Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie Donate to Missouri
Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have donated $500,000 to aid the badly damaged city of Joplin, Mo., ravaged by a tornado last month that killed 150 people.
The money, provided by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, has been given to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and will be earmarked specifically to benefit the Joplin Recovery Fund. Pitt, who grew up in Missouri, commented on the situation in a statement, saying that “with the devastating loss of 30 percent of the city, the Joplin community faces great challenges ahead.” Angelina Jolie added, “Our hearts go out to the families in Joplin who have lost so much.”
Morgan Freeman Honored by AIF
‘Thriller’ Jacket up for Auction
This month, Julien’s Auctions will present “Music Icons,” an auction offering significant memorabilia, including items related to Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Bruce Springsteen.
The auction in Beverly Hills, Calif., will include the sparkling shirt Jackson wore while moonwalking on TV the first time, as well as the red leather jacket he wore in the “Thriller” video,
Portions of the proceeds from the jacket’s sale will support the Shambala Preserve, a California wildlife sanctuary that has housed Jackson’s two tigers, Thriller and Sabu. The tigers were moved there after the singer moved out of his Neverland Ranch in 2006. The live and online auction will take place June 25 and 26.
NBC Signs Deal With Columbia for ‘Smash’ Soundtrack
The show, which tells the story of the making of a fictional Broadway musical entitled “Marilyn: The Musical,” will star Katharine McPhee (the “American Idol” season 5 runner-up), who has also signed a record deal with Columbia.
Among the other cast members are Debra Messing and Oscar winner Angelica Houston. The show is set to air Mondays at 10 p.m. EST, debuting during NBC’s midseason and will feature a mix of original songs and covers of pop tunes.
