John Cusack, Joyce Piven Walk Chicago Red Carpet For ‘Grace is Gone’

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:31:59 -0600

CHICAGO – After interviewing Chicago’s John Cusack along with Gracie Bednarczyk and Shélan O’Keefe (first-time actresses and Chicago natives) for “Grace is Gone,” I camped out with the hordes of press cameras as they all walked the red carpet on Friday.

John Cusack and Shélan O’Keefe for “Grace is Gone”.
Photo by Adam Fendelman/HollywoodChicago.com
Bednarczyk and O’Keefe arrived first at 7 p.m. at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre, which is the same vintage venue for the Ben and Casey Affleck appearance on Wednesday night and where Anthony Hopkins will be on Sunday night. Cusack received a career achievement award from the Chicago International Film Festival.

John Cusack receiving a career achievement award on Oct. 12, 2007.
Photo by Adam Fendelman/HollywoodChicago.com
The surprise came with an appearance by Joyce Hiller Piven. She’s the mother of Chicago actor Jeremy Piven. With her husband, Byrne Piven, they co-founded Chicago’s Piven Theater Workshop.

Joyce Piven on Oct. 12, 2007 at the Music Box.
Photo by Adam Fendelman/HollywoodChicago.com
John Cusack, Joan Cusack and Ann Cusack (another sister) all attended the theater school. Jeremy Piven once shared an apartment with John Cusack. They’ve been longtime close friends and have shot 10 films together.

First-time Chicago stars Gracie Bednarczyk (second from the left)
and Shélan O’Keefe (second from the right) for “Grace is Gone”.
Photo by Adam Fendelman/HollywoodChicago.com

The Music Box on Oct. 12, 2007.
Photo by Adam Fendelman/HollywoodChicago.com
Stay tuned for my full interviews with Cusack, O’Keefe and Bednarczyk.

3:11 p.m. update on 10/13/07: Here’s a John Cusack portrait from the evening’s red-carpet premiere. This is being published on HollywoodChicago.com with permission from veteran Chicago celebrity photographer Joe Arce.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Film Festival to Unroll Red Carpet For John Cusack in ‘Grace is Gone’ on Friday

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:52:43 -0600

CHICAGO – If you missed Wednesday night’s red-carpet affair with Ben and Casey Affleck for “Gone Baby Gone,” you can still hit up the Music Box Theatre at 3733 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago on Friday night for John Cusack’s turn in the limelight.

John Cusack in “Grace is Gone”.
Photo courtesy of IMDb
Just like Wednesday, press will arrive at 5 p.m. on Friday and Cusack’s red carpet is scheduled for 6 p.m. That means it’ll be more like 30 to 45 minutes from then. The event is part of the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF).

This time, Cusack’s motivated to show not just for press and fans but because he’ll be receiving a Gold Hugo award for career achievement. “Grace is Gone” will be shown after the red carpet around 7 p.m.

Joining Cusack will be young Chicago first-time actresses Shelan O’Keefe and Gracie Bednarczyk. They play his two daughters in the film about losing his wife in war and what it’s like on his family in the U.S.
If you miss the night’s festivities, I’ll again be on the carpet to bring you full coverage. Also, stay tuned for Sunday night’s appearance by Anthony Hopkins. He’s the writer, director and star in “Slipstream”.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Shelan O'Keefe

John Cusack, Joyce Piven Walk Chicago Red Carpet For ‘Grace is Gone’

Film Festival to Unroll Red Carpet For John Cusack in ‘Grace is Gone’ on Friday