Celebrity Auctions

Celebrities in Crisis Mode

Some of the more popular celebrity auctions in recent years have helped those affected by natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Indonesia tsunami in 2004.

Hurricane Katrina Relief

One of the costliest and deadliest hurricanes in history, Katrina devastated much of New Orleans, Louisiana and several areas of Mississippi and Florida on August 29, 2005. Nearly 80 percent of New Orleans was under water and close to 2,000 people died. Tens of thousands were left homeless. Celebrity auctions to benefit this disaster included:

• Jamie Foxx held a party and auction that raised more than $600,000 for relief efforts.
• Matthew McConaughey sponsored an eBay auction of his 1971 Chevy Corvette -- a Mediterranean Blue Stingray. It sold for $61,600.
• Pamela Anderson and Stella McCartney donated personal items for an auction to raise money for pets caught in the hurricane.
• Paris Hilton and actor Colin Farrell were on the auction block for an event sponsored by Foxx. Farrell went for $20,000 and Hilton received a bid of $200,000.

Tsunami Relief

On December 26, 2004, an earthquake in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Indonesia created a wave of tsunamis that killed more than 175,000 people and left thousands without homes. Cities in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand were destroyed in seconds. Fund-raisers to help this cause included:

• The Tonight Show host Jay Leno auctioned a Harley-Davidson motorcycle signed by various celebrity guests. This raised $760,095.
• Ellen DeGeneres sponsored an eBay auction for a car donated by Toyota, raising more than $31,000 in tsunami relief. She also raised more than $1 million for the relief effort by sponsoring different companies on her talk show.
• Sirius radio held an eBay auction rallying top athletic memorabilia. Athletes included:
  • Lance Armstrong
  • Kerri Walsh
  • Tony Hawk
  • Kelly Slater

Celebrity Auctions to Benefit Other Causes

Many celebrities use their "star power" to help raise funds for charities. They include children's hospitals, families at-risk and public school programs, to name a few.

Clothes Off Our Back

Mariah Carey autographs her "Celebrity Legs of a Godess," which were auctioned off to help the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

Numerous worldwide children's charities benefit from Clothes Off Our Back: Celebrity Clothing Auctions. This non-profit organization hosts celebrity auctions that showcase celebrity attire. It was founded by actress Jane Kaczmarek and actor/philanthropist Bradley Whitford. In March 2007, Clothes Off Our Back will feature dresses worn in the Max Factor Salutes Hollywood Fashion Show, which was held March 15, 2007. They include celebrity attire worn by:

• Carmen Electra
• Kristin Cavallari
• Kristen Bell
• Denise Richards
• Olivia Wilde
• Allison Sweeney

Past events included the 2007 Spring Award Show Auction, Celebrity Signed iPod Nanos Auction and the Deal or No Deal Dress Auction. Upcoming celebrity auctions will feature clothing from Los Angeles Fashion Week and attire from former American Idol contestants.

Minwax Celebrity Chair Auction

In December 2006, the Minwax Chairs for Charity auction on eBay featured six celebrity-designed and autographed chairs. The auction benefited Furnish a Future, New York City's only free furniture bank, which was established in 1992. In 2005, the auction raised more than $150,000. Celebrity chairs in the 2006 auction were featured by:

• Michael Bloomberg with Jamie Drake
• Members of the New York Giants
• Mariah Carey with Mario Buatta
• Meredith Vieira with Chris Madden
• NASCAR's Elliott Sadler
• Venus Williams

Children's Hospice Coalition

Actress Melissa Gilbert, together with OurStory.com sponsored a celebrity auction on eBay in November 2006. All of the proceeds benefited Children's Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition and its goal to improve care for critically ill children. Items up for auction included:

• Andy Warhol limited screen print of John Wayne
• Desperate Housewives autographed script and swag
• Lunch date with Mandy Moore
• Alias memorabilia autographed by Jennifer Garner
• Tom Hanks autographed DaVinci Code poster and DVD

Additional Celebrity Auctions

Nicolette Sheridan helped host the "Celebrity Live and Silent Auction" to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims.

Other celebrity auctions to benefit national or international charities have included:

• Celebrity-designed lunch boxes, sponsored by NOGGIN children's television, supportedFirst Book, a program that provides books to children from low-income families.
• Sleep Like a Star Charity Auction, sponsored by Select Comfort, auctioned dozens of beds autographed by celebrities to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.
• Sneakers designed by singer Eminem were auctioned for the Marshall Mathers Foundation and the NineMillion.org campaign.
• Victoria's Secret models auctioned their wigs to help Free Arts NYC, a non-profit group that helps abused and neglected children.
• Scarlett Johansson signed an Arena Football League jersey to benefit Project H.O.M.E. in Philadelphia.

Owning a Piece of the Promised Land

Most everyone wants to own a piece of Hollywood -- whether it's an original movie script, a dress worn by an Oscar-winning actress or even a piece of Britney Spears' hair. Many of these kinds of auctions can be found on a daily basis on eBay, but it's important to know if you are being hoaxed. Most "real" Hollywood-related items come with a certificate of authenticity, and a true celebrity auction will have a corporate sponsor.

Online Resources

• Look to the Stars
• Traders Trade
• Auction Aid