Former 90210 Star Brings Racing Passion to 80210

by Vanessa Hughes

June 23, 2005

For eight seasons, he "lived" in one of America's most famous zip codes, "90210." Years later, Jason Priestley, who starred on the hit television series, "Beverly Hills 90210," is coming to the Mile High City's zip code, "80210."

Known to many fans as "Brandon Walsh," the 35-year-old will serve as Grand Marshall for the Grand Prix of Denver, August 12-14th. Why, Jason Priestley? Not only is Priestley an accomplished actor, director and producer, but he's a former competitive race car driver himself and a very close friend of Jim Freudenberg, the general manager of the Grand Prix. In fact, Freudenberg was the best man when Priestley married Naomi Lowde this past May on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

When Freudenberg approached Priestley this spring about serving as Grand Marshall, Priestley agreed, under one condition. "I would love to do that if we could have a charity component," he told Freudenberg. "The currency that you have as a celebrity is your celebrity. If you can use that currency to raise awareness and money, the things that help society, you need to do that," said Priestley.

Thanks to sisters Samantha (23) and Libby (21) Pelican of Denver, the charity closest to Priestley's heart right now is The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He met the Pelicans, who have CF, at the American Airlines Cystic Fibrosis Ski event in Vail this past April. "I was so taken with them and their love of life, charm and courage," says Priestley. "They're beautiful girls."

Both Samantha and Libby grew up watching 90210 and admitted they were huge fans of the show and of Priestley. "Getting to meet him was almost surreal," says Samantha. "Meeting someone who's that famous and having them be that down-to-earth and so generous, that's what makes him so special."

Not only did Priestley have an impact on the girls, but the girls had such an impact on Priestley that they'll be his special guests during The Grand Prix of Denver. "I'm going to be dragging them around everywhere with me," he said. Not only that, but Priestley's good friend and fellow Canadian, Steven Page, of the Barenaked Ladies, is on board for the weekend festivities also. Page will headline a concert on Saturday, August 13th at the Universal Lending Pavilion, where all the proceeds will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

There will be plenty of other star-power in Denver during the race weekend too, including a couple of Priestley's former 90210 cast-mates, Tiffany-Amber Thiessen (Valerie) and Ian Ziering (Steve). Priestley says he regularly keeps in touch with both Thiessen and Ziering, along with Tori Spelling (Donna) and Jennie Garth (Kelly).

If you want to catch a glimpse of the former 90210'ers and many other big-name celebs, your best bet will be on Wednesday, August 10th.

That's when Priestley will host a Celebrity Bowling, Billiards and Texas Hold 'Em charity event at Lucky Strike Lanes in downtown Denver. Paul Newman, Anthony Edwards, Carson Daly, Frankie Munoz and Patrick Dempsey are scheduled to participate, along with many other celebrities.

While Priestley currently has a full plate of projects, it's clear his latest "role" as Grand Marshall of the Grand Prix is a perfect fit.

"Three years ago, on the same weekend as this race, Jason was almost killed in an accident while racing for the team that I managed," says Freudenberg. "The irony of me managing this event on that same weekend three years later was too much for Jason and I to pass up. We look forward to working together on a racing venue and producing positive things for many charities in the Denver area."

In that highly publicized crash at Kentucky Speedway in August of 2002, Priestley was nearly killed. He suffered three broken bones in his skull, a severe concussion, a broken back and broke both his feet. While Priestley had to leave his racing wheels in the garage from that point forward, it hasn't slowed him from working on numerous films and television shows and giving back to the community.

In a self-absorbed world that many celebrities live in, Priestley gives the gig a good name.