LOS ANGELES, June 25 (UPI) -- Sen. John F. Kerry's presidential campaign raised about $5 million at a star-studded gala at Los Angeles's Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The event was the first of two planned fundraisers featuring some of the entertainment industry's biggest names, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
Among the celebrities coming out to show support for the Massachusetts Democrat and likely general election nominee were singers Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond and Willie Nelson, actors Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro, and comedian Billy Crystal, who called Thursday night's event, "Woodstock for really, really rich people."
Academy Award winner Ben Affleck told the audience he was supporting Kerry for president because he saved $1.5 million on his federal income taxes last year "thanks" to President Bush's tax cut. "Does anyone here think that's appropriate?" Affleck asked.
Kerry raised just under $10 million during his 48-hour swing through California, the Times reported, or about $1 million for every 4 hours and 45 minutes spent in the state.
