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GIVING BACK: Former Child Star Kristy McNichol Outs Herself to Help Others
Posted on 08. Jan, 2012 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Child Stars Kristy McNichol and Tatum O'Neal in "Little Darlings"
Actress and former child star Kristy McNichol, 49, has come out as a lesbian in an effort to help kids who are troubled by their sexuality and who are being bullied for being different.
The former child star of 1980′s “Little Darlings,” and TV hits “Family” and “Empty Nest” dropped out of Hollywood and retired from acting in the 90′s after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Now she’s reaching out via her publicist to announce her own sexuality in hopes that it will help bullied teens.
McNichol’s has been living with her partner Martie Allen for two decades and according to her publicist Jeff Ballard,”[She] is sad about kids being bullied. She hopes that [her] coming out can help kids who need support. She would like to help others who feel different.”
Source: People.com
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CHILD STARS: Dakota Fanning, 17, Named COSMO’s Fun Fearless Woman of the Year
Posted on 05. Jan, 2012 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Dakota Fanning, 17, is the latest celebrity to grace the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine. Yes, that Cosmopolitan Magazine. She has also been given the honorary title of “Fun, Fearless Woman of the Year,” like slightly older recipients, Beyonce’ and Mila Kunis, have before her.
Many readers are crying foul that a young actress, known best for films like Charlotte’s Web and Dr. Suess’ The Cat in the Hat, is on this cover next to headlines reading “His Best Sex Ever,” “Too Naughty To Stay Here: But You Have to Try This Sex Trick,” and “Um, Vagina Are You Okay Down There?” But in all fairness, she looks beautiful if not entirely age appropriate in a mostly-cleavage-covering pink sequin gown. Reminder – Fanning will become a legal adult soon as she celebrates her 18th birthday at the end of February 2012.
Fanning is still legally a minor though which is why some outlets are raising issue with the placement of a 17 year old on the cover of a magazine well-known for pushing the limits of adult female sexuality. For those of you who recall Miley Cyrus’ Vanity Fair photo shoot a few years back – this seems tame in comparison to me. Living in Los Angeles, I’ve seen more provocative dresses at high school proms. I think it’s the not so much the photo people are struggling with as the Fanning-Cosmo affiliation.
HMB Readers may recall that Fanning raised eyebrows in a perfume ad for Marc Jacobs’ perfume Oh, Lola! just a few months ago which was eventually banned in the UK for sexualizing a minor.
Click on the photo below to see Cosmo’s recap of Dakota’s red carpet looks throughout the years.
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Twitter Updates: “CURLY SUE” Child Star Pregnant and Celebrity’s Child Desires Acting Career
Posted on 04. Jan, 2012 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Two child actors are making headlines via Twitter, one being 1990′s child star Alisan Porter (Parenthood, Curly Sue) and the other is aspiring child actor Damian Charles Hurley, none other than the prodigy of actress/model turned swimwear designer mom Elizabeth Hurley (Gossip Girl, Austin Powers).
Alisan Porter, a familiar face in the early to mid 1990′s, is in the news again after announcing via Twitter (@AlisanPorter) and via pictures on Instagram that she will become a mother for the first time in 2012; July 17, to be precise.
Nine Year old Damian on the other hand has just recently informed Elizabeth that he aspires to be a child star.
After her son spent the afternoon with Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively at Serendipity, Elizabeth posted to her Twitter feed (@ElizabethHurley): “Oh lord, my son is begging me to find him an agent so he can become a child actor.”
According to the U.K.’s Daily Mirror, Hurley reported ”I was going to wrap late, Blake had wrapped early, and Damian was on the set. She asked, ‘Can I take him out?’ And they went to the Serendipity ice cream parlor and had a big sundae and a hot chocolate.” Don’t worry Elizabeth – it may just be the sugar talking.
