Tuesday 10 June 2008

Oceana - Jake Gyllenhaal and stars make waves

The other day I posted a picture here of Jake Gyllenhaal from the 2003 Oceana Partner Awards in LA. Not surprisingly, it proved popular. So, while looking around for more photos from the event, I realised that Jake has been involved with the Oceana organisation for a number of years, still remaining an honorary member on its committes and serving as a host at the 2007 Partner Awards. In other words, these days, much of Jake's involvement with this organisation may be unseen.


Such a charity seems pertinent in the British Isles today because of the (fortunately) rare and mysterious event yesterday, which left almost 100 dolphins stranded at Falmouth in Cornwall with tragic results.



It is not surprising that Jake has supported the Oceana organisation through the years, not least because of its Martha's Vineyard connection. One of its co-chairs is Ted Danson, whose partner Mary Steenburgen has also played an active role. This couple, with a home on MV have had a close relationship with the whole Gyllenhaal family and have hosted political, fundraising events through the years. The winner of the 2003 award was Hillary Clinton, another familiar MV figure and she and her husband attended.



Showing to a great degree how charities, at least in some parts of the world, have come to depend and rely on celebrities to raise their profile as well as raise funds, the award in 2004 was presented by Nicole Kidman to the co-chair of the Creative Artists Agency, Rick Nicita. This event, which also promoted hybrid vehicles, was hosted by, among others, Tom Cruise and Kate Hudson. As you can see from the photo below, Jake was another guest.




In 2007, the award was presented to Al Gore and Jake is listed among the event hosts. Other familiar names include Ron Howard and Robert Redford. Jake's involvement with political organisations, especially those committed to encouraging young people to vote, is well known but it is possible that Jake's support of environmental charities and bodies, possibly encouraged by figures such as Al Gore, is just as important to him and ties well with his involvement in The Day After Tomorrow - but that is another post.


The above pictures include photographs of Jake with Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Milo Jovovich, Nicole Kidman et al and were taken in 2003 and 2004. They come from IHJ, Netglimpse, PR Photos, Monsters and Critics, Oceana and View Images.

18 comments:

sheba said...

Thank you WDW. You know I sat there staring at that picture.... *deep sigh* then I found that secret stash and stared at all 956 of them *deeper sigh* the last picture was so funny.

I heard about the dolphins and was a litle crushed by what had happened - so tragic and unusual. What could have caused that? I have spoken about the work of Oceana and their environmental role and responsibility so was thrilled to know that my Jake was involved with them too.

Anonymous said...

oh my Ted Danson is tall!

I know Jake knows Ted and Mary, but I don't know the MV connection. Makes you think what an exclusive "village-like" environment MV is, except it's more for the privileged residents, I guess :)

Very interesting information to know, thanks!

I always love Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen's appearance in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (as themselves but with fictional storyline), I wonder if one day all these connection would have Larry David asking Jake to make a guest appearance on the show as himself (like most other guest stars). That would be fantastic.

And Oceana is a good charity cause to support.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Sheba! Just a beautiful picture. I'm really pleased to hear about Jake's involvement in Oceana - a wonderful charity. Also, I was thinking about Paul's suggestion that Jake could do the voiceover for a cartoon dolphin :D

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hey Winterbird - posting at the same time :D Mary is one of Mr WDW's favourite actresses... Ted Danson is so tall! Makes me realise how influential the community on MV is, or how many of the influential people of LA and NYC have homes on MV. A great charoty to support :)

Anonymous said...

WDW, I just find this kind of thing so distressing - when whales and dolphins beach themselves. Were any able to be saved? I'm so happy that Jake gets involved - in organizations like and including Oceana. Our beautiful oceans, lakes and rivers need to be appreciated, and other creatures than inhabit them should be appreciated just for being, not seen as a resource or a nuisance to human beings.

Jake is truly a beauty, on the inside too. I love the pic of him laughing with Ted Danson. :)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Morning everyone! Hope everyone had a cooller night. Much fresher here today.

Morning Bertie - I know, it's extremely distressing and it was on my mind a lot. I think quite a few hvae died and some are still stranded. There are all kinds of theories going round about why they stranded themselves, such as a killer whale or sonar sounds from the navy. I am really glad that Jake is associated with an organisation devoted to caring for the world's seas.

He is absolutely gorgeous and I had a couple of Jake dreams last night - always a good end and start to the day.

Have a great day everyone :D

paulh said...

Ted Danson has more range than you'd think. He was pretty much the best thing in "Mad Money." Remember that movie? Katie Holmes passed up the reprise of Rachel Dawes in "The Dark Knight" so she could be in "Mad Money" instead.

I love Mary Steenburgen. Even in a slight film like "Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School," she adds a certain elegance.

Xenia said...

