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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Long Live The Queen in Memory
God Speed, Your Majesty
by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | September 8, 2022
We join those around the world in mourning the loss of Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II, whose strong sense of duty and dedication to public service was always an inspiration. Our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning British monarch, marking 70 years on the throne. Buckingham Palace confirmed she passed away at the Royal residence of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
Damian has been in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II several times. He has made the Queen’s birthday honors list twice now – once honored with an OBE at the 2014 investiture ceremony and soon to be honored with a CBE at the 2022 investiture ceremony – he co-hosted the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration back in May of this year at Windsor Castle and provided narration for The Music of Kings and Queens album out earlier this year in celebration of her 95th birthday. Damian was once asked who his favorite member of the Royal Family was, his answer here, and he shared this memory of the Queen as well:
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Prince Harry Would Cast Damian to Play Him in The Crown – Feb 26, 2021
Fellow Gingers
by Jake Kanter | Deadline | February 26, 2021
Prince Harry has become one of the first major royals to pass comment on The Crown after the show has grown into a cultural phenomenon for Netflix.
In an interview with James Corden on CBS’s The Late Late Show, the Duke of Sussex admitted that he has watched Left Bank Pictures’ lavish series, and said it provides a window on the pressures that come with being a British royal.
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Damian Makes 2020’s London Power 100 List – March 10, 2020
Damian Ranks #38 on London Power 100 List
by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | March 10, 2020
Damian Lewis moves up in the ranks, from #46 last year to #38 this year. Congrats!
Meet the most influential people in London. The new London Power 100 was published today, which is an annual list of the 100 most influential people in London and includes a wide variety of high achievers and power players in the city and from the city of London.
From June each year, two teams of researchers begin curating and researching names for the list which are put forward to a panel of judges for consideration. This part of the process referred to as the “nominating process” is open to the public who can submit their suggestions to the judges via email.
From early November the judging panel begin scrutinizing the list and place individuals put forward in order, taking into consideration their achievements both past and present. Following which, the President of London Power 100 is advised of the final list by the middle of January. After reviewing, the list is published in March.
President Nicholas Taylor stated, “I have had the pleasure of working with and alongside many local businesses, entrepreneurs, charities and media personalities across film, music, and sport who have in some way influenced London’s landscape. It is not surprising that 2020’s list is made up of individuals who have in some way left their mark on the City, both past and present, from a broad spectrum of skill sets. Congratulations to this year’s inductees.”
Major stars such as Idris Elba, Benedict Cumberbatch, Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris, Tom Hiddleston, Cara Delevingne, Letitia Wright, David Beckham, Gavin Rossdale, Rita Ora and Mo Farah joined veteran Londoners Sir Michael Caine, Dame Helen Mirren, and Dame Joan Collins on the list, which also features royalty like Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Charles, Prince of Wales, along with politicians, restaurateurs and business leaders.
Newcomers include British billionaire S. P. Hinduja, singer Harry Styles and Tottenham MP David Lammy whilst Dragons’ Den tycoon Tej Lalvani and West Ham United Football Club’s CEO Baroness Karren Brady all made a debut on the list.
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Damian Scheduled for Annual BGC Charity Day – Sept 4, 2019
Charity 9/11 Fundraising Event
by Alice Scarsi | Daily Express | September 3, 2019
According to the Daily Express, Damian is scheduled to attend a charitable event to raise funds and pay tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terror attack with a host of A-listers including Prince Harry and Tom Hardy. If that’s the case, Damian will have a busy September 11, as he’s also scheduled to attend his Damian Lewis: Spy Wars advanced screening and Q&A that evening.
It will be the 18th anniversary of the devastating September 11 terror attacks in the US. The Duke of Sussex has also been confirmed among the guests of the BGC Charity Day 2019, an event organised by global brokerage and financial technology company BGC. The BGC event will take place at the trading floor at BGC Partners in Canary Wharf, London.
Other charity ambassadors attending include Tinie Tempah, Common, Tim Peake, Alan Carr, Harry Kane, Mauricio Pochettino, Eion Morgan, Frank Bruno, David Haye, Gabby Logan and Jamie Redknapp.
Shaun D. Lynn, President of BGC Partners, said the charitable event is taking place on September 11 to remember BGC’s 658 colleagues and the 61 Eurobrokers employees who died in the terror attacks.
