The Michael J. Fox Foundation raised close to $4 million at the fifth installment of its gala event, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s,” on Saturday, November 19, 2005. Karen Finerman and Barry Cohen co-chaired the evening, which was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at the Waldorf-Astoria and featured stand-up performances by Colin Quinn, Sarah Silverman and Wanda Sykes, as well as a musical performance by American icon John Mellencamp.

About 750 guests, including Amanda Peet, Maggie Rizer, Elaine Irwin Mellencamp, Dylan Lauren, Ronald O. Perelman and Donny Deutsch joined Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City to generate funds for Parkinson’s research. The all-star house band led by Simon Kirke included Rob Arthur, Tommy Burns, John Conte, Domino Kirke, Paulette McDaniel and Mark Rivera.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors covered the cost of putting on the event, so all the money raised will go straight to Parkinson’s science. Michael J. Fox and the Foundation staff thank everyone who attended and made the evening great.