar and sang backup vocals during the power-pop group’s 90-minute set. Depp’s partner Vanessa Paradis, and their 9-year-old daughter, Lily-Rose, were also in the crowd.

Called “The second annual Sheila Witkin Memorial Reunion Concert”, the benefit honored The Kids’ late manager. All of the money raise will go towards the Dan Marino Foundation, which funds programs for children with special needs.

Depp originally joined the band when he was a high school student in Florida. After their bid to grab a record deal fell through, Depp dropped out and decided to pursue a career in actor. And the rest they say, is history.

Check out a video of Depp jamming by clicking here!

August 19th 2008

Depp, Law, And Farrell Give Paychecks to Heath Ledger’s Daughter

Filed under: babies and bumps, donations — sara @ 9:10 am

As devastating as any news on Ledger has been since the talented actor’s death in January, this story touches rather than breaks the heart.

Many of you may know that Heath Ledger’s will had not been updated since the birth of Matilda, his beloved daughter with actress Michelle Williams. Upon hearing this news, fellow actors Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, who all played Ledger’s character in The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, the film he’d been working on before his death, decided to donate their fees to the two-and-a-half-year-old.

“They didn’t take the money–it goes to Heath’s daughter. That’s extraordinary! And wonderful…and when you’re part of that, you think, ‘Ah, this is maybe why I went into the movies in the beginning. I thought it would be full of wonderful people.’ And we’ve got a movie full of wonderful people who did extraordinary things to help,” says director Terry Gilliam.

Terry, though I’d say your comments contain a small yet obvious plug for your film… you’re absolutely right.

July 23rd 2008

Johnny Depp To Power His Caribbean Island With Solar Hydrogen Tech

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 12:58 pm

Buried in an article over on Huffington Post regarding carbon-free fuel is an interesting reveal that actor Johnny Depp is planning on converting his island home to run on solar hydrogen technology.

Back in 2005, Depp bought the the 35-acre island (which he affectionately calls “F*ck Off Island”) in the Bahamas for around $3m after being inspired by what friend Marlon Brando had done with his own Tahitian paradise. In an interview with the Guardian, the actor recalled his conversation with the late Brando,

“Depp said, ‘Hey, man, I found this thing, this island!’ Brando said, ‘Well, what’s the elevation? Do you have a water system there? What about the electricity?’

Several years later, it appears that Depp is finally getting serious about emulating Brando’s earth-friendly tech elements. According to Peter Hoffmann, the Pirates of the Carribean star is third in line to receive a grid-independent solar hydrogen system from Mike Strizki. The inventor created the nation’s first solar-hydrogen house in New Jersey — without sacrificing any of the amenities included in his 3,500 square-foot home. You can check out a video of his system here.

Depending on the size of Depp’s home on the island, the cost is expected to run between $250,000-$500,000 — which, for someone with an island, isn’t a bad deal for unlimited, clean energy.

June 6th 2008

Razzi Snap: Anya Hindmarch To Design For Target

Filed under: fashion, film-tv, television — michael @ 12:27 pm

Man, what’s happening with the big stores lately? They’re doing a pretty decent job with bringing on some major designers. The latest drop is that Anya Hindmarch will be creating some bags for Target. While Anya’s no Stella when it comes to sustainable or animal-free creations — she has been known to rock the green world every now and again. Here’s to hoping it happens — and is affordable! [Read more...]

Another interesting trend are famous folk offering retreats to those celebs in need. Last month, it was Mel Gibson giving Britney Spears some time at his ranch in Costa Rica. This time, Johnny Depp has offered Lindsay Lohan free use of his island in the Caribbean. The location, appropriately called “F**k Off Island”, is a perfect, secluded, paradise — something Depp believes Lohan could use for a break. [Read More...]

Rocker Bruce Springsteen offered Discovery Exec David Zaslav some brand-building advice for the network while over dinner recently. The boss apparently told Zaslav that he needs to “make people fall in love” — much in the way that the Planet Earth series made people love the planet more. He said that’s exactly what he tries to do with every song he creates. Hey, if it works for him, lets hope Planet Green gets people swooning. [Read More...]

Ludacris and Tommy Lee have created a hilarious trailer for their Battleground Earth series. Jump to it here. 

April 19th 2008

Razzi Snap: Wanna Share Some Screen Time With Johnny Depp?

Filed under: green and famous — michael @ 10:48 am

When everyone gathers for the family reunion sometime this summer, don’t let your ass clown younger cousin steal all the glory by announcing he’s sold yet another internet company for millions! Instead, gather the glory and admiration of others for yourself by casually dropping that you’re exhausted from shooting a scene with Johnny Depp in his latest movie. Yes, it’s yet another charity auction to star as a featured extra with Depp in his latest film Public Enemies. You know what to do. Go grab your 15 minutes and bid here. [via theseboots]

Like it or not, at least the money Brad and Angelina command for exclusive baby photos goes towards charity. The other end of the spectrum features money-grubbing slimeballs with nothing but personal gain on the mind.

The BBC is launching a new ethical fashion magazine, Threads– but no flaps over whether its printed using recycled paper or not, since this one is completely virtual. The editors intend to “cover a range of issues from the environmental footprint of clothing manufacture, to the impact of the fashion industry on human and animal rights.” [Get your virtual insanity on here]

What’s Terry O’Quinn, who plays John Locke on ABC’s hit series LOST, going to do to make his life greener? “I am eliminating disposable plastic from my life starting with grocery bags and packaging.” Good on ya, Terry. If you’re anything like your character, you should be able to weave up some natural bags in a jiff. [via Hawaii Health Guide]

March 11th 2008

Johnny Depp and Snoop Dogg Team Up To Free Lolita

Together at last.

Filed under: animals — michael @ 10:28 am

Johnny Depp and Snoop Dogg are joining forces with Harrison Ford, Fifty Cent, R&B singer Truth Hurts, and several politicians to appeal for the release of Lolita the killer whale. Currently, Lolita is being held in the Miami Seaquarium where she has been performing for about 37 years. She is now is 20 feet long, weighs 7,000 pounds, and lives in a tank that measures 80 feet across at its widest and 20 feet deep. Howard Garrett, who with Susan Berta founded the Orca Network are the organized force behind the freedom rally. From the article,

“Newsweek says Levy is working on a benefit concert that would support the Lolita movement. ‘This beautiful animal does not deserve to die in a stinky little tank, and we are not going to take less than a full victory,’ Levy told Newsweek. Garrett said it’s too early to announce any particular concert plans but admitted that ‘we’re working on it. Momentum is building,’ he said. ‘A publicity campaign is in the works being directed by people in Hollywood.’”

Organizers say that Lolita’s best chance at survival would be in the waters of San Juan Island’s Kanaka Bay, which was used to hold killer whales during the roundup days of the 1970s. She could stay with her trainers and staff from Seaquarium before acclimating and venturing off on her own. Garrett discredits those who believe she’s too tame to return to the wild saying, “The idea that she’s habituated, that she’d be totally out of her element if she were brought back, ignores the intelligence of the species and their family bonding for life.”