Judges

BETTY WHITE

Actress, comedian, author and co-star of TV Land's Hot in Cleveland, Betty White has starred in countless television shows and major motion pictures throughout her career. She hosted Saturday Night Live on May 8, 2010 and the episode was one of the highest-rated in the show's history, which won her the Emmy® for Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, bringing Betty's Emmy® total wins to seven. She also recently starred in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, The Lost Valentine.

Betty received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in January, 2010. In April, 2010 the American Women in Radio and Television honored Betty with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) honored Betty with the Charlie Chaplin Award for Excellence in Comedy. Betty will also be inducted into the California Hall of Fame in December, and has been nominated for two People's Choice Awards. January, 2011 Betty received her first Screen Actors Guild (SAG) award for "Outstanding Performance by a female in a Comedy Series" for Hot In Cleveland. She was voted AP Entertainer of the year for 2010.

Betty serves as the President Emeritus of Morris Animal Foundation and has been a trustee since 1971. She has been a long-time supporter and national spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind, one of 17 charity partners with the Hero Dog Awards. Her adopted dog Pontiac is a career change dog adopted from that organization. Betty will serve as a presenter at the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ on October 1, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG

Goldberg has won a Grammy, two Emmys, two Golden Globes, a Tony and an Oscar - one of the few entertainers ever to have won all these awards. In addition, she received a British Academy Film Award and four People's Choice Awards and has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is also well-known for helping start Comic Relief in 1986 with Billy Crystal and Robin Williams to raise funds for homeless people.

JILLIAN MICHAELS

Jillian Michaels is one of the leading health and wellness experts in the country. Perhaps considered one of the most inspiring people on television through her role as trainer, wellness expert and life coach on her hit TV shows and regular TV appearances, Michaels has created a brand name for herself. Every week she motivates millions in every form of media from TV to publishing to the 1.6 million monthly visitors to her Web site and daily e-mail newsletter. In September 2011 Jillian will expand her television presence into daytime as a co-host on the Emmy award winning syndicated series The Doctors and special contributor on Dr. Phil.

As a motivator and role model, Jillian has a unique connection with her audience that stems from her own personal journey toward wellness. Before she was a huge TV success, Jillian struggled with her own weight. She was determined to reach her goals — and through dedication and hard work, she did.

Jillian has been a personal trainer for 19 years. In addition, she owned and operated a sports medicine facility, where she worked as a physical therapy aid under the physiatrists, physical therapists, and chiropractors.

Books, DVDs, and video games — Jillian has them all covered. She is a New York Times bestselling author of four books - Master Your Metabolism, The Master Your Metabolism Cookbook, Making the Cut, and her newest release, Unlimited: How to Build an Exceptional Life.

Jillian launched her company, Empowered Media, LLC, with her business partner Giancarlo Chersich, with the goal of creating total life solutions for people that involve all aspects of living well, including health, wellness, weight loss, and overall lifestyle. Jillian lives in Los Angeles. When she's not on set for TV, she enjoys traveling and getting involved in charitable activities.

KRISTIN CHENOWETH

Emmy and Tony Award winner and Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee, Kristin Chenoweth effortlessly transitions between stage, television and film with captivating grace. Many remember her show-stealing, Tony-winning performance in "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" and her triumphant star turn when she originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch in "Wicked," which earned her a leading actress Tony Award nomination. She received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the critically acclaimed television show "Pushing Daises" and has a recurring role in the hit show "Glee, " for which she is currently Emmy nominated. Her autobiography, "A Little Bit Wicked" was a New York Times bestseller. Kristin was recently seen on Broadway starring in the revival of "Promises, Promises." She will next be seen in ABC's "Good Christian Belles" and has a CD, "Some Lessons Learned" coming out in September.

VICTORIA STILWELL

Victoria Stilwell, who is also a national ambassador for the American Humane Association, is best known for her role as the host of Animal Planet's hit TV series It's Me or the Dog and as a judge on CBS' Greatest American Dog. Stilwell is a passionate advocate for positive-reinforcement training methods that enhance a dog's ability to learn while increasing his confidence. The results are a healthy, well-adjusted pet. Named 2009's Dog Trainer of the Year, Victoria is certified by Animal Behavior and Training Associates and is a proud member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

JILL RAPPAPORT

Jill Rappaport has been on TODAY for 20 years. She was the entertainment correspondent for the first 17 of those years, but when her beloved dog Jack got bone cancer, her life and career changed forever.

