On
Monday, April 12, 2010, The Actors Fund bestowed its highest
honor, The Actors Fund Medal of Honor, on three campaign
co-chairs in recognition of their commitment and leadership: Annette
Bening, Jonathan Tisch and Kevin McCollum. The gala was
held at the Marriott Marquis Ballroom.
The three honorees; Annette Bening, Kevin McCollum
and Jonathan Tisch – lead a campaign to raise $12.5
million to increase the reach of The Actors Fund’s human
services programs in this time of increased and evolving
needs. “This is a collaborative effort,” says Actors Fund
President and noted actor/singer Brian Stokes Mitchell.
“Together, we can ensure that those who work in performing
arts and entertainment can sustain their careers – and our
culture – while caring for themselves and their families. In
these times, they have never needed us more.” Adds Fund
Executive Director Joe Benincasa, “We must ensure
that those who dedicate themselves to these professions have
the support they need to continue their creative work.”
In addition to Bening, McCollum and Tisch,
the Campaign boasts the commitment of a long list of arts
leaders and performers who recognize the crucial need for
expanded services for their colleagues and fellow workers.
They include past Medal of Honor recipients: Alec Baldwin,
Rocco Landesman, James M. Nederlander, Stewart F.
Lane, and Bonnie Comley . and industry
professionals: Stockard Channing, Marcia Gay
Harden, Angela Lansbury, Bebe Neuwirth,
Mike Nichols, Lynn Redgrave, Geoffrey Rush,
Liz Smith, Jerry Stiller, , Scott Rudin,
and many mo
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization
that helps everyone – performers and those behind the scenes
– who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping
close to 11,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of
thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre,
television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund’s
programs include social services and emergency assistance,
health care and insurance, housing, and employment and
training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and
Chicago, The Actors Fund has – for over 125 years – been a
safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. |