It’s nearly time to place your bets as the is readying its second annual Lights! Camera! Ante Up! Celebrity Poker Tournament.
Scheduled to take place at Candela La Brea in Los Angeles on Sept. 8, the event will feature Annette Bening as chair and Joely Fisher as co-chair. The role is not new for Bening, who also serves as ECF’s chair. She assumed the position last summer, taking over from Brian Stokes Mitchell who served the organization for 19 years. The poker tournament is designed to raise awareness for and benefit ECF, with proceeds supporting professionals working in performing arts and entertainment. Last year’s inaugural edition raised north of $170,000.
Among the confirmed players for this second annual event are Reggie Austin (Pretty Little Liars, Agent Carter), William Stanford Davis (Abbott Elementary, Ray Donovan), Alexis Floyd (Inventing Anna, Grey’s Anatomy), Lilli Kay (Rustin, Yellowstone), Mekhi Phifer (ER, 8 Mile) and Andrea Savage (Veep, Stepbrothers). Special guests include Mindy Cohn (The Facts of Life, Palm Royale), and additional players are expected.
“This poker tournament is more than just a game,” Bening said in a statement. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to unite and give back to the entertainment community, and I am proud to co-chair this year’s tournament alongside my peer. The Fund has been an essential resource for countless industry workers over the years, especially in the wake of the global pandemic and the 2023 strikes. Supporting the people who help make our industry thrive is both a privilege and an honor.”