While chronicling Jack's illness on the show, she realized that animal welfare issues were her calling, and so her path changed. In her popular "Bow To Wow" series, shelter dogs get a makeover and a second chance at life, and through her work, she helped to save hundreds of horses that were severely abused. She also keeps TODAY viewers informed about the latest health trends for pets.

Rappaport is also the best-selling author of "People We Know, Horses they Love," and has written three others books, including "Jack & Jill: The Miracle Dog with a Happy Tail To Tell," and "500 Cats."

She has just come out with a clothing line for Pendleton for women and pets, which will benet the Jack and Jill Fund for animal cancer. Most recently Jill and TODAY received the coveted Genesis Award, which is the Oscars of the animal world, for her reporting on animal issues. She is also an ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassador and she will soon be honored by the HSUS for being such an outspoken and strong advocate for rescue and adoption. Rappaport lives on a farm with her four dogs and nine horses, whom she refers to as her "fur angels."

TRAVIS BRORSEN

Born and raised in Perry, Oklahoma, Travis Brorsen has appeared in more than 20 national commercials and guest starred in popular television shows including Bones, Desperate Housewives, JAG, Drop Dead Diva and many more. Travis Brorsen is best known for winning the CBS reality show, "Greatest American Dog" with his boxer Presley in 2008. Reaching audiences in over 35 countries, Travis Brorsen and his boxer, Presley, have been making a ‘paw'stive impact on children across the world. After winning the title, Greatest American Dog, Travis & Presley realized it was the building of their relationship that was invaluable. So with the help of educational specialists from across the country, they used their winnings from Greatest American Dog to publish eight children's books that have been developed into an early childhood curriculum. Travis and Presley have been featured in "The Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan's book, Top Dogs and Their Pets, as well as having a blog on Victoria Stillwell's website.

WENDY DIAMOND

Wendy Diamond, the world's leading and premiere Pet Lifestyle Expert, Best Selling Author, TV Personality and Endangered Animal and Rescue Advocate, has had a passion for paws since her early days in Chagrin Falls Ohio. After she adopted her Russian Blue cat, Pasha, and rescued Maltese, Lucky, Diamond drew from the heart to create Animal Fair Media (Fair as in fairness to animals). Diamond is devoted to improving the quality of life for homeless, sheltered, and endangered animals, and she's been bringing her message to the masses as a pet lifestyle expert on NBC's "The Today Show", keen judge on CBS's reality hit "Greatest American Dog", best-selling author of "How to Understand Men Through their Dogs," and as the new face of the heartwarming pet-focused editions of the ever popular "Chicken Soup For the Soul" series.

Wendy Diamond, The New Yorker's designated "Martha Stewart of the milk and bone dish," dubbed "Pet Diva" by the New York Post, and crowned the "Canine Queen" by Forbes continues her quest for fairness to animals with her persistent commitment to charity. In Addition to her duties in supporting local animal organizations, Diamond serves on the board of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal Achievers and World Entrepreneurs' Day. No matter what Diamond does she always holds animal rescue and welfare as a top priority!

ASHLEY RHODES-COURTER

Ashley Rhodes-Courter, who is also a national ambassador for the American Humane Association, spent almost 10 years in foster care, living in 14 placements before being adopted at age 12. In 2008, Simon & Schuster published her memoir, "Three Little Words," which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. Her book has received many national and local awards and has been used in classrooms across the country. She has a passion to tell her story and share hope with other foster children and encourage adoption and permanency, and she has been featured on many national and local television shows. Nationally, she serves on several child welfare boards, such as Children Without a Voice USA (Atlanta) and Family Focus Adoption Services (New York). In her local community, she works with several organizations, including the Heart Gallery of Pinellas & Pasco, and she is a guardian ad litem volunteer (or court-appointed special advocate [CASA]) and licensed foster parent. She is also a youth advocacy ambassador for Levi's Shape What's to Come - an online, global community for women that offers opportunities to exchange ideas, collaborate, and provide support to one another.

ORLANDO BROWN

Orlando Brown, who is also a national ambassador for the American Humane Association, may be best known for his portrayal of Eddie Thomas in the popular Disney series, "That's So Raven," but he has a long list of credits in the film, TV and music world. He made his debut in the comedy "Major Payne," starring Damon Wayans, and went on to major roles as 3J in "Family Matters," Max in "Two of a Kind," "Coach," "In the House," "Sister, Sister," "The Wayans Bros.," "The Pretender," and "The Jamie Foxx Show."

