John Lloyd Young’s Connection to the Actors Fund
September 14th, 2007Bob Verini of Variety.com has a terrific feature about Tony Award-winner John Lloyd Young’s connection with the Actors Fund Home. When JLY visited the Actors Fund Home last year he discovered not just a nursing home but a repository of showbiz lore, a place where old can mingle with young. Back in April 2006, Young passed up the April 2006 Award ceremony because he wanted “to do something of my own election for my community.”
Young states, “I spent the day there, meeting and talking to everyone: dancers, people who’d been in vaudeville … It was great to see the Actors Fund funds at work in such a beautiful way.”
Coincidentally, he encountered a songwriter whose work figures in his performance as Frankie Valli.
“Call me Miss Barbara Belle,” insists Barbara Belle Newman, Home resident and co-author of the ’40s gold record “Sunday Kind of Love” which Young sings nightly in a scene set — where else — in church.
Since his visit, Young has been appointed, with Young Frankenstein’s Sutton Foster, as co-chair of the Fund’s national board of advisers.
Read the full story in Variety.com.
One of the most touching events I witnessed this past year was on April 15 after the Jersey Boys benefit performance for the Actor’s Fund. After the last “Oh, What a Night” refrain, John Lloyd explained that the Actors Fund not only benefits actors but also assists songwriters, singers, music publishers, musicians, arrangers, conductors, record producers and many, many more in the entertainment industry.
John then asked a re-seated and respectful audience if anyone knew who Aaron Schroeder was, and there was little recognition. He then asked if anyone knew who Elvis was, and if anyone had heard the song “It’s Now or Never.” John told a stunned crowd that the writer of “It’s Now or Never”, music legend Aaron Schroeder, now in his 80′s, currently resides at The Actors’ Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey.
John’s implication was clear–it’s not only the actors we know by name, but also the many, many people whose work we’ve known and loved but whose names we may not, that the Actors Fund assists. With a pouring rain outside on April 15, everyone present had the opportunity to create some sunshine for this great cause. JLY, thanks for bringing it to our attention in such a special way.
Comment by Howard Tucker — September 15, 2007 @ 3:17 am
This is just one more activity that can be added to an already very long list, in which JLY gives so much of his time and effort to support. This year, after a special JB Sunday night performance supporting the Actors Fund, JLY described to the audience his visit to the nursing home and specifically made mention of Miss Barbara Belle. His dedication in supporting local charities and the community, along with his talent that shines every night in Jersey Boys, is truly the hallmark of why his fan base is so large and so strongly supportive of him and his career!
Comment by Beverley Micciche — September 15, 2007 @ 9:28 am
John Lloyd Young is just AMAZING. I know I’ve said this all before but he is. I just read about his vist to the Actors Fund Home. He gives his all to everything he does.I’m so glad he won that Tony Award,because Broadway comes with an award. Thea
Comment by THEA — September 15, 2007 @ 10:02 am
It’s easy to understand why everyone loves JLY. He is the best.
Comment by L — September 15, 2007 @ 10:17 am
I agree with my friends Thea, Howard and Beverley. JLY is great citizen!
Fortunately, Bev, Howard and I will see the show tonight so we can tell him in person. IE
Comment by irene eizen — September 15, 2007 @ 10:52 am
I also was at the April 15th benefit performance and listened to John’s speech after the curtain call. You could tell that when he went to visit the Home and talked to the residents that he was genuinely interested in them and their connection to the music industry and he conveyed that to the audience that night with his stories.
Comment by LindaL — September 15, 2007 @ 11:17 am
JLY never ceases to amaze me the way he gives of himself. You can tell how important it is for him to “give back”. He is one very special person.
Comment by Lenore Antunes — September 15, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Linda hit on it exactly when she used the word “genuine.” That’s JLY.
Comment by David Cace — September 15, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Truly he is a compassionate gentleman who shares his talent, gives of himself and is so aware of those who surround him. At a recent JB event, I saw him and he looked at me and said, “I recognize your face, but I don’t remember your name. Please tell me your name and I’ll remember it this time.” Charisma, that voice, his acting, and timing…those qualities make him an award winning Broadway star. Thoughtful, considerate, genuine…those are the qualities that make him shine!
Comment by LuluThompson — September 15, 2007 @ 10:01 pm
What a wonderful gesture on the part of John Lloyd Young. I’m sure many of the residents felt honored that this recent Tony-award winning actor took the time to visit with them (in addition to serving as co-chair of the Actors Fund’s national board of advisers) and engage them in conversation relating to their own careers. It is this same sincerity that he demonstrated with his act of kindness and caring for these residents that he brings to his performance as Frankie Valli in the smash-hit broadway musical, “Jersey Boys.” And it is this passion to connect with people, and by extension, with audiences, that makes JLY so special.
Comment by Len Gersten — September 17, 2007 @ 8:00 pm