Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Tom Hanks, Jennifer Hudson, Maria Shriver, Sam Smith and More Join Virtual 2020 Carousel of Hope Ball

The charity ball will take place on Saturday, October 10.

Tom Hanks, Jennifer Hudson, Maria Shriver, Sam Smith and More Join Virtual 2020 Carousel of Hope Ball

Event chair and host Barbara Davis and co-chair Dana Davis announced today that Sir Michael Caine, David Copperfield, John Elway, Kenny G, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Hudson, Lionel Richie, Maria Shriver, Sam Smith, Sir Rod Stewart, Pia Toscano, and Usher join the line-up of talent for the virtual 2020 Carousel of Hope Ball on Saturday, October 10 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET. The legendary biennial event, which is dedicated to raising funds for clinical care and diabetes research for the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes and Children's Diabetes Foundation, will stream exclusively on PEOPLE.com/Carousel, PeopleTV, PEOPLE social platforms (Facebook and Twitter) and PEOPLE YouTube. This marks the first time in its illustrious history that the Carousel of Hope Ball will be available for public viewing.

This year's event will celebrate two very significant occasions - Davis' 90th birthday, and the 40th Anniversary of the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes. As previously announced, the evening will be filled with once-in-a-lifetime performances and special appearances from icons including Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli, George Clooney, Dame Joan Collins, Clive Davis, Robert De Niro, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Cynthia Erivo, Jane Fonda, David Foster, David Geffen, Josh Groban, Samuel L. Jackson, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight, Adam Lambert, Jay Leno, Rob Lowe, Nigel Lythgoe, Barry Manilow, Judge Judy Sheindlin, Diane Warren, Dionne Warwick, Oprah Winfrey, Henry Winkler, and many more!

As previously announced, this year's event will feature Jay Leno as master of ceremonies, David Foster as music director, George Schlatter as honorary producer, and Clive Davis and Quincy Jones as music chairmen. The event will be produced and directed by Erich Bergen and Marc Johnston. 2020 marks the 34th Carousel Ball, where guests will enjoy a silent auction, exciting entertainment, and musical performances. Rated #1 Benefit in Southern California by BizBash for multiple years, this star-studded evening is not to be missed. For additional information about the 2020 Carousel of Hope Ball, and to reserve a virtual spot, visit: carouselofhope.org.

The most recent Carousel of Hope Ball, hosted in 2018, honored Robert De Niro with the "Brass Ring Award" and featured show-stopping performances by legends Gladys Knight, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, and David Foster. The gala alone raised over $1.9 Million. Previous "Brass Ring Award" honorees include Frank Sinatra, Hillary Clinton, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, George Clooney, Jane Fonda, Sir Sidney Poitier, David Foster, Halle Berry, Sherry Lansing and many more.

Since its inception in 1978, the iconic event has been a Hollywood favorite, uniting entertainment, sports, and business industry leaders from all areas for a night dedicated to raising awareness and, ultimately, finding a cure for diabetes. Diabetes, which afflicts over 30 million people in the United States alone, is rapidly on the rise. It is estimated that each year, approximately 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Of those, 25,000 are children. The Carousel Balls have raised more than $105 million to date, with proceeds benefitting the Children's Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.



Related Stories
Exclusive: See A Preview of the 2023 Kleban Prize Ceremony, Streaming On Broadway On Deman Photo
Starting Friday, February 10 at 8PM, the 2023 Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre ceremony will stream, for free, on the Broadway On Demand SmartTV channel. 

VIDEO: See the First Trailer for TREVOR: THE MUSICAL On Disney+ Photo
In celebration of Pride Month, Disney+ has revealed first-look photos for the upcoming film 'Trevor: The Musical.'

VIDEO: See the First Trailer for TREVOR: THE MUSICAL On Disney+ Photo
In celebration of Pride Month, Disney+ has revealed the trailer for the upcoming film “Trevor: The Musical.” Produced by RadicalMedia, “Trevor: The Musical” is a filmed version of the Off-Broadway stage production, which follows a charming 13-year-old force of nature with a vivid imagination.

GLEE To Return to Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu This June! Photo
The musical comedy teen drama Glee will make its return to streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.


More Hot Stories For You


Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Son, Has Passed AwayNicholas Lloyd Webber, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Son, Has Passed Away
March 25, 2023

Webber missed the Bad Cinderella opening on Thursday, March 23rd to be with his son, who passed away from stomach cancer after entering hospice care on Thursday.

Broadway Jukebox: The Best of Kander & EbbBroadway Jukebox: The Best of Kander & Ebb
March 25, 2023

Just yesterday, Broadway was introduced to the latest musical from John Kander and the late Fred Ebb- New York, New York is in previews at the St. James Theatre. We are celebrating the new musical with a playlist of the Best of Kander and Ebb.

Lea Michele Will Be Out of Today's FUNNY GIRL MatineeLea Michele Will Be Out of Today's FUNNY GIRL Matinee
March 25, 2023

Lea Michele will be out of today's matinee performance of Funny Girl on Saturday, March 25. Julie Benko will be on as Fanny. 

Video: Watch Jinkx Monsoon Sing CHICAGO's 'I Am My Own Best Friend' and More with ELLEVideo: Watch Jinkx Monsoon Sing CHICAGO's 'I Am My Own Best Friend' and More with ELLE
March 25, 2023

Watch Jinkx Monsoon sing musical theatre classics in a game of song association with ELLE!

Meet the Cast of THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!Meet the Cast of THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!
March 25, 2023

Second Stage Theater's production of Larissa FastHorse's play, The Thanksgiving Play, directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin, will begin previews tonight, March 25th! Meet the cast of The Thanksgiving Play!