Image credit: IMBD
Los Angeles/CMedia: Two silent auctions are being partly curated by actress Kat Kramer to honor two outstanding actors, one to honor the great Sam Waterston, and benefit the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and the other a tribute to the late Ed Asner.
Image credit: https://www.katharinehepburntheater.org/
The first silent auction will be LIVE on Sunday, November 21st, 2021 “Our Man Sam” is an event for The Kate Gala 2021. Sam Waterston will receive the “Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award” at The Kate in Old Saybrook Connecticut.
Sam Waterson. Image credit: Twitter handle
The second silent auction benefits the Ed Asner Family Center. On December 5th, 2021 at 5 pm- a virtual reading of “It’s A Wonderful Life” and Celebration of Life tribute to the late Ed Asner with an all-star cast.
Ed Asner was a close friend, and I’m still mourning his passing. Of course, I was honored to volunteer my time and join the silent auction/sweepstakes committee for the Ed Asner Celebration of Life and virtual reading of “It’s A Wonderful Life” on December 5th at 5pm pst. I also donated memorabilia to the LIVE event “Our Man Sam” honoring Sam Waterston with the 6th annual “Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award” on November 21st at The Kate Gala 2021.
Ed Asner. Image credit: Twitter handle
Asha Bajaj, Editorial Director of Canadian Media had an opportunity to discuss with Kat Kramer some of the items donated for these noble causes.
1. Asha to Kat: Can you share the significance of the signed “GRACE AND FRANKIE” scripts donated to both silent auctions?
Image credit: Kat KramerKat:
Both Sam Waterston and Ed Asner are on “GRACE AND FRANKIE” so there will be items from the popular comedy series at both silent auctions. What’s unique is that both signed scripts will be available for the Ed Asner Celebration of Life virtual Gala on December 5th. There was one rare “Grace and Frankie” script donated to the “Our Man Sam” LIVE Gala on November 21st.
Lily Tomlin is my performing idol, and Ambassador for “Kat Kramer’s Films That Change The World.” Lily and I work very well together teaming up on social issues. We also team up to help charities. We both spearheaded the idea of donating the two episodes of “Grace and Frankie” which Ed Asner guest starred. Season 5 episode 9, and Season 7 episode 4. Ed played “Howard” on “Grace and Frankie.” Season 7 is the final season of the beloved show, Ed appears in episode 4, which was his final TV acting appearance. The first four episodes of Season 7 dropped a few months ago. Lily was so generous to donate her personal scripts, Lily and Jane Fonda signed each of them, exclusively for these unique silent auctions.
I was able to curate a copy of the new book “Grace and Frankie” — A Guide To Best-Friendship and Not Giving a Damn- by Girl Friday and Flashpoint Books, in partnership with Skydance Television. featuring a foreword by show co-creators Marta F. Kauffman and Howard J. Morris. This is a fantastic companion piece to go along with the signed “Grace and Frankie” scripts, for the Ed Asner silent auction.
For the Sam Waterston “Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award” Lily and Jane signed episode 1 of Season 7, which of course features Sam’s character of “Sol Bergstein.” “Grace and Frankie” stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston. “Sol” is the main character and is in every episode. I loved episode 1 of Season 7, and Lily agreed that was a good one to donate. It will be the longest-running original series in Netflix history when the rest of season 7 launches in January 2022.
Image credit: Youtube.com
As you know, my Godmother and namesake were Katharine Hepburn. Sam Waterston worked with Auntie Kate early in his career. They co-starred together in a 1973 adaptation of Tennessee William’s “The Glass Menagerie.” He was “Tom” to her “Amanda.” I donated scripts to the silent auction that connected Sam and my Godmother’s career. For example, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy were iconic teams on film. I included the films my father made with Spencer Tracy, and “GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER” was the last Spencer Tracy film opposite my Godmother. www.thekate.org
Image credit: Kat Kramer2.
