TRACKING HISTORY
Locals like Barbra Streisand joined megadirector Steven Spielberg and a starry crowd at the Shoah Foundation gala in Century City. The foundation is dedicated to collecting testimony and stories from survivors and witnesses of genocides, including the Holocaust.
An A-list crowd came out to support the cause, and it doesn’t get more any A-list than President Obama, who was honored with the annual “Ambassador for Humanity” award, while comedian Conan O’Brien hosted the proceedings. All speakers focused on the importance of remembering the past and its relevance to current events. “The purpose of memory is not simply to preserve the past,” Obama said. “It is to protect the future.”
Other locals in the crowd included not only Barbra Streisand, but her husband James Brolin, as well as Samuel L. Jackson, “it-girl” Kim Kardashian and Octavia Spencer.
Proceeds go to the Shoah Foundation.
ADL DOINGS
Malibu power couple Roma Downey and Mark Burnett has lots to celebrate these days. Not only are they the force behind the hit series “The Voice” and other popular television productions like “The Bible” and the movie “Son of God,” but now they have another honor to add to their list. The Anti-Defamation League entertainment industry feted them with its annual award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Locals like acting legend Shirley MacLaine and familiar Malibu faces like Brooke Burke-Charvet and David Charvet lined up to hand out congratulations.
Other locals included DreamWorks chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg as well as Jim Gianopolus of Fox Filmed Entertainment, Gary Barber of MGM and Academy Award winning composer Hans Zimmer.
Mark was a standout in his “Duck Dynasty”-style beard while Roma was pretty in pink. The “Touched by an Angel” star and man behind the smash series “The Voice” aren’t just stopping there. The dynamic duo plans to roll up their shirts and go to work on a few additional series like “The Dovekeepers” and “A.D. Behind the Bible.”
“Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush gave Mark a little ribbing, saying his handsome new gray and white beard made him look like “Moses.” Billy, Mark and Roma are old friends as they have all been involved with the worldwide organization “Operation Smile.”
Billy also took the opportunity to introduce the band Raise. Others included Tessanne Chin, season five winner of “The Voice,” and the Tenors, accompanied by local music man David Foster.
The event drew more than 500 fans and raised more than $1 million for the Anti-Defamation League.