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Comedian Trevor Noah will be honored alongside Kristin Lemkau, Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan Wealth Management at JPMorgan Chase, at the 2025 edition of Comic Relief Live, Comic Relief’s annual benefit supporting children facing poverty. John Oliver will host the ceremony, taking place at Carnegie Hall in New York City at 8:00 p.m. on December 10, with Noah receiving Comic Relief’s Icon Award and Lemkau receiving the Visionary Award. The Icon Award recognizes individuals in entertainment who have leveraged their platforms as a force for good, inspiring the public to support young people facing poverty through their actions. Noah and his foundation are being honored for their work to reimagine how youth learn, acquire skills, and harness the curiosity necessary to lead the next generation — helping create a world where education enables them to dream, see, and build the impossible. Last year’s recipients included Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and, posthumously, Robin Williams. “I’m deeply honored to be recognized by Comic Relief, an organization that uses the power of laughter to effect positive change in the world and to help build a more hopeful future for kids,” said Noah. “The work that my foundation and I strive to do taps into that same belief system.” Comic Relief’s Visionary Award acknowledges individuals whose exceptional professional, civic, and philanthropic endeavors have created opportunities to support and empower others. Lemkau is being recognized for her efforts to combat poverty, expand access to quality education, and champion community involvement as crucial for social impact. Sir Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, received last year’s award. “I’m humbled and deeply grateful to receive the Visionary Award from Comic Relief,” said Lemkau. “I’ve worked most of my adult life to support organizations that help children break the cycle of poverty. No child chooses to be born into systemic poverty, and every child deserves the help to break through the enormous headwinds it creates for them. The work Comic Relief does is absolutely staggering, to unify an entire industry to donate their time, talent, and dollars to help more than 35 million kids ‘build the impossible.'” Ticket packages and individual tickets to the benefit go on sale Wednesday, October 29, at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT. Currently, Andrew Rannells, Ilana Glazer, and Noah’s former Daily Show colleague Roy Wood Jr. are among those set to appear, with more names to be announced soon. Joanna Coles, OBE, Chief Content and Creative Officer at The Daily Beast, and Jacki Kelley, Chief Client Officer & Chief Business Officer at Interpublic Group, are co-chairing this year’s benefit. “We are incredibly proud to honor Trevor Noah and Kristin Lemkau, two extraordinary leaders whose dedication to helping children and families truly embodies the spirit of Comic Relief,” said Comic Relief CEO Michele Ganeless. “Comic Relief Live is also an ideal moment to celebrate our remarkable grantee partners who are on the front lines every day, making a tangible difference in people’s lives.” Founded in the UK in 1985, Comic Relief supports initiatives that provide safety and housing, better health, stronger education, and economic opportunities so kids can thrive. Over the decades, the organization has raised more than $436 million and helped over 50 million children and families across the U.S. and around the world.
