This is serious business: John Oliver is confirmed to host Comic Relief Live at New York’s Carnegie Hall as the fundraiser honors Trevor Noah and Kristen Lemkau.
Set to take place on Dec. 10, the fundraiser will also feature appearances and performances by Andrew Rannells, Ilana Glazer and Roy Wood Jr. and others to be announced at a later date. Superstar Noah is set to receive Comic Relief’s icon award while Lemkau, who serves as CEO of J.P. Morgan Wealth Management at JPMorgan Chase, will be feted with a visionary award.
Comic Relief Live honoring Trevor Noah and Kristin Lemkau and hosted by John Oliver on Dec. 10, 2025.
Courtesy of Comic Relief Live
The icon honor is meant to recognize “outstanding individuals in the entertainment industry who have leveraged their platform as a force for good, and whose actions have inspired the public to support children and young people facing poverty.” Prior recipients include Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams. Meanwhile, the visionary prize “acknowledges trailblazing individuals whose exceptional professional, civic, and philanthropic endeavors have meaningfully and boldly created opportunities to support and empower others.” CNN Worldwide’s chairman and CEO Mark Thompson received the honor last year.
“We are incredibly proud to honor Trevor Noah and Kristin Lemkau, two extraordinary leaders whose dedication to helping children and families truly embodies the spirit of Comic Relief,” said Comic Relief CEO Michele Ganeless. “Comic Relief Live is also an ideal moment to celebrate our remarkable grantee partners who are on the front lines every day, making a tangible difference in people’s lives.”
In a statement, Noah said that he was “deeply honored” by the recognition from Comic Relief, which he described as “an organization that uses the power of laughter to effect positive change in the world and to help build a more hopeful future for kids.” The Trevor Noah Foundation leader added, “The work that my foundation and I strive to do taps into that same belief system.”
Added Lemkau: “I’ve worked most of my adult life to support organizations that help children break the cycle of poverty. No child chooses to be born into systemic poverty, and every child deserves the help to break through the enormous headwinds it creates for them.”
Funds from Comic Relief Live benefit support Comic Relief’s work empowering community-based partners that offer education, support and programs for children in under-resourced communities. Tickets go on sale tomorrow. Co-chairs of the 2025 event include The Daily Beast’s chief content and creative officer Joanna Coles and Interpublic Group’s executive vp, chief client officer and chief business officer Jacki Kelley.
Leave a Reply