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A sold-out crowd of more than 600 people at Nyack High School welcomed actor Alec Baldwin Saturday night for a discussion of his career in a benefit supporting local arts groups.
Known for big titles such as The Departed and 30 Rock, this Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor took questions from the audience and chatted with Elliot Forrest of Upper Nyack, artistic director of ArtsRock.
ArtsRock was one of two Nyack non-profits that this benefit guest appearance was held for. The other was Art Angels — both encourage arts in the local schools. Arts Angels is the umbrella group for all-volunteer parent organizations that boost drama, music and arts in the Nyack school district.
The discussion on the stage in the Nyack High School auditorium in Upper Nyack began with the two reflecting on Baldwin’s early career.Baldwin spoke about never thinking about fame when he started out, just trying to get the next role, get scripts and roles that were respected and of quality.
Forrest and Baldwin originally met several years ago through Creative Coalition, a political advocacy committee made up of actors and actresses. They stayed in touch and when Baldwin volunteered to speak with Rockland artists, he stopped by Nyack in 2008. Saturday was his second Nyack visit.
The discussion turned from Baldwin and focused on aspiring artists of all kinds in this generation.
Now is the time to take chances
“I had one year to go in college when I decided to change and focus on acting and I knew then that it was the time in my life that I would be able to take this kind of chance," Baldwin said. "When I mention this during a speech, I often get 10,000 parents staring back at me shaking their heads.”
They talked about a wide variety of topics, such as a possible ending of the popular sitcom 30 Rock, the scandalous phone call that was released between he and his daughter, and the possibility of spending a year or so on Broadway.
“As of now, I’m under the impression that after next year, it’s over,” Baldwin said, referring to 30 Rock. “I can’t speak for (the rest of the cast), but I think everyone wants to go on and try something else.”
The main point of the evening’s discussion between Forrest and Baldwin was the need to keep and return the arts of all kinds to public schools. Especially in such financially lean times, sometimes the arts are the first thing that people are willing to give up.
“In times like these, for many people with the means to donate, they still want to donate to their alma mater or health-related organizations and the arts is often forgotten about,” said Baldwin.
“You never know which art student is going to be the next Alec Baldwin or Edward Hopper (Nyack HS graduate and famed artist), so we need to keep the arts in our public schools,” said Forrest.
To help the evening fundraiser at Nyack High School, Baldwin donated his time for the event.
Richard Kavesh
8:56 pm on Sunday, March 20, 2011
I've never seen an episode of "30 Rock," and my favorite Baldwin performance is "The Hunt for Red October" (which certainly dates me), but I'm real grateful he donated his time to benefit these terrific causes.
Chris Braun
12:00 am on Monday, March 21, 2011
One thing you have to admit about Alec Baldwin-He does his lions share of giving back to the community and charities. The George Clooneys and Alec Baldwins of the world talk the talk and walk the walk.....Good for him.
Chauncy Tillinghast
10:22 am on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Didn't he curse at his own child in a phone tirade. Baldwin is scary and volatile. Colony is a left wing dingbat.
Scott Walters
10:51 am on Monday, March 21, 2011
Too bad no one asked about why he lied when he said he would leave the country if George Bush got elected. He may walk the walk on some things, but merely talks out of both sides of his mouth on others.
Chris Braun
11:48 am on Monday, March 21, 2011
Scott....in all fairness Alec supposedly made that comment to his ex-wife Kim Basinger who later repeated it to some hack. Not exactly a statement from the pulpit :) One last point- Bush shouldn't have beat Gore - Florida made the famous Chicago elections look like a fair deal.
Alec, although somewhat bombastic at times is smart, fair and cares about the right things. When the middle class feels like it is being treated fairly and truly is....It is a time of positive growth in our great country.
Scott Walters
9:30 am on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
@ Chris.
1) It was Sir Alec himself who said this on Conan's old show. Here is confirming linkage:
http://www.tressugar.com/Alec-Baldwin-Coming-Election-Near-You-1614884 or http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2000/10/16/escaping-from-bush-in-canada-peveryone/
2) Three major newspapers, including the NYT, went through and did their own recounts of FL in 2000 and found that GWS would have won regardless, so the accusation of Bush not winning holds no water. Here is linkage to this:
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-a-2001-11-12-4-Newspaper-66411902.html?moddate=2001-11-12
As well, one person's idea of the 'right' things may not be another person's idea of the same. We need to be able to treat everyone with respect. Life is not fair, so we cannot expect to be treated fairly. My background will indicate many times of not being treated fairly. If I am treated respectfully, then that's just the breaks. We cannot all be equal, or else it would be boring.
Scott Walters
9:31 am on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Should be GWB, not GWS...sorry
Chris Braun
11:34 am on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
@Scott & @Chauncy.....Obviously I have no idea if either of you have children but if you do you may reach for your empathy beads. Every once in a blue moon you say something to them that comes out as horrific, mean spirited and harsh. You know it as soon as you hear the echo of the words. I have 15 and 18 year old daughters-both great children, mature and sweet beyond my parenting. It happens-I've said nasty things that I regret-I apologize, change my verbiage and move on. Maybe not as dramatic as Baldwins' on tape for the world to hear. He made a terrible mistake (went into a depression over it) and has since become (from all accounts) close to his daughter again.
