Today's Hottest Celebrities Team Up With The Muppets for Charity

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrities such as Robert DeNiro, Quentin Tarantino and Jennifer Garner have joined forces with the Muppets to creatively design vintage T-shirts in honor of the world's most loveable Frog's 50th Anniversary. The celebrity-designed tees will be unveiled at the apparel trade show MAGIC, held in Las Vegas in late August and will be auctioned off on DisneyAuctions.com with proceeds benefiting Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

"I'm thrilled to team up with the biggest hunk in Hollywood, Kermit the Frog, to help such a deserving cause as Childrens Hospital Los Angeles," said Alias star Jennifer Garner.

"This initiative is one of the first in a number that will honor Kermit's 50 years in entertainment. We could think of nothing more appropriate for Kermit's anniversary than supporting Childrens Hospital Los Angeles with these celebrities," said Chris Curtin, general manager and vice president, The Muppets Holding Company, LLC.

Participants range from actors such as Virginia Madsen to TV celebrities such as Kelly Ripa and Eva Longoria to sports superstar Tony Hawk. Each person will develop their own signature one-of-a-kind tee in honor of the frog. They will be showcased in a special display at MAGIC beginning Monday, August 29, and an online auction will be held from August 29 to September 8, allowing MAGIC attendees and fans around the globe the chance to own these one-of-a-kind Muppets tees. Visit http://www.disneyauctions.com/ to start the bidding.

"We are delighted with the reaction that the Muppets are getting from some of the top fashion boutiques around the world, and we are proud to be able to team up with today's stars to do something special for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles," said Jim Calhoun, executive vice president, Disney Consumer Products.

Twice a year, MAGIC occupies nearly one million square feet of exhibit space and attracts over 95,000 attendees from around the world. Buyers and sellers of men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories converge in Las Vegas for one of the most influential business events in the fashion industry. This year's charity partner is Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. For additional information on MAGIC, visit http://www.magiconline.com/.

About The Muppets

The Muppets deliver smiles and laughter to the world through heartwarming characters and stories inspired by the art of puppetry. Led by Kermit the Frog, the Muppets are a broadly appealing global franchise built on 50 years of original, award-winning entertainment that includes 44 Emmy nominations, six feature films, and "The Muppet Show" which captured over 235 million weekly viewers worldwide. The Muppets are true celebrities, with Kermit the Frog having his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the past year, under the management of The Walt Disney Company, the Muppets have been embraced by millions of people as part of a global re-launch of the beloved franchise that will culminate in the release of significant filmed entertainment projects. The Muppets will kick off the worldwide celebration of Kermit the Frog's 50th anniversary later this year. Visit http://www.muppets.com/ for more news and information.

About Muppets Holding Company

The Muppets Holding Company, LLC (MHC) is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company . MHC was established in April 2004 when The Walt Disney Company purchased the Muppets from The Jim Henson Company. MHC's mission is to ensure that this beloved, world-class brand franchise entertains audiences of all ages by leveraging Disney's best creative resources and worldwide distribution platforms. MHC plans to develop new content in all arenas, including television, feature films, music, stage plays and theme parks, and to enhance the Muppets global licensing and distribution presence.

About Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been treating the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century, and it is acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. Childrens Hospital is one of America's premier teaching hospitals, affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California for more than 73 years. It is a national leader in pediatric research.

Contact: Corie Jackson, Porter Novelli cjackson@porternovelli.com 310-444-7027