THE CREATIVE COALITION TO HONOR ENTERTAINMENT NOTABLES FOR HUMANITARIAN LEADERSHIP
John Stamos, Famke Janssen, Simran Baidwan, Cara Buono, Lisa Ann Walter and Mary Lou Belli to be Recognized at The Creative Coalition’s 12th Annual Humanitarian Awards Benefit Dinner
Co-Chaired by Tim Daly, Michael Chiklis and Michelle Chiklis Kicks Off Emmy Week
Marc Malkin Returns as Host for the Fourth Consecutive Year
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 13, 2026) - Today, The Creative Coalition announced the recipients of its 12th Annual Humanitarian Awards, honoring John Stamos, Simran Baidwan, Cara Buono, Famke Janssen, Lisa Ann Walter and Mary Lou Belli, whose humanitarian leadership has created meaningful change through advocacy, service and public engagement.
The Creative Coalition’s 12th Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner will take place on Thursday evening, September 10, 2026 at the legendary Hollywood venue, The Second Home (formerly The Bourbon Room) at 6356 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, during Emmy Week.
Now in its 12th year, the Humanitarian Awards Dinner has become one of Emmy Week’s signature gatherings, celebrating members of the entertainment community whose impact extends far beyond their artistic achievements and whose leadership has strengthened communities, advanced important causes and improved lives.
The evening will be co-chaired by actor and The Creative Coalition Emmy-nominated President Tim Daly, Emmy Award-winning actor Michael Chiklis and Michelle Chiklis. Returning to host the Humanitarian Awards Dinner for the fourth consecutive year is Marc Malkin, Variety’s Senior Culture and Events Editor, whose interviews and red-carpet coverage have made him one of entertainment journalism’s most recognizable voices. The Co-Host Committee includes Emmy-nominated Executive Producer Bill Prady (“Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” “Big Bang Theory), Executive Producer Jessica Queller (“Supergirl,” “Blood & Oil”), and business leaders Angela and Dan Blatteis, among others, with Award Presenters including Emmy Award-winners Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”) and Jeffrey Ross (“Take a Banana for the Road,” “Ricky Stanicky”), among others.
This year’s Honorees represent an extraordinary breadth of service from advancing HIV/AIDS research and supporting survivors of child abuse to championing public education, mentoring emerging filmmakers and working to reduce gun violence. They share a common belief that influence carries responsibility and that lasting impact is measured not only by professional success but by the difference they make in the lives of others.
Humanitarian Award 2026 Honorees include:
John Stamos - Emmy Award-nominated actor (“The Hunting Wives,” Drag) recognized for his support and advancement of children as an Ambassador for ChildHelp, an organization that helps the victims of child abuse through education treatment and prevention programs, and his partnership with My Saint My Hero to create the St. Amos Wearable Blessings Collection, donating 100% of the net proceeds to ChildHelp.
Famke Janssen – actor (“How to Get Away With Murder,” X-Men) recognized for her service as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Integrity to advance transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership, and as Green Cross International’s first Water Ambassador bring attention to the profound humanitarian consequences of water scarcity and the need to protect the natural resources upon which communities around the world depend.
Simran Baidwan - Emmy Award-winning executive producer and writer (“The Pitt,” “Clean Slate”), recognized for using storytelling to illuminate the experiences of family caregivers, for her leadership through the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s NextGen Board and her involvement in the Stay in LA initiative supporting the entertainment industry’s below-the-line workforce. This Award is presented in partnership with AARP.
Cara Buono - Emmy Award-nominated actor (“Stranger Things,” “Mad Men,” “Southern Bastards”), recognized for co-founding Liberty United, a social enterprise that transforms illegal firearms into jewelry and accessories, with proceeds supporting gun violence prevention initiatives and survivor services.
Lisa Ann Walter - actor (“Abbott Elementary”), recognized for her advocacy on behalf of public education through her partnership with BIC and the Kids In Need Foundation’s Supply Ride initiative, providing teachers and students across the country with much-needed classroom supplies.
Mary Lou Belli - Three-time Emmy Award-nominated director, producer and best-selling author (“The Ms. Pat Show”), a two-time Los Angeles Area Emmy winner for her documentary work, honored for her decades-long commitment to mentoring emerging filmmakers, including the Directors Guild of America’s First-Time Directors Seminar and AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women.
“Our industry has an extraordinary ability to shape culture,” said Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition. “These honorees have gone even further. They have used their influence to improve lives, strengthen communities and create opportunities for others. Their compassion, leadership and commitment to service embody everything this award was created to celebrate.”
“The Humanitarian Awards recognize a simple but powerful truth – that success is most meaningful when it creates opportunity for others,” said Robin Bronk, Chief Executive Officer of The Creative Coalition. “Each of this year’s honorees has transformed personal passion into public service, proving that an artist’s influence can extend far beyond the screen. Their work has strengthened communities, inspired action, and improved lives. and we are honored to celebrate their extraordinary contributions.”
The evening will also feature a special performance by the TCC Jam Band, the beloved ensemble of actors, artists, and musicians that come together exclusively for select Creative Coalition events. For this year’s Humanitarian Awards, actors and musicians Michael Chiklis, John Stamos, Rob Morrow, Sharon Lawrence, Wayne Federman, Gina Belafonte, Laura Pallas, and other special guests will take the stage for a one-night-only performance.
All proceeds from the Humanitarian Awards Dinner support The Creative Coalition’s year-round efforts on behalf of the arts, artists and freedom of creative expression. Since 1989, The Creative Coalition has united leaders across the entertainment industry to inform public policy through the power of creative voices. From protecting federal arts funding to championing arts education and freedom of expression, the organization has become one of the entertainment community’s leading cause-related advocacy organizations.
Its work continues throughout the year through national campaigns, educational initiatives, leadership forums, Arts on the Hill Day on Capitol Hill and programs that connect creators with policymakers. Earlier this year, Congress preserved $207 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Past Humanitarian Award recipients include Jason Isaacs, John Turturro, Judith Light, Natasha Rothwell, Jon Gries, Brianne Howey, Skye P. Marshall, Uzo Aduba, Anthony Anderson, Patricia Arquette, Alex Borstein, Yvette Nicole Brown, James Cromwell, Alan Cumming, Colman Domingo, Billy Eichner, Keegan-Michael Key, Ryan Murphy, Amy Poehler, Tim Robbins, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lena Waithe, Henry Winkler, Finn Wolfhard and Alfre Woodard.
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About The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization of the arts and entertainment industry. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, the organization is committed to educating artists and leaders on issues of public importance. Tim Daly serves as President. Through award-winning initiatives such as the #RightToBearArts campaign, The Creative Coalition leverages the power of the arts to drive social impact and inspire civic engagement. Learn more at https://thecreativecoalition.org.