Jimmy Smits to Take Part in This Year’s Stand Up To Cancer SU2C Fundraising Special

Jimmy Smits is taking a stand (up)

The 68-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor will take part in this year’s Stand Up To Cancer SU2C fundraising special that’s set to air on Saturday, August 19 at 8:00 pm ET.

Jimmy SmitsIn addition to Smits, best known for his roles on L.A. LawNYPD Blue and The West Wing, other celebrities making a special appearance during the show include Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Biel, Don Cheadle, Katie Couric, Danai Gurira, Tony Hale, Ken Jeong, Maria MenounosJulianne Moore, Tig Notaro, Eric Stonestreet and Justin Timberlake.

A special montage of comedic skits from past shows will feature Jack Black, Ben Falcone, Zach Galifianakis, Brad Garrett, Bill HaderJon HammKevin Hart, Ed HelmsMelissa McCarthy, and Matthew McConaughey.

The televised special will also feature past musical performances from the likes of Brittany Howard, Simone Ledward Boseman, and The Who.

The one-hour televised celebration entitled “How It Started, How It’s Going” will recognize SU2C’s impact and progress over the last 15 years.

“We started this movement in 2008 to save lives and it is remarkable to see that in 15 years our scientists have accomplished this goal through breakthrough research that intercepts and treats cancer in ways we never thought possible,” said Katie Couric, SU2C co-founder. “There is more work to do to cure cancer and every dollar counts; we will not stop until we make every cancer patient a long-term survivor.”

The biennial special will air simultaneously on more than 50 participating media platforms across the United States and Canada, including all four major broadcast networks in the U.S. Broadcasters carrying the show are donating one hour of simultaneous commercial-free prime time. The telecast will also be available on-demand on several streaming platforms.

“Our telecast is a powerful tribute that demonstrates the importance of standing together to save lives,” said Russell Chew, president and CEO of SU2C. “Everyone plays a critical role in this goal, and we are so grateful for the support of the entertainment community, the broadcast networks, our generous donors, and the incredible researchers who work tirelessly to develop new cancer treatments.” Chew added, “100% of public donations to SU2C support innovative cancer research and vital awareness programs.”

Disney & Pixar Release Trailer for Animated Film “Elio,” Featuring America Ferrera

America Ferrera is getting animated…

Disney and Pixar have released the first teaser for Elio, featuring the 39-year-old Honduran American award-winning actress as part of the voice cast.

America FerreraIn addition to Ferrera, the voice cast of Pixar Animation’s 28th animated feature will also include up-and-comer Yonas Kibreab, Jameela Jamil and Brad Garrett.

Directed by Adrian Molina, the co-director and writer of Pixar’s Coco, Elio introduces viewers to Kibreab’s character of the same name. An underdog with an active imagination, Elio finds himself inadvertently beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide.

Mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador to the rest of the universe, and completely unprepared for that kind of pressure, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien life forms, survive a series of formidable trials and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.

Ferrera voices Elio’s mom, Olga, with Jamil as Ambassador Questa and Garrett as Ambassador Grigon.

Produced by Mary Alice Drumm, who associate produced Coco, the film is set for release in theaters on March 1, 2024.

La La Anthony to Guest Star on Peacock’s Comedy Series “Bupkis”

La La Anthony is doing bupkis this year…

The 40-year-old television personality and actress will guest star on the Peacock comedy series “Bupkis,” from Pete Davidson.

La La AnthonyIn addition to the Anthony, the guest line up Charlamagne That God, Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly), Steve Buscemi, Bobby Cannavale, Philip Ettinger, Al Gore, Paul Walter Hauser, Sunita Mani, John Mulaney, Oona Roche, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Jon Stewart and Marissa Jaret Winokur will be featured in the television series.

The upcoming comedy series “Bupkis,” which will premiere on Thursday, May 4.

Previously announced guest stars include Charlie Day, Brad Garrett, Simon Rex, Ray Romano, Kenan Thompson and Chase Sui Wonders.

“Bupkis” is an eight episode comedy series that Davidson will star in. Davidson, too, serves as writer and executive producer. Aside from himself, series regulars include Edie Falco and Joe Pesci. The show is a fictionalized retelling of Davidson’s life as he navigates family dynamics, fame and relationships.

Judah Miller serves as showrunner of the series in addition to writer and executive producer alongside Dave Sirus. Lorne Micheals, Andrew Singer and Erin David, too, join “Bupkis” as executive producers.

Victor Rasuk to Star in the Coming-of-Age Dark Comedy “Wildflower”

Victor Rasuk’s career is in full bloom…

The 37-year-old Dominican American actor has been cast in Limelight and eOne’s Wildflower

Victor RasukRasuk is among a roster of new cast additions that includes two-time Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kannon Omachi, Brad Garrett, Reid Scott, Erika Alexander and Chris Mulkey

They join Jean SmartKiernan ShipkaAlexandra DaddarioDash MihokCharlie Plummer and Samantha Hyde.

