Tony Goldwyn, the president in "Scandal," comes to Philly

HE PLAYS a decorated former U.S. Navy fighter pilot, a Rhodes Scholar, Harvard Law graduate and Republican President of the United States in the ABC TV series, "Scandal." But tomorrow, actor, director and producer Tony Goldwyn will be advocating for the rights of convicts on death row. Right here in Philadelphia.

Goldwyn will be at a fundraiser for the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation - a nonprofit that fights to ensure that all defendants in death-penalty cases get fair representation. It will be held at the Luxe Home Furniture Store (1308 Chestnut St.).

Sources say that Goldwyn got involved in the capital-punishment cause after he produced the TV series "The Divide," a 2014 legal drama chronicling the execution of an innocent man. It was set in Philadelphia.

Other notables expected to be at the event include O.J. Simpson defense attorney Barry Scheck, "The Fisher King" film writer Richard LaGravenese and former Gov. Ed Rendell.

GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group, will honor Emmy Award-winning talk-show host Kelly Ripa on Saturday night in the Big Apple.

Ripa, who hails from Stratford, N.J., about 15 miles southeast of Philly, will be recognized during the 26th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, in New York City.

CNN's Anderson Cooper will present Ripa with GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, which is given to media pros who've made a significant difference in promoting equality.

She'll be joining the ranks of previous winners Russell Simmons, Tyra Banks, Judy Shepard, Julianne Moore, Glenn Close, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer and Harvey Weinstein, in her promoting of equality and diversity in all forms of media.

As some may know, Ripa studied psychology at Camden County College for a short stint before dropping out and moving to New York City to pursue a career in acting. She and her husband, Mark Consuelos, are executive producers of "Secret Guide to Fabulous," a show on the gay-friendly Logo network.

A documentary film on the football team at the Promise Academy at Martin Luther King High School won the Emmy for Outstanding Sports Documentary at the 36th annual Sports Emmy Awards Tuesday night in New York City.

"We Could Be King" illustrates the impact that the young football team has in building school pride and helping fellow students through challenging times.

It portrays the high school athletes' lives both on and off the field.

"We always knew this was an exciting story to tell," said William Wade, principal of MLK Promise Academy and a prominent personality in the film.

"It still goes right along with our movement for lifting a previously frozen neighborhood," he added.

Under the direction of Coach Edward Dunn, the MLK team won its first Public League Class AAA championship last year.

The Sports Emmy recognizes outstanding achievement in sports television coverage.