Lin-Manuel Miranda to Serve as a Presenter at This Weekend’s Tony Awards Show

Posted on June 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Lin-Manuel Miranda has a date with Tony…

This Sunday’s 75th Annual Tony Awards will feature a line-up of all-star presenters from the stage and screen, including the 42-year-old Puerto Rican actor, rapper, composer, playwright and filmmaker.

Miranda, a multiple Tony Award winner, is among a roster of presenters that includes Andrew Garfield, Laurence Fishburne, Nathan Lane, Bowen Yang and both Paris and Prince Jackson, the children of MJ subject Michael Jackson.

The roster of presenters was announced by Tony Awards producers, and also includes Josh Lucas, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Skylar Astin, Zach Braff, Danielle Brooks, Danny Burstein, Len Cariou, RuPaul Charles, Jessica Chastain, Lilli Cooper, Bryan Cranston, Wilson Cruz, Colman Domingo, Anthony Edwards, Cynthia Erivo, Raúl Esparza, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Tony Goldwyn, David Alan Grier, Vanessa Hudgens, Jennifer Hudson, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelli O’Hara, Sarah Paulson, Bernadette Peters, Jeremy Pope, Billy Porter, LaTanya Richardson, Chita Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Phillipa Soo, Sarah Silverman and George Takei,

The four-hour June 12 Tony evening begins at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT with The Tony Awards: Act One, a one-hour streaming event of exclusive content live on Paramount+ hosted by Darren Criss and Julianne Hough.

The 75th Tony Awards, hosted by Oscar-winning actress and singer Ariana DeBose, follows at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on CBS and Paramount+. The awards will be presented live coast-to-coast from Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Last night, DeBose confirmed that the Tony Awards also will pay respect to the swings and understudies who made this Covid-plagued Broadway season possible. In response to a tweet from Actors’ Equity president Kate Shindle dismissing social media rumors that swings and understudies would be ignored during the ceremony,

DeBose reiterated Shindle’s assurances, writing, “To all concerned, all I can ask is that you keep the faith & trust. I am working round the clock to bring you all a beautiful celebration of everyone’s hard work…”

Colman Domingo to Appear at the Democratic National Committee’s Upcoming Pride Celebration Fundraiser

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Colman Domingo is celebrating Pride with the DNC…

The 51-year-old Guatemalan American actor will take part in a special Pride Celebration fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee next week.

Vice President Kamala Harris will headline the event, which will include a number of performances and an introduction by Barbra Streisand.

The DNC traditionally hosts a Pride month event, but the fundraiser also speaks to the desire among party activists to have a large war chest heading into next year’s midterms.

The performers on the bill for the virtual event on June 30 include Andra Day, Billy Porter, Kristin Chenoweth and Melissa Etheridge.

In addition to Domingo, other stars making appearances include Andy Cohen, George Takei, Matt Bomer and Whoopi Goldberg.

Tickets to the event start at $50, and rise to $20,000 for a co-host designation and access to a VIP “clutch.” Those who write or raise $40,000 will get a host designation and access to the clutch. The New York Times first reported on the event.

The DNC raised $12.1 million in May, according to reports to the Federal Election Commission, while the Republican National Committee raised about $11.1 million. Those are hefty sums for an off-year period and, according to Bloomberg News, a record amount.

Last year, as the pandemic prevented in-person fundraising, Democrats capitalized on the ease of holding virtual events, both in drawing talent and in bringing in greater numbers of small-dollar donors.

Iglesias Joins the Voice Cast of the Animated Family Comedy “Blazing Samurai”

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel Iglesias’ career is blazing forward…

The 39-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor has joined the impressive voice cast of the animated family comedy Blazing Samurai.

Samuel L. Jackson leads the way for the film that will be directed by Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier.

The film centers on a scrappy dreamer of a dog named Hank (voiced by Michael Cera) who longs to become a great warrior and fights to save the town of Kakamucho from becoming the litter box of a nefarious feline warlord, transforming society and himself on his quest to become a true samurai.

The project is equally inspired by and an homage to Mel Brooks’ classic comedy Blazing Saddles. In fact, Brooks is one of those in the voice cast (he’ll play the misguided but benevolent leader, Shogun).

Along with Iglesias, Cera and Brooks, the voice cast includes George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B., and “Heavenly” Joy Jerkins.

The project was written by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.

Blazing Samurai will be released by Open Road Films in the United States on August 4, 2017. Sony Pictures International Releasing has already picked up several major territories worldwide, and Huayi Brothers Media Corporation is distributing the film in Greater China.

Iglesias will star as Ichiro and Chuck, Kakamucho’s Laurel and Hardy towncats.

