Category: 2001

HOLLYWOOD [Variety] – At LAWRENCE BENDER’s fundraiser Monday for Ground Zero Relief Fund for those “in dire need in N.Y.,” BENDER, VIN DIESEL and JOHN HERZFELD, along with SYLVESTER STALLONE, announced that the Entertainment Industry Foundation would match funds raised that night — $1.5 million.

Among those on hand: Warren Beatty, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ed Norton, Ben Affleck, Jimmy Woods, Quentin Tarantino, Ellen DeGeneres, Samuel L. Jackson. Sheryl Crow ended the evening singing God Bless America'' andAmerica the Beautiful.”

The October 9, 2001, issue of The National Enquirer features and article titled “Stars Pull Out All Stops” written by Michael Glynn and Beverly Williston. The article discusses all of the efforts celebrities have made to provide financial relief to victims of the 9-11 terrorist acts. A much smaller version of the pic above appears with the article.

– September 22, 2001
Craig Zablo

The October 12, 2001, issue of Entertainment Weekly features a weekly column called “Gimme Shelter” which each week takes a look at homes of celebrities. This week they check in on Sly‘s new purchase.

Rocky‘s new roost! 5 BR, 7.5 BTH contemporary home in LA
PRICE About $16 million. Sylvester Stallone is supersizing the
homefront: The Driven star has snapped up the property next to
his current 14,000-square-foot Beverly Park house. Sitting on
more than two acres, the estate boasts kol ponds, an infinity pool,
and an outdoor fireplace. Inside, there’s a screening room, library,
wine cellar, gym, master suite with two bathrooms (one solid onyx,
the other black granite), and a 10-foot aquarium, Stallone is reportedly
using the two-story abode as a guest house for extended family. Note to
Sly: This writer would consider adoption. – Tricia Johnson

In the “Time Capsule” section there is a small picture of Sly from “Rocky II”
with the caption: October 5, 1979 At the Movies, Sylvester Stallone serves up a one-two-three punch as the writer, director, and star of “Rocky II.”

– September 22, 2001
Craig Zablo

The October 9, 2001, issue of Star features and article titled “They Gave and Gave and Gave” which takes a look at some of the contributions of time and money that celebrities have made to provide financial relief to victims of the 9-11 terrorist acts. A much smaller version of the pic above appears with the article.

– September 22, 2001
Craig Zablo

America: A Tribute to Heroes was broadcast live and commercial-free on over 31 US broadcast and cable networks to over 150 countries world-wide, from studios in Los Angeles and New York. The benefit opened with Bruce Springsteen with an acoustic rendition of My City of Ruins.

Springsteen opened the two-hour show playing acoustic guitar and harmonica and singing My City of Ruins, a song he premiered in a pair of live concerts late last year in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Dozens of celebrities including Sly Stallone, Tom Cruise, Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Clint Eastwood, Julia Roberts, Halle Berry and others manning phone banks to accept donations to the 9/11 relief fund. The benefit last two hours and ended with Willie Nelson joined by the celebrities in attendance for several choruses of America the Beautiful.

– Craig Zablo (September 22, 2001)

Variety reported on September 20th that Vin Diesel recruited Sly Stallone, John Herzfeld and Lawrence Bender to create the Entertainment Community Ground Zero Relief Fund to raise money to assist families of victims and survivors of the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11.

So far Robert DeNiro, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DeCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and many other celebrities have agreed to participate. The benefit is being planned with 100% of the raised funds going to the relief fund.

Thanks to Alain for the tip! – Craig Zablo (September 22, 2001)

From US Weekly’s “The Scene” column: SYLVESTER STALLONE, in an olive-green suit, chomping on a cigar and eating dinner with 15 Minutes writer-director JOHN HERZFELD in the back of Elaine’s in New York.