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The Actors Space West Announces 2012 Schedule for Kids Classes
Posted on 04. Jan, 2012 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Sara Wood, Acting Coach, Studio Owner (and Momager of Rachel Evan Wood) is starting 2012 off with a bang by announcing several new classes for kids in Woodland Hills, California:
MONDAY
Kids scene study/on-camera class with Sara Wood
*ages 10 – 13
Ongoing class, starting January 9th, 2012
6pm – 8:30pm
$40.00 per class or$ 120.00 per consecutive 4 weeks or $300.00 per consecutive 12 weeks
*under age 10 by invitation only
TUESDAY
Kids ages 5 -8 with Coach Kara Amanda Smith
4pm – 5:30pm
~New 8 week session starts January 10th, 2012. $200.00 for 8 weeks
THURSDAY
Session starts on January 19th! Kid’s foundational class ages 8 – 10 with Kara Amanda Smith
4pm – 5:30 pm
$30.00 per class or $100.00 per 4 consecutive weeks
SATURDAY
Ages 13 -18 (starting January 7th, 2012)
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
$130.00 per month
For more information, call 818-224-7484
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Child Actor Maggie Elizabeth Jones Wins Role of Rosie Mee in “We Bought a Zoo”
Posted on 03. Jan, 2012 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Maggie Elizabeth Jones
Due to popular request, I am reposting this 11/9/2010 post on child actor Maggie Elizabeth Jones.
According to IMDB, Georgia Native Maggie Elizabeth Jones is the latest child actor to be cast in “We Bought a Zoo.” As HMB reported, Colin Ford was cast as Dylan Mee a few weeks ago.
While it’s unknown whether Maggie was cast through the open call process announced in an earlier post, it seems highly unlikely as both she and her older sister Mary-Charles Jones have a list of professional credits that far outnumber their years.
Maggie and Mary-Charles are currently cast as sisters Amy and Sara Warniker in the remake of “Footloose.“ According to their mother Angela: “Maggie and Mary-Charles are very excited about Footloose. They get to play sisters in the film and are cousins of the lead actor. Not only do they get to act they get to sing and dance too. Fun Fun!!”
Mary-Charles also has a recurring role as the young Miley Stewart on the hit Disney show Hannah Montana. She’s featured in two episodes (“Hannah Montana to the Principal’s Office” & “Sweet Home Hannah Montana”).
The girls, who come from a devoutly Christian family in Georgia, are both represented by Cindy Osbrink and J Pervis Talent Agency in Atlanta, GA.
Below is a Public Service Announcement Maggie did for Anger Prevention and Awareness.
Thanks to HMB Reader Sherry for the heads up on the casting. Confirming Sources: IMDB Pro, AMTC (Actors, Models and Talent for Christ)
Maggie Elizabeth and big sister Mary Charles at the premiere of "Footloose."
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New Entertainment Work Permit Law in Effect as of January 1, 2012
Posted on 02. Jan, 2012 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Effective January 1, 2012, California Labor Code Section 1308.5 allows a parent or guardian of a minor to apply on-line for a 10 Day Temporary Entertainment Work Permit which is issued immediately upon completion of an application and payment of the $50.00 application fee. This 10 Day Temporary Entertainment Work Permit is subject to the following conditions:
- It can only be issued once for a minor.
- It is only available to minors at least 15 days old and under 16 years old.
- It is only available to a minor whose parent or guardian has not previously applied for an Entertainment Work Permit.
- It is only available to a minor who has not previously been issued an Entertainment Work Permit.
- Due to the medical certification required per California Labor Code Section 1308.8 for minors between 15 days and one month old; 10 Day Temporary Entertainment Work Permits cannot be issued immediately for minors between 15 days and one month old. Following receipt and verification of the medical certification, the parent or guardian will receive an e-mail within one business day that the 10 Day Temporary Entertainment Work Permit has been approved and is ready for printing.
Thank you to Hollywood Mom Lilli Bauer for scouting this information! For details go to the website at https://permits.dir.ca.gov/tewp/
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Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah from Hollywood Mom Blog!
Posted on 25. Dec, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah from my family and the Hollywood Mom Blog family! It’s wonderfully rewarding working with so many lovely industry families and kids all year. Here’s to safe and prosperous 2012. Best wishes, Tracy Bobbitt, Editor Hollywood Mom Blog
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HMB’s Favorite Holiday Gifts for Hollywood Tots!
Posted on 18. Dec, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Appaman Tees and Kiddy clothes – Why we love this fave line of celebrity-babies?
- Because there’s nothing cooler for Christmas than a flame tee in chili red!
- Tees are soft & comfy without sacrificing style
- 100% cotton for easy wash and wear
Bummas - Why do we love these colorful cloth wipes?
- Eliminates the use of talcum powder.
- 100% Cotton – Woven Velour Terry Cloth.
- Comes in a variety of color combos.
- Handy 5” x 7” size. Won’t pill, shrink, or fade.
- Has a Warranty here.
- They’re Durable. Just throw them in the wash and use again.
- They’ll last until your baby is out of diapers and beyond!
Baby Gourmet - The perfect choice for baby’s first Holiday dinner. Why?
