Giving back
Local Jeffrey Katzenberg was happy to accept a generous gift from Anne and Kirk Douglas for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. The Douglas family stepped forward with an extraordinary gift of $20 million from The Douglas Foundation for the $350 million MPTF Campaign.
“When it comes to philanthropy, there is no one who I have admired more or learned more from than Kirk Douglas, and so to be able to make this announcement with Anne and Kirk is such a great privilege for me,” said Katzenberg. “MPTF has had no greater friends than the two of them.”
Bob Beitcher, MPTF president and CEO, added, “In addition to the millions Kirk has given and raised over the years for Harry’s Haven on the MPTF campus, this new commitment will sustain our dementia care unit in the years ahead. What a wonderful way for the Douglas family to celebrate the spirit of giving back and set an example for others in the entertainment industry.”
Mr. Douglas talked about his decision to make the contribution, saying, “When Anne and I were deciding how much to give to MPTF this year, we looked again at the wide range of services the fund provides. Then we doubled our pledge! Of course, my very persuasive friend Jeffrey Katzenberg gave us lots of encouragement.” On how the donation will be used, Douglas continued, “We will expand Harry’s Haven, our Alzheimer’s unit, with a portion of the new donation. And I’m sure the board will use the rest where it is most needed. You know, I believe that giving to others is selfish, because the giver gets so much pleasure from it. I hope Anne and I inspire many more selfish acts of this kind, especially from the younger generation of entertainment professionals.”
The $350-million, three-year MPTF Campaign is concentrated on ensuring the future continuity of the fund’s mission, including meeting the changing needs of the entertainment community by providing current industry workers as well as current and future retirees with charitable programs and services ranging from financial assistance for rent, mortgage, food and extraordinary healthcare crises to counseling and healthcare support for uninsured and underinsured members of the entertainment community through a new MPTF program called Bridge to Health.
Bring on the Brits
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles is gearing up for this year’s big honors on Nov. 7 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. It’s an impressive lineup of honorees, including Bondman Daniel Craig, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and video game designer Will Wright. Previous Brit Award winners include Malibu residents Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Steven Spielberg and Sean Penn. The festivities will also air on BBC America Nov. 11.