Secluded Stars: Celebs go 'All in Illinois,' Jeff Garlin chats online
Stars with suburban connections are doing their part to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are promoting social distancing via public service announcements, or fundraising for charities from home.
Stars of state
Celebrities with Illinois ties are part of a statewide campaign promoting social distancing and stay-at-home measures. It's titled "All in Illinois," and features more than 45 stars from the worlds of music, sports, politics and acting in short online videos.
"Chicago Fire" star and Naperville native David Eigenberg offers a succinct message, while "Veep" alum and former Darien resident Matt Walsh unconvincingly tries to pass himself off a member of the Chicago Bears practice squad in his video.
Furry (and feathered) friends get airtime as well.
Dolton native and "Glee" star Jane Lynch appears with her dog Bernice. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, meanwhile, shares the spotlight with penguins on a field trip of Chicago's Shedd Aquarium.
The "All in Illinois" videos are at EnjoyIllinois.com.
Garlin shots
One gregarious celebrity who declined the "All in Illinois" campaign is Morton Grove native Jeff Garlin. But the star of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Goldbergs" is in favor of social distancing.
"Do I think you should? Yeah, but I ain't the guy to tell you," Garlin said. "Listen to the doctors. Listen to the experts. Listen to your governors."
Garlin's quote came from a recent online interview series called "#StayHomeWithLeica." His episode, "Jeff Garlin - Big Bowl of Wonderful," is a deep dive into Garlin's love of photography and his recent exhibit at the Leica Gallery in Los Angeles.
Garlin talks about capturing shots of fellow comedians such as John Mulaney, Sarah Silverman and former Naperville resident Bob Odenkirk. He also shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes about TV stars Larry David, Ted Danson and Christie Brinkley.
Many of the prints are on sale at leicagalleryla.com. Garlin's portion of the profits go to a cancer charity.
'Chuck' confab
Glen Ellyn native Ryan McPartlin, aka Captain Awesome in "Chuck," recently took part in a reunion of the NBC spy series that ran from 2007 to 2012. The Entertainment Weekly-sponsored online gathering was a fundraiser for Feeding America's COVID-19 Response Fund, and collected more than $77,000. "#Chuck fans are AWESOME!!!" McPartlin tweeted.