Incoming Paramount Chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos and his wife Ann were honored by Jhpiego, an international nonprofit health organization, with the Elyse Bila Ouedraogo award at the “Laugher is the Best Medicine Gala” in Beverly Hills on Monday night.
The event marked one of the former Fox Film chief’s first industry outings since assuming his new role last month.
“Let’s face it,” Ann Gianopulos said. “We are blessed. Blessed with the luxury of having state-of-the-art obstetrics care. This unfortunately can’t be said for too many women. Women die during pregnancy and childbirth unnecessarily.”
The Elyse Bila Ouedraogo Award honors an individual’s or couple’s outstanding commitment to Jhpiego’s core mission to ensure families have access to high-quality health services.
Vin Diesel, Melina Kanakaredes, Mena Suvari, Kyle Richards and former “Superman” Dean Cain were among the names strolling the carpet, which — in lockstep with this year’s honoree — featured a vintage neon Paramount Pictures sign.
Comedy Central president Kent Alterman co-hosted the event, bringing comics Al Madrigal and Tom Papa along to perform at the fundraiser to benefit women in over 40 countries.
Donations from the evening’s event will support Jhpiego’s work in improving the health of women and families, cervical cancer screenings, and safeguarding mothers and babies against malaria.