Baby Gourmet is made from much-loved family recipes & each batch is tasted to ensure perfection!- Baby Gourmet is made with only the best, freshest, organic, kosher ingredients from around the world.
- The company has an unwavering commitment to quality.
- Slim pouch containers takes the hassle out of eating on the go and packaging is BPA free!
- As a Mom founded and owned company, every aspect of Baby Gourmet is overseen with the passionate and watchful eye of a mother.
Abela Designs - Baby’s First Christmas calls for baby’s first jewelry! Here’s why we’ve been charmed by these keepsake bracelets:
- Luminous silver jingle bells & tiny gold accents lend sparkle and fun to this stylish bracelet which doubles as anklet!
- Design features an optional initial charm for extra personalization!
- Lobster clasp closure.
- Sterling silver jingle bells/sterling silver and 14K gold-filled beads.
- Handmade in the USA with love and gift-wrapped for that extra special touch!
- Made from Bamboo with AZO-free dyes.
- One size fits most and no heel patch for longer use!
- Colorful options like Canyon, Deep Sea, Grassland and Desert Sun!
- Machine Washable
- Packaged in a larger 5X7″, CPSIA Certified lead free, tin lunchbox printed with food-grade ink - perfect for carrying snacks, toys and secret binkies to Preschool later!
- Check out the entire Hank & Jojo website for unique, one of a kind finds like eco-friendly paints and play dough.
- NOT your Mama’s Blocks!
- Each set has the full alphabet on all 6 blocks in an order that flows easily in which to teach your little one their ABC’s.
- Each block is 1 1/4″ wood cube, finished in a non-toxic glaze.
- Sets are great for teaching the alphabet. To teach spelling of words, check out the full set of 26 blocks.
- All Rockin’ Blocks are finished with non-toxic glaze, for the highest level of safety and to keep the integrity of the product.
Crayon Rocks available at MagicCabin.com
Not only blocks rock this year – Crayons rock too! We love these rainbow-colored pebbles (Under $9 per set) and your kids will too.
- Pebble-like shape allows children to color in large, wide strokes while strengthening their tripod grip (which prepares little fingers for handwriting).
- Crayons are made from soy wax and colored with natural minerals, so they’re completely non-toxic.
- Made in USA!
- 16-Piece Set includes 16 different colors.
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GIVE AWAYS: Win a “WE BOUGHT A ZOO” Exclusive Gift Pack of SOUNDTRACK, BOOK & MOVIE POSTER!
Posted on 12. Dec, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
UPDATE: Our Prize Winner is lucky Donna Kiley and family! Congratulations Donna. I saw the film last week and the first thing I said to my husband when the credits rolled is “I have to get this sound track!”
Hollywood Mom Blog will be giving away an Exclusive We Bought A Zoo Gift Pack which includes the soundtrack, book and movie poster! All you need to do to enter is leave a comment in the “Reply to” section below as to why you will be seeing this wonderful family film.
In Theaters Nationwide December 23, 2011
We Bought A Zoo (Rated PG) – This holiday season, acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) directs an amazing and true story about a single dad who decides his family needs a fresh start, so he and his two children move to the most unlikely of places: a zoo. With the help of an eclectic staff, and with many misadventures along the way, the family works to return the dilapidated zoo to its former wonder and glory.
The film stars Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Colin Ford and John Michael Higgins and is based off of Benjamin Mee’s novel of the same name.
GIVEAWAY
From December 12-23, 2011, you can enter to win a We Bought A Zoo Gift Pack which includes the soundtrack, book and movie poster! Enter the giveaway NOW for your chance to score some great We Bought A Zoo prizes!
Follow We Bought A Zoo –
FACEBOOK: http://on.fb.me/WBZgiveawayFB
TWITTER: http://bit.ly/WBZ_giveawayTwitter
YOUTUBE: http://bit.ly/WBZgiveawayYT
Prizes: We Bought A Zoo CDs, Books & Posters
Number of prizes: One (1) Prize Pack
Estimated Value: $35
Giveaway start date: December 12, 2011
Giveaway end date: December 23, 2011
Open to: US/Canada residents 18 & over
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GIVEAWAY: SPY KIDS: All the Time in the World! on DVD
Posted on 21. Nov, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
UPDATE: WINNER IS KIM FARDAD & FAMILY! Thank you all for entering!
