WILLIE NELSON lead a chorus of TOM CRUISE, Penélope Cruz, JACK NICHOLSON, MARK WAHLBERG, SLASH, AL PACINO, CINDY CRAWFORD, MICHAEL KEATON, CAMERON DIAZ, LUCY LIU, GOLDIE HAWN, KURT RUSSELL, MARIAH CAREY, JULIA ROBERTS, BRAD PITT, GEORGE CLOONEY and CLINT EASTWOOD singing the patriotic song AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.

The star studded line-up assembled at top secret location in both Los Angeles and terrorist ravaged New York for an emergency telethon to raise money for victims and families. In an unprecedented move, at least 27 of America's major television networks broadcast the event live, urging the public to donate their money to the relief fund.

Many stars were moved to tears by the stories of extreme bravery and heroism. Goldie Hawn grabbed boyfriend Kurt Russell as she sobbed, while Tom Cruise was comforted by his girlfriend Penélope Cruz and pal cameron Diaz. Stars had to forgo their usual entourage of personal assistants and make-up artists to ensure the telethon didn't become a security risk.

The show flowed seamlessly, linking up studios in Los Angeles, New York and London - where STING, U2 and NATALIE IMBRUGLIA performed into the early hours of the morning. (SVD/WN/RP) * STARS MAN THE PHONES FOR AMERICAN TELETHON Hollywood stars from JACK NICHOLSON to WHOOPI GOLDBERG put their showbiz personas aside to do the more menial job of answering the telephones at last night's (21SEP01) telethon.

Other celebrities including GOLDIE HAWN, KURT RUSSELL, ANDY GARCIA, BEN STILLER, Sylvester Stallone, JAMES WOODS, HALLE BERRY, CUBA GOODING JR., MEG RYAN, SALMA HAYEK and AL PACINO were happy to donate their time to take calls from American television viewers pledging money to the victims and survivors fund.

Actor GEORGE CLOONEY told a touching story about one New York Police officer who died, doing what he had to do, before urging Americans to do what they have to do - donate cash.

He said, "Officer JOHN PERRY was going to the police department in the Bronx to file his retirement papers a few minutes before the first plane hit. He was a New York City policeman and he knew what he had to do and he did it, one last time. Now we must do what we have to do. " (SVD/WN/RP)

Source: WENN