That’s what Emmy-winning actor Ed Asner does every year for The Autism Society of America and his 2017 Ed Asner & Friends Celebrity Poker Tournament was once again a smashing success.

The event, which took place on Saturday, September 9, drew celebs such as Rosie O’Donnell, Patricia Heaton, Lou Diamond Phillips, Drake Bell, Michael McKean, Ed Begley Jr., and former Los Angeles Lakers star Metta World Peace and raised over $140,000 for the non-profit organization.

“We thank Ed Asner for his amazing commitment to our organization,” said Joe Joyce, chairman, Autism Society of America and Executive Vice President of Keystone Insurers Group. “To all who supported this event, money raised will be used to advance the daily quality of life of individuals and families impacted by autism throughout America.”

Fighting autism is something that is near and dear to Asner’s heart as his son and grandson are on the autism spectrum. The actor spoke to us in 2016 about his passion for helping the cause.

An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. and 1 in 48 boys are on the autism spectrum. For more information or to find out how you can give back, visit autism-society.org.

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(Photo Credit: Craig Mathews PR)

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On Sunday, April 23, Affleck was honored with the AutFest Awareness Award at the 1st Annual AutFest International Film Festival for his performance as an autistic CPA/hitman in the 2016 crime drama.

Affleck, who currently plays Batman on the big screen called his character in The Accountant and “autistic superhero” while adding, “I just wanted to honor the folks that helped me do the research for this movie and to let the folks who are dealing with this that, even if you have autism, you can do just about anything.”

“I wanted people to come away with the feeling that autistic people can do all sorts of exciting and special things,” he added.

The film fest was put on by The Autism Society to celebrate filmmaking contributions to autism awareness.

“AutFest’s mission is to celebrate films that promote autism awareness ‘from spectrum to screen’ and support autistic filmmakers and artists that have chosen film as their profession.

“We were touched by the overwhelming support of the filmmaking and autism communities and look forward to making this an annual event,” said AutFest founder and Autism Society’s VP of Development Matt Asner in a press release.

Asner’s father, Emmy-winning actor and autism advocate Ed Asner, also attended the festival and, in addition to presenting Affleck with his award, recognized Pixar filmmakers Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera with the AutFest Vanguard Award for their work on the 2015 animated feature film, Inside Out.

“Your identification with this particular film and this particular handicap, I’ll call it, is truly a marvel and a great contribution to society and the future of our children. We can’t thank you enough,” said Asner who worked with Docter and Rivera on 2009 Best Picture nominee Up.

“When the movie came out, we did hear from parents who have kids with autism that there was something about it that was visceral and tactile that explained things. We dramatized emotions and personified them,” said Rivera.

“One mother who had a son who was six or seven with autism wrote to us and said it was the first movie they saw that they felt they saw together as a family. And that really meant a lot to us,” he added.

Among the other movies receiving accolades was Po for Best Film. Good Celebrity attended the blue carpet premiere of the drama last year, interviewing the stars of the film as well as Mr. Asner, who was in attendance.

Here is a complete list of winners from the 1st Annual AutFest International Film Festival

Best Film
Po, directed by John Asher (U.S.A.)

Best Documentary
Swim Team, directed by Lara Stolman (U.S.A.)

Best Short
The Buddy System, directed by William Harris and Megan Smith-Harris (U.S.A.)

Best Performance
Julian Feder, Po (U.S.A.)

Audience Award
The Accountant, directed by Gavin O’Connor (U.S.A.)

Best Autistic Filmmaker
Zac Davis, Even in Death (U.S.A.)

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(Photo Credit: Greg Doherty)

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Kevin Frazier covers the day’s hottest gossip and entertainment news as co-host of “Entertainment Tonight,” but on September 29, he’s lending his emcee skills to a very important event.

Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism advocacy organization, presents its inaugural La Vie En BLUE Fashion Gala. The Parisian-themed event will feature celebrities such as Eve, Lisa Rinna, Adrienne Bailon, Shenae Grimes and Keltie Knight modeling high fashion attire and an exclusive performance from ZUMANITY by Cirque du Soleil. Pauly D will serve as the DJ for the evening.

In addition to the entertainment, Autism Speaks honors City National Bank’s SVP Harry Topping Jr. and Untitled Entertainment talent manager Steven Grossman for their work in bringing awareness for autism.

“We are pleased to honor Steven Grossman and Harry Topping, Jr., two fathers who have been longtime champions of Autism Speaks’ mission,” said Suzette Martinez, Executive Director of Autism Speaks Southern California. “Despite their busy careers, Steven and Harry have tirelessly supported and fundraised for the Southern California chapter of Autism Speaks.”

Both Grossman and Topping, Jr. have sons who were diagnosed on the autism spectrum.

Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on exclusive, haute-couture blue gowns in a special live auction to benefit the Southern California chapter of Autism Speaks.

Funds raised during event will go towards innovative research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

Stars that have lent their support to La Vie En BLUE’s honorary host committee include Christie Brinkley, Naomi Campbell, Molly Sims, Paris Hilton, Kelly Osbourne, Melissa Rivers, NeNe Leakes, Kelly Rowland, Loni Love and Jeannie Mai.

Photo Credit: Autism Speaks

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Good Celebs such as Burt Bacharach, Kaitlin Doubleday (Empire), Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs), John Asher (Director of Po), and Ed Asner (Up) were on hand to lend their support. Watch our interviews, below!

The post Good Celebrity Covers The Blue Carpet at the Autism Awareness Screening of the Feature Film “Po” appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.

“They were hogging the ball, running away with the ball,” says Jonathan. “They were telling them they didn’t want to play with them. The [kids with autism] were kinda sad. They were bummed.”

Kelleher, who has a brother with autism, felt he should do something about the situation. “I wouldn’t want them to look at him like he is different,” he says. “I would want them to look at him like he’s a person.” So he began asking for used sports equipment to be donated so the special needs students could have their own to use. “I don’t like making people feel like they were left out,” Kelleher says. His mother also posted her son’s new initiative on Facebook to ask for footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, tennis balls, and kick balls.

Word reached Silverado High School Principal Heather Conkle who decided to also contribute to this great cause. For every donation Jonathan receives, the she will purchase one in return. It’s a joint effort to make Silverado a place that welcomes everyone. Conkle also found a vacant classroom where the equipment could be stored, which is quickly beginning to pile up.
The goal is to provide every kid their own ball and the school will collect any old sports equipment. They are hoping to receive a few hundred balls by December and it looks like they’re well on their way.

“I didn’t want it to get this big,” Jonathan says humbly, “because I’m shy.” Despite his humility, Jonathan’s big heart and enormous courage are making a difference on the high school campus, and will certainly be an example to many teenagers about the importance of seeing one another through the lens of kindness, not difference.

The post Victorville Teen Starts Campaign for Autistic Classmates appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.