CNN Heroes

Taraji P. Henson, Richard Gere and more celebs to honor giving

3 minute read
Updated 7:30 PM EST, Sun December 11, 2016
Hosts Kelly Ripa, left, and Anderson Cooper arrive at the 2016 "CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute" at New York's American Museum of Natural History on Sunday, December 11.
Hosts Kelly Ripa, left, and Anderson Cooper arrive at the 2016 "CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute" at New York's American Museum of Natural History on Sunday, December 11.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
These men and women, who have devoted their lives to helping others, have been selected as this year's Top 10 CNN Heroes. From left, Craig Dodson, Brad Ludden, Umra Omar, Harry Swimmer, Georgie Smith, Sherri Franklin, Becca Stevens, Luma Mufleh, Jeison Aristizabal, and Sheldon Smith. Learn more about their work and how you can help at<a href="http://www.cnn.com/specials/cnn-heroes/"> CNNHeroes.com</a>
These men and women, who have devoted their lives to helping others, have been selected as this year's Top 10 CNN Heroes. From left, Craig Dodson, Brad Ludden, Umra Omar, Harry Swimmer, Georgie Smith, Sherri Franklin, Becca Stevens, Luma Mufleh, Jeison Aristizabal, and Sheldon Smith. Learn more about their work and how you can help at CNNHeroes.com
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
Olympic gymnast and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/23/entertainment/dancing-with-the-stars-winner/">recent "Dancing With The Stars" winner</a> Laurie Hernandez is one of several celebrities at the 10th annual "CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute."
Olympic gymnast and recent "Dancing With The Stars" winner Laurie Hernandez is one of several celebrities at the 10th annual "CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute."
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer is also lending his star power to Sunday's event.
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer is also lending his star power to Sunday's event.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
"Empire" star Taraji P. Henson draws a crowd of photographers on the red carpet.
"Empire" star Taraji P. Henson draws a crowd of photographers on the red carpet.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CNN
CNN "New Day" hosts Alisyn Camerota, left, and Chris Cuomo
CNN "New Day" hosts Alisyn Camerota, left, and Chris Cuomo
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
Actor Neil Patrick Harris poses for photos on the CNN Heroes red carpet.
Actor Neil Patrick Harris poses for photos on the CNN Heroes red carpet.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
"Boardwalk Empire" actress Margot Bingham walks the red carpet at the "CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute" Sunday.
"Boardwalk Empire" actress Margot Bingham walks the red carpet at the "CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute" Sunday.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
Umra Omar, left, takes a selfie with her fellow Top 10 CNN Heroes on the red carpet as they get ready for the awards show.
Umra Omar, left, takes a selfie with her fellow Top 10 CNN Heroes on the red carpet as they get ready for the awards show.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
"Key & Peele" comedian Keegan-Michael Key, left, and actress Elisa Pugliese
"Key & Peele" comedian Keegan-Michael Key, left, and actress Elisa Pugliese
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
"Frozen" singer Idina Menzel will perform "I See You," a song from her new album, "Idina" at the CNN Heroes awards show.
"Frozen" singer Idina Menzel will perform "I See You," a song from her new album, "Idina" at the CNN Heroes awards show.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CNN
Actress Edie Falco attends CNN Heroes Gala 2016 at the American Museum of Natural History on December 11, 2016 in New York City.
Actress Edie Falco attends CNN Heroes Gala 2016 at the American Museum of Natural History on December 11, 2016 in New York City.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
CNN host Don Lemon smiles for the cameras on the red carpet.
CNN host Don Lemon smiles for the cameras on the red carpet.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CNN
Actress Megan Boone, star of NBC's "The Blacklist"
Actress Megan Boone, star of NBC's "The Blacklist"
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
"Blacklist" and "House of Cards" actress Mozhan Marno
"Blacklist" and "House of Cards" actress Mozhan Marno
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN
CNN Heroes 2016 red carpet

“CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” airs live on CNN and CNNgo Sunday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET

Story highlights

'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute' airs Sunday on CNN at 8 p.m. ET

Celebrity presenters include Octavia Spencer, Liev Schreiber and Edie Falco

CNN  — 

You may be used to seeing Taraji P. Henson dish out snappy one-line comebacks as street-smart matriarch Cookie Lyon on Fox’s “Empire.”

Now, Henson will be co-starring in a much more true-to-life role: honoring everyday folks who dedicate their lives to making their communities a better place.

Henson, along with such other A-list celebrities as Richard Gere and Edie Falco, will turn out to celebrate people working to improve the lives of others through service at the 10th annual “CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute” Sunday.

ABC’s Kelly Ripa will join CNN’s Anderson Cooper as hosts for this special show, which airs live on CNN at 8 p.m. ET from New York’s American Museum of Natural History.

Actor Neil Patrick Harris will return for his third time to present one of this year’s top 10 CNN Heroes with an award. Other high-wattage presenters include “Collateral Beauty” star Edward Norton; Liev Schreiber, star of “Ray Donovan”; Octavia Spencer, who stars alongside Henson in the new film “Hidden Figures”; and Diane Lane of “Justice League.” “Keanu” star Keegan-Michael Key; “Orange Is the New Black” actress Danielle Brooks; and Laurie Hernandez, Olympic gold medalist and current “Dancing with the Stars” champion, will also take part.

“Frozen’s” Idina Menzel will perform “I See You,” a song from her new album, “Idina.”

The 10 CNN Heroes are being honored for a diverse slate of projects.