CHEF FABIO VIVIANI

Chef Fabio Viviani, who is also a national ambassador for the American Humane Association, is perhaps best known in America for appearing on Bravo's reality series "Top Chef," where he was one of the final four contestants in Season Five, and was named "Fan Favorite." He returned to Bravo in 2010 to compete in their "Top Chef All Stars" edition. Chef Fabio Viviani was born inFlorence and began working in a bakery at a young age. At 14 he began working at the very busy Il Pallaio in Florence and later worked with luminaries such as Simone Mugnaini, Alessandro Panzani and Saverio Carmagini, managing and/or owning several restaurants and nightclubs in Italy. Fabio moved toCalifornia at the age of 27 and now works as the owner and executive chef ofCafe Firenze, a renowned Italian restaurant in Ventura Country and Osteria Firenze, a popular Los Angeles Italian eatery. He has published two successful cookbooks including the "Cafe Firenze Cookbook" and an e-book, "Did I ReallyMake Breakfast," which made it onto multiple Amazon bestseller lists.

TINSLEY MORTIMER

Tinsley Mortimer, who is also a national ambassador for the American Humane Association, is considered one of the most visible and photographed socialites in New York. Her handbag line, Samantha Thavasa by Tinsley Mortimer,debuted in winter 2006 with its American flagship store on the Upper East Side.In summer 2007, she became the beauty ambassador of Christian Dior. In fall2007, she introduced her first clothing collection, Riccimie by Tinsley Mortimer,sold exclusively in Japan.

On the New York charity and party circuit, Mortimer is largely known for herself-proclaimed "girly girl" style. While working at Vogue and, later, the public relations firm Harrison & Shriftman, her unique look caught the eye of society photographers and she has since been featured on the pages of Vogue, WWD, Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire magazine, to name a few. In 2008, she made her first TV debut on the season premiere episode of Gossip Girl. In 2010, she starred in the reality show High Society. She also has appeared on Extra, Access Hollywood, E!, America's Next Top Model, and The Fashion Show on Bravo. She lives in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood with her two Chihuahuas, Bebe and Bella.

CHRISTIE BROOKE

Tahitian by decent, Hawaiian natural beauty and up and coming actress Christie Brooke has taken Hollywood over by storm. Don't let this young actress fool you... She has many qualities that not only lend to her talents, but they allow her to expand her giving nature to help those around her in her community.

Christie first stepped into the Hollywood spotlight as a Series Regular for ABC's "High School Musical 3, Get in the Picture." She was plucked from the island of Oahu for her outstanding gift of dance and voice, and never looked back. Since then she has been busy working in films like "Soul Surfer," starring Academy Winner Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid as her first role on screen. Most recently she worked with Alexander Payne on George Clooney's new film, The Decendants.

Christie believes that it is important to be thankful for what she has been given and to always give back. This has been instilled in her as a young child and this stays with her today.

Whether it is surfing, playing her guitar, writing poems and songs, or just impersonating her favorite actors, she is never shy to inspire a smile.

She is quite honored to be involved with The AHA and The Hero Dog Awards as a judge.

SUSAN ORLEAN

Susan Orlean is the bestselling author of seven books, including My Kind of Place: Travel Stories from a Woman Who's Been Everywhere; The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup; Saturday Night; and Lazy Little Loafers. In 1999, she published The Orchid Thief, a best-selling narrative about orchid poachers in Florida. The Orchid Thief was made into the Oscar-wining movie, "Adaptation," written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze.

Orlean has written for Vogue, Esquire, Rolling Stone, and Smithsonian, and has been a staff writer for the New Yorker since 1992. She has covered a wide range of subjects — from umbrella inventors to origami artists to skater Tonya Harding — and she has often written about animals, including show dogs, racing pigeons, animal actors, oxen, donkeys, mules, and backyard chickens. Her latest book, which will be published October 2011, is Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend, a sweeping account of Rin Tin Tin's journey from orphaned puppy to movie star and international icon. She lives in upstate New York with one dog, three cats, eight chickens, four turkeys, four guinea fowl, twelve Black Angus cattle, and her husband and son.

