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.”

Freeform Renews Froy Gutierrez’s “Cruel Summer” for Second Season

It’s an extended Summer for Froy Gutierrez

Freeform has renewed its most-watched series ever Cruel Summer, starring the 23-year-old half-Mexican American actor, for a second season.

Froy Gutierrez, Cruel Summer

The decision was announced ahead of the series’ season one finale this week.

How the Jessica Biel-executive-produced series returns is still up in the air; the mystery could return with a new story with the same characters and actors or using the same storytelling device featuring a whole new cast of characters.

Cruel Summer is a psychological thriller that follows two young women: Kate Wallis, the popular girl with a charmed life who one day goes missing, and Jeanette Turner, the nerdy wannabe who is accused of being connected to Kate’s disappearance. All signs point to Jeanette’s guilt, but is Kate really who she seems to be? Set over three summers and told through shifting points of view, the series challenges perception and follows how one girl can go from being a sweet outlier to the most despised person in America.

In addition to Gutierrez, the series also stars Olivia Holt, Chiara Aurelia, Michael Landes, Harley Quinn Smith, Allius Barnes, Blake Lee and Brooklyn Sudano.

The series, which was the first scripted series to debut under new Freeform president Tara Duncan, who started the job just under a year ago, became the Disney-owned network’s most-watched series ever, ranking as the number one new cable drama of the year among women aged 18-34, with the most recent episode delivering the drama’s biggest linear TV audience yet, rising by 31% over its premiere. In multiplatform+35 day, the series, which is available on Hulu the day after its linear airing, averages 6.8 million viewers per episode, and was also the streamer’s most-watched next-day season one title from a linear channel in its first seven weeks to date.

“I think what has really resonated with audiences is that there’s a very clear, strong mystery, but a mystery that’s told from the point of view of two characters that people can really relate to,” says Duncan. “That central conceit of ‘is the grass always greener on the other side?’ and that perspective of ‘who do you believe Jeanette or Kate?’ and that the story should shift depending on whose shoes you stand in, I just think is one that is really relatable for this audience. The idea of an unravelling mystery that’s told week over week is one that the audience has obviously responded to.”

Cruel Summer is based on original idea and isn’t a reboot, sequel series or even based on a book, podcast or news story.

“People were wondering was this a true story because it has a real ripped from the headlines feel. I think that’s a testament to the storytelling, quite frankly, and again the fact that this is a story told from the perspective of two characters, the audience has really been able to see themselves in both of them. If you’ve got great characters and a story well told, it will find an audience and succeed and really break out,” Duncan said.

Demi Lovato to Take Part in “Honor Her Wish” Virtual Rally to Honor the Late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Demi Lovato is celebrating an Supreme (Court) legend…

The 28-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress will take part in a special rally to pay tribute to late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg‘s legacy.

Demi Lovato

Lovato joins an all-star roster that includes Miley Cyrus, Jessica Biel, Kristen Bell, Beanie Feldstein, Elizabeth Banks, Yvette Nicole Brown and Mae Whitman, who’ll all take part in the “Honor Her Wish” virtual event.

The program, set for Monday, October 12 at 8:00 pm ET, will demand the U.S. Senate honor RBG‘s dying wish that her seat be filled after the inauguration next January. The event will will coincide with the first day of Republican hearings to confirm Donald Trump’s nominee for a Supreme Court replacement.

The new group of celebrities join previously announced participants Hayley Williams, Phoebe Bridgers, Kesha, Michael Stipe, Margo Price, John Batiste and Kathleen Hanna.

Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Stacey Abrams, Elizabeth Warren and more leaders will also speak out at the event.

“Honor Her Wish” is open to the public.

RSVP here in advance.

Froy Gutierrez to Star in Freeform’s Thriller Pilot “Last Summer”

It’s Summer-time for Froy Gutierrez

The 21-year-old Latino actor has been cast in Freeform’s Last Summer, a thriller pilot from  Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple.

Froy Gutierrez

Gutierrez will appear as a series regular in the project, alongside Michael Landes, Brooklyn SudanoHarley Quinn SmithChiara AureliaMika AbdallaAllius BarnesBlake Lee and Nathaniel Ashton.

Written by Bert V. Royaland directed by Max WinklerLast Summer is an unconventional thriller that takes place over three summers — 1993-95 — in a small Texas town when a beautiful popular teen, Kate (Abdalla), is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette (Aurelia), goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town and, by ’95, the most despised person in America. Each episode is told from the POV of one of the two main girls (Jeanette and Kate), which will have the viewers’ loyalties constantly shifting as more information is revealed.

Gutierrez has been cast as Jamie, the kind of guy everyone loves. He starts as Jeannette’s secret crush, who ends up as her boyfriend the following year. 

The pilot comes from eOneand will be executive produced by Royal and Winkler alongside Iron Ocean Productions’ Biel and Purple.

Production recently kicked off in Texas.Gutierrez’s previous credits include appearances on television in Bella and the BulldogsThe GoldbergsOne Day at a TimeandTeen Wolf

Antonio Campos Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Antonio Campos has new representation…

The 34-year-old half-Brazilian writer-director-producer, whose credits include the Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard film Afterschool and the Sundance Film Festival films Simon Killer and Christine, has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME).

Antonio Campos

Campos has been busy on the television side of late, directing and executive producing USA’s The Sinner starring Jessica Biel in addition to Netflix’s The Punisher, on which he directed an episode in Season 1 and is helming the first two episodes of Season 2.

