MARK Wahlberg told Leo, “We’re screwed, man!” photo by sthanlee mirador
LOS ANGELES – Over $1.5 million in grants was turned over last Thursday by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) to film schools and non-profit organizations and charities. That didn’t stop Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg, among the stars who accepted checks on behalf of the grantees, from dissing each other (in jest) on the ballroom stage of the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Leonardo, who recently topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid actors, accepted a $350,000 check on behalf of “Steven, Marty and Clint” (Spielberg, Scorsese and Eastwood) of The Film Foundation, which preserves and restores classic movies.
Marky Mark
Marty’s favorite actor then humorously introduced his “The Departed” co-star as “Marky Mark,” Wahlberg’s previous incarnation as a shirtless, underwear-baring rapper. Mark playfully tried to get the check out of Leonardo’s hand and said, “You have enough of that already.” As Leonardo strode down the stage, Mark quipped, “On second thought, you need to hold on to that.”
With a grin, Mark, still addressing Leonardo, said, “I am sitting at a table with a gentleman who is better-looking than you and in better shape than me. It’s Taylor Lautner.”
LEA Michele tried to control herself when introducing Taylor Lautner—and failed. photo by sthanlee mirador
Amid laughter in the star-studded ballroom, Mark also told Leonardo, “We are screwed, man. It’s been a long time since ‘Titanic’ and ‘Boogie Nights.’ But that’s all right with me – out with the old and in with the new.” With that, Mark accepted grants on behalf of the film schools of Columbia University, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), New York University and Los Angeles City College, among others.
Man of the hour
Taylor was unwittingly the man of the hour, even if he just sat there quietly, eating his salad at the front and center table.
“Glee’s” Lea Michele, who fittingly represented Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Foundation, Inner City Arts (visited by Prince William and Kate on their recent LA stop) and Inner City Filmmakers, said as she introduces the “Twilight” hunk: “I promise to control myself.”
Then, behaving unabashedly like a teenaged fan, Lea giggled. She hugged and kissed Taylor when he joined her onstage. The actor picked up the check for Sundance Institute. After the program (HFPA president Aida Takla O’Reilly presiding), Taylor, quiet and unassuming, simply smiled when ribbed about all the attention. “I don’t know why,” he said.
KEVIN Bacon, another high-caliber guest. photo by sthanlee mirador
Earlier, Lea told us that it was her first time to walk on the red carpet after some time. She was glad about “Glee” co-star, Fil-Am Darren Criss, stepping in when Daniel Radcliffe leaves the Broadway show, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” in January. (It will be just a three-week run for Darren because of “Glee.”)
“I want to be on Broadway too!” Lea exclaimed, but admitted her “Glee” schedule will not permit that.
We asked about the announcement that she and several key characters will graduate from high school in “Glee’s” next season – and will therefore exit the series. “I will flunk senior year,” Lea joked.
TAYLOR Lautner: What’s the fuss? he wondered Photo by JANET NEPALES
The actors at our table – Jessica Chastain, who scored two superb performances in Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” and, coming soon, “The Help,” Jim Sturgess (“Across the Universe,” the new “One Day”) and Gabriel Macht, currently starring in TV’s “Suits” – probably wished they were as jitter-free as Mark and Leonardo.
Surprisingly, these talented thespians admitted to being nervous about reading their acceptance remarks. Jessica and Jim compared how many paragraphs they had to read (onstage, they had the benefit of a Teleprompter). Jim took a long sip of white wine when he came back from the stage to the table.
RYAN Kavanaugh, producer of over 50 films, including “Cowboys & Aliens” and “Zombieland,” also attended. photo by Sthanlee B. Mirador
Lean Butler
GERALD Butler (right) with Japanese rock icon Yoshiki, who was applauded when he admitted that reading “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” the title of Elizabeth Olsen’s movie, onstage, was quite a challenge. photo by JANET NEPALES
Jessica beamed when we congratulated her on her acclaimed performances. Jim was flying to New York the following day to promote “One Day,” his movie with Anne Hathaway and directed by Lone Scherfig. Gabriel flew into LA the night before and was going to return right after the luncheon to Toronto to finish shooting episodes of “Suits.”
Gerard Butler, looking very lean, told us that his shaggy long hair is for “Maverick,” where he plays a surfing mentor.
We thank these stars plus Shohreh Aghdashloo, Elizabeth Olsen (younger sister of the Olsen twins), Yoshiki (the Japanese rock icon won over the crowd when he admitted that reading onstage “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” the title of Elizabeth’s film, was a challenge), Hugh Dancy, Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth Moss for taking time off from their busy schedules to accept HFPA grants to entertainment related charities and scholarship programs.
E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com.