ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

May 15th 2008

Damon, Penn, Vedder Team Up For ‘The People Speak’

Filed under: green and famous — michael @ 11:11 am

For some reason, various media reports around the world are labeling the new film The People Speak as some kind of documentary about celebrity activism. In reality, the new film — which includes Matt Damon on the producing side — is an adaptation of historian Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States.

Shot in various theatres, the film will feature “dramatic readings and live musical performances from the likes of Josh Brolin, Viggo Mortensen, David Strathairn, Marisa Tomei Jasmine Guy, John Legend, Q’Orianka Kilcher, Michael Ealy and Kerry Washington.” Most recently, Eddie Vedder and Sean Penn performed as part of a show at a concert in California. edder performed the classic folk song Here’s to the state of Mississippi by Phil Ochs, changing lyrics to take aim at US president George Bush.

And speaking of Penn, here’s what he had to say about President Bush while at Cannes: “When somebody operates without a brain and without a heart they kill hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world. It is a shame that we have to bastardize the word ‘politics’.”

Check out the dramatic trailer for The People Speak here

May 13th 2008

Clooney And Co. Drop $500,000 For Cyclone Relief

Filed under: campaigns, donations — michael @ 6:27 pm

Not On Our Watch — the humanitarian org dedicated to putting an end to mass atrocities around the world — has donated $500,000 to relief aid in the cyclone-devastated country of Myanmar. The foundation was started by George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Jerry Weintraub, and David Pressman in response to the worsening Darfur crisis — but has quickly spread to address the problems occurring in Burma (Myanmar) as well.

The group will give $250,000 to Save the Children for relief efforts to suffering children and families effected by the storm. They will then collectively match the money given by the foundation for an additional $250,000. According to ETOnline, Save the Children is one of the only humanitarian organizations actually deployed in the country and has already helped more than 100,000 people, including about 40,000 young children.

Since last year, Not On Our Watch has granted over $6 million dollars towards the crisis in Darfur. If you would like to help out their efforts to help those suffering on account of these atrocities, please click here for more.

May 5th 2008

Tesla’s New Dealership Celebrates Opening With Celebrities, One Car

Filed under: cars-houses, transport — michael @ 11:41 am

Last Thursday evening, Tesla Motors — makers of the all-electric Tesla Roadster — celebrated the opening of their first ever retail store in Santa Monica, California. Celebrities in attendance included Quincy Jones, Jenny McCarthy, Anna Getty and Jenna Elfman. Also roaming around with a camera, and no doubt thrilled to see such an event happening, was director of Who Killed The Electric Car?, Chris Paine.

So far, only 4 cars have managed to roll off the production line — so that means Pitt, Clooney, Damon, and Schwarzenegger will have to wait a bit longer for their electric fix. Automobile Mag has a bit more on the retail plans for the company,

“Located in Los Angeles, Tesla’s first dealer - actually a factory outlet - occupies 10,000 square feet along Santa Monica Boulevard.  Carrying a price tag of nearly $2 million, the store portrays an airy, industrial feel, thanks in part to concrete floors, visible ductwork, and colorful illumination. That appearance will expand as Tesla opens five stores across the country over the next year.  An outlet at its Menlo Park, Calif. headquarters should be open in the summer, while properties in New York, Miami, Seattle and Chicago could be functional by 2009.”

There’s some pretty crappy video over on Autobloggreen that almost looks like someone shot it with a cameraphone — but if you’re the tiniest bit interested in seeing what went down the other nigh, jump here to have a look.

April 29th 2008

Razzi Snap: Cameron Diaz Taking A Year Off For Charity Work, Chill Time

Filed under: green and famous — michael @ 10:58 am

Actress Cameron Diaz has decided to take a year hiatus from acting to enjoy some personal reflection time and become more involved in charity work. “I envision a full year off, just living life and having fun. It’s the best thing,” Diaz said in an interview in W magazine’s May issue. The 35-year-old didn’t name the charity she’ll be getting behind saying “they need time to organize themselves”, but we’re betting it’s something green-related.

Do you like walking around naked in your home and feeling more in touch with your natural appearance? Cool, so does Kelly Clarkson. She even does it when reporters are in the house. I guess that’s one way to get the upper hand in an interview…

Looking to accessorize that new bundle of joy in your life with some pre-owned celebrity baby swag? Johnson’s Celebrity Hand Me Down Auction is raising money for several U.S. charities by auctioning off baby gear from folks like Matt Damon and Julianne Moore. For more, jump here.