Read the rest of the original article at Daily Express
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Damian Makes 2019’s London Power 100 List – March 1, 2019
Damian Ranks #46 on London Power 100 List
by Newsdesk | Film News | March 1, 2019
The new London Power 100 was published today. Actors, actresses and producers made up 20% of the list which shines an alternative spotlight on the key movers and shakers amongst London’s elite.
London Power 100 President Nicholas Taylor explained the list and how it was decided: “After months of deliberating and research the list has collated the top 100 power players worth knowing in London.”
Major stars such as Idris Elba, Daniel Kaluuya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris, Tom Hiddleston, Keira Knightley, Letitia Wright, Noel Clarke, Thandie Newton and Jourdan Dunn joined veteran Londoners Sir Michael Caine, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Barbara Windsor and Dame Joan Collins on the list, which also features royalty, politicians, restauranteurs and business leaders.
Commenting on the film industry’s prominence on the list, Nicholas Taylor said, “film is an industry in which Britain is a world leader – our actors and filmmakers are amongst the very best on the planet and I am delighted to see this diverse, all-encompassing sector so well represented. London is and always has been the very centre of the British Film Industry and the list reflects that with Londoners covering every aspect of the movie industry from the stars of billion dollar Hollywood blockbusters to homegrown independent films.”
Read the rest of the original article at Film News
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Happy National Love Your Red Hair Day, Damian! – Nov 5, 2018
The Redhead Club
by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | November 5, 2018
Happy National Love Your Red Hair Day! Who comes to mind when you think of red hair? Lucille Ball? Prince Harry? Jessica Chastain? Not around here! We can think of no one else but Damian Lewis when it comes to red hair. Damian is one of the most recognizable redheads in the entertainment business, and he’s proud of it! Even James Corden, host of The Late Late Show, agrees that Damian is one of the world’s most famous redheads at 2:23 in:
We fans celebrate Damian everyday, but it’s also special to celebrate one of his most identifiable traits, that flaming red hair, with the rest of the world today! BAFTA LA didn’t miss out on the fun today either, tweeting this to Damian:
.@lewis_damian is outstanding for many reasons; He's a risk taker in the New Age of TV, excels at his craft and spends his downtime spreading awareness for various causes. But his biggest achievement is being the face of a very important community:The Gingers! #NationalRedheadDaypic.twitter.com/JudoOV6Ick
As The Independent explains, from fiery copper to strawberry blonde and deep burgundy, whatever your shade, today is a day for redheads to celebrate their tresses. And by red hair, we mean TRUE red hair, right Damian? No fake redheads allowed!
National Love Your Red Hair Day is celebrated every year on November 5 in the U.S. and May 19 in the UK. The day is also celebrated in the Netherlands on the first weekend of September in the city of Breda. Called Roodharigendag, the two-day festival, which inaugurated in 2005, is attended by thousands of people with natural red hair. No matter where you are in the world, there is a day dedicated to celebrating the beauty of ginger locks.
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on If Damian Had Billions, He’d Spend it on Immunotherapy- March 16, 2018
Parade Interview: From Coloring Books, Private Jets and a House in the South of France to Immunotherapy and Billions
by Walter Scott | Parade | March 16, 2018
What are Axe and Chuck fighting about?
There’s a clear moral vision, which is a libertarian one represented by Axe, who believes in the free market; and the moral position by Chuck that no one should be able to amass that much wealth, that [wealth like that] in itself is an immoral act. They both happen to be the best at what they do, and [being] king of the castle is important to both.
If you had that kind of money, how would you spend it?
Immunotherapy trials. A lot of it would go to charity, but I’d definitely have a private jet to avoid [the hassles] at the airports, and a house in the South of France.
Have you made red hair cool?
Red hair was always cool! In Britain, some redheads get teased as youngsters. I avoided it, mostly. I was lucky because I played sports. I’m going to recommend a coloring book called Colour Me Good Ginger. It’s filled with all your famous redheads, and I’m on the cover. Buy this book, and then go and buy an orange felt tip. You only need one color, orange, and then you paint us all in orange. It’s Ed Sheeran, Julianne Moore and Prince Harry, we’re all in there.
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on The Red Revolution: What it Really Means to Have Crimson Locks – Feb 12, 2018
New Book Celebrates All Things Ginger
by Murray Scougall | The Sunday Post | February 12, 2018
Source: Getty Images – Photo by Frederick M. Brown
Despite just 2% of the world’s population having crimson locks, they are over-represented in high-profile public roles.
