UNICEF honors producer Weintraub

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Film producer and philanthropist Jerry Weintraub was honored as Man of the Year at UNICEF's 2009 fundraising gala in Beverly Hills, Calif., organizers said.

Weintraub was presented with the group's Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award at the Dec. 10 black-tie evening at the Beverly Wilshire.

"We are honored to present Jerry as an exceptional individual who has demonstrated visionary and transformative leadership on behalf of children worldwide with the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award," Caryl Stern, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, said in a statement. "His philanthropic commitment to UNICEF's mission to reach a day when zero children die from preventable causes, is truly inspirational."

"Every day 24,000 children die from preventable causes. I believe that number should be zero," Weintraub said. "UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world and I am committed to supporting their efforts to provide children worldwide the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood."

The evening featured performances by Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Jane Morgan-Weintraub and Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Actors George Clooney and Bruce Willis and talent agent Bryan Lourd were among those who spoke about Weintraub as a friend and colleague.

Weintraub's film producing credits include "The Karate Kid," the 2001 remake of "Ocean's Eleven" and "Oh, God!"