Army Archerd announced in his Daily Variety Column on Wednesday September 26th that the celebrity fundraiser for the Ground Zero Relief Fund raised $1.5 million and that the Entertainment Industry Foundation would match that. Among those on hand: Sly Stallone, Lawrence Bender, Vin Diesel, Warren Beatty, Leonardo DiCaprio, Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson and many others. – Craig Zablo
(September 29, 2001)
Empty Nest
Mike Walker‘s “All the Gossip” column in the October 2, 2001 issue of The National Enquirer contains the following:
EMPTY NEST: Sylvester Stallone plunked down a cool $16 million to buy the huger home next to his BevHills mansion for his mom Jackie. But she told Sly “No thanks,” saying she prefers to stay in her ONE-BEDROOM pad in bustling Santa Monica rather than vegetate in Sly‘s secluded estate. (Yo! Anyone wanna live next door to a movie star?)
We reported this on September 16th!
– Craig Zablo
(September 29, 2001)
“Driven”
LOS ANGELES [The Hollywood Reporter -Excerpt from Brett Sporich’s column] — Warner Home Video’s open-wheeled action film “Driven” featuring KIP PARDUE and SYLVESTER STALLONE earned an estimated $5.49 million during its debut, representing a healthy 16.8% of its estimated $32.4 million domestic boxoffice, according to Video Store magazine. The VHS version of “Driven” was not retail priced.
While “Driven” placed sixth after its first five days on rental shelves, it pulled up just under the pole position at No. 2 on VideoScan’s First Alert DVD sales chart for the week ending Sept. 23.
Sly Joins Hollywood Celebs for Ground Zero Relief
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.”
Stars Pull Out All the Stops
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.
Craig Zablo
GIMME SHELTER
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.
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
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.”
Craig Zablo
Sly & Cruise in STAR: THEY GAVE AND GAVE AND GAVE
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.
Craig Zablo
AMERICA: A TRIBUTE TO HEROES
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)
Sly Teams with Vin Diesel and Others for 9/11 Relief Benefit
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)
The “Driven” DVD is Released
The “Driven” DVD is released. The extra features include: • Commentary by director RENNY HARLIN • Theatrical trailer(s) • 2 Behind-the-scenes documentaries: The Making of Driven and Conquering Speed Through Live Action and Visual Effects • JO DEE MESSINA Burn music video • Widescreen anamorphic format