On today’s episode of the “Daily Variety” podcast, “The Studio” star Ike Barinholtz talks about his grueling campaign to raise money for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. We then look back at the birth of MPTF, which was featured on the pages of Vintage Variety.
Barinholtz shares that the task of slapping backs and raking in donations is easily done with multiple hyphenations. “I don’t know what that says about my personality, but I have no problem standing on stage with a microphone and pointing at someone and guiltily handing them a few extra bucks,” Barinholtz says.
It was a very personal connection that led Barinholtz to volunteer with MPTF, which operates a nursing home in Woodland Hills and provides medical and financial assistance to industry workers of all ages. He is the head of MPTF’s Act 2 campaign, which aims to raise a six-figure donation for naming and gifting rights to cottages and apartments on the Lou Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills.
“I’ve been hearing about them bit by bit for years. They have a party every year before the Oscars, the night before the Emmys. And I went to one of those parties and found out a little bit about what they do. And a few years ago, I… ‘s beloved cousin Michelle Rifkin, a longtime author and WGA member, has sadly since passed away. Like many people in this industry, she needed help in her final moments,” Barinholtz says.
“And she contacted the MPTF, and the MPTF was there. She actually spent some time in the residence. So, after I found out exactly what they were doing, I said to (MPTF leaders) Courtney Bailey and Bob (Baycher), ‘What do you want from me? What can I do for you guys?'” he says. “And I learned that it’s more than just housing. The MPTF exists for the people in our business. And they came to me this year and said, ‘Hey, we’re starting the Second Act program, so would you want to join the board?’ I couldn’t say yes right away. ”
The episode also features a vintage Variety segment that looks back at Variety’s coverage of the MPTF from its early days, when Mary Pickford, Jean Hersholt and other leaders of the industry’s golden era helped found an institution that still supports showbiz every day. Whatever you do, don’t let Louis B. Mayer down.
A back page ad in the December 2, 1940 issue of Daily Variety had a direct message to the industry about the importance of supporting the Fund, which was the predecessor to the Motion Picture and Television Fund.
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