PRINCE LORENZO BORGHESE

Prince Lorenzo Borghese is a US and Italian citizen who was born in Milan, lived in Rome and outside Paris, and currently lives in New York City. Proud of his genealogy, his storied paternal ancestors include the cosmetic's icon, Princess Marcella Borghese, Napoleon's sister, Paulina Bonaparte Borghese, Pope Paul V (Camillo Borghese) and Cardinal Scipione Borghese, both of whom had an enormous influence on Italian art and beautifying Rome in the 1600s, and who helped finish St. Peter's Basilica.

Lorenzo graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, has an MBA from Fordham University in New York and currently juggles a variety of challenging positions in the pet and cosmetics industries. He is the founder and president of Royal Treatment Italian Pet Spa, a high-end bath, body and skin care line for pets, using the finest natural cosmetics from Italy. Royal Treatment is currently the largest pet line on the shopping channel, HSN, where Lorenzo acts as the on air spokesperson for the line. Due to his love of animals, he is involved in many animal welfare organizations including the Animal Care & Control of NY, in which he is co-founder of NYC4ACC, a group of young people who organize fundraisers and awareness for shelter animals in NY.

However, Lorenzo is probably best known for his appearance on ABC's reality TV show: The Bachelor — Rome, which was viewed by more than 20 million people in the Fall of 2006. He has also appeared on numerous television shows including: Good Morning America, Ellen, Live with Jimmy Kimmel, Extra, ET, The Insider, Access Hollywood, Dancing with the Stars, 20/20, Nightline and has made three appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly.

In December of 2010, Harper Collins released Lorenzo's first novel called, "The Princess of Nowhere." It is a historical fictional romance novel based on his relative, Pauline Bonaparte Borghese, one of the most famous women in Europe in the 1800s.

DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL

Since 2001, Debbye Turner Bell has been enjoying her role in broadcast journalism as a staff correspondent for CBS News. She covers a variety of subjects, and is from time to time called upon to cover breaking and developing news. Turner Bell has been dubbed The Early Show's resident veterinarian sharing a wealth of advice about quality pet care. In 2002, Debbye garnered an interview with President & Mrs. Bush at the White House for a Pet Planet segment about the first family's pets. Periodically she reports for the CBS Evening News. Turner Bell hosts a prime time television magazine program called "48 Hours on WE." Prior to joining CBS, she co-hosted a local television magazine program called "Show Me St. Louis."

Turner Bell's first passion is motivational speaking. Since being crowned Miss America in 1990, Turner Bell has spoken to more than a half million students at hundreds of schools, youth organizations and college campuses. She has addressed audiences in the corporate, academic, political arenas. Her topics include personal excellence, determination, goal setting and the importance of a solid education. Turner Bell's beliefs reflect her own life-lessons – it took seven years and eleven tries in two states before she was crowned Miss America.

STEALING ANGELS

Whenever Caroline Cutbirth, Tayla Lynn and Jennifer Wayne are together, it is immediately clear that not only are they partners in crime in the new country trio Stealing Angels, they are great friends and admirers of each other’s talents. Caroline and Jennifer already knew each other before they were thrown together into an ill-fated reality show with Tayla. The reality show didn’t make it but the trio did.The three women instantly clicked and started writing and performing together. In addition to their love for music and dedication to making Stealing Angels one of the top names in country music, the three have another bond – all are descendants of famous American families.

CANDY SPELLING

Candy Spelling, author of the bestseller, STORIES FROM CANDYLAND (hardcover published by St. Martin’s Press, April, 2009; trade paperback in April, 2010), had a 50-year hiatus from writing. In the meanwhile, she excelled in school cooking and sewing classes, was a cheerleader, model, interior designer, married twice, had two children, became one of Hollywood’s most-famous wives, built the largest home in Los Angeles, ran a gift store, designed dolls and jewelry for cable shopping networks, and performed public service work. Fifty years later, Candy was asked to start "blogging." After looking up what that was, she began with celebrity website TMZ.com, offering advice and counsel to troubled young celebrities. She then became a columnist for The Huffington Post and a contributing editor to Los Angeles Confidential Magazine. She later added columns for Momlogic.com, and started providing entertainment news reports for BBC Radio in Summer, 2009. In 2010, she became a contributor to Yahoo’s site for women, "Shine," writing and doing videos on the topic of "Make Home A Haven."

Candy’s television series, "Bank of Hollywood," made its debut on E! in December 2009, and is airing internationally.

Then, in Spring, 2010, she took on another role as a first-time Broadway co-producer of the award-winning musical "Promises, Promises." The show won a Tony Award and starred Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth.

