The 2014 Looking Ahead Awards Event Highlights

Events & Performances

Thanks to everyone who made our inaugural fundraiser for the Looking Ahead program, the Looking Ahead Awards, an amazing event! Held on December 4 at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles, CA, the evening was a financial success and, in this age of social media, generated thousands of hits, which helped The Actors Fund raise awareness of this all-important program that helps professional young performers and their families navigate the unique challenges faced while working in entertainment. (You can still donate by visiting http://safedonate.us/lookingahead or watch red carpet and event clips on your YouTube Channel.)

 Tamera and Tia Mowry (Education Award), Western Region Director Keith McNutt, Judy Swank (Parenting Award), June Lockhart, Margaret O’Brien (Shirley Temple Award), Hilary Swank, Looking Ahead Advisory Committee Co-Chairs Sharon Lieblein and Fred Savage (Community Service Award) and SAG-AFTRA Young Performers Committee National Co-Chair Elizabeth McLaughlin.

In the photo: (l-r): Tamera and Tia Mowry (Education Award), Western Region Director Keith McNutt, Judy Swank (Parenting Award), June Lockhart, Margaret O’Brien (Shirley Temple Award), Hilary Swank, Looking Ahead Advisory Committee Co-Chairs Sharon Lieblein and Fred Savage (Community Service Award) and SAG-AFTRA Young Performers Committee National Co-Chair Elizabeth McLaughlin. 

The evening honored leaders in the former young performer community who continue to inspire everyone by living Looking Ahead Program’s core values of personal growth, education, leadership, and community service, including:

 
Two-time Academy Award® winner Hilary Swank (left) presented her mother, Judy Swank (right), with the Looking Ahead Parenting Award, now named the Judy and Hilary Swank Parenting Award.  
Academy Award® winner Margaret O’Brien (left) received the Shirley Temple Award from her longtime friend and Meet Me In St. Louis co-star June Lockhart (right).  
Academy Award® nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld (center) made a surprise appearance and awarded the first-ever Looking Ahead Community Service Award to two people who have made a tremendous difference in the lives of several thousand professional young performers in Hollywood over the past decade through their service to the Looking Ahead program: Looking Ahead Advisory Committee Co-Chairs Sharon Lieblein (left) and Fred Savage (right).
  Tia Mowry (right, from Nickelodeon’s Instant Mom) and Tamera Mowry (left, from The Real) received the Looking Ahead Education Award from their Sister Sister co-star, Emmy® award winning actress Jackée Harry (center).   Also, Elizabeth McLaughlin (National Co-Chair, SAG-AFTRA’s Young Performers Committee) accepted the Looking Ahead Social Awareness Award on behalf of Max Burkholder (NBC’s Parenthood), who was unable to attend due to his production schedule but thanked the audience via a very special taped message.   And special thanks to our Looking Ahead Awards sponsors, including:   BENEFACTORS: Nickelodeon Disney   PATRONS: Osbrink Agency Cynthia Bain’s Young Actor Studio Art Director’s Guild – Local 800 IATSE   FRIENDS:  The Williams Family SAG – AFTRA  Fred Savage   INDIVIDUAL TABLES: Darby Hinton Anonymous Nancy Wileman   For more photos visit our Facebook page!    The Actors Fund’s Looking Ahead program was created in 2003 in partnership with SAG-AFTRA to work with youth between the ages of 9 and 18, helping them develop the values, skills and confidence they need to make successful transitions to fulfilling adult lives. Now serving more than 300 youths per year, their families and alumni, the program aims to create a nurturing environment where young performers get support through individual, family and education counseling, leadership development, community service and social events. For more information, visit www.lookingaheadprogram.org.