AgeismInHollywood

Author and activist Ashton Applewhite has been recognized by the New York Times, National Public Radio, and the American Society on Aging as an expert on ageism. She blogs at This Chair Rocks, speaks widely, has written for Harper’s and Playboy, and is the voice of Yo, Is This Ageist?  The author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, Ashton is a leading spokesperson for a movement to mobilize against discrimination on the basis of age.  

Harlan Boll (BHBPR) is an independent publicist, specializing in literary, personality, theatre, event and non-profit PR. A list of past and recent clients is a who’s who of classic Hollywood. Harlan serves as special PR advisor to The Smithsonian Institution and The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences as well as The Hollywood Museum and the world famous Magic Castle.

Two-time Emmy and Grammy award-winning comedian Kathy Griffin is a towering figure on television, on tour and in publishing with her universally recognized brand of pull-no-punches comedy. She is also an outspoken advocate and activist and has been honored by The Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, The Trevor Project and The Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America. Kathy has been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for writing and starring in an unprecedented 20 televised stand-up specials – more than any comedian in history.

SAG Award winner Sharon Lawrence, a stage and screen actress for over 30 years, has also been nominated for four Emmy Awards. Best known for her breakthrough performance on NYPD Blue, she has also appeared regularly on Devious Maids, Shameless, and Dynasty. Recent films includes Solace (opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins) and the award-winning The Bridge Partner (with Beth Grant). Her Broadway credits include revivals of Cabaret, Fiddler On The Roof and Chicago (as Velma Kelly). Sharon is former Chair of the Women In Film Foundation and currently on the Board of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and Heal the Bay.

Michael Lindsay-Hogg is an award-winning director of television, film and theater who is considered the “Father of the Music Video", directing videos for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who.  His Broadway Tony nominated credits include Whose Life Is It Anyway and Agnes of God, and he has directed such luminaries as Geraldine Page, Amanda Plummer and Diane Keaton. Michael is a 5 time BAFTA nominee and winner for Brideshead Revisited, as well as the director of the original, ground-breaking production of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart at The Public Theater.

Award-winning actress Lesley Ann Warren found stardom on the small screen in the title role of the legendary Rogers & Hammerstein’s musical adaptation of Cinderella. But it was her brilliant performance in Blake Edwards’ comic masterpiece, Victor/Victoria, that won her nominations for an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe, as well as winning a New York Film Critics Award and a People’s Choice Award. Her many film roles include such fan favorites as Steven Soderbergh’s The Limey, Mel Brooks’ Life Stinks and Clue as well as recurring roles in television including Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives and Starz's Blunt Talk.

Lynn Whitfield began acting in theater before progressing to a successful career in film and television that has spanned over 3 decades. She received Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her break-through portrayal of Josephine Baker before starring in films like Eve’s Bayou, Stepmom, Head of State and The Women. Her many television credits include roles in Boston Public, Without a Trace and How To Get Away With Murder and she is currently starring in The Oprah Winfrey Network’s Greenleaf. Lynn has also won 5 NAACP Image Awards.

Jobeth William’s career has spanned stage, screen and television starring in roles in such classic films as Stir Crazy, Poltergeist and The Big Chill. A three-time Emmy Award-nominee, she has had many roles in television, starring in the TV series The Client and Private Practice and has had recurring roles in Frasier and Dexter. JoBeth also earned an Academy Award nomination in her directorial debut, for her short film On Hope.  Since 2009, she has served as the President of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation.

David C. Barry is a writer and producer of both scripted material and live events. He has written for Academy and Emmy Award winner Ellen Burstyn as well as with BAFTA winner and Tony nominee  Michael Lindsay-Hogg, most recently on the viral, award-winning online comedy Tinsel's Town, as well as its sequel, The Lullaby League, a comedy/drama TV pilot.  He's also written sketch comedy for The Razzie Awards' first live ceremony at The Montelban Theater, and is the published author of several short stories.

Robyn Rosenfeld has spent most of her career producing, distributing, and overseeing international sales for feature films and television. As Vice President of High Line Pictures and Sovereign Films, Rosenfeld is currently overseeing development of 7 feature films slated for production in 2022, including: Being A Beast, Huckleberry Finn, Dinner with Edward and Olive's Ocean. She also Executive Produced the feature film, Effie Gray, written by Emma Thompson and starring Dakota Fanning, Emma Thompson, and Julie Walters.