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Tag: Screen Actors Guild

  • Melissa Gilbert Runs For Congress; Republicans Call Her A Tax Cheat

    Melissa Gilbert is running for Congress. While Gilbert has not run for public office before, she spent four years as president of the Screen Actors Guild.

    Gilbert will be running against Republican incumbent Mike Bishop for the Congressional seat in Michigan’s 8th district. Gilbert announced her run on her campaign homepage, saying:

    “Here in Michigan, I know people are doing their best to make a good life for themselves and their families. When it comes down to it, I think that’s what we all really want.

    “I’m running for Congress to make life a little easier for all the families who feel they have fallen through the cracks in today’s economy. I believe building a new economy is a team effort, and we need to bring fresh voices to the table to get the job done.

    “Please join my campaign, and together we can build that new economy for Michigan.”

    Her site features a link where supporters can make campaign contributions.

    Republicans are already squaring off against Gilbert. The actress could attract considerable attention to the race, which has been considered safely Republican for a while. One thing Republicans are mentioning is that Melissa Gilbert had some difficulty paying a tax bill.

    The Daily Press & Argus in Livingston County reported on Gilbert’s IRS difficulties, saying she owes more than $360,000 and faces a tax lien.

    Gilbert’s opponent Mike Bishop moved quickly to respond to Gilbert’s campaign announcement. Bishop campaign spokesman Stu Sandler said in a statement that Gilbert “can afford to have a stylist for her dog, but cannot pay her taxes. Her values are out of whack with the district.”

    Gilbert responded that her tax trouble is no different than what has happened to man Americans, and has been taken care of.

    “The truth is I got caught in a perfect storm of financial difficulty, which is why I initiated a conversation with the IRS, told them I was having trouble and together we set up a payment plan,” Gilbert said in a statement.

  • Debbie Reynolds to Receive SAG Lifetime Achievement Award From Daughter Carrie Fisher

    Debbie Reynolds to Receive SAG Lifetime Achievement Award From Daughter Carrie Fisher

    Veteran actress Debbie Reynolds will be this year’s recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award.

    In a sweet twist, the multi-talented entertainer will receive her award from her daughter, Carrie Fisher.

    Reynolds, 82, will be honored for a long and successful career that began in the 1950s and includes classic films like Singin’ in the Rain, Tammy, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and How the West Was Won.

    Fisher, 58, is Reynolds’ daughter from her marriage to singer Eddie Fisher. She is best known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars films, a role she is reprising for J.J. Abrams’ upcoming sequel.

    The tumultuous mother-daughter relationship was documented in the fictional Postcards From the Edge, written by Fisher. The film was later made into a movie starring Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine and Dennis Quaid.

    Fisher also wrote a TV movie, These Old Broads, that starred Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine and Elizabeth Taylor, who caused quite the scandal when she stole Reynolds’ husband, Eddie Fisher, back in the day.

  • Rita Moreno Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

    On Saturday, January 18, the Screen Actors Guild honored Rita Moreno, 82, with the 50th SAG Life Achievement Award. The SAG Life Achievement Award is one of the most prestigious rewards for actors, and is “bestowed for outstanding achievement in fostering the finest ideals of the acting profession.”

    Rita received a standing ovation as her old friend Morgan Freeman introduced her, and after a brief dance routine, she took to the microphone to show her gratitude for the award. “I am so (expletive) thrilled,” she said, throwing in an f-bomb. “I hope the man with the button was there on time.” Yes, if you were wondering, the word was bleeped during the live event. “Thank you. Oh! Oh… oh, I’m breathless,” she said. “I’m, I’m so – I’m so bloody happy. Late in the – I’m sorry about that word. Actually I’m not,” she said jokingly.

    “Late in the first act of my career I was recognized with an Oscar. I was 31 and so astonished and surprised, as you saw in the clip. You know, I could only muster, “I don’t believe it!” I leave you with that,” she said. “And now this unexpected honor at 82. But, hopefully… But, hopefully, it’s early in the third act – it’s early in the third act of my life,” she continued. “The truth… The truth is, I still – honestly I still can’t believe it. So, let me say this. Hi, Jeremy Renner. No, that’s not what I meant to say. Ooh!”

    At that point, Rita decided to break out in song. “As I approach the prime of my life, I find I have the time of my life. Learning to enjoy at my leisure all the simple pleasures. And so I happily concede… this is all I ask, this is all I need,” she sang.

