The Cedars-Sinai of the female guild obtained a double dose of star power during its annual spring lunch at the Beverly Hills hotel thanks to a pair of high-level sisters.
On Thursday, Samuel L. Jackson and Judge Judy arrived at the Beverly Hills hotel to honor the agent of the CAA Toni Howard and his sister, author and philanthrope Wendy Howard Goldberg, with pioneer prices during a gala ceremony modified by Entertainment tonight Nischelle Turner.
The first is one of Hollywood's best known agents, and she represents Jackson, Michael Keaton, James Spader, Edie Falco, Michael Sheen, Holly Hunter, Laura Linney, Christopher Walken, Diane Lane (frequented), Goldie Hawn, Tim Robbins, Catherine O'hara, Nathan Lane and Billie Lord, among others. Howard Goldberg is a longtime member of the guild, having volunteered with the organization for more than four decades. She co-wrote the books The Blue Bloods cooking book, marry me And Hollywood moms. She is the widow of Leonard Goldberg, a network management and a film and television producer that has passed Blue Bloods, Double Jeopardy And Sleeping with the enemy with Charlie's Angels And Brian's song.
During his stay at the podium, Jackson, who previously was honored with a Hollywood icon prize from Women's Guild alongside the wife Latanya Richardson Jackson, noted how it was his third outing as a presenter during a Women's Guild event. “I don't go to the Oscars as often as I arrive at these events,” he joked. But he made good use of a repeated appearance by complimenting Howard Goldberg as “kind, generous and fearless” and saving special praise for his longtime agent.
“I can't imagine my life without her,” said Jackson about Howard. “She was my agent, friend, consiglie, someone who is to High Stakes Blackjack what Superman is for the hero comics. She has been my hero for at least 30 years. We have been together for a long time. All this money they talked about that I made, Toni started. ”
Jackson then had the honor to present Judge Judy, alias Judy Sheindlin, who moderated a conversation by the fireside with the sisters. As for Sheindlin, Jackson described it as “pioneer” for making the story with his successful television program, JudgeY, and to be the only television judge to win Emmy for more than one series. “Obviously, she is guilty of having provided us with the best possible audience television,” said Jackson, adding that he was watching his show every day in his trailer. “I would personally say that I met Judy in the Toni courtyard who smoked cigarettes when I arrived in Hollywood, and she is personally responsible for what I stop smoking. She sent me to her doctor, and when she left, she made me arrest. ”
Lynne Brookman, Diane Lane, Sharona Nazarian, Toni Howard, Wendy Goldberg and Samuel L. Jackson at the Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai Spring Lunch at Beverly Hills Hotel on May 1, 2025.
(Photo: Alex J. Berliner / Abimages)
In his speech of acceptance, Howard said that it brought him a great joy to share the scene with his sister. “When Wendy was 12 years old, our phone rings, and my sister picked him up. A passionate volunteer would go into their carefully scripted Spiel, “millions of people suffer. We would like you to give money to help find answers to fight against this devastating disease. ” She asked, “What are the symptoms?” Recalls Howard. “I guaranteed at 12, Wendy knew more about the disease than the person on the phone. I bet at 12, Wendy knew as much about illness as doctors. ”
Because of her obsession, Howard said that she often called her sister “Dr. Goldberg ”because there is rarely a day that passes that she does not ask for a diagnosis. “Wendy always has the best advice and knows the perfect person to call, whether your problem is a knee in skin or major surgery,” she added. Howard thanked Jackson and Sheindlin for supporting them during the ceremony. From the latter, Howard said, “When I met you for the first time, I wanted to sign you instantly. I could have made millions for the two of us. But it's ok, and you will never hear that of any other agent: your friendship is more precious to me than money.”
She then distinguished the female guild and the work of Cedars-Sinai health professionals for taking care of her 96-year-old husband, David Yarnell, who was hospitalized twice this year. “I was moved by the kindness and the enthusiasm shown by your staff. David likes to talk to people and no matter the work of someone, he would end up having a conversation with them. Everyone was so committed. Everyone has put such energy and such joy in their work. We literally saw them scratch a blow when they changed gear change, ”she practiced.
In his speech, Howard Goldberg recalled a favorite word taken over to the businesswoman Lynda Resnick: Resilience. “The ability to resist and recover from the difficulty, the ability to regain the form. Tenacity, ”she detailed from her definition. “The community of Los Angeles, Women's Guild and the other winners of today all brilliantly embody this quality.” She also called her sister a “real icon, a pioneer and one of the most intelligent, most lively and lasting people on the planet”.
The funds collected during the event benefit the Women's Guild Neurology project and distinguished chair of Women's Guild in pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's. Still at the event, the fashion designer Elyse Walker organized a pop-up boutique featuring articles from her brand, Elysewalker, with 10% of the benefit profits at the Guild. To date, Women's Guild has collected more than $ 70 million for Cedars-Sinai.
