The Board of Trustees of the Entertainment Community Fund—the national human services organization for everyone in performing arts and entertainment—has voted Tony and Oscar nominee Annette Bening the new Chair of the Board.
Bening succeeds two-time Tony recipient Brian Stokes Mitchell, who has held the position since 2004.
The
Board of the Entertainment Community Fund establishes policies for
administering the programs and services of the organization, which has
served the community since 1882. Bening joined the Board in 2010 and was
appointed Vice Chair in 2016.
Broadway favorite Mitchell will continue to serve the Fund as a Trustee and Chair of the newly formed Leadership Council, a group of entertainment community leaders comprised of former Trustees, Entertainment Community Fund Medal of Honor laureates, and volunteer representatives who help to advance the organization's work.
Under his leadership as Chair, Mitchell has led the Fund through several significant moments for the entertainment community. In 2020 and 2021 during the height of the pandemic, the organization helped more than 60,000 individuals through a wide range of programs and services. Since March 2020, the Fund has distributed more than $30 million in emergency financial assistance to more than 20,000 people.
Bening and Mitchell also had many years of supporting the work of the Fund together. In spring 2019, the two celebrated the ribbon cutting of The Friedman Pavilion at the Actors Fund Home, which marked the completion of a capital campaign project to rebuild, expand, and preserve the Home.
“After over 10 years as a Trustee, I’m so proud to begin this new chapter with the Entertainment Community Fund as the next Board Chair. I’ve always said that the Fund doesn’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk. I’m continually in awe of the Fund and the magnitude of work done to provide compassionate, understanding, and prompt support for the entertainment industry. Congratulations to my dear friend Stokes on such an incredible tenure, and I can’t wait to see what we all accomplish together in the coming years,” says Bening.
Mitchell adds, “Where do I begin in reflecting upon my time as Chair at the Fund? It’s been an honor to serve my peers as we navigate a life in the arts doing what we love—even when doing what we love comes with challenges and uncertainty. Thanks to all of the amazing people at the Fund, I know that our community will continue to have a safety net of support whenever they need it. And as my friend—and former high school classmate!—Annette assumes the role of Chair, I know the Board and the Fund are in excellent hands.”
“It’s a gift to have such inspiring people as part of the Entertainment Community Fund family, serving on our Boards, Councils and Committees,” states Fund President and CEO Joe Benincasa. “And Annette and Stokes embody a deep commitment to not only the Fund, but also to the people we help every day, across the country and across the industry. They bring out the best in all of us and in their colleagues who serve with them. It’s been a privilege collaborating with Stokes for the past 19 years, and I’m honored to seek new heights of service in supporting a life in the arts with Annette as our Chair.”
Bening is a two-time Tony nominee (All My Sons, Coastal Disturbances) and a four-time Oscar nominee (The Kids Are Alright, Being Julia, American Beauty, The Grifters) as well as a two-time Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award winner.
Since 1882, the Fund
has sought to ensure stability, encourage resiliency, and be a safety net
for those who shape our country’s cultural vibrancy. Visit EntertainmentCommunity.org.
