News / Entertainment
Tim Allen Challenges Laugh Factory Fans to Raise Funds for Operation Smile
Operation Smile’s UCLA Student Club and Laugh Factory in Hollywood, CA Raise $12,000 to Provide 50 Children with New Smiles
The evening’s ticket sales alone raised nearly $2,000. Attendees were treated to outrageously hilarious comedy sets by some of today’s best known comedians, including Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Paul Rodriguez, Neal Brennan and the headliner, Tim Allen. Before starting his set, Tim Allen commended the audience for their support of Operation Smile and challenged them to raise additional funds by letting them know that he was donating as well.
The Laugh Factory is the No. 1 comedy club in the U.S., according to USA Today. The Laugh Factory’s two locations in Hollywood and Long Beach, California features top performers including Jim Carrey, Michael Richards, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Rodney Dangerfield, Jerry Seinfeld, Damon Wayans, Dave Chappelle, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and Roseanne Barr. Masada, named a true visionary by the Los Angeles Times, created The Laugh Factory in Groucho Marx's old building at the age of 16. Richard Pryor was the first comedian to serenade the Laugh Factory stage in 1979.
After his stand-up debut in 1979, Tim Allen became one of the country’s most requested comedy headliners on the national club circuit. He is performing stand-up across the country and in Canada. Allen, who starred in ABC's Home Improvement for eight years, will again voice Buzz Lightyear in the Disney/Pixar animated film Toy Story 3, scheduled to hit theaters June 18. Allen's latest on-screen appearance came in his feature film directorial debut, Crazy on the Outside, co-starring Ray Liotta and Sigourney Weaver.
The mission of the Operation Smile student club at UCLA is to increase the awareness of international children’s medical needs. The club members raise funds to provide reconstructive surgery for those suffering from cleft lips and cleft palates, as well as other healthcare needs for children around the world.
Each year around the world, more than 200,000 children are born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate, and are often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. With the help of medical volunteers and generous donations, Operation Smile provides free surgeries to children worldwide to heal smiles.
For updates on Operation Smile’s global efforts, visit the daily blogs on http://www.operationsmile.org/, follow @operationsmile on Twitter, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/operationsmile.
About Operation Smile
Founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee, Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide children’s medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Since its founding, Operation Smile has treated more than 145,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization has a presence in more than 50 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.
