Samuel L. Jackson and Judge Judy Honor Sisters Toni Howard and Wendy Howard Goldberg at Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai Luncheon

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04-05-2025

Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai got a double dose of star power at its annual spring luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel thanks to a pair of high-profile sisters.
Samuel L. Jackson and Judge Judy turned up at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Thursday to honor CAA agent Toni Howard and her sister, author and philanthropist Wendy Howard Goldberg, with Trailblazer Awards during a gala ceremony emceed by Entertainment Tonight's Nischelle Turner.
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The former is one of Hollywood's most well-known agents, and she represents Jackson, Michael Keaton, James Spader, Edie Falco, Michael Sheen, Holly Hunter, Laura Linney, Christopher Walken, Diane Lane (in attendance), Goldie Hawn, Tim Robbins, Catherine O'Hara, Nathan Lane and Billie Lourd, among others. Howard Goldberg is a long-serving member of the guild, having volunteered with the organization for more than four decades. She is the widow of Leonard Goldberg, a network executive and film and TV producer who shepherded Charlie's Angels, Broadcast News, Brian's Song and The Simpsons.
During his time at the podium, Jackson, who previously was honored with a Hollywood icon award from the Women's Guild alongside wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson, noted how it was his third outing as a presenter at a Women's Guild event. 'I don't go to the Academy Awards as often as I come to these events,' he quipped. But he made good use of a repeat appearance by complimenting Howard Goldberg as 'kind, generous and fearless' and saving special praise for his longtime agent.
'I can't imagine my life without her,' Jackson said of Howard. 'She's been my agent, friend, consigliere, someone who is to high stakes blackjack what Superman is to hero comics. She's been my hero for at least 30 years. We've been together a long time. All that money they talked about that I've made, Toni started that.'
Jackson then had the honor of introducing Judge Judy, aka Judy Sheindlin, who moderated a fireside chat with the sisters. As for Sheindlin, Jackson called her a 'trailblazer' for making history with her hit TV show, Judge Judy, and for being the only TV judge to win Emmys for more than one series. 'Clearly she's guilty of providing us with the best possible courtroom television,' Jackson said, adding that he watches her show every day while in his trailer. 'I personally would want to say that I met Judy in Toni's backyard smoking cigarettes when I first got to Hollywood, and she is personally responsible for me stopping smoking. She sent me to her doctor, and when she quit, she made me quit.'
In her acceptance speech, Howard said it brought her great joy to share the stage with her sister. 'When Wendy was 12 years old our phone would ring, and my sister would pick it up. Some passionate volunteer would go into their carefully scripted spiel, 'Millions of people are suffering. We'd love you to donate money to help find answers to fight this devastating disease.' She'd ask, 'What are the symptoms?'' Howard recalled. 'I guarantee at 12, Wendy knew more about the disease than the person on the phone. I'm betting at 12, Wendy knew as much about the disease as the doctors.'
Because of her obsession, Howard said she often calls her sister 'Dr. Goldberg' because there's rarely a day that goes by that she doesn't ask for a diagnosis. 'Wendy always has the best advice and knows the perfect person to call, whether your problem is a skinned knee or major surgery,' she added. Howard thanked Jackson and Sheindlin for supporting them at the ceremony. Of the latter, Howard said, 'When I first met you, I instantly wanted to sign you. I could've made millions for both of us. But it's OK, and you'll never hear this from any other agent: Your friendship is more precious to me than money.'
She then singled out the Women's Guild and the work of the medical professionals at Cedars-Sinai for taking care of her 96-year-old husband, David Yarnell, who was hospitalized twice this year. 'I was moved by the kindness and the enthusiasm shown by your staff. David loves talking to people and no matter what someone's job was, he'd end up having a conversation with them. Everyone was so engaged. Everyone put such energy and joy into their work. We saw them literally high-fiving each other when they changed shifts,' she praised.
In her speech, Howard Goldberg recalled a favorite word picked up from business woman Lynda Resnick: Resilience. 'The capacity to withstand and recover from difficulty, the ability to spring back into shape. Toughness,' she detailed of its definition. 'The community of Los Angeles, Women's Guild and today's other honorees all brilliantly embody this quality.' She also called her sister a 'true icon, trailblazer and one of the smartest, wittiest, most hard working people on the planet.'
Funds raised at the event benefit the Women's Guild neurology project and the Women's Guild distinguished chair in pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's. Also at the event, fashion designer Elyse Walker hosted a pop-up boutique featuring items from her brand, elysewalker, with 10 percent of the proceeds benefitting the guild. To date, the Women's Guild has raised more than $70 million for Cedars-Sinai.
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