Alba to Make Cameo Appearance in “Entourage” Film

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Alba is joining an extra special entourage…

The 33-year-old half-Mexican-American actress is set to make a cameo appearance in the highly anticipated Entourage movie.

Nearly 5-years after the HBO series ended its run, Vinnie Chase and his posse are coming back. As this new trailer reveals Vince, Turtle, Drama, E and former super agent and now studio boss Ari Gold are back and larger than ever on the big screen.

The Warner Bros. film looks to be living up to its tagline of “Dream Large. Live Larger.” In addition to original cast members Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, and Jeremy Piven, the film also stars Alba, NFLers Russell Wilson and Tom Brady Liam Neeson, Voice coach and mega-producer Pharrell, Star Trek’s George Takei, Andrew Dice Clay, beloved billionaire Warren Buffett, Armie Hammer, Kelsey Grammer and Modern Family’s Ed O’Neil.

The Entourage movie opens in theaters on June 5.

Alazraqui Replacing Piolin in “Free Birds” Voice Cast

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Alazraqui will be flying high in the near future…

The 51-year-old Argentine American voice actor and impressionist has replaced Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo in the voice cast of the computer animated 3D comedy Free Birds from Relativity Media and Reel FX Creative Studios.

Alazraqui, best known for voicing the Taco Bell chihuahua, will have a supporting role in the voice cast along with Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler and George Takei.

His credits include voicing characters in the recently released Disney animated film Planes, Toy Story 3 and Happy Feet Two, as well as an acting role on Reno 911.

Sotelo hosted the nationally syndicated Piolin por la Manana radio program until Univision let him go July 22 after an employee made allegations of sexually harassment. Sotelo has denied the allegations.

“Piolín” Lending His Voice to Thanksgiving-Themed Animated Film “Free Birds”

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Eddie “Piolín” Sotelo will be flying high this November…

The 40-year-old Mexican radio personality and actor lends his voice to the animated project Free Birds, which recently saw its first trailer released online.

The film centers on two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks who must put aside their differences and work together to travel back in time to change the course of history – and get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu for good.

In addition to Sotelo, who was named as one of the 100 most powerful people in Southern California by the Los Angeles Times in 2006, the stellar voice cast includes Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler, George Takei and Dwight Howard.

Sotelo, whose radio program Piolín por la Mañana runs weekday mornings on KSCA in Southern California, previously provided the voice of Rafa, one of the dogs in Disney‘s Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

Directed by Jimmy Hayward, Free Birds is set to open nationwide in November.

Richie to Appear on NBC’s “The New Normal”

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Nicole Richie is about to experience the new normal…

The 31-year-old part-Mexican reality TV star and fashionista will be appearing on NBC’s new sitcom The New Normal, along with former Star Trek star George Takei.

“Proud to announce Nicole Richie and the legendary George Takei are joining The New Normal family,” New Normal and Glee creator Ryan Murphy tweeted, presumably referring to acting on the sitcom.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Richie and Takei will play themselves on the show, which also stars Nene Leakes, Ellen Barkin, Justin Bartha and Andrew Rannells.

Richie, who currently appears in ads for her own collection for Macy’s Impulse, most recently appeared as a mentor on NBC’s Fashion Star.

Mendoza to Compete Against Velásquez on Celebrity Apprentice

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Former Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza and actress/model Patricia Velásquez will be heading to Donald Trump’s boardroom this February…

The 25-year-old Venezuelan beauty queen will compete against fellow Venezolana Velásquez, the 40-year-old The Mummy actress, in the next edition of NBC‘s Celebrity Apprentice.

Mendoza won the title of Miss Universe in 2008. Meanwhile, Velásquez has appeared in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns films, as well as fashion advertisements for Chanel and Victoria’s Secret.

The show’s host Donald Trump announced the new batch of contestants on Wednesday’s Today show.

Mendoza and Velásquez will face off against IndyCar legend Michael Andretti, reality star Victoria Gotti, Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Guidice, comedian Lisa Lampanelli, rock star Dee Snider and American Chopper’s Paul Teutul Sr., radio host Adam Carolla, comedian Arsenio Hall, singer-actress Aubrey O’Day and magician Penn Jillette.

Rounding out the rivals are model Cheryl Tiegs, singer Deborah Gibson, Star Trek’s George Takei, singer Tia Carrere and Incredible Hulk’s Lou Ferrigno and singer Clay Aiken.

“This season of Celebrity Apprentice will be the most exciting yet. The show will be great, with a record number of contestants and 15 episodes,” said Trump. “We are thrilled to bring 18 new and talented celebrities who will help me make Celebrity Apprentice one of the hottest shows on television this spring. This will be season 12 — Amazing!”

Celebrity Apprentice returns for its new season on Sunday, February 12.

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