“You talk about raising a million dollars or 50 million dollars and you’d go ‘That’s great, we’re done.’ But 2 billion dollars?! It means that there’s more money that we can put into the coffers of the scientists who are actively looking for a way to stop this disease. The more money that we have, the more research we can do, the more we can reach new plateaus,” said actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key reacting to the Foundation’s significant research funding as he spoke on the red carpet of MJFF’s annual gala, “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to Cure Parkinson’s.”

On Saturday, November 11, nearly 650 friends and supporters gathered at the exquisite Cipriani South Street at Casa Cipriani in New York City. Attendees joined The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) to celebrate an enormous year of progress for Parkinson’s disease (PD) science — heralded by the discovery of a biomarker in Parkinson’s. Since its start in 2000, MJFF has funded $2 billion in high-impact research programs — the gala has helped raise more than $116 million of that sum, with $4 million of that total coming from the 2023 event alone. Thanks to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, 100 percent of proceeds from the evening go directly to research programs.

#FoxGala was a legendary and star-studded evening, bringing together guests for a night filled with comedy and music. Host Denis Leary opened the show with his band The Enablers. The evening also featured high-energy comedy performances from Dulcé Sloan, George Wallace and Ronny Chieng, and included a surprise set from John Oliver. NBC Sunday TODAY host and MJFF Board member Willie Geist — whose father, Bill Geist, sits on the Foundation’s Patient Council and has lived with PD for over 30 years — introduced a short film, “Breakthrough,” written and produced by Foundation Board member and Michael’s longtime producing partner, Nelle Fortenberry. The film, which covers the groundbreaking biomarker breakthrough, features star-studded talent including (in order of appearance) Harrison Ford, Josh Gad, Jennifer Grey, Wendell Pierce, Tracy Pollan, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox.

GRAMMY-winning artists Jason Isbell, Bobby Weir of the Grateful Dead and Steve Jordan and the Super Soul Banned  had the crowd singing along during their epic performances. All guests jumped to their feet when together they performed the evening’s finale: “Johnny B. Goode.”

Many of Michael’s closest friends gathered to attend the event including Kate Bosworth and Justin Long; Michelle Buteau; Clark Gregg; Joan Jett; Elle and Keegan-Michael Key; Christopher Lloyd; Julianne Moore and Bart Freundlich; and many more.

Actors Kate Bosworth and Justin Long shared their praise for Michael and the Foundation’s work on the red carpet. “I think you just never know what’s going to happen in your life. But the thing you have control over is how that thing may become your purpose,” said Kate. “He’s been absolutely heroic in that sense.”

Justin added: “The Foundation has discovered a biomarker for Parkinson’s. It’s a huge advancement that will help detect [disease] before symptoms even show. It’s the first step in getting toward the ultimate goal — a cure. What they’re doing is remarkable and what he’s done in his life in so many ways is remarkable.”

During their remarks, Michael and Tracy expressed their gratitude for a year of monumental scientific progress. “The biomarker breakthrough is a tribute to all of you for sharing your vision and pushing us forward every step of the way,” said Tracy.

Michael concluded: “It’s definitely our biggest win to date. I don’t say this lightly, but it’s already changing the world. You made it happen. There are no words to express our gratitude.”

Read more of Michael’s reflections on what this event means to him in exclusive interviews with Entertainment Tonight, CBS Mornings and the latest “Philanthropy” issue of Town & Country.

And check out these top highlights from the 2023 #FoxGala.