THE GREEN & GOLD OSCARS -- "AND THE NOMINEES ARE..." (PT2)

If charitable works are part of the price of celebrity, there’s a three-way split between those who believe their ‘art’ is their sole obligation (like O’Toole and Arkin, perhaps?), those who recognize they must do something (Eddie Murphy & Mark Wahlberg, say) and those who throw themselves into it, whether soul-heartedly, or for pr, or both -- like DiCapiro & Will Smith. We’re not picking winners, or losers, but some thought went into representing the level of commitment to be found in the philanthropic resumes that follow.

So, in the category of Best Actress, the nominees are…

Penelope Cruz, Volver - She’s worked on (RED), fighting Aids in Africa, the ONE campaign, and given her photos and time to The Art of Elysium which encourages artists to dedicate the product of their talent to children battling serious medical conditions. She spent a week working for Mother Teresa assisting in a leprosy clinic which inspired her to start a foundation to support homeless girls in India and donate her salary from a film to the Mother’s foundation.

Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal – She works on behalf of Epilepsy Action and the Neurofibromatosis Association, and has backed the North West Cancer Research Fund, signing up to a national campaign aimed at raising the public's awareness about leaving money to charity. She’s helped Mencap, a charity supporting people with learning disabilites, The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation also in the UK, been the spokesperson for a campaign for Women Against Lung Cancer and helped the Karuna Trust which worked with some of India's most disadvantaged people. This not all-inclusive list appears to be only what she has done the last 5 years or so.

Helen Mirren, The Queen – She’s campaigned with Oxfam against the small arms trade, having addressed the U.N., and she's worked with Action Aid to stop the Asian sex slave trade. Mirren took part in One Knight Only, a benefit for the Asian Tsunami Appeal.

Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada – Oh, lord. It's alphabetical on a fan website. She’s worked for the ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETRY , on ARTS FOR AMNESTY, with ACT which offers assistance to victims of domestic violence, the ARTS & EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP, the CENTER FOR HEALTH AND THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT, the CHILDREN'S HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION, the CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (part of the American Paralysis Association), CLOTHES OFF OUR BACK, CONNECTICUT FARMLAND TRUST , DISCOVER JERSEY ARTS, ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION, EQUALITY NOW (Human Rights of Women), GLOBAL RELEAF for American Forests, the HOLE IN THE WALL GANG (therapeutic drama for 800 seriously ill children), IT ALL STARTS WITH NEWSPAPERS, JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, MOTHERS & OTHERS, NET AID, READING IS FUNDAMENTAL, SAVE THE MUSIC, SCENIC HUDSON, THE GRACE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION… Somebody stop this woman!

Kate Winslet, Little Children – Kate has helped the Helen & Douglas House charity providing respite and end of life care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions, the National Literacy Trust and been a patron of Family Haven, a pre-school supportive day centre in Gloucestershire. There are many one-time donations of Kate-crafted objects she has given to charities.

Coming Soon, Part 3, the Best Supporting Actresses and perhaps a look at the Best Director nominees…