We have a great family release that you all are familiar with from The Weinstein Company and Anchor Bay Entertainment, coming out just in time for Thanksgiving! It is this summer’s SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD, starring Jessica Alba, Joel McHale and Jeremy Piven. It comes out on tomorrow on DVD in stores near you and one lucky family will win this DVD by entering a comment below in the “reply to” section! Just let Hollywood Mom Blog know why you want this DVD and you’re entered to win!
ABOUT SPY KIDS: The action packed franchise is back…with the next generation of Spy Kids! Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) has it all: married to a famous spy-hunting television reporter (Joel McHale), with a new baby and intelligent twin step kids, Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook). When maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) disrupts her domestic bliss—threatening to take over the planet—Marissa comes out of retirement as a top secret agent. With Armageddon quickly approaching, Rebecca and Cecil are thrust into action! With a little help from some familiar Spy Kids friends, Carmen (Alexa Vega), Juni (Daryl Sabara), and their faithful dog Argonaut (Ricky Gervais) and some mind-blowing gadgets, they just may be able to save the world!
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GIVING BACK: Join RADIO DISNEY’s Winter Family Festival, Sunday Dec. 4
Posted on 21. Nov, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Radio Disney AM 1110 is getting into the holiday spirit with Festival of Giving at Winter Family Festival, where you can bring your charitable gifts all to one place to benefit the community.
The Winter Family Festival is fun for the entire family – play in TONS of snow and enjoy music, crafts, free photos with Santa, classic cars, face painting, food trucks, and the Radio Disney Road Crew, who will keep the party rockin’ with some awesome beats and treats!
It all takes place on Sunday, December 4th from 1:30pm to 5:30pm at Beeman Park in Studio City! Park free and take the shuttle from CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604. Shuttles run from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. Please visit RadioDisney.com/LosAngeles for details.
Charities benefitting from this event include: Pet Orphans, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bookends, LAPD North Hollywood Division, North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry, St. Charles Borromeo Church Food Pantry and Operation Uplift. Each charity will be on-site to take donations.
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THEN & NOW: Former Child Actor LAURA DERN on Her Strict Upbringing
Posted on 18. Oct, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
18 year old Laura Dern in SmoothTalk (1985)
Laura Dern’s parents’ are Academy Award nominated actor Bruce Dern and Academy Award nominated actress Diane Ladd, whom divorced when she was only 2. You could say she was born into the business and you’d be right. However, she made her own mark early in a series of heavy projects like “The Stains,” and “Foxes” at age 13, “Smooth Talk,” at age 18 and David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet” at 19. Dern then graduated to lead roles in “Citizen Ruth,” “Wild at Heart,” “Rambling Rose” and “Jurassic Park.” Laura earned her own Oscar nod for “Rambling Rose.”
But although Laura began performing professionally as a young girl, Mom Diane Ladd was strict with her teen.
“Luckily for me I had both – with my grandmother and my mother particularly – both my parents, but I was living with my mom most of the time. (They had) a real longing to make sure I was very involved in school,” she said. ”So I was lucky in that for me it worked that I was never home-schooled. I was always in school, had to be involved in two activities or I couldn’t do a job. It was like swim team and president of whatever club or something like that, and classes and play dates and over-nights,” she says.
Dern continues: “I was also lucky, frankly, to start young but my mom really balanced it. Where there were a few things that meant a lot to me that she let me audition for, but didn’t push me to go out there. And she asked my agent not to send me on everything. So I just didn’t work that much. I wasn’t doing a series for five years as a teenager. I didn’t have to deal with severe high-visibility celebrity, which is a whole other level that I feel fortunate to not have had to walk through.”
Dern’s latest project, HBO’s “Enlightened,” premiered Oct. 10, 2011. She stars in the series with Mom Diane. Last week Dern was served with divorce papers from husband Ben Harper. They share two children Ellery, 9, and Jaya, 5.
THE STAINS: Diane Lane (15) center with Laura Dern (13) far right
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THEN & NOW: Child TV Star JASON BATEMAN Says Acting for Kids Not a Good Idea
Posted on 18. Oct, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Former Child Super Star Jason Bateman, 42, says it’s not a particularly “good idea” for children to work as actors. Bateman starred in his first major acting role at age 12, as James Cooper Ingalls in “The Little House on the Prairie.” Following that, he did the sitcom “Silver Spoons.” From there he went on to star in numerous television series including, “Valerie’s Family” easily becoming one of the busiest child actors of his generation.
Bateman with his daughter Francesca.
Although Jason is grateful for the opportunities he was given in his youth, he shares that there are negative efects resulting from being employed at such a young age.