CNN Hero Jeison Aristizábal's nonprofit, ASODISVALLE, offers therapies, educational services and healthy meals for young people in Colombia living with a range of disabilities. The organization's school also welcomes students who are not disabled but want a quality education, such as the class pictured here.
Jeison Aristizábal —
CNN Hero Jeison Aristizábal's nonprofit, ASODISVALLE, offers therapies, educational services and healthy meals for young people in Colombia living with a range of disabilities. The organization's school also welcomes students who are not disabled but want a quality education, such as the class pictured here.
JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
CNN Hero Craig Dodson is the founder of Richmond Cycling Corps, a program that offers cycling training and other positive life experiences for at-risk children living in public housing in Richmond, Virginia.
Craig Dodson —
CNN Hero Craig Dodson is the founder of Richmond Cycling Corps, a program that offers cycling training and other positive life experiences for at-risk children living in public housing in Richmond, Virginia.
John Nowak/CNN
CNN Hero Sherri Franklin founded Muttville, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that finds loving homes for senior dogs.
Sherri Franklin —
CNN Hero Sherri Franklin founded Muttville, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that finds loving homes for senior dogs.
David Scott Holloway for CNN
CNN Hero and kayaker Brad Ludden founded First Descents to give young adults with cancer life-changing experiences.
Brad Ludden —
CNN Hero and kayaker Brad Ludden founded First Descents to give young adults with cancer life-changing experiences.
BENJAMIN RASMUSSEN for CNN
CNN Hero Luma Mufleh is the founder of the Fugees Family, a nonprofit that runs a school and soccer program serving the needs of the refugee population in Clarkston, Georgia.
Luma Mufleh —
CNN Hero Luma Mufleh is the founder of the Fugees Family, a nonprofit that runs a school and soccer program serving the needs of the refugee population in Clarkston, Georgia.
ARTEM NAZAROV/CNN
CNN Hero Becca Stevens' nonprofit Thistle Farms runs five residential communities in Nashville, Tennessee, offering marginalized women homes and a variety of therapies for up to two years at no cost.
Becca Stevens —
CNN Hero Becca Stevens' nonprofit Thistle Farms runs five residential communities in Nashville, Tennessee, offering marginalized women homes and a variety of therapies for up to two years at no cost.
Kristina Krug for CNN
CNN Hero Georgie Smith started a nonprofit called A Sense of Home, which creates comfortable living spaces for former foster children in Los Angeles.
Georgie Smith —
CNN Hero Georgie Smith started a nonprofit called A Sense of Home, which creates comfortable living spaces for former foster children in Los Angeles.
BRINSON BANKS for CNN
CNN Hero Sheldon Smith's nonprofit, the Dovetail Project, provides young fathers in Chicago with the skills needed to be responsible parents and positive role models for their children.
Sheldon Smith —
CNN Hero Sheldon Smith's nonprofit, the Dovetail Project, provides young fathers in Chicago with the skills needed to be responsible parents and positive role models for their children.
SARA STATHAS for CNN
CNN Hero Harry Swimmer and his organization, Mitey Riders, provide free, equine-assisted therapy to young people with a range of disabilities.
Harry Swimmer —
CNN Hero Harry Swimmer and his organization, Mitey Riders, provide free, equine-assisted therapy to young people with a range of disabilities.
KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN
CNN Hero Umra Omar's group, Safari Doctors, offers free medical services to more than 1,000 people a year in parts of coastal Kenya cut off by threats from extremist groups.
Umra Omar —
CNN Hero Umra Omar's group, Safari Doctors, offers free medical services to more than 1,000 people a year in parts of coastal Kenya cut off by threats from extremist groups.
NEIL THOMAS For CNN
The Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2016

Jeison Aristizábal’s foundation provides educational and medical services to young people living with disabilities in Colombia.

Craig Dodson started a cycling club for at-risk youth living in Richmond, Virginia, public housing after realizing a pep talk wasn’t enough.

Sherri Franklin’s nonprofit specializes in the adoption of hard-to-place older dogs, often by senior citizens, in San Francisco.

Brad Ludden started a Montana outdoor adventure group to give young cancer patients some “victory” over their disease.

Luma Mufleh founded a school and soccer program for young refugees near Atlanta.

Umra Omar travels a dangerous stretch of Kenya’s coastline offering free medical services to isolated citizens.

Georgie Smith decorates homes for former foster children after they age out of the Los Angeles foster care system.

Sheldon Smith grew up with an absentee father, so he started a Chicago nonprofit to help young dads become positive role models.

Becca Stevens’ nonprofit allows women who’ve battled Nashville street life to live in residential centers at no cost and find gainful employment.

Harry Swimmer turned his North Carolina horse farm into a therapeutic haven for children with severe physical and mental disabilities.

Each top 10 CNN Hero will receive a $10,000 cash prize. One will be named “CNN Hero of the Year” after an audience vote, and receive an additional $100,000 for his or her cause.

Donations made to each Top 10 CNN Hero’s designated nonprofit organization will be matched up to $50,000, starting at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday. CrowdRise, a fundraising flatform co-founded by Edward Norton, will help the CNN Heroes reach matching funds on CrowdRise.com and through their own social outreach.

The Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” has profiled more than 275 heroes and has received over 75,000 nominations from upwards of 100 countries.

Tune in Sunday at 8 p.m. ET and “Like” CNN Heroes on Facebook, follow @CNNHeroes on Twitter, and use hashtag #CNNHeroes to follow the action as it happens. Catch up with celebs and CNN Heroes behind the scenes with the CNN Heroes Instagram account.