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The Oscar-winning actress and the Television Hall of Fame-inducted journalist are producing a fourth, star-filled “Stand Up to Cancer” telethon, to air on Sept. 5 across the Big Four US networks and 26 other outlets.
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After three successful fundraising telecasts in 2008, 2010 and 2012, the showbiz-backed nonprofit organization Stand Up to Cancer is returning for its fourth prime-time broadcast. The one-hour commercial-free show, which will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on September 5 across 30 outlets, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and HBO, is led by returning executive-producers Gwyneth Paltrow and Emmy-winning producer Joel Gallen, and television journalist Katie Couric, one of the charity’s founders and members of council.
Top recording artists and figures from film and television will be on hand to present testimonials from people whose lives have been impacted by cancer, as well as stories of how funds raised by SU2C have contributed to research to find a cure for the disease.
Couric co-founded the Stand Up to Cancer charity in the aftermath of the death of her first husband Jay Monahan from the disease in 1998. Several years later, she also lost her sister, state senator Emily Couric, to the disease.
Gwyneth’s father, Bruce Paltrow, a noted director, succumbed to cancer in 2002.
“Cancer profoundly touched my life when I lost my father to the disease 12 years ago, and Stand Up To Cancer gives me a powerful platform to fight for a cause that I’m passionate about, ” Paltrow said in a statement released on Wednesday by the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF).
“I am thrilled to join Joel Gallen to executive produce the Stand Up To Cancer telecast again this year, and honoured to continue standing up in my father’s memory.”
Money generated from the special will go to support SU2C’s work in accelerating the pace of groundbreaking cancer research and the coordination of scientists to work collaboratively on developing promising new treatments. The three previous telecasts brought in a total of more than $261 million.
“This programme offers a unique opportunity to share the story of our progress and to remind viewers that each and every individual can play a role in supporting these scientists and their tireless work on behalf of patients.” says Couric.
In addition to it being broadcast on every major US television network, a Canadian co-broadcast of this year’s show – presenting Canada-specific content – will air simultaneously on CBC, City, CTV and Global. All funds received from the Canadian general public during the broadcast will be directed toward research, education and awareness programs in Canada.
The talent lineup – which in recent years included Jennifer Aniston, Beyoncé, Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, Matt Damon and many more – will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Gwyneth Paltrow has starred in almost 50 movies, including “Se7en”, “Emma”, “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and all three “Ironman” films. She won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Viola De Lesseps in 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love”.
Born in Los Angeles, she is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and the late film producer/director Bruce Paltrow.
Katherine Anne “Katie” Couric has been a television host on all Big Three United States television networks, beginning with NBC News, where she worked from 1989 to 2006, then CBS News, where she remained till mid-2011, and more recently, ABC News.
In addition to her regular television news spots, Couric has also found the time to serve as a special correspondent for ABC News, contribute to “ABC World News”, “Nightline”, “20/20”, “Good Morning America”, “This Week”, as well as a number of prime time news specials.
Couric’s first book, “The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives” made it on to the New York Times best-seller list.
Her endeavors to further the goals of television earned her an induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 2004.