I love Ted Danson, he used to be the star of one of my favourite sit-com, Baker, and some hilarious movies such as Made in America and 3 Men and a little lady...
Mary Steenburgen was great in Allen's Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy and Hanneke's What's eating Gilbert Grape, a truly wonderful movie with a stunning Johnny Depp...:)
These are wonderful people to try and give a sense to all the 'being rich and famous' thing.

And the first pic of the post is so beautiful I made my av out of it...:)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi there Paul! I was always a big fan of the original Cheers. BUt not surprising really, as it was about a bar :D

Hi Xenia :D Looking good! What a great avvie!

Anonymous said...

Such a great post, WDW. Thanks for the info on Oceana and Jake's (and Mary and Ted's) involvement. Did not know about this very worthy cause or what Jake has done to support it at all. Great thing to know. :)

Really sorry to hear about the dolphins. :(

Hope everyone is having a good day. Cooler here today, finally, after some storms but a welcome relief.

Am enjoying that I am on a summer schedule and can work at home today!

xoxoxo

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hey Get Real! Glad you liked the post - Jake's role in this cause was new to me too - interesting where a picture leads. Enjoy your summer schedule, with working at home! Sounds good to me. It's cooler here too :D

KeepCalm+CarryOn said...

Hi WDW,hello one and all. Like so many others I found the Dolphin tragedy distressing and depressing,had to change channels when the News began showing pictures of lined up dolphin corpses :-(

For too long Mankind has been stripping our oceans of their resources and using the seas as a convenient cess-pit with little thought for the damage being done,some of it irreparable.

It's no surprise to me that Jake is involved with such a worthwhile charity,much of his allure attributable to his intelligence,sensitivity and the causes he espouses. No vacuous pretty boy our Jacob (though undoubtedly very handsome,demonstrated by the lovely photos which led us to his links with Oceana!).

It feels particularly poignant for me that Jake's work for this marine charity ties in with Heath's efforts on behalf of "The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society". He joined their Advisory Board in October 2007 (Christian Bale is a supporter too) and was intending to become much more involved with their work. Heath was a passionate opponent of whaling and had made an animated video about whales and their unwarranted slaughter. In fact he was being lined up to play Captain Paul Watson,a legendary anti-whaling campaigner he had met through this charity,in a film called "Mighty Hearts" which is now in pre-production but I have no idea, as yet, who is to replace Heath in the lead role (how do you replace the irreplaceable? :-( ).

If I can remain semi-OT for a little longer,IMDB have announced that Christopher Nolan is dedicating the New York Premiere of "The Dark Knight" (July 14th 2008) to Heath, and his family are to be Guests of Honour at this inaugural showing of Heath's last complete film. Nolan has also made an In Memoriam tribute to Heath which will be shown at the end of the film. There certainly won't be a dry eye in the house that night! It will take all the courage and dignity they showed in the aftermath of his death to get Heath's family through that event.

Let's hope that the memorial feature will be included in every screening of the film around the world and also make its way onto the eventual DVD.

Anonymous said...

Nadine, another thoughtful post from you. Hope you are doing well. :*

OMG! I forget to mention - while watching the Celtics/Lakers last night, I saw the ad for TDK - Heath is incredible as the Joker - mesmerising, just from that. What a terrible shame that he isn't here to see the incredible response to the role that I know there will be. His Joker seems to be a real, dimensional, and powerful character, just from that clip. :')

KeepCalm+CarryOn said...

Hi Bertie,thank you!

Apart from feeling permanently tired out since my op,I've been back at work for 2 weeks now and everything seems to be improving as it should. :-) All my best to you too!

sheba said...

how do you replace the irreplaceable? :-(

That thought invades my conciousness every so often. TDK will be somber thats for sure. I hope it becomes a celebration. I hope all Heath fans turn up in stripes or painted Joker faces (it'd probably look pretty silly if only one or two turned up like that - and it'd usually be me :o) ).

Thanks for the info Nadine on Heath, though I'm not at all surprsed Heath would be involved in a charity like that especially how much we know he loved the sea.

Sorry to bring the mood down.....Ok, where's WDW, Pia, etc., we need some funny up in here.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Nadine! Thanks so much for thst great comment. And thank you for that info about Heath and bein an opponent of whaling. I had no idea about that and it's such a wonderful cause. Thrilled to learn that. And thanks also for the news about TDK premiere in NYC - that is brilliant and moving all at the same time. It's a great thing for Warner Bros to have done.

I'm glad to hear you're feling better, albeit it tired and good to see you :D

Hi Bertie! - I'm waiting for that moment when I see the trailer all unexpectedly. It hasn't happened yet. Hope you're having a good day :)

Hi Ber

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Sheba :D I'm here - I've been slaving away over a hot post! And it's, hopefully, a fun one :) So see you over there....

sheba said...

^Thank you WDW, that's just the tonic I needed :0) You know just when to lift the mood.