A bevy of Hollywood’s elite attended the Mercedes-Benz 26th Carousel of Hope Gala at The Beverly Hilton on Saturday to honor George Clooney.
While Clooney is no stranger to accolades recognizing his work as an actor, director and producer, the gala celebrated him as a philanthropist with the prestigious Brass Ring Award. The biannual event, created by Barbara Davis to benefit research and treatment for childhood diabetes drew the Hilton family, Clive Davis, Smokey Robinson, Sidney Poitier, Joan Collins, Quincy Jones, and Jennie Garth, among others. Clooney roared with laughter as he chatted with Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine at the main table, stationed front and center in the pink and lilac ballroom. All the while, he kept his arm around girlfriend Stacy Keibler’s waist, whispering in her ear throughout the evening. “This one is dedicated to you, George,” said Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds as he tuned up to perform “When Will I see You Again.” After a long pause and laughter from the crowd, the singer redirected his dedication saying, “No, that’s too weird. This is for you Stacy.”
Following a video tribute highlighting Clooney’s humanitarian work in Darfur in the Sudan, the jack of all trades took the stage to accept his award with a few short remarks. “In life, you learn that you can’t make people do the right things, but you can make it harder for them to do the wrong things,” he said. To cap off the evening, Neil Diamond veered off the stage and serenaded attendees in the aisles. Making his way through the singing crowd, the musician coerced Clooney to end the memorable evening with a few bars of “Sweet Caroline” to which the always witty star obliged to appease the crowd.