He recently told Swiss newspaper Sonntags Zeitung:: “It’s not a good idea. For one an acting career is quite unstable and also because things in this business are very unfair. Most of all I think it’s highly questionable to put a child in front of a camera and ask that child to pretend to be someone else. Children need to find out who they really are first. When you’re growing up child acting isn’t very clever. I personally didn’t survive it completely undamaged.”
HMB previously reported on Jason, who is currently filming the movie version of the cult favorite television show “Arrested Development,” last year.
After overcoming an addiction to drugs in the 1990′s, In the 90s, Jason married to Amanda Anka, with whom he has a four-year-old daughter Francesca and is currently expecting another.
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TMA Heller Awards Honor Hollywood’s Best Managers, Agents & Casting Directors
Posted on 14. Oct, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.
Agents, Managers and Casting Directors were honored Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at the Talent Managers Association’s 10th Annual Heller Awards, in Universal City, CA.
The Talent Managers Association was co-founded by Seymour Heller in 1954, and the annual awards are dedicated to his memory. The Talent Managers Association is a Non-Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation, an association of professional Talent Managers who have shown themselves to be ethical, knowledgeable and skilled as talent/artist/literary managers and have thus been accepted as such by their peers.
*A special HMB shout out to personal faves Mike Baldridge and Jeremy Apody!
Congratulations to the 2011 TMA Heller Award winners:
1. Adult Theatrical Agent: Mike Baldridge ,Momentum Talent and Literary Agency
2. Youth Theatrical Agent: Cindy Osbrink, Osbrink Agency
3. Adult Commercial Agent: David Ziff, CESD
4. Youth Commercial Agent: Jeremy Apody, Abrams Artists Agency
5. Film Casting Director: Patrick Baca, Patrick Baca Casting
6. Television Casting Director: Wendy O’Brien, Wendy O’Brien Casting
7. Commercial Casting Director: Francene Selkirk, Shooting from the Hip Casting
8. Associate Casting Director: Jenny Treadwell, Krisha Bullock Casting
9. TMA Manager of the Year: Paul Trusik, Trusik Talent Management, Inc.
The nominees in each category were:
ADULT THEATRICAL AGENT
Mike Baldridge (Momentum Literary and Talent Agency)
Brianna Barcus (Clear Talent Group)
Robert Haas (Innovative Artists)
Jay Schachter (Mavrick Artist Agency)
Denny Sevier (House of Representatives)
YOUTH THEATRICAL AGENT
Meredith Fine (Coast to Coast)
Jackie Lewis (LB Talent)
Cindy Osbrink (Osbrink Agency)
Emily Urbani (Osbrink Agency)
ADULT COMMERCIAL AGENT
Neil Kreppel (Commercial Talent Agency)
Hugh Leon (Coast to Coast Agency)
Nancy Luciano (LB Talent Agency)
Angela Strange (Osbrink Agency)
David Ziff (CESD)
YOUTH COMMERCIAL AGENT
Jeremy Apody (Abrams Artists Agency)
Brad Diffley (Mavrick Artist Agency)
Jackie Lewis (LB Talent Agency)
Dawn Osbrink (Osbrink Agency)
Carol Lynn Sher (CESD)
Philip Marcus (Clear Talent Group)
FILM CASTING DIRECTOR
Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood (Aquila/Wood Casting)
Patrick Baca (Patrick Baca Casting)
Randi Hiller (Randi Hiller Casting)
Allison Jones (Allison Jones Casting)
Mary Vernieu (Betty Mae Casting)
TELEVISION CASTING DIRECTOR
Megan Branman, Dylann Brander (Branman and Brander Casting)
Scott David (Scott David Casting)
John Levey (John Levey Casting)
Wendy O’Brien (Wendy O’Brien Casting)
Marisa Ross, Alyson Silverberg (Ross/Silverberg Casting)
COMMERCIAL CASTING DIRECTOR
Joe Blake (Joe Blake Casting)
Craig Colvin (Craig Colvin Casting)
Ross Lacy (Ross Lacy Casting)
Francene Selkirk (Francene Selkirk Casting)
Sheila Manning (Sheila Manning Casting)
ASSOCIATE CASTING DIRECTOR
Lyndsey Baldasare (David Rapaport Casting)
Arlie Day (Bacharach/O’Neill Casting)
Gina Gallego (Randi Hiller Casting)
Sherie Hernandez (Greenstein/Daniel Casting)
Jenny Treadwell (Krisha Bullock Casting)
TMA MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Paul Trusik, Trusik Talent Management