2011 Person of the Year
The Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year Award is given annually by the organ and tissue donation community to honor individuals in the entertainment industry who have worked to inspire people to save lives as organ and tissue donors.
Nominees for 2011 Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year
- Jack Black for his support of the Renal Support Network Renal Teen Prom
- Grizz Chapman, kidney recipient, for his support of kidney disease awareness through the National Kidney Foundation
- Brad Ellis, heart recipient, for his support of the documentary “The Power of Two” and for likely inspiring the Glee storyline on organ donation
- Ann Lopez, living kidney donor, for her support of the Donate Life Rose Parade Float
- Ryan Merriman, who plays a donor-brother in the independent film “The 5th Quarter”, for his promotion of the film
Ann Lopez
About Ann:
Ann Lopez has worked in a myriad of capacities in the entertainment industry. Five years in regional theater preceded her move to Los Angeles, where she appeared in more than 60 commercials. Now a television producer and actor, Ann’s most recognized and respected role may never be in front of the cameras, as in 2005, she donated a kidney to her then-husband George Lopez.
Why Ann should be DLH Person of the Year:
Ann’s goal is to help garner national attention to organ donation, especially living donation, as well as education about prevention and screening for kidney disease. Ann helped launched The Lopez Foundation with the mission of donor awareness and helped to raise funds to support the Kidney Kids Camps.
For the 2011 Donate Life Rose Parade Float, Ann was the sole living donor among the float rider contingent. Chosen as one of the float’s honorary walkers, Ann was a dynamic presence in the media, among donor families decorating memorial floragraphs of their loved ones, and as emcee of the Donate Life Float Gala. Her appearances in both English (Extra!, NBC4-Los Angeles) and Spanish (CNN en Espanol, La Opinion, Univision Network Pre-Parade Show) language media outlets supported the float campaign’s mission to inspire people to support organ, eye and tissue donation.
Ryan Merriman
About Ryan:
At twenty-eight Ryan Merriman has eighteen years of television and film experience and has developed an extensive list of film and television credits, which have enabled him to work with some of Hollywood’s most respected actors. Ryan has been in 25 films, four television series and several guest appearances to his credit,
His connection to organ donation comes in the form of the recently released feature film, “The 5th Quarter.” Ryan plays Jon, the brother of Luke Abbate, a 15 year old who in his untimely death was able to give the gift of life as an organ donor. Luke’s death inspired Jon to lead Wake Forest University to their first ever championship football season. This powerful film is based on the real-life story of the Abbate Family.
Why Ryan should be DLH Person of the Year:
Promoting “The 5th Quarter” has become not just about the film, but about the messages that the film highlights so well. He has used his television appearances and print interviews to bring attention to the importance of organ donation. He has also used his official fan site to engage his fans and to encourage them to register as organ donors. http://www.ryanmerrimanweb.com/news.php
He garnered positive media coverage as he attended premieres for the film in Winston-Salem, , the Hollywood Film Festival and The California Independent Film Festival, where he won “Best Actor”.
Ryan has also supported the James Redford Institute, a youth program for transplant awareness and Share the Beat, – an organization which celebrates the hope in transplantation through music, for years and lists them as some of his charities of choice. http://www.ryanmerrimanweb.com/charity.php
Jack Black
About Jack:
Jack is a comedian, actor and musician. He makes up one half of the comedy and satirical rock duo Tenacious D. The group has two albums as well as a television series and a film. His acting career is extensive, starring primarily as bumbling, cocky, but internally self-conscious outsiders in comedy films. He was a member of the Frat Pack, a group of comedians who have appeared together in several Hollywood films, and has been nominated for a Golden Globe award. He has also won an MTV Movie Award, and a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award.
Why Jack should be DLH Person of the Year:
Jack Black has wowed the teens at the RSN Annual Renal Teen Prom for two years in a row, giving a raucous presentation and taking photos with as many teens as he could. His presence at the Teen Prom, where hundreds of “kidney teens” converge in Southern California every January to experience the night of their dreams, brings laughter, joy and hope to these teens who have dealt with kidney disease for most of their young lives. Since 2000, the RSN Annual Renal Teen Prom has given these young patients the opportunity to interact with their peers – some of whom will become lifelong friends – in a nonmedical setting. http://www.rsnhope.org/programs/prom/renal_teen_prom.php
In addition, Jack has helped to support “The Power of Two,” a new documentary about twin sisters Ana and Isa Stenzel, two cultures, and two new chances at life through organ transplantation. http://www.thepoweroftwomovie.com/
Brad Ellis
About Brad
Brad Ellis is best known as Brad the Pianist on Fox TV’s GLEE. Fans of the show know Ellis simply as Brad, the black-clad, mad-at-the-world blond guy who sits at the piano and never says a word. What many people don’t know is that Brad has a heart transplant and is one of the most gracious and thankful men you’ll ever meet!
But Brad is much more than the accompanist on Glee. He has a wide range of television credits including The Gilmore Girls, Oprah and The 2009 Academy Awards. Brad has conducted and performed in over 6,000 recitals of more than 400 different musicals in NY, LA and internationally, and orchestrates for the LA Phil, the Hollywood Bowl and the Philadelphia Orchestras. He’s written for off-Broadway shows, been the leader on 35 albums for RCA, DRG and Varese Sarabande, and has been profiled by CNN, NPR, and People Magazine.
Why should Brad be DLH Person of the Year?
Brad has been open and vocal about how his heart transplant saved his life. His honesty is refreshing in Hollywood and he likely inspired the creators of Glee to include a short scene that was basically an organ donation PSA, for which they are receiving a Donate Life Hollywood Inspire Award.
Brad attended Donate Life Hollywood Film Festival’s cocktail party in 2010 to show his support for organ and tissue donation and hooked up with “The Power of Two,” a new documentary about twin sisters Ana and Isa Stenzel, two cultures, and two new chances at life through organ transplantation. Now Brad sits on their international advisory board and provides guidance and support to maximize the impact of “The Power Of Two” around the world. http://www.thepoweroftwomovie.com/
Grizz Chapman
About Grizz
Grizz Chapman, who plays Tracy Morgan’s sidekick on NBC’s 30 Rock, received a kidney transplant after suffering with hypertension for 13 years. The 7-ft.-tall celebrity-bodyguard-turned-actor experienced kidney failure in 2008. Undergoing dialysis three times a week, Chapman – who once weighed 505 lbs. – reduced his food intake, cut out cheese and mayonnaise and started walking to shed the necessary 160 lbs. to be eligible for a kidney transplant. “I didn’t want to die,” he says. “I wanted to live. I wanted to be with my family and wanted to see my 11-year-old son grow up.” Chapman also has a daughter, 19, who is in the Navy.
Why Grizz should be Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year:
Grizz has been on a crusade to raise awareness of kidney disease and the effects it has on overall health. Bringing light to the early warning signs, the risk factors and the need for early detection can help prevent people from progressing to kidney failure. Grizz Chapman led a team of walkers in the National Kidney Foundation annual walk in downtown Manhattan and in SEVEN other NKF walks around the nation. http://www.teamgrizz.com/