The screenplay JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG won the Academy Award in 1961. Written by Abby Mann, the classic film starring Spencer Tracy, Marlene Dietrich, Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland, Montgomery Clift, Richard Widmark was produced/directed by Stanley Kramer. Can you elaborate on the screenplay?
Image credit: Kat KramerIt’s such an important film about the Nuremberg trials. The late Maximilian Schell won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Abby Mann adapted the screenplay from his famous play. Spencer Tracy gave a riveting performance. The landmark film received multiple awards and Oscar nominations. It’s a rare item from my father’s career, that I donated to both auctions.
One rare screenplay I donated is from the 1950 film classic “Cyrano De Bergerac.” It was the movie version based on the play and Jose Ferrer won the Oscar for Best Actor. There’s a new “Cyrano” film being released in December 2021. It’s a musical adaptation. The story is a classic for all generations. I’m curating a signed poster from the new “Cyrano” movie. Also the original screenplay of the film version of “INHERIT THE WIND” starring Spencer Tracy, Frederic March and Spencer Tracy.
3. You donated quite a few screenplays from Stanley Kramer’s films, and the Stanley Kramer Centennial Collection. GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER is donated to both silent auctions. Can you elaborate more on these rare items from your father’s Legendary career?
This was a groundbreaking film from 1967. My father was controversial and this Academy Award-winning film about interracial marriage is one of the greatest movies of all time. When it was released, interracial marriage was against the law in 16 states. The Loving vs. Virginia case and “GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER” helped change that law. The film starred Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Houghton, Isabel Sanford, Beah Richards. Alexandra Hay had a small role as a waitress, and it launched her career.
4. Can you share some of the other items you’ve curated for the Ed Asner Celebration of Life Gala?
We have a silent auction team/Sweepstakes Committee for the Ed Asner fundraiser, to benefit The Ed Asner Family Center. Our focus is Hollywood-centric/Christmas-themed items. I’m thrilled to be donating CODA posters signed by the cast and creative team.
Image credit: Kat Kramer
Our focus is Hollywood-centric/Christmas themed items. I’m thrilled to be donating CODA posters signed by cast and creative team. CODA is a groundbreaking film starring deaf talent, Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin, and my friend , the amazing Troy Kotsur. CODA is my favorite film of 2021. Also Lily Tomlin first worked with Ed on a classic episode of the “X-Files” back in 1998 called “How The Ghosts Stole Christmas.” I’m curating an item representing this beloved Holiday episode. There will be some surprises in store with items I’m still curating. Our team has donated fantastic items, including scripts of the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” signed by the late Ed Asner.”
Image credit: https://www.cinemagia.ro/
“Ted Lasso” signed scripts. More items coming. The silent auction goes LIVE on December 1st and lasts until December 8th. For tickets to “It’s A Wonderful Life” LIVE on Zoom table reading, and to check out the auction and sweepstakes, please visit The Ed Asner Family Center website. https://edasnerfamilycenter.org
The Ed Asner Family Center benefits children and families of children with autism and special needs.
The All-Star cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Martin Sheen, Mark Hamill, Jean Smart, Rosario Dawson, Ed Harris, Mandy Patinkin, Lou Diamond Phillips George Wendt, hosted by Tom Bergeron, in partnership with Turner Classic Movies, and many more actors, some of who are autistic. This one-night-only event will feature a tribute to Ed Asner, surprise musical performances, live Q and A with the cast. Mike Darnell, President of Warner Bros. Unscripted and Alternative Television, will be honored along with his family. teafc.org/wonderful
Sidenote: Kat Kramer is one busy “Superwoman.” When she isn’t acting, performing, producing, writing, moderating or doing stand-up comedy, she can always get a side hustle job curating celebrity memorabilia for silent auctions. Kat is already curating items for HINDSIGHT 2020 event in January 2022, to benefit Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival.She established “Sound & Vision-28” auction for LAWTF earlier this year to celebrate 28 years of solo women’s theatre in LA.
