Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation CEO: Katzenberg is a co-sponsor of Thursday’s dinner. In 2011, he gave two $2,500 donations to Barack Obama, according to OpenSecrets.org. He started early with his support for the president, donating $2,300 to Obama’s campaign in March 21, 2007 and the same amount on Oct. 14, 2008. And for the big Super-PAC finish, the Hollywood heavyweight donated $2 million to the Obama-friendly Priorities USA Action on May 27, 2011.
Andy Spahn, political consultant: Spahn, a top rainmaker in Hollywood’s political milieu, is another organizer of Thursday’s dinner. He threw in for Obama last election season with a $2,300 donation on March 21, 2007, and a pre-election booster shot of the same amount on Oct. 16, 2008. On Sept. 27, 2011, he is listed on OpenSecrets as giving two $2,500 contributions to Obama.
Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company: Weinstein, a onetime supporter of Obama’s former rival-turned Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is listed as giving Obama two $2,500 donations on August 5, 2011.
Ron Meyer, Universal Studios president & COO: Meyer had his money on Obama on Feb. 9, 2007, with a $2,300 donation, repeated again on Sept. 19, 2008. Once Obama was in office, he gave the president two $2,500 bonuses, both on April 11, 2011.
Haim Saban, chairman and CEO, Saban Capital Group: Media mogul Saban, a big figure in Democratic fundraising circles, also doubled up for Obama with two $2,500 contributions on Dec. 19, 2011.
J.J. Abrams, filmmaker: The triple-threat director/writer/producer pitched in twice over for Obama’s second trip on the campaign trail with a pair of $2,500 donations on April 26, 2011.
Samuel L. Jackson, actor: The “Avengers” star gave candidate Obama $2,300 in March 21, 2007.
Bryan Lourd, Creative Artists Agency CEO: Lourd gave early and often to Obama, to the tune of $4,600 in 2007 and two $2,500 contributions on June 24, 2011.
Barbra Streisand, singer/actress: Streisand lent her pipes to a fundraiser at the Beverly Wilshire in 2008 that drummed up $2.8 million for Obama, but word has it she won’t go for an encore on Thursday night. Streisand also donated $2,300 to Obama on March 8, 2007.
George Clooney, actor, director and event host: Clooney gave two $2,500 donations to Barack Obama on April 26, 2011.He is another high-profile early adopter on Team Obama, having given $2,300 on April 18, 2007 and the same amount on August 31, 2008. He’s also donating the use of his house, which he bought in 1995 from Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks. But, taking a page from Streisand, Clooney said he’d be happy to do whatever he could to support Obama “as long as no one asks me to sing.”
President Obama still has several Hollywood heavyweights in his corner as he prepares to make another play for the White House in November. Here are 10 of his big backers.
