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2022 Michael J. Fox Foundation Gala


Jeannie Gaffigan and Jim Gaffigan attend the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research gala at Cipriani South Street on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in New York City

On Saturday, October 29, nearly 600 friends gathered at the extraordinary Casa Cipriani in New York City. Guests celebrated the Foundation’s tireless work accelerating Parkinson’s research and its astounding global impact on better treatments, a cure and, even prevention toward the disease. Since its start in 2000, MJFF has funded an incredible $1.5 billion in high-impact research programs, and the gala has helped raise more than $112 million of that sum, with $4 million of that total coming from 2022 alone. Thanks to MJFF’s Board of Directors, 100 percent of proceeds the evening goes directly to speeding the Foundation’s global research programs.

It was a star-studded evening, bringing together #FoxGala friends and supporters for a night filled with comedy geniuses and musical talent. Host Denis Leary opened the show with his band The Enablers, by reminiscing on Michael J. Fox and the Foundation’s impact over the years. The evening also included hilarious performances from Samantha Bee, Lewis Black and Jim Gaffigan. To get involved please visit The Michael J Fox Foundation.

Jeannie Gaffigan Headlines the 2022 Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Ladies for Literacy Guild’s Seventh Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon under the theme “Blooming with Books.”


Photo credit : Daniel Ortiz

On Friday, October 21, 2022 at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston Texas, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Ladies for Literacy Guild hosted nearly 600 guests who enjoyed the humorous and heartfelt discussion between moderator KPRC 2 News Anchor Lisa Hernandez and Jeannie Gaffigan.


Lisa Hernandez (KPRC 2 News Anchor) & Jeannie

Ladies for Literacy Guild, with support from generous sponsors and donors, equips the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation with the necessary resources to transform lives through literacy. The event raised more than $575,000 in support of childhood literacy programs. To find out more about this incredible organization, or to get involved, please visit The Barbara Bush Foundation.

Field Hospital: A new podcast from U.S. Catholic


U.S. Catholic is launching its inaugural podcast on February 16. Hosted by Jeannie Gaffigan, writer and executive producer of The Jim Gaffigan Show, and Mike Lewis, editor of the website Where Peter Is, Field Hospital explores how to heal the wounds of the church today.

“During the early days of the pandemic I was cut off from my parish community and was consistently shocked by the hostile and violent divisions among Catholics on social media. I realized that this was a church I no longer recognized,” says Gaffigan. “What disturbed me the most was the growing faction of so-called devout Catholics speaking out publicly against Pope Francis, the Spirit-inspired leader of our church who illuminates the gospel message of love and mercy. Knowing how many of my brothers and sisters were being badly hurt by these destructive forces, I found peace and healing in the brilliant and sane voices ringing from the pages of places like U.S. Catholic and Where Peter Is. I found myself driven to amplify the visionary voices dedicated to healing a broken church.”

Guided by Pope Francis’ vision of the church as a field hospital, Gaffigan and Lewis speak with a variety of Catholics about issues dividing the church.

“Over the last nine years, Pope Francis has repeatedly challenged all of us to examine ourselves, our assumptions, and our relationships with God and each other. For many Catholics, his message has been a wakeup call,” says Lewis. “At times, the message of Pope Francis can be both penetrating and disarming and can open our eyes to the movement of the Holy Spirit, leading us to places we never thought we’d go. My hope is that through Field Hospital, Jeannie and I can help our listeners understand the vision of Pope Francis at a deeper level and enrich their faith.”

With episodes on topics ranging from racism in the church to the sex abuse crisis to LGBTQ Catholics, Field Hospital does not shy away from the hard questions that Catholics around the nation are grappling with.

“Jeannie and Mike’s approach to shining light on the issues Catholics face today is perfectly in line with our mission,” says Emily Sanna, managing editor of U.S. Catholic. “They bring open-minded curiosity and generosity of spirit to even the most divisive topics and their interviews are grounded in the realities of people’s faith lives and spiritualities.”

“I am so grateful to U.S. Catholic for giving Mike Lewis and me this opportunity with the Field Hospital podcast,” says Gaffigan. “I hope that everyone learns as much as I am from our incredible guests and that we can be a part of a larger movement to follow the positive direction where God is leading us.”

A new episode of Field Hospital will be released every two weeks starting February 16. Subscribe for email updates at uscatholic.org/podcasts and look for new episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Field Hospital is sponsored by the Viatorians.

Jeannie’s Interview on The Gist Talk Show

In January of 2022, Jeannie appeared on the talk show, The Gist (CatholicTV’s show for Catholic Women).

Jeannie talks with Rachel about the aftermath of writing her book, how her experiences changed her outlook on life, and where all of this fits in with being a Catholic wife and mom. Check it out here!

The Bowery Mission’s 2021 Inspiring Hope: Winter Benefit

The annual Bowery Mission Winter Benefit went virtual this year! With Keynote Speaker Jeannie Gaffigan and Host Katie Couric, over 300 guests came together virtually — raising over $120,000 to support The Bowery Mission’s women’s centers!

When You Hit Reality: A Roast of 2020 | New York Encounter 2021

How would network execs in 2019 react if the story of the year 2020 was pitched as a series? Greg Iwinski (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and Jeannie have some ideas in their notes session for New York Encounter Roast of 2020.

Celebrity Game Face

Jeannie and Jim were guests on Kevin Hart’s new game show! Kevin hosts a night of fun and games with celebrity couples, all playing remotely from their own homes; from trivia questions to physical challenges. 

Streaming now on nbc.com with a cable subscription.

Feasting With The Stars

The Gaffigans showed off their famous holiday culinary skills as special guests of celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian and his family as they virtually celebrated the holidays with some friends at home for the holidays.

Streaming now on foodnetwork.com with a cable subscription.

Jeannie featured in the 2020 Stand Up for Heroes Comedy Festival

The 14th annual Stand Up for Heroes event went virtual this year! Jeannie was honored to be be invited to join the show to raise money for The Bob Woodruff Foundation, an organization that provides resources and support for veterans and military families.

My loved ones told me ‘real’ Catholics vote for Trump. Here’s my response


Part of America Magazine’s series of articles on the 2020 presidential election, Jeannie Gaffigan writes an essay detailing the aftermath of her husband, the comedian Jim Gaffigan’s highly uncharacteristic, profanity-laden Twitter rant against President Trump, and how some of her critics questioned her own commitment to her Catholic faith. Read Jeannie’s response below.

(Read the full article from America Magazine)

“How to Be Amazing” with Michael Ian Black featuring Jeannie Gaffigan

Michael Ian Black, comedian, actor, author and creator of the informative podcast, “How to Be Amazing” is bringing back his popular in-depth interview program – this time in a virtual visual broadcast to benefit the Mark Twain Library.

On Sunday, July 5th Michael Ian Black reunited with Jeannie Gaffigan after working together on The Jim Gaffigan Show to discuss Jeannie’s book When Life Gives You Pears.

Words of Wisdom While Quarantining with the Gaffigans
(Art by Jim Lujan)

Quarantining with family can be tricky business; lots of light treading on the eternal quest to find a scrap of alone time. But imagine throwing five kids