TARA HARPER

Tara who was born in San Antonio then moved with her family to New York for six years only to return to Texas in 1997 when the family moved to Dallas. After graduating from Southern Methodist University with an advertising degree, Tara started her career at SPI Inc where she is now Executive Vice President of Sales. While Tara is a successful businesswoman, her passion is her full-time commitment to Paws in the City which is the animal rescue that she co-founded in 2005. The organization’s mission is to rescue dogs and cats from local shelters where they are being euthanized at a rate of almost 30,000 a year. Since its beginning, Paws in The City has grown from just a handful of volunteers to over 150. The number of pets saved has been staggering with 100% of all contributions going directly to PITC. No matter when the lights go off and the camera stops rolling, Tara will always be dedicated in her mission to help animals. After being cast in Bravo’s new series, "Most Eligible in Dallas" she is also a finalist for D magazine "Ten Most Beautiful Women" in Dallas.

She hopes to experience everything life has in store for her. For now, her fur children, volunteer work, family, and friends all her life; and, she is looking forward to life’s next big adventure.

MARK HAMIL

Mark Hamill became an international pop-culture icon as Luke Skywalker in George Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy. His diverse career as a performer has encompassed television, movies, Broadway and more recently, he has branched out creatively as a writer, producer and director.

After two years as a Theatre Arts major at Los Angeles City College, he began in television with guest appearances on numerous series and as a regular for nine months on the long-running soap opera, General Hospital. He starred in his own series, The Texas Wheelers, the critically acclaimed series produced by Mary Tyler Moore. His credits also include several TV movies: Circumstantial Evidence, Delancey Street, Sarah T, The City, He made his Broadway debut in the title role of The Elephant Man. He then played Mozart in the 1st National Tour of Amadeus directed by Sir Peter Hall, later joining the Broadway production. He also originated roles in the Broadway productions of Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks and The Nerd. His portrayal of tragic comedian Tony Hart in the Broadway musical-comedy Harrigan ‘n Hart earned him a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Performance in a Musical, a role he originated at the Goodspeed Opera. He also appeared as sleazy producer Gordon Miller in Alan Arkin's Off-Broadway revival of Room Service, a performance that was cited by Frank Rich in the New York Times as one of the "10 Highlights of the Season".

Films: Star Wars, Samuel Fuller's The Big Red One, The Empire Strikes Back, Lindsay Anderson's Britannia Hospital, Hamilton, Return of the Jedi, Slipstream, Village of the Damned, Walking Across Egypt, Wing Commander, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back & Comic Book: The Movie (which he directed, co-wrote and produced). This Miramax Production was nominated for five DVD Exclusive Awards including Best Actor and Best Director for Hamill, and winning three: Best Supporting Actor(s) for Jonathan Winters and Sid Caesar, as well as Best Feature Film.

A prolific voice-over actor, he has performed hundreds of cartoons: Batman: The Animated Series(Annie Nomination Best Actor), The Adventures of Batman & Robin, Time Squad, The Simpsons, Ren & Stimpy, Robot Chicken, Samarai Jack, Superman, Justice League, Spiderman, Fantastic Four, The Hulk, Phantom 2040, Powerpuff Girls, The Flintstones, Scooby Doo, Jonny Quest, Fairly Odd Parents and in Disney's Little Mermaid, Super Robot Monkeys and Winnie the Pooh.

Animated Feature Films: Dreamworks' Joseph: Prince of Dreams, Ralph Bakshi's Wizards, Balto II, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (Annie Nomination Best Actor). He is also executive producer, co-creator, voice-over director and voice performer on The Wrong Coast for AMC. He also was voice-over director for the animated feature film, Aero Troopers.

An avid comic book collector, historian and writer, his story for The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror was reprinted in deluxe format and is available in bookstores worldwide. DC Comics published his essays of the Batman mythos in two different volumes. His twelve years as the voice of the Joker remains a fan favorite as is his two appearances as the multi-personalitied villain The Trickster on The Flash television series, which were edited together and released as a feature film outside the US.

He created his own comic book anti-hero, The Black Pearl for Dark Horse Comics which he co-wrote with Eric Johnson in a hit five-issue mini-series. A cult favorite, the series was a hit with readers and critics alike, selling out its' initial first printing and later collected in a single volume, now a highly prized collector's item. The film adaptation, written by Hamill, Johnson and Paul Tamasy has been optioned by Berkeley Square Film. This will be Hamill's second feature as a director.