Matt Smukler is directing; Jana Savage is writing.

Based on Smukler’s family, Wildflower is a coming-of-age dark comedy that follows Bea Johnson from birth to graduation as she navigates life with a parent with an intellectual disability and an extended family that can’t quite agree on the best way to help.

Rasuk’s previous credits include ABC’s short-lived series The Baker and the Beauty, Jack Ryan and Colony.

George Lopez to Take Part in Comedy Fundraiser for Feeding America

George Lopez is helping to feed America

The 59-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor will take part in the Byron Allen-driven comedy fundraiser for Feeding America.

George Lopez

The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 10 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET, with NBCbroadcasting the show. 

In addition to Lopez, the program will include participation from Sebastian Maniscalco, JB SmooveJim GaffiganJudd Apatow, Jack BlackCedric the EntertainerWhitney CummingsJim GaffiganBrad GarrettWhoopi GoldbergKevin James, Sarah Silverman and Kenan Thompson.

Others taking part include Kevin HartChris RockAdam SandlerEddie MurphyBilly Crystal, Marlon WayansHowie MandelTiffany HaddishBrad GarrettTaraji P. HensonLouie AndersonMargaret Cho, Kenan ThompsonMarc MaronJon LovitzCaroline RheaByron AllenBilly Gardell, Tim MeadowsJamie KennedyBill Engvalland Sheryl Underwood.

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group television production division Entertainment Studios and Funny or Die will be producing the live-streaming comedy event.

The fundraiser will support the hunger-relief organization Feeding America

Additionally, the event will livestream on the Allen Media Group TV networks Comedy.TV and The Weather Channel, as well as on the free streaming service app Local Now.

Pre-recorded comedy segments will be featured during the three-hour event. Committed to appearing are Hart, Sandler, Murphy, Rock, etc.

Allen, founder/chair/CEO of Entertainment Studios/Allen Media Group, said the benefit will help hungry people who are straining the resources of the nation’s food banks during the pandemic shutdown. 

“Laughter is often the best medicine, and we are extremely motivated to bring attention to issues of food insecurity, and to assist in providing meals to families across the country who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said Wednesday.

“The coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn it has created is shining a light on the fragile nature of people’s household budgets,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks. “Millions more of our neighbors are turning to food banks for help and we cannot thank Byron Allen and Allen Media Group enough for their support to raise funds and awareness of our work.”

Alex Meneses to Appear on The CW’s “Jane the Virgin”

Alex Meneses is heading to Virgin territory…

The 52-year-old half-Mexican American actress and former Telenovela star has landed a recurring role on the upcoming fourth season of The CW’s hit dramedy Jane the Virgin.

Alex Meneses

Meneses will play Katherine, owner of the Cortes Hotel Conglomerate, who is a possible investor of Rafael (Justin Baldoni) and Petra’s (Yael Grobglas) hotel.

There are few details about the Season 4 storyline, but Jane the Virgin creator/executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman told Deadline after the Season 3 finale that the fourth season would be about “recapturing the joy.”

“I want to see Jane fight for her joy,” she said. “I want to see her go after her happiness. I want to see her open herself up to a new, evolved version of ‘happily ever after.’”

In addition to Telenovela, for which she was nominated for an Imagen Award, Meneses is known for her recurring role as Stefania, Brad Garrett’s Italian girlfriend on Everybody Loves Raymond.

Additional credits include The Goldbergs, CSI and Prison Break.

Del Arco to Guest-Star on CBS’ “The Crazy Ones”

Jonathan Del Arco is diving into a new role…

The 47-year-old Uruguayan actor, a series regular on TNT’s police procedural Major Crimes, has landed a guest-starring role on CBSThe Crazy Ones.

Jonathan Del Arco

Del Arco will portray Timothy, the flighty husband of Brad Garrett’s ad-exec character.

Described as a former competitive diver, Del Arco’s character is becoming fed-up with Gordon’s lack of spontaneity, according to TVLine.com.

Del Arco’s potentially recurring gig is tentatively scheduled to kick off in April.

The Crazy Ones‘ next original episode airs Feb. 27 on CBS.

Delgado Smith Cast in ABC Comedy Pilot

Rebecca Delgado Smith is having a successful pilot season.

The Latina actress and writer has been cast in ABC’s comedy pilot How to Live With Your Parents For The Rest Of Your Life.

Rebecca Delgado Smith

The multi-camera/hybrid comedy centers on Polly (Sarah Chalke), a recently divorced single mom who moves in with her eccentric mother Elaine (Elizabeth Perkins) and explosive stepfather Max (Brad Garrett).

Delgado Smith, who is a member of the sketch group Harvard Sailing Team and performs regularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, will play Polly’s assistant.

Delgado Smith also hosts her very own sports vlog, Rebecca Brings You The Sports!