TINSELTOWN SPYWITNESS.Byline: Joel Stratte-McClure and Jenny Peters THERE'S SOMETHING HAPPENING HERE: Rocker Stephen Stills Stephen Arthur Stills (born January 3, 1945) is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young). didn't perform at the 10th anniversary Cure Autism Now Cure Autism Now (CAN) describes itself as an organization of parents, clinicians and leading scientists committed to accelerating the pace of biomedical research in autism through raising money for research projects, education and outreach. gala just to lend his voice to a worthy charitable cause. ``I have an autistic autistic /au·tis·tic/ (aw-tis´tik) characterized by or pertaining to autism. child and am upset to see an increasing number of kids diagnosed with this disability,'' Stills said Sunday night Sunday Night, later named Michelob Presents Night Music, was an NBC late-night television show which aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990 as a showcase for jazz and eclectic musical artists. at the preshow VIP reception at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. . ``This makes an old activist like myself want to get involved, spread the word and raise money to find a cure.'' Autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. , a complex pervasive developmental disorder per·va·sive developmental disorder n. Any of several disorders, such as autism and Asperger's syndrome, characterized by severe deficits in many areas of development, including social interaction and communication, or by the presence of repetitive, , now affects 1 in 166 births in the U.S., and government agencies estimate that its frequency is growing. Stills was joined by Annette Bening, Patricia Heaton, Anthony Edwards, Bradley Whitford, Jane Kaczmarek, Debra Messing, Dustin Hoffman, Dana Delany, Catherine O'Hara, Kristin Chenoweth, Michael Chiklis, Treat Williams, Ed Asner, Jackson Browne, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, scores of donors, a handful of doctors and scientists, and numerous parents of autistic kids. ``The people in this room are blending a vast array of skills to help eliminate the pain associated with autism by funding and conducting research,'' said Bening, noting that Cure Autism Now has raised $25 million during the last decade. Edwards was named the organization's Friend of the Decade, while Kaczmarek and Whitford received an award for their autism activism. ``Brad and Jane are such strong supporters that when they have birthday parties for their own kids, they ask people not to bring presents but to make a contributions to CAN (www.cureautismnow.org),'' said Heaton. ``That's great, but I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. how happy their kids are about it.'' The foundation's efforts have also helped alter attitudes about autism. ``Kids with autism were called stupid and retards when I was a boy,'' concluded Stills, who recently released his first solo album in 14 years. ``I want people to know that autism isn't a dirty word.'' WHO IS THIS GUY, ANYWAY?: Aliens have taken over Tommy Lee Jones' body. That's the only plausible explanation for the legendary curmudgeon's transformation into a smiling, friendly guy on Monday night. Jones was shaking hands, joking with strangers and willingly posing for photos with elderly fans at the American Film Institute American Film Institute (AFI), nonprofit organization established in Washington, D.C., in 1967 by the National Endowment for the Arts to preserve and catalog American films and television, to provide work grants for new and established filmmakers, and to increase Centerpiece Gala at the Egyptian Theatre for ``The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada,'' his feature-film directing debut. The 59-year-old, who won the best actor award at the Cannes International Film Festival last May for his lead role in the dark but funny drama, even cracked a joke when asked about working for himself. This clearly supports the alien theory, because Tommy Lee Jones For the musician, see . Tommy Lee Jones (born September 15, 1946) is an Academy Award-winning American actor and director. Biography Early life Jones was born in San Saba, Texas, the son of Clyde C. rarely jokes about anything. ``I'm smarter than most of the directors that I work for,'' Jones admitted. ``And I can also read my own mind. So it's a little bit easier!'' The hot Oscar buzz for his film might also explain Jones' joviality Joviality See also Gaiety. Bob, Captain Tahitian jailor known for his easy going merriment with prisoners. [Am. Lit.: Omoo] Costigan, Captain J. Chesterfield jovial, good-humored man. [Br. Lit. . And why not? Just two months ago, the film didn't even have a distributor. Cut to Monday night when Jones - along with eclectic guests like Cuba Gooding Jr., Marla Maples and Josh Groban - listened to kudos from Sony Classics co-president Michael Barker. ``Jones is a talent comparable to Akira Kurosawa and John Huston,'' enthused Barker, noting that Sony will give ``Three Burials'' an Oscar run next month before releasing it in February. The actor-director didn't conceal his buoyant mood at the Pig 'N Whistle preparty or later in the crowded theater. ``This is just wonderful for me,'' gushed a grinning Jones. That left some observers wondering if this wasn't an impostor flown in from another planet. CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) KACZMAREK and HEATON: Raising funds for Cure Autism Now. (2) STILLS: Speaking out for the children. Michael Buckner/Getty Images (3) TOMMY LEE JONES Kevin Winter/Getty Images |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion