Famous actor Bryan Cranston has been selected to take the reins as the host of a high-profile charity poker tournament set to draw some of the entertainment industry’s biggest luminaries and Hollywood’s power players. This poker spectacle is geared towards raising funds for the Entertainment Community Fund, aimed at assisting film and television industry workers who have been adversely affected by the ongoing writer’s strike.
Scheduled for November 12th, the glamorous event will unfold at Candela La Brea, an upscale Los Angeles restaurant and event center. Entry fees range from a modest $2,500 to a staggering $100,000 for premium packages that come with multiple seats, augmented starting stacks, re-buys, and even personalized table felts emblazoned with participants’ names.
Cranston, whose career spans over three decades with a primary focus on television, is most celebrated for his portrayal of Walter White, the mild-mannered chemistry teacher turned ruthless drug lord in the acclaimed series “Breaking Bad.” Beyond his acting prowess, Cranston is a poker enthusiast and has even featured in a longstanding celebrity poker game that convenes every Wednesday. Additionally, he engaged in the classic show “Celebrity Poker Showdown” back in 2005, securing the second spot and a $5,000 prize for his charity of choice, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Interestingly, the actor who bested him in a heads-up showdown, Stephen Collins, faced professional downfall after confessing to indecent exposure to minors, creating a memorable episode alongside Howie Mandel, Peter Dinklage, and Meat Loaf.
With poker’s resurgence in popularity, celebrities are making a comeback to the game, as evident from their presence at this year’s World Series of Poker.
Supporting a Worthy Cause While the tournament is open to anyone keen on participating, the entry fee starts at $2,500, and the cost of entry as a spectator and reveler stands at a substantial $1,000. The fees escalate significantly from there, underscoring the commitment of stars and industry insiders to aid workers enduring months without wages during the ongoing writer’s strike.