Barbie is adding faux-fur to her wardrobe. The iconic line of dolls is getting a faux-fur chinchilla coat, courtesy of an exclusively branded Kimora Lee Simmons version. Said the model/designer, ” I want to show kids that synthetic fur can be fabulous, too. She’s everything a Barbie is supposed to be.”

April 13th 2008

Matt Damon Promotes The 2008 Global Day for Darfur In London

Filed under: campaigns, events, honors, politics — parrish @ 1:47 pm

Today, Matt Damon and wife Luciana Barroso are spending the afternoon in London promoting the 2008 Global Day for Darfur.

According to SaveDarfur.org,it’s estimated that “one million Darfuri children have grown up displaced, living in camps for refugees and internally displaced persons, many without opportunities for education, without knowing the meaning of home”.

The hope is that a Global Day for Darfur will alert citizens to call on their governments and the United Nations to get the U.N.-African Union peacekeepers deployed in Darfur as fully, effectively, and quickly as possible

Tens of thousands of people across the country are finding their own way to honor this important day. Pictured above, Matt Damon is breaking toys to symbolize the destruction of childhood in Darfur.

For more information, or to find a local event in your area, visit SaveDarfur.org and let’s get this done!

thanks: justjared.com

March 14th 2008

Charity Beat: Paris Hilton’s Man Skips Out On Benefit Gig To P-A-R-T-Y

Filed under: campaigns, green and famous — michael @ 9:01 am

Paris Hilton’s latest boyfriend, Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden, is so “crazy in love” with the socialite that he decided to skip out on a charity DJ appearance. The gig was to raise money for Nicole Richie’s charity for disadvantaged kids (Madden’s twin is Richie’s partner, Joel) but he decided to go clubbing with Paris instead. Nice. Do these two belong with each other or what? [via Female First]

Not On Our Watch, a charity co-founded by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Jerry Weintraub recently donated $500,000 to the United Nations World Food Program. The cash will be earmarked for the U.N.’s food aid agency to prevent hunger in the troubled Darfur region of Sudan. Said Clooney is a statement, “Without immediate additional funding, humanitarian aid in the region will be crippled”. [visit: Not On Our Watch]

Patrick Dempsey wasn’t the only famous celeb opening a new medial center this week. Down in Australia, Jackie Chan opened a science education center at an Australian cancer research clinic; dedicated in the actor’s name. Chan’s father, Charlie, lived in Aussie for more than 40 years. Organizers did not reveal how much Jackie donated to the new center, but did indicate that the sum was “substantial”. [via StarPulse]

March 12th 2008

Semi-Confirmed Owners List For Tesla Roadster Adds Brad Pitt, Anthony Kiedis

Filed under: cars-houses, green and famous, travel — michael @ 9:19 am

Now that the Tesla Roadster is actually starting to trickle on to roads around America, speculation is heating up as to who’s on the list — and when they’re getting their car. We already know George Clooney, Matt Damon, Michael “Flea” Balzary, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Will.i.am, and Aaron Wills are signed up and paid. We also know that Leonardo DiCaprio is in the hunt as well. Beyond the above, however, we’re forced to rely upon some excellent web-digging by Tesla enthusiasts for names and orders.

Over on the site TeslaMotorClub, a growing list of politicans, artists, musicians, and wealthy folk is starting to take shape. Some new additions that we were previously unaware of include Brad Pitt, Dennis Haysbert, and Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Anthony Kiedis. Also interesting to note on the list are those involved with green documentaries — from Chris Paine, Director of Who Killed The Electric Car to Scott Burns, Producer of An Inconvenient Truth.

Obviously, we’ll know more in the coming months, but it’s a good bet that the latter half of 2008 will be a feast for Tesla spying as famous folk hit the roads — and premieres — in their shiny green cars. Check out the Top 20 semi-confirmed, with sources below the fold. For the full list — and some great discussion on the roadster — check out TeslaMotorClub.

