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Jeff Ross Reflects on Caregiving at The Creative Coalition’s Humanitarian Awards
Jeff Ross, celebrated for his involvement in the popular “Comedy Central Roast” series, took a moment to share his personal journey as a caregiver for his late grandfather during The Creative Coalition’s 10th Humanitarian Awards ceremony held on September 14.
The prestigious gala, hosted by Variety‘s Marc Malkin, recognizes contributions from actors, writers, and producers dedicated to social welfare and philanthropic initiatives.
Ross’s upbringing was profoundly shaped by personal loss; he lost his mother to leukemia at just 14 years old and his father to drug-related issues by the age of 19. As a result, he spent significant time with his grandfather, managing both caregiving responsibilities and his budding career in stand-up comedy. He reminisced about the days of escorting his grandfather to medical appointments before heading to New York City for his comedy gigs.
“At 23, I was a young comic who thought I couldn’t handle it,” Ross reflected in an interview with Variety. “Despite the challenges, we faced them together, and I’m grateful for those moments we shared.”
Although he initially hesitated to accept the award from The Creative Coalition, Ross ultimately chose to honor his grandfather through the recognition.
In addition to his comedy career, Ross has recently been invited to participate in various primetime game shows, always with an intention to integrate charity into these appearances. He specifically recognized Meals on Wheels as a crucial organization that provided meals to his grandfather during his lifetime, expressing heartfelt appreciation for their support.
“I made it a point to taste the meals too, just to ensure they weren’t trying to poison him,” Ross humorously noted.
During the ceremony, Ross received his award from presenters John Stamos, Seth Green, and Rich Eisen. Green lauded Ross as one of the most kind-hearted individuals he knows, while Stamos praised him for epitomizing the values of the humanitarian award, crediting Ross for using his unique humor to make the world a better place.
“Your comedy transcends mere roasting,” Stamos remarked. “It reveals truth with compassion and helps transform heavy life experiences into lighter moments, demonstrating the healing power of humor.”
In a light-hearted acceptance speech, Ross referenced his special “The Roast of Tom Brady,” joking about the challenges faced by the lighting designer for such a high-profile event. He humorously acknowledged, “I took my time with the teleprompter, especially knowing the audience included football players… These are the jokes I would have delivered had I clinched the Creative Arts Emmy.”
Additionally, Ross previously served as the host for the Creative Coalition’s Humanitarian Awards in 2019.
Dulé Hill, another honoree at the gala, expressed how humbling it was to be recognized, emphasizing the Creative Coalition’s dedication to advocating for the arts.
Wendell Pierce, recognized for his roles in shows like “The Wire” and “Treme,” also received a humanitarian award. Pierce made a notable appearance at the Democratic National Convention on August 20, rallying Louisiana voters to support Kamala Harris. Reflecting on the significance of the award amid the current political landscape, he urged attendees to exercise their right to vote.
“There’s blood on that ballot box,” Pierce stated. “Many individuals from my community have suffered, hoping their sacrifices would not be in vain. We carry a sacred responsibility to honor them, especially in this election.”
Source
variety.com