Skip to main content
MJFF Feed

All-star Gala Raises Over $5.5M for Parkinson’s Research

What funny thing happens when you put a group of passionate believers in a Parkinson’s cure in a room for one night? Great music, lots of laughs and more than $5.5 million raised for Parkinson’s research. The Foundation’s gala benefit, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s, took place on Saturday, November 9 at the Waldorf Astoria New York. A sold-out crowd of over 1,100 guests gathered to watch the star-studded event hosted by Denis Leary. Jim Gaffigan and Amy Schumer headlined as the night’s comedic acts. Seth Meyers and Tina Fey (dressed as Marty McFly from Back to the Future) also took their turns entertaining the crowd.

One of the night’s biggest moments came when special musical guest Chris Martin of Coldplay took the stage to sing “Yellow” and “Johnny B. Goode” with Michael J. Fox on guitar (see clip above). Board members Ryan Reynolds, Willie Geist and Tracy Pollan, along with Blake Lively, Julianna Margulies, Betsy Brandt, Richard Kind and many more, were among the evening’s more famous faces. Marshall Heyman of The Wall Street Journal wrote that it was, “the best thing we've ever seen take place at the Waldorf-Astoria.”

Thanks to MJFF’s Board of Directors, who cover all costs associated with the event, every penny raised will go straight to fund promising research. To date, Funny Thing has raised more than $60 million to speed a cure for Parkinson’s. Join us today by helping find a cure in your own way.

We use cookies to ensure that you get the best experience. By continuing to use this website, you indicate that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.