'Glee' Creator Ryan Murphy to Host Obama Fundraising Dinner (Exclusive)
Obama's embrace of marriage equality has re-energized his Hollywood base.
Whatever political risk President Barack Obama might have taken by unambiguously endorsing same-sex marriage this week, it’s already clear that he’ll reap the benefits of expanding and energizing his Hollywood fund-raising base.
The president already is scheduled to attend an LGBT gala and concert in Beverly Hills on June 6. Now, in addition to that event, The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy and his fiancé David Miller will host a separate dinner that night to raise additional money for the Obama campaign. In the wake of the president's Wednesday endorsement of gay marraige, the event is expected to generate millions of dollars.
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Dinner with the president at the Murphy-Miller home will cost $40,000 per couple or $25,000 for those attending on their own. Guests can become co-hosts by agreeing to raise $250,000 for the president’s reelection.
Murphy, who also co-created FX's American Horror Story, and Miller have been a couple for more than a decade but became engaged earlier this year. This dinner will mark the first time they have hosted a major political fundraising event.
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Demand for tickets to the LGBT gala has skyrocketed this week, and organizers say they’re now shopping for a larger venue to accommodate demand. They also might add a second act to join Pink, who already is scheduled to perform. Tickets for the concert are priced from $1,250 per person up to $25,000 apiece, which gets you priority seating and a photo with Obama.
Taken together, the dinner and concert could raise between $5 million and $10 million more for the president’s reelection campaign. The latter total would put it in the same class as 2008’s record-setting one night event — a Barbra Streisand concert and dinner at Beverly Hills’ Greystone mansion.
The president is in Los Angeles on Thursday for a fundraising dinner at George Clooney's house that is expected to raise as much as $15 million for the Obama campaign.
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