But it might be too soon for them to have the last laugh, as it’s feared the redhead gene could die out by 2060.
A new book, Ginger Pride – A Red-Headed History Of The World, examines what makes red hair so special – and confirms they really are a unique breed.
“It started off as a look at historical figures with red hair, as I noticed there was a bit of a trend,” explained author and “proud ginger” Tobias Anthony.
“But I decided to widen it to look at other topics.
“One aspect I was really intrigued by was the myth-making, like accusations of being vampires and witches centuries ago.
“Redheads play a hand in almost every aspect of the world as we know it, from Vikings to royalty (by the time Queen Elizabeth I passed, Britain had seen 138 consecutive years of redheads on the throne) to medicine.
Damian Lewis said, “The redhead stock is very high at the moment. This might be a unique moment in recent history, redheads everywhere are doing well – Prince Harry, Ed Sheeran, Julianne Moore, me, Lily Cole.”
“I think once you have this type of myth and aura connected to ginger hair, there’s some attraction to it. There is something that makes you stand out and seems to captivate people in a certain way and it makes sense to want to ride on the coat-tails of that.”
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Written By GingersnapComments Off on Designing His Own Philanthropy, Part 1 – May 11, 2017
Designing His Own Philanthropy, Part 1
by Lynda – guest blogger for Fan Fun With Damian Lewis – May 11, 2017
Part I of Lynda’s detailed survey into Damian’s generous heart. In case you missed Part II, it is here.
Lynda, one of Fan Fun With Damian Lewis’ first and constant supporters, has been a consultant working with charitable families, foundations and trusts throughout the U.S. for more than 25 years. We are extremely thrilled to have her as a guest blogger putting her expertise to work in a survey about our favorite actor’s philanthropic efforts.
Philanthropy, a word derived from ancient Greek roots, means love of humanity. In modern terms, it is the act of promoting the welfare of others through charitable donations and charitable acts.
GIVE and GET are two critical commandments in the world of philanthropy. Philanthropists GIVE their money plus their time, often rolling up their sleeves to undertake physical, onsite work days on behalf of a cause important to them, whether building a house or needed playground or making an educational film or counseling young aspiring entrepreneurs. It is impossible for any one person or one family to give to all of the worthwhile charities in the world. So, people have to ask themselves, “What issues or challenges are important to me and my family?” Strategic giving involves setting charitable priorities and selecting recipients wisely through vetting and paring down. Some philanthropists sponsor fundraising events – luncheons, banquets, galas, marathon runs – that “get” or encourage others to give. And public figures can also lend their celebrity to make meaningful contributions to charitable causes. In doing so, they can GET others to donate money, time and effort. In the case of Damian Lewis, he has mastered so many of these generous strategies.
We cannot speak to the sums of money that Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory have donated to charities in the U.K., the US and internationally. We can only assume that their pounds and dollars support the organizations to which they have given their time and for which they have solicited dollars and time from their friends, their fans, and the public. And, although I tried several times during my recent London trip to get Damian to tell us for this Fan Fun post about his charitable priorities and his family traditions of giving (to no avail on the mini-interview front, I’m sorry to say), we can look at the recipients of his generosity over the years to infer some of his philanthropic priorities.
Source: Sohana Research Fund
One prominent example, which we follow regularly on this blog, is how Damian has brought his celebrity – his visibility – to Sohana Research Fund. A “rare disease” needs the help of a celebrity to shine a light on the cause and to help raise funds for needed medical research and treatment. In February 2012, as a celebrity supporter of the Fund, Damian went to Number 10 Downing Street as part of ICAP Charity Day. Damian became a patron of the Sohana Fund in 2013. He explained:
“My children are at the school Sohana went to and we became good friends with her. I wanted to help so I became Patron of the Sohana Research Fund which raises money for stem cell research and gene therapy for kids with the condition.” (Mirror UK, February 22, 2015 updated)
Most recently, Damian named Sohana Collins as the living person he most admires.
In February 2015, Damian made a straightforward explanatory video about recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB or EB), interviewing leading research scientist Professor John McGrath of Kings College London. This informative video is found on the website of Sohana Research Fund and is used by the organization at its fundraising events.