Scott, you are obviously thoughtful and thorough in your anti-Baldwin research. But if you cite some other sources than "Pop-Sugar" you may see that Alec is a man of the people-meaning a blue collar upbringing chap, did well for himself...who still cares and wants to help the regular "Joe".
Chauncy Tillinghast
12:19 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Baldwin is a political activist that made comments about President Bush that I would not repeat here for the sake of civility. Your comments about the election have been debunked. Trying to defend his comments he made about his daughter is crazy. The guy is a volitile left wing dingbat.
Chris Braun
1:32 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Chauncy kind sir....If I could tell Alec anything it would be this quote from the Daily Word "Humility is a great defense against humiliation.."
That said, I'm not defending his comments against daughter I'm just saying "Let the one who has not sinned cast the first stone"....that's all.
As far as Bush....I admit I am a Democrat (probably more moderate than Mr. Baldwin) but I was almost embarrassed to call him my President for the good part of his run. I realize Republicans have to stick up for their guy...But c'mon. George W was a buffoon for the most part....On the other hand, I thought his Father was a decent to good President.
Chauncy Tillinghast
2:33 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
It is ok to have an opinion but when you distort the facts like you did before about his election you should admit you were were wrong and deceitful and move on.
Chris Braun
2:42 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
" you should admit you were wrong and deceitful and move on".....Whoa Chauncy....step back my man : ).... this is what I wrote...
"Bush shouldn't have beat Gore - Florida made the famous Chicago elections look like a fair deal." Stand by that to my dying day...Florida was a mis-run , mis-managed and shaky post election tally at best....
I would think any Republican would try to cut ties with that point in History...because it certainly was not a shining moment for this country.
This all started with Alec Baldwin...He has said some things over the years that probably were too strong and might spin your head....But, I truly believe he has leadership qualities and good ideas to bring our Middle class back. Even for the upper crust, a strong middle class is good for the economy and our country.
Chauncy Tillinghast
2:47 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
YOU said the election was fixed and it was debunked. You were dishonest and deceitful and you should apologize.
Chris Braun
3:14 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Chauncy.....did you work on that election for the Republican Party : ) I'm just sayin....Don't put words in my mouth....everything said is on this thread...
Me thinks you protest to much....Alec Baldwin for President in 2020-there I said it!
Scott Walters
5:05 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
@Chris...do not paint me with tyhe brush you painted Chauncy with, as I never mentioned the tirade on the phone, which is, while unkind and all, personal business.
If you think Alec Baldwin should become President, then I'll leave the country if he does...There, I said it!!!!
Warts and all, GWB looks so much better than BHO I can hardly keep myself from laughing and crying at the same time. At least when GWB was President, I was working (as a teacher), but I'm not now...and the prospects look bleak.
Chris Braun
5:14 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Scott, love your spirit and wit. Sorry to hear about the job front....I must admit I voted for Barack and have been disappointed so far. But, Mccain-although a war hero and genuinely a respectful man was not The President of the United States.
I think it's a sad state when the people we do get tossed at us to vote for seem less than ideal. I'm going to hold you President Baldwin's ascension to the office :) Be well....Best of luck with the job front.
One of my big problems with the Republicans is all the $ spent on defense when a small fraction of that $ could pay for qualified teachers who are also real heroes in our country.
Scott Walters
5:25 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
@ Chris, simply put, get ride of waste fraud and duplication of services and there will be so much money jaws wil need to be scraped off the floor. Government in ALL areas needs to be leaner, something I would never envision in a Baldwin administration....
Chris Braun
5:28 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
When I knew him at NYU 79-80...he was pretty lean : ) Maybe not as much nowadays...
His Dad was a very respected teacher on Long Island...by the way....Teachers unite!
Scott Walters
9:59 am on Monday, April 4, 2011
@Chris. Good to see that Alec there is a man of the people...especially in those new ads for CAPITOL ONE BANK...LOL Hypocrisy in action for sure....little guy my......as I didn't hear he was donating his fee for promoting a BANK to a cause, worthy or otherwise...:):)
Chris Braun
11:07 am on Monday, April 4, 2011
@Scott...Why is Alec representing Capitol One Bank considered hypocrisy? He is the front man for a bank/credit card and it's benefits to prospective customers. I'm in Advertising and believe it's a well done/effective commercial.
If the fact that Alec is getting paid startles you....I have no problem with that...He will someday need a lot of money to run for President to be ABLE to help the regular Joe....BUT check out this attachment and find out what Alec is actually doing with the money-then make out a check to one of Alec's favorite charities : )
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704396904576227023423795528.html
Scott Walters
11:12 am on Monday, April 4, 2011
@Chris...I'll make a check out to one of my favorite charities, once I get a job....you hiring?
I'm not denying the star power or anything like that, but, if a person is a man of the people, the last thing he'd be shilling, in my humble opinion, is services from a bank....