    Rita finished her speech by saying: “And finally, to quote my younger self, ‘I leave you with this…’ Hi Brad. No, that’s not what I meant to say,” she laughed. “I leave you with this, “So let the music play as long as there’s a song to sing and I will be, I will be, younger than spring. Thank you. Thank you, SAG/AFTRA. Thank you, fellow actors. Thank you.”

    Below is a video of Rita discussing her award backstage:

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Giuliana Rancic’s Best SAG Awards Red Carpet Interviews

    Giuliana Rancic interviews contain a little cheese, lots of fun and many weird encounters. Sometimes they’re more entertaining than the actual award shows. At the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards’ red carpet, Rancic showed her talent for creating quick witty remarks.

    Rancic did three really memorable SAG interviews last night. They showed her energetic interviewing style and the playful sides of her interviewees.

    #3. Cate Blanchett Flirts with Rancic

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    Rancic revealed her obsession with Cate Blanchett, which sparked quick quips between the women. “I’m married,” Blanchett responded to Rancic’s praises. To which Rancic replied with fake disappointment. Then Blanchett questioned the camera crew about panning to the bottom of her dress, she found that action odd. Next Rancic pointed out the other ridiculous things they do, like placing a tiara on the camera. Later in their discussion, Blanchett admitted she kept an Armani suit she bought with her first major pay check. “I wore it so much it’s threadbare,” Blanchett told Rancic.

    An unexpected visit from Kevin Spacey, who planned to “Video bomb” Blanchett, ended the interview. The friends and co-stars appeared in The Shipping News together in 2001.

    #2. Jennifer Lawrence’s “armpit vagina”

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    Jennifer Lawrence did her usual slightly awkward interview at this year’s SAG red carpet. Rancic asked Lawrence about her dress, and she mentioned her arm fat. As the interview continued, she called it her “armpit vagina.” Then Rancic changed the subject to Lawrence’s Taylor Swift photo bombing incident from the Golden Globes. Lawrence gave a playful lashing to “Tom with the bowtie” for not telling her that the cameras were rolling during the Golden Globes red carpet.

    #1. An Unexpected Love Connection

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    Rancic’s best interview involved a Game of Thrones star and a rock star. Emilia Clarke found herself suddenly in the arms of Jared Leto while trying to leave an interview. Leto commented on how beautiful Clarke’s eyes were and wouldn’t let her go during it. Rancic was so amused by the incident that she let Clarke interview Leto for a while. Later in the interview, Rancic revealed her unexpected connection to Leto, their siblings dated when Rancic was thirteen.

    She later mentioned this interview to Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves.

    Image Via E!

  • Kerry Washington Bares Pregnant Belly at SAG Awards

    Kerry Washington of Scandal fame wore a rather short top–baring her belly at the SAG Awards on Saturday evening. She donned a sparkling bright pink crop top designed by Prada for the event, along with a long black satin skirt. As the cameras snapped photos they caught not only how pretty the Scandal star was, but her burgeoning bump underneath her top as well.

    “I don’t have anything to hide anymore!” she said to Ross Matthews on the red carpet prior to the event–referring, of course, to her bared belly.

    Wearing her hair up in a sleek bun adorned with a black satin ribbon, Kerry Washington was indeed stunning, but no doubt had the entire place buzzing about her bare (and rather big) baby bump.

    A bit later in the evening Washington shared a photo of herself with pal Mindy Kaling via Twitter, allowing fans a glimpse of her beautiful ensemble, but not quite showing the exposed bump.

    When Kerry Washington attended the Golden Globes, just about a week ago, she kept her baby bump under wraps, wearing instead a gorgeous white Balenciaga gown. She told Ryan Seacrest that she had brought the very best date of all to the Golden Globes–referring, of course, to her unborn baby.

    Critics always have things–both pro and con–to say about the attire celebrities choose to wear at these very public events. It will certainly be interesting to learn come Monday morning if Kerry Washington’s name makes the talk show circuit. Will they cut to footage of Saturday night’s SAG Awards and show stills of Kerry wearing her glitzy pink crop top with her belly peeking out from underneath? What do you think the general consensus will be about her style of choice?

    As you can well see from the film clip above, Washington is several months into her pregnancy. Different sources are reporting an array of guesses, but it looks and sounds like she is at least six months along. Do you think pregnant mothers should revert to the fashion modes of decades past and keep their pregnant bellies covered or do you like the new style Kerry Washington sported at the SAG Awards?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons