Comic Relief USA

Comic Relief USA, also called Comic Relief, Inc. (not the same as the successor charity with the same name), was a non-profit charity organization that operated from 1986 until 2011. Its mission was to raise funds to help those in need—particularly America's homeless. It raised and distributed nearly US$50 million toward providing assistance—including health care services—to homeless people throughout the United States. Although Comic Relief's charity work was continuous, its fundraising events were held and televised at irregular intervals—and primarily by Home Box Office (HBO), with comedians Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and Whoopi Goldberg as the hosts each time. They—along with many other comedians, celebrities, and occasional politicians—performed various segments—both general-purpose and specific to homelessness—of standup comedy, sketch comedy, speeches, live music, and impressions of persons and characters. The organization also produced documentary segments dealing with real-life problems of homeless people, in order to raise awareness of not only the realities but also how many hard-working "ordinary" people can wind up or grow up homeless. In exchange for contributions exceeding certain amounts, T-shirts, sweatshirts and other merchandise were typically for sale. Its slogans were "Where there's laughter, there's hope" and "Comic Relief—it's no joke".

Founding

Based on the Comic Relief charity in the United Kingdom and dedicated to the memory of comedian Andy Kaufman, the American organization was created in 1986 by comedy writer, producer, and actor Bob Zmuda and producer Jacques Fiorentino.