The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly the Actors Fund, raised $1.2 million at its 2023 gala. This marked the first gala following the Fund’s 2022 rebranding.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Fund’s programs and services, which help entertainment professionals via emergency financial assistance, workshops, support groups, mental health resources and more.
This year, the gala honored philanthropist Glorya Kaufman, film executive and producer Alana Mayo, Tony and Olivier Award-winning producer Tom Kirdahy and actor, director, screenwriter and producer Tyler Perry. Each of the four received the Entertainment Community Fund Medal of Honor.
Performances during the evening included “Some Like It Hot” star Adrianna Hicks, accompanied by composer-lyricist Marc Shaiman, who was just nominated for a Tony for his work on the score. “Almost Famous” leading player Solea Pfeiffer also appeared, singing “Paper Airplanes” from Tyler Perry’s “A Jazzman’s Blues.” Newly minted Tony nominee Colton Ryan offered a rendition of “All the Children in a Row” from Kander & Ebb’s “The Rink.”
“Thank you to everyone who joined us in honor of Glorya, Alana, Tom and Tyler, to recognize the contributions they make to this industry we’re so proud to be a part of,” shared ECF president and CEO Joe Benincasa in a statement. “We’re grateful for the dedication of all who made our 2023 Gala such a success, and look forward to another year ahead of supporting a life in the arts.”
Since 1882, the Fund has worked to provide stability to entertainment professionals. By offering programs career, health and financial services the Fund continues to help make a life in the arts more sustainable.
