Jackie Robinson’s contributions highlighted at ‘42’ premiere, Countless stars were on-hand for the premiere of the Jackie Robinson biopic ”42” at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles Tuesday and it was Jackie Robinson and his contributions to the game of baseball and the world that was on their minds.
Onlookers crowded the sidewalks on both sides of Hollywood Boulevard to try to catch a peak at their favorite celebrity at the premiere – and there were many.
Athletes and actors took to the carpet to talk about how Robinson's story inspired them.
Laila Ali, former professional boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali, said of Robinson, “There’s not many men that would have the courage to play the game at the time that he did, you know it wasn’t easy because there’s going to be people there who obviously are not happy that you’re having this opportunity and are going to try to stop you.”
She added, “Trust me, if it was me, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”
Harrison Ford, who plays Branch Rickey, said he was “delighted” to be a part of the film and that it gives young people a chance to, “understand what it was like to walk in Jackie Robinson’s shoes and perhaps understand that it is each succeeding generation’s opportunity and obligation to help perfect the American ambitions.”
Former “Who’s The Boss” and “Charmed” star Alyssa Milano also felt the story was something younger people needed to see, saying of Robinson and his wife, “The younger generations just have no clue the sacrifice and the struggle that they made.”
Sharonda L. Britton, Director of Marketing for Wal-Mart, said the chain chose to be a major supporter of the film after being inspired by Robinson’s story and finding it synonymous with their values.
“It’s really the story that’s a part of our core values and we wanted to be a part of sharing that story with the nation,” she said.
“42” is the second about the life of Robinson, the first of which “The Jackie Robinson Story", premiered in 1950 and starred Robinson himself.
“42” opens nationwide Friday April 12.
Onlookers crowded the sidewalks on both sides of Hollywood Boulevard to try to catch a peak at their favorite celebrity at the premiere – and there were many.
Athletes and actors took to the carpet to talk about how Robinson's story inspired them.
Laila Ali, former professional boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali, said of Robinson, “There’s not many men that would have the courage to play the game at the time that he did, you know it wasn’t easy because there’s going to be people there who obviously are not happy that you’re having this opportunity and are going to try to stop you.”
She added, “Trust me, if it was me, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”
Harrison Ford, who plays Branch Rickey, said he was “delighted” to be a part of the film and that it gives young people a chance to, “understand what it was like to walk in Jackie Robinson’s shoes and perhaps understand that it is each succeeding generation’s opportunity and obligation to help perfect the American ambitions.”
Former “Who’s The Boss” and “Charmed” star Alyssa Milano also felt the story was something younger people needed to see, saying of Robinson and his wife, “The younger generations just have no clue the sacrifice and the struggle that they made.”
Sharonda L. Britton, Director of Marketing for Wal-Mart, said the chain chose to be a major supporter of the film after being inspired by Robinson’s story and finding it synonymous with their values.
“It’s really the story that’s a part of our core values and we wanted to be a part of sharing that story with the nation,” she said.
“42” is the second about the life of Robinson, the first of which “The Jackie Robinson Story", premiered in 1950 and starred Robinson himself.
“42” opens nationwide Friday April 12.
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