Gerard Butler: Cannes charity auction reject

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/livefrom/post/2012/05/gerard-butler-cannes-charity-auction-reject/1


Gerard Butler: Cannes charity auction reject


Actor Sean Penn (L) and actor Gerard Butler attend the Haiti Carnival in Cannes Benefitting J/P HRO, Artists for Peace and Justice & Happy Hearts Fund Presented By Armani during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2012 in Cannes, France. CAPTIONBy Michael Buckner, Getty ImagesSometimes even Hollywood stars get a little rejection.


Scottish stud Gerard Butler got some after he was reluctantly brought onstage at the star-studded "Carnival in Cannes Gala for Haitian Relief" on Friday night.

Director Paul Haggis thought his presence would help sweeten the pot for the big prize -- a Golden Globe weekend pass.

Haggis figured that offering tea with Butler to a potential bidder would help push the package -- which offered tickets to the best parties during Golden Globes weekend -- into a much higher range.

But the final bidder ended up buying the package and insisting, very loudly, that he didn't want Butler as part of it.

Final purchase price was more than $125,000. Total Butler added value: $0. Ouch!

Butler told USA TODAY on Saturday that it was all in good fun.

"I know the guy that bought it, he didn't need to buy tea with me," he laughed.

But he admitted that Haggis has made a fool of him before by dragging him onstage for auctions.

"No one has the ability to make a fool of me like Paul Haggis. He makes me come up and stand on stage. He makes me feel like an idiot," said Butler. "I think most of my most humiliating experiences in my whole career have been caused by Paul Haggis. He pimps me out."

"I put up with it because it's for a good cause," he added.

The auction raised more than $2 million in charity for Haiti. Actor Sean Penn is just one of the celebrities pushing for greater aid to the earthquake-torn country.

Butler spoke from a party for his new film White House Taken, in which he'll star as an heroic Secret Service agent protecting the President from a terrorist attack.

"It's a Lethal Weapon/Die Hard unapologetic action movie," said Butler.

He's vowed to get in action-star shape for the upcoming role.

"I just kind of started, I don't want to get too big," said the star of the action-classic 300. "But definitely more cut."

It should definitely help him on the auction block.

Update: Sean Penn and Friends Raise About $4Mil at Cannes Bash


UPDATE: The total money raised in Cannes for Haiti by Sean Penn, Petra Nemocova came to just over two million Euros. This was from the combined ticket sales and auction items. The three organizers and all the people who worked on the event are over the moon. And yes, my friend Baz Bamigboye in the Daily Mail is right: Sean Penn cursed like a sailor all night, using the “f” word liberally. But that’s Sean, and whatever he did, it worked. That $4 million will be a big help.

Sean Penn is serious about Haiti. He and director Paul Haggis combined their charitable efforts last night with supermodel Petra Nemcova’s HelpingHands.org, and they raised over $1 million at an elegant, fun dinner packed with A list names.

In the big Argo “tent” that caters dinners behind the Palais: Gerard Butler, Jessica Chastain, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger, Ezra Miller, Tom Hardy, producer Megan Ellison, Harvey Weinstein, Ewan McGregor, David Schwimmer, a lot of very rich people, and finally, Sean Diddy Combs. Also on hand: Giorgio Armani, who sponsored the night. His niece, Roberta spoke, as did MPAA chairman and former senator Chris Dodd. Bryan Lourd of CAA, was a chief organizer.

It was a much cooler affair than most Cannes fundraises, with a hilarious auction. Among he results: a package of tickets to the Golden Globes and various parties only brought in $70,00. So they impromptu added Butler, brought him to the podium, and offered a date with him. Finally a man Patrice Otsepe of African Rainbow Minerals, offered 100,000 “without Gerry Butler.” He won, Butler blushed, but was certainly thrilled not to have go on a date with a stranger.

Each of the three principals spoke passionately about Haiti, including Haggis, Penn and Nemcova (who have apparently rekindled their old romance with Haiti in common).

Lyle Lovett played a few songs from the stage, and later a Haitian band called RAM got the crowd dancing.

Meanwhile, around the Croisette, Gucci threw a star studded screening of the classic. “One Upon A Time in America” with Robert DeNiro and a slew of celebs.

After the Haiti dinner finished at 1 am, select diners who paid another $2,500 over the $5,000 dinner ticket were invited onto Paul Allen‘s largest-yacht-in-the-world with a yellow submarine for middle of the night merriment and maybe even some garage band rock and roll.

I did ask someone from the festival about my earlier report today about Italian actor Aneillo Arena being a lifetime prisoner for committing murders. Arena could win Best Actor here for “Reality.” Said the person I spoke to: “Well, that was fifteen years ago.” Yes, I replied, and the people are still dead.

So French, though, no?

Wasn't Gerry supposed to have tea with Adrian Brody for last year's auction and never did? Wasn't Gerry also supposed to do a "date" thingy for charity a couple of years ago (that was promoted on the fansites) and never did?

The guy probably figured Gerry wouldn't keep up with his end of the bargain anyway, and said "thanks but no thanks". Or maybe the guy just wanted to give to charity and not have Butler as an add in.

Answer to DK's questions. Yes. and yes. LOL!

If I could contribute to charities by showing my face rather than giving money, I would be more than happy to do so, especially if PR helps my job.

Some celebrities do have very deep pockets, but those pockets aren't infinite. They get to pick and choose who gets their money, just as I get to choose who gets my very meager contributions. They can give big to their favorite charities, and help raise funds for others, however they may personally feel about those others.

Nay wrote:

Why don't these promoter people just say "Pull out your check book and I'll tell you a number?"

Because it would be humiliating for all involved if the person being asked to write a check replies, "I think this charity is bullcookies. I only came because if I didn't everyone would think I'm uncharitable no matter how much I do for my favorite charities."

Another article with a little more detail (but mainly the same):

http://entertainment.stv.tv/tv/306970-gerard-butler-in-rejected-in-cannes-charity-auction/

Gerard Butler rejected in Cannes charity auction

Gerard Butler was dragged on stage at the star studded Carnival in Cannes Gala for Haitian Relief at the weekend.

Director Paul Haggis thought the Scots actor would help to push up the bids on a Golden Globe weekend pass.

The pass offered tickets to the best parties during Golden Globes weekend and Haggis thought tea with Bulter would help to sell it.


Butler begged: "Who's up for putting in some extra money just so I don't make a fool of myself up here?

"I'll pay you back, I promise."

A man in the audience suddenly leapt up, yelling: "100,000 euros without Gerard Butler!" to win the prize.

Butler told USA Today: "I know the guy that bought it, he didn't need to buy tea with me."

However, he admitted this is not the first time Haggis has made a fool on him.

Gerard said: "No one has the ability to make a fool of me like Paul Haggis. He makes me come up and stand on stage. He makes me feel like an idiot.

"I think most of my most humiliating experiences in my whole career have been caused by Paul Haggis. He pimps me out."

"I put up with it because it's for a good cause," he added.

I think I know the feeling... Yet you have to sit there and smile and carry on... I have never been auctioned but I know the feeling of being made the fool... And the humiliation...

You don't feel pretty afterwards..