Celebrity Ambassadors
UCP Celebrity Ambassadors have committed to help UCP raise awareness about all issues related to people with a spectrum of disabilities, as UCP continues to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams today and beyond.
Cheryl Hines
Cheryl Hines is probably best known for her portrayal of Larry David's wife on HBO's Golden Globe Award-winning series Curb Your Enthusiasm. The twice Emmy nominated actress has also starred in several films including the critically acclaimed Waitress, The Ugly Truth and RV with Robin Williams. As well as directing television sitcoms, she recently directed her first feature film, Serious Moonlight (a dark comedy), written by Adrienne Shelly, starring Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton. She has produced several television shows and is most proud of her latest endeavor as the creator and executive producer of the NBC reality series School Pride. The show was inspired from work Hines and a principal from Compton, Jackie Sanderlin, had been doing in public schools. They went into neglected schools around the country and brought the community together to renovate the school and bring a sense of school pride back to the students, parents and faculty.
She's currently on the national board of trustees for UCP where she serves as an advocate for children and adults with disabilities.
RJ Mitte
RJ Mitte stars on the Emmy-nominated AMC drama, "Breaking Bad", as Walter White Jr, whose character has cerebral palsy. In real life RJ also has cerebral palsy although it is a milder form than that of his character on the show.
Outside of UCP, RJ is also involved with several organizations that raise awareness of equality and diversity and the prevention of bullying. He has been a featured guest speaker at an anti-bullying town hall discussion at the NAPT Annual Conference for school transportation professionals and has begun working with PACER’s National Center for Bullying Prevention on a national campaign designed to engage and educate those who see bullying - leveraging peer-to-peer support.
As a guest speaker at high schools, colleges, and universities around the country, RJ openly talks about the ways he has overcome obstacles and how he has achieved his goals.
William H. Macy
Oscar® nominee William H. Macy is one of the most distinguished talents of his generation. In the upcoming months, Macy continues to demonstrate his versatility in several diverse roles, adding to his already impressive credits.
Macy received critical acclaim in TNT's "Door to Door," opposite Kyra Sedgwick, Helen Mirren, Kathy Baker and his wife Felicity Huffman. The movie, which Macy also co-wrote, tells the true story of the life of Bill Porter, an award-winning door-to-door salesman with cerebral palsy.
Macy is a tireless expontent of UCP. In 2004 he was elected and served on UCP's Board of Trustees.
Louis "Topspeed" Albornoz
Louis "Topspeed" Albornoz grew up in New York City driving a 1969 Chevy Nova SS street-legal drag car he built himself. Louis found easy success in drag racing on and off the track. Eventually though, he yearned for a greater challenge. In 1998, Louis decided to sell his beloved drag car to pay for professional racing school. He graduated with flying colors and since then, he has been building an impressive racing career.
Recently, "Topspeed" was invited to participate in the INDY 500, the oldest and most well-known motorsport event in the world. He is advocating for United Cerebral Palsy through endorsements on his race car and his website,www.topspeedracer.com. Furthermore, Albornoz is donating 10% of the proceeds from apparel sales on his site.
