Press Releases: 2003 Releases

UCP Ambassador William H. Macy Receives Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in Door to Door

Washington, DC, July 24, 2003—Last week, UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) Ambassador William H. Macy received an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie” for his role in Door To Door, based on the true story of Bill Porter, the Portland, Oregon, door-to-door home products salesman who overcame the challenges of cerebral palsy to rise to the top of his profession. The movie received the most nominations for an original movie (12), including "Outstanding Made For Television Movie." The 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be aired on FOX Sunday, September 21, 2003.

Bill Porter is one of many people who live with cerebral palsy, a non-progressive disorder of the motor control area in the brain that affects approximately 764,000 people each year. His story inspired Macy to get more involved with UCP in January, 2003. UCP’s mission is to ensure inclusion of people with disabilities in all facets of society, a lesson that Door to Door translated through Macy’s character. Because of his cerebral palsy, Bill Porter was told for many years that he was unemployable. But with the unwavering support of a dedicated mother and an indomitable spirit that has become his trademark, Porter did support himself as a door-to-door salesman in Portland.

Porter's professional success is all the more amazing given the fact that his cerebral palsy makes walking extremely difficult and painful. But for more than 40 years, he walked eight to 10 miles a day, selling products for The Watkins Company, and along the way wove himself into the lives and hearts of the people along his route. Today, he is 69 years old and still sells Watkins products by telephone and via the Internet.

“UCP would like to congratulate Mr. Macy on his Emmy nomination, along with everyone else involved with Door To Door’s success,” said Stephen Bennett, CEO of UCP. “The story of Bill Porter is an important one for people living with disabilities to hear, and the cast, writers, and producers of Door To Door communicated it beautifully. UCP is extremely grateful for Mr. Macy’s efforts to help raise awareness for people living with disabilities and we wish him the best at the Emmys.”

About William H. Macy
William H. Macy launched into stardom after receiving an Oscar nomination for his role as a car salesman in the movie Fargo. In addition, he has acted in several films including Analyze This, Mr. Holland’s Opus and Murder in the First, and has guest-starred in a recurring role on NBC’s television show ER.

About UCP
UCP’s mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. UCP is a leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is an advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers and providers of essential programs and services.

UCP is comprised of 105 affiliates in 37 states who offer a broad array of programs and services for people with disabilities, such as employment services, early intervention programs, assistive technology training, individual and family support, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, employment assistance, and advocacy. Sixty-five percent (65%) of the consumers served by UCP affiliates have disabilities other than cerebral palsy. UCP is one of the nation’s most efficient charities, with a system-wide average of 85% of all revenues going to programs and services.

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