Person of The Year Award 2011

2011 Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year Nominees

Donate Life Hollywood Announces the 2011 Person of the Year Celebrity Nominees

The Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year Award is given annually by the organ and tissue donation community to honor individuals in the entertainment industry who have given their time and talent to raise awareness about the need for organ donation, who have given hope to those on the waiting list and to those who have inspired Americans to Donate Life.

Nominees for 2011 Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year are:
Jack Black, Grizz Chapman, Brad Ellis, Ann Lopez, and Ryan Merriman.

Please vote by selecting the person of your choice, and then click "Done" at the bottom of this page:

Please vote by selecting the person of your choice, and then click "Done" at the bottom of this page:

Jack Black - Jack is a comedian, actor and musician. He makes up one half of the comedy and satirical rock duo Tenacious D. His acting career is extensive, starring primarily as bumbling, cocky, but internally self-conscious outsiders in comedy films.

Why Jack should be Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year:
Jack Black has wowed the teens at the RSN Annual Renal Teen Prom for two years in a row, giving a raucous presentation and taking photos with as many teens as he could. His presence at the Teen Prom, where hundreds of "kidney teens" converge in Southern California every January to experience the night of their dreams, brings laughter, joy and hope to these teens who have dealt with kidney disease for most of their young lives. Since 2000, the RSN Annual Renal Teen Prom has given these young patients the opportunity to interact with their peers - some of whom will become lifelong friends - in a nonmedical setting; to learn more, CLICK HERE. In addition, Jack has helped to support “The Power of Two,” a new documentary about twin sisters Ana and Isa Stenzel, two cultures, and two new chances at life through organ transplantation; to learn more, CLICK HERE.

Grizz Chapman - Grizz Chapman, who plays Tracy Morgan's sidekick on NBC's 30 Rock, received a kidney transplant after suffering with hypertension for 13 years. The celebrity-bodyguard-turned-actor experienced kidney failure in 2008. Undergoing dialysis three times a week, Chapman – who once weighed 505 lbs. – changed his diet and began exercising to be eligible for a kidney transplant. "I didn't want to die," he says. "I wanted to live. I wanted to be with my family and wanted to see my son grow up." Chapman also has a daughter who is in the Navy.

Why Grizz should be Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year:
Grizz has been on a crusade to raise awareness of kidney disease and the effects it has on overall health. Bringing light to the early warning signs, the risk factors and the need for early detection can help prevent people from progressing to kidney failure. Grizz Chapman started Organ Angels in support of altruistic donors, and led a team of walkers in the National Kidney Foundation annual walk in downtown Manhattan and in SEVEN other NKF walks around the nation; to learn more, CLICK HERE.

Brad Ellis - Brad Ellis is best known as Brad the Pianist on Fox TV’s GLEE. Fans of the show know Ellis simply as Brad, the black-clad, mad-at-the-world blond guy who sits at the piano and never says a word. What many people don’t know is that Brad has a heart transplant and is one of the most gracious and thankful men you’ll ever meet!

Why Brad should be Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year:
Brad has been open and vocal about how his heart transplant saved his life. His honesty is refreshing in Hollywood and he likely inspired the creators of Glee to include a short scene that was basically an organ donation PSA, for which they are receiving a Donate Life Hollywood Inspire Award. Brad attended Donate Life Hollywood Film Festival’s cocktail party in 2010 to show his support for organ and tissue donation and hooked up with “The Power of Two,” a new documentary about twin sisters Ana and Isa Stenzel, two cultures, and two new chances at life through organ transplantation. Now Brad sits on their international advisory board and provides guidance and support to maximize the impact of “The Power Of Two” around the world; to learn more, CLICK HERE.

Ann Lopez - Ann Lopez has worked in a myriad of capacities in the entertainment industry. Five years in regional theater preceded her move to Los Angeles, where she appeared in more than 60 commercials. Now a television producer and actor, Ann's most recognized and respected role may never be in front of the cameras, as in 2005, she donated a kidney to her then-husband George Lopez.

Why Ann should be Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year:
Ann’s goal is to help garner national attention to organ donation, especially living donation, as well as education about prevention and screening for kidney disease. Ann helped launched The Lopez Foundation with the mission of donor awareness and helped to raise funds to support the Kidney Kids Camps. Additionally, Ann was a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California for five years. For the 2011 Donate Life Rose Parade Float, Ann was the sole living donor among the float rider contingent. Chosen as one of the float’s honorary walkers, Ann was a dynamic presence in the media, among donor families decorating memorial floragraphs of their loved ones, and as emcee of the Donate Life Float Gala. Her appearances in both English (Extra!, NBC4-Los Angeles) and Spanish (CNN en Español, La Opinion, Univision Network Pre-Parade Show) language media outlets supported the float campaign’s mission to inspire people to support organ, eye and tissue donation; to learn more, CLICK HERE.

Ryan Merriman - At twenty-eight years of age, Ryan Merriman has eighteen years of television and film experience and has developed an extensive list of film and television credits which have enabled him to work with some of Hollywood's most respected actors. His connection to organ donation comes in the form of the recently released feature film, “The 5th Quarter.” Ryan plays Jon, the brother of Luke Abbate, a 15 year old who in his untimely death was able to give the gift of life as an organ donor. Luke’s death inspired Jon to lead Wake Forest University to their first ever championship football season. This powerful film is based on the real-life story of the Abbate Family.

Why Ryan should be Donate Life Hollywood Person of the Year:
Promoting “The 5th Quarter” has become not just about the film, but about the messages that the film highlights so well. He has used his television appearances and print interviews to bring attention to the importance of organ donation. Ryan has also used his official fan site to engage his fans and to encourage them to register as organ donors; to learn more, CLICK HERE. For years Ryan has also supported the James Redford Institute for transplant awareness – both the youth program and Share the Beat; he lists JRI as one of his charities of choice; to learn more, CLICK HERE.