'Little Big League' Star Tony Todd Hosts Movie Night With Free Medical Screenings
By Kristin Myers on August 10, 2023 at 7:10 PM EDT
Tony Todd, a fixture in the Santa Monica community, is hosting a movie night in the city -- all for charity!
Tony, a well-known fixture in the celebrity world -- known for his skills in baseball and football -- is hosting a screening of "Little Big League" to promote free medical screenings.
Tony Todd To Host Charity Screening Of 'Big Little League'
Local sports legend Tony Todd is known for his skills both on and off the field, as he has done plenty of work with youth organizations in the past. This time, he is hosting a screening of "Little Big League" to promote free medical screenings provided by a local hospital. Oh ya, and he stars in the movie!
According to the Santa Monica Daily Press, Todd was actually at Marine Park when he stumbled into an audition hosted by director Rob Reiner and star Billy Crystal.
“I told them I’m probably better than everyone you got up there and then they said, ‘We’ve been hearing that all day’ … So they gave me five swings. Everyone else had 10 swings. They gave me five swings," Todd recalled. "They throw the five balls, the first four go over the fence, then the last one, they told me to run to first base. I’m not going to say I can’t run a little bit so I didn’t stop at first. I just ran all the way around.”
Todd's impressive display not only landed him a role in "Little Big League," but in other successful movies, such as "Anger Management" starring Jack Nicholson, and the "Black Panther" Marvel film series, which starred the late actor Chadwick Boseman.
Todd Is Always Happy To Give Back To The Community
Although he has gone on to have a long and successful Hollywood career, Tony Todd has never forgotten his roots. He continues to coach the Samohi baseball team and works as a mentor to local children, a tradition that he says was instilled in him by working with his own coaches.
“I lost a coach recently, James (Mac) McPherson who coached me at Santa Monica. He passed away last year. And I remember as a kid, you know, my mom and dad divorced when I was five years old and he basically took me under his wing, myself and this other guy named Aaron Brown because we were the better athletes in the area," he recalled. "But, he didn’t have much, he worked for the city, but he would just teach me how to give back and I’ve always done that. I’ve always given back to kids.”
“I just like to give back man, to the kids, because I still feel like I’m a little kid," he added. "And I just want everyone to have fun. And that’s what it’s all about, it’s just paying it forward. And I just love doing that.”
Health Screenings Will Be Provided By The Providence Medical Group
Although Tony Todd will be present at the screening to meet children and sign autographs, individuals can also get free health screenings provided by the Providence Medical Group. They will offer free hypertension screenings, colorectal cancer risk screenings, and various other tests.
The first 150 individuals to show up for the event will be provided with mats and snacks to enjoy, but everyone is welcome to bring their own snacks, drinks, and picnic blankets.
Fans can click here to get more information and free tickets to the event, which will begin at 6 PM in Virginia Avenue Park, which is located at 2200 Virginia Ave.