Read the rest of this entry »

February 1st 2008

Razzi Snap: Keira Knightley’s Green Silk Dress Headed For Charity Auction

Plus: Punky Brewster, Kravitz in the jungle, more horse-carriage protest, and Matt Damon

Filed under: animals, babies and bumps, movies, travel, web — michael @ 3:39 pm

Actress Keira Knightley’s green dress from the movie Atonement is being sold for charity. The stunning green silk evening gown will be offered in an online auction to raise money for Variety - The Children’s Charity of Southern California. The organization aims to assist addicted, abused, neglected and physically-challenged children. Starting bid is $1,000 — but expect this one to get out of financial sight pretty quickly. The auction ends March 1st. [via google news]

A few months ago, we mentioned that actress Soleil Moon Frye (otherwise known as the original Punky Brewster) was opening an eco-friendly baby store in LA called The Little Seed. Access Hollywood recently caught with Soleil and received a tour of her shop. Check it out here. [Thanks, Linton!]

After performing at the Rio De Janeiro leg of Live Earth, rocker Lenny Kravitz almost decided not to come home. The musician planned on staying for a week, but ended up living for four months on a remote farm. Said Kravitz, “There was no stress, less time spent on decisions. And I reconnected with knowing that God gives you everything you need. But I came out of the jungle and I came back with a fresh outlook”. [via femalefirst]

Pink may have led the media blitz, but musician Chrissie Hynde led the rally for a PETA protest in Central Park to encourage tourists not to support the carriage-horse industry. “I got hitched to Jim Kerr (Simple Minds) in a horse drawn carriage in New York. The marriage didn’t last and I hope the carriages meet the same fate.” [via PETA]

Finally, this is not green — but I found it hilarious. Comedian Sarah Silverman gave significant other Jimmy Kimmel a video-gift for the 5-year anniversary of his Jimmy Kimmel Live show. For those that don’t know, there’s a running joke on the show where Matt Damon is continuously insulted in various, creative ways. Let’s just say, Matt has had the last laugh. Check it out here.

January 20th 2008

George Clooney Racks Up Another Cool Point As New “Messenger Of Peace”

Filed under: green and famous, honors, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 7:14 pm

George Clooney is way cooler than I will ever be. It’s ok, I know that. I’ve just accepted the fact that no matter how much money I make, or how successful I grow to be, Clooney will always reign cooler. So it didn’t surprise me at all when I heard that the Georgemeister just racked up another “cool” point on the ol’ game of life.

This week, the United Nations appointed George Clooney, an official “messenger of peace.” Now what exactly does that mean? Is it just some kind of a made up title, like “Director Of FEMA?” No, in fact the organization has entrusted Clooney to use his title and reputation to help promote peacekeeping activities around the world.

No stranger to peace, Clooney, is well known for doing his part for the sake of the globe. Last April, Clooney set up the charity, Not On Our Watch, with fellow actors Don Cheadle, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon to help raise funds for Darfur. To date, the charity has raised 9.3 million dollars.

In 2006, Clooney delivered a speech to the UN Security Council, in which he said that the genocide in Darfur was taking place “on your watch”. Clooney is the 9th “messenger of peace” and will be joining the company of: conductor Daniel Barenboim, author Paulo Coelho, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and film star Michael Douglas.

Hey George, I’m not sure if your new position requires a “first mate” or “second in command” or anything, but the title, “Assistant Messenger Of Peace” sure has a real nice ring to it. I travel lightly and have a pleasant speaking voice. I’ll have my people call your people.

December 10th 2007

Obama and Oprah: Oprahpalooza 2007 Kicks Off

Filed under: politics — paige @ 9:49 am

As Oprahpalooza kicked off in Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire over the weekend, it is clear that when it comes to celebrity endorsements, Obama is the man. A flood of support continues to pour in from a range of celebrities including George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Stephen Colbert, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and oh, Dreamworks (because that is what you get with the three most powerful men in Hollywood - Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen).

Other candidates have their ringers as well. Senator Hillary Clinton has recent endorsements and support from Barbara Streisand, Donald Trump, Martha Stewart and Tom Hanks. And of course, her husband former President Clinton. I mean who doesn’t want to see Bill back in the White House, especially with all of his recent socially global and climate driven initiatives. Regardless, the campaign is truly heating up and while at the end of the day it is about electing a leader based on the issues and leadership capabilities, there is no denying the magic of the “O” factor and Obama earns big strategic points on that one!

Check out the latest celebrity endorsements on The Huffington Post Fundrace 2008.