As a producer, his credits include Martha Macy May Marlene, James White, The Eyes of My Mother and Piercing.

Upcoming, Campos has signed on to rewrite and direct the upcoming Fox Searchlight horror film Splitfoot, and is aboard to direct a prequel to The Omen for 20th Century Fox.

Campos, who had been at UTA, continues to be repped by manager Melissa Breaux at Management 360 and attorneys Peter Nelson and Joel Vanderkloot.

Monica Ramirez to Speak at This Year’s Makers Conference

Monica Ramirez is Maker-ing a difference…

The Latina activist will take part in this week’s Makers Conference, a three-day event that seeks to underscore the stories of trailblazing women.

Monica Ramirez

Ramirez, the co-founder of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, will be one of the speakers at the conference, which looks to amplify the conversion around sexual harassment and push for change on issues such as equal pay and diversity in the workplace.

Ramirez, the daughter and granddaughter of migrant farmworkers hailing from a rural community in Ohio, has served farmworker, Latina and immigrant women as an attorney, organizer and advocate. She’s dedicated to ending violence against women, particularly farmworkers.

She’s also the founder of several major initiatives and projects, including Esperanza: The Immigrant Women’s Legal Initiative of the Southern Poverty Law Center, The Bandana Project and the Latina Impact Fund, and she’s a Board member for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and the Deputy Director for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

This year’s other speakers — chosen from the worlds of tech, entertainment, business and non-profits — include Hillary Clinton, Gloria SteinemJane FondaLena Waithe, Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani, Cleo Wade, Jessica Biel and Lena Dunham.

The 2018 Makers Conference will take place from February 5-8.

Cruz Named Esquire’s Sexiest Woman Alive

Penelope Cruz has beat out a world of competition to earn a special honor.

The 40-year-old Spanish actress and Oscar winner has been given the title of Esquire‘s Sexiest Woman Alive.

Penelope Cruz - Esquire

Cruz, who stars in the upcoming Spanish-language film Ma Ma and Grimsby with Sacha Baron Cohen is the 10th honoree and the first Latina ever to earn the annual title.

“I’ve played a lot of tricks on myself,” she says in the magazine’s cover story. “I’ve made it hard for me sometimes, especially in my teens and 20s. I had an attraction to drama. Most of us have that, especially if you are an artist — you feel like you are tempted to explore the darkness. I could not be less interested now. For me, the most attractive, charming, cool, fun, interesting thing — how could I call it? A plan.”

Penelope Cruz - Esquire

Previous recipients of the magazine’s Sexiest Woman Alive title include Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Rihanna, Minka Kelly, Kate Beckinsale, Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Jessica Biel and Angelina Jolie.

Dawson Reportedly in the Running to Join HBO’s “True Detective”

It seems Rosario Dawson may be headed to pay cable television…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban American actress is reportedly among the actresses in the running to join HBO’s True Detective season 2.

Rosario Dawson

According to The Wrap Dawson is among the list of at least seven more actresses being considered for the role after Elisabeth Moss and Rachel McAdams were previously eying the part.

In addition to Dawson, who appears in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, the site says Jessica Biel (“Total Recall“), Malin Akerman (“Watchmen“), Jaimie Alexander (“Thor“), Kelly Reilly (“Eden Lake“), Brit Marling (“The Keeping Room“) and Oona Chaplin (“Game of Thrones“).

Insiders say Moss and McAdams should not be ruled out of contention yet. At some point, Jessica Chastain was linked to the part too, but reps for the Zero Dark Thirty (2012) actress quickly denied it.

In addition to a female lead, the upcoming new season of the Nic Pizzolatto-created anthology series will feature three male leads. Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch and Vince Vaughn are said vying for the roles.

Myriad Pictures Acquires Rights to Molina’s “Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes”

Alfred Molina will be spreading the truth about fishes around the world…

Myriad Pictures has acquired the international distribution rights to the Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes, which stars the 59-year-old half-Spanish actor and Jessica Biel.

Alfred Molina

Written and directed by Francesca Gregorini, the film centers on Emanuel (portrayed by Kaya Scodelario), an acerbic but sensitive teen who lives with her father and stepmother. When Linda (Biel), a young and hip mother, moves in next door, Emanuel becomes intrigued by Linda’s striking resemblance to her late mother, who died giving birth to Emanuel. Emanuel begins to babysit for Linda’s newborn daughter, but as Emanuel and Linda spend more time together, they develop a bond that becomes deeply entwined in a surprising secret Linda harbors

Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes, which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, also stars Aneurin Barnard, Jimmi Simpson and Frances O’Connor.

Myriad will screen the film for international buyers at during this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes was executive produced by Olga Segura, Juan Carlos Segura and others.

Trailer Released for Molina’s “Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes”

Alfred Molina knows the truth about fishes

The 59-year-old half-Spanish actor, who recently wrapped up the first season of TNT’s Monday Mornings drama series, stars in Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes, which just saw its trailer released.

Alfred Molina

The Francesca Gregorini-directed film, which was part of this year’s Sundance Film Festival’s U.S. dramatic competition section, centers on a troubled girl who becomes preoccupied with her mysterious new neighbor, who bears a striking resemblance to her dead mother.

Along with Molina, the film stars Kaya Scodelario, Jessica Biel and Frances O’Connor.

The film will debut in the UK at the Sundance London Film and Music Festival.