1 Voice Celebrity Benefit

The Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital is a retirement community, with individual cottages, and a fully licensed, acute-care hospital, located in Woodland Hills, California. It is a service of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, providing services for members of the motion picture and television industry.

Richard Dreyfuss

In 1940, then president of the Motion Picture Relief Fund, Jean Hersholt, found 48 acres of walnut and orange groves in the southwest end of the San Fernando Valley. The Board purchased the property for the Motion Picture Country House. To offset the costs for the first buildings, which were designed by architect William Pereira, seven acres were sold. Mary Pickford and Jean Hersholt broke the first ground. The dedication was on September 27, 1942.

The Motion Picture Hospital was dedicated on the grounds of the Country House in 1948. In attendance were Ronald Reagan, Shirley Temple, and Robert Young, among other stars. Services were later extended to those working in the television industry as well, and the name was altered to reflect the change.

Scores of movie notables spent their last years here; so have far less famous people from behind the scenes of the industry. Those with money paid their own way, while others, who had no money, paid nothing. Fees are based solely on the "ability to pay."

Individuals in movies, TV, and other aspects of the industry, are accepted, from actors, artists, backlot men, cameramen, directors, extras, producers, security guards and stars. To qualify for a cottage, applicants or their spouses must have reached a minimum age of seventy, working steadily for at least twenty years in entertainment industry production. The waiting time is usually a few months, with no preference given to celebrities or those who can pay their own way, officials of the fund have said.

Connie Stevens

When I heard that the Motion Picture and Television Fund leaders were determined to evict current residents of the Motion Picture Nursing Home and permanently close and bulldoze over the Home and its 70 year history I was appalled. I joined their mission to keep the Motion Picture Nursing Home open for current and future residents, the elderly and infirm in the Industry who are in need of a home, a safe, secure, and caring environment amongst their peers.

Enter the 'Saving the Lives of Our Own' a grass-roots coalition of thousands of entertainment industry workers and community members dedicated to keeping the Motion Picture & Television Fund Nursing Home open. Dedicated to stopping the eviction of its elderly residents, and insuring that the MPTF promise of "Taking Care of Our Own" remains unbroken - now and for future generations.

Stefanie Powers

They along with The Neo Ensemble Theatre recently hosted an event called "1 VOICE" which was a celebrity-packed evening to raise industry and community awareness of the residents' plight. I believe in this cause and couldn't wait to show my support by going and posting a blog about this serious problem.

The evening was a huge success. Lorenzo Lamas opened the show with a performance of the song 'A Lot Of Living To Do.' Diane Ladd gave an impassioned speech and Richard Dreyfuss shared his thoughts. John Schneider sang a couple of great songs and so did James Intveld. One of the highlights for me was Esai Morales and his musical partner Ted Silbert who did two amazing numbers. Gloria Loring closed out the evening with an uplifting song. There was a lot more show and it was all great! I only had the opportunity to speak with a few of the celebrities and I'll share that with you here along with some snap shots from the night! A big thank you to Edward Lozzi for his help with this event.

Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna

Diane Ladd

Dawn Wells: This industry has supported this home for so many years. It would be a crime to let it fade away.

Esai Morales and Ted Silbert

Esai Morales: I'm here because it's the human thing to do. We have to stand up for each other. There by for the grace of God go I. We have to support those that are in the place we are all going to be. We are artists and if society can't take care of our elderly and less advantaged then we have too. It takes a village and it's with that spirit that we are here. A couple of our songs apply to the spirit. The first song was saying don't give up and don't let go. That's for the residents who are there and fighting the market forces. Nobody wants to be left behind on a market killing.

George Chakaris: I believe it's a great cause. Ever since I heard about this fight it has become very important to me. It's a horrible thing and it just can't happen! We all want to bring attention to this matter. It's a battle.

John Schneider: Oh my gosh I've been supporting this cause for years. Since I got here in 1978 going out to the Home was the last difficult decision anyone in my industry was supposed to have to make. So I am here to celebrate the fact that it appears as if that is going to remain true. There was a big announcement this morning where the folks from the home, who have not really been the opposition, but I think have been misinformed, were saying that they have a moral obligation to the folks who are in the extended care part of the home out there in Calabasas. I think the victors here are going to be all well into their nineties.

Nichelle Nicholls: This has been the most amazing, moving event. It was about something so very, very worthy. It's something that has happened that should not have happened and that is unconscionable. They should be ashamed of themselves, but we are going to make it right because Mary Pickford and those people gave the promise. I've been in this business since the late fifties. We always gave to this fund. I don't know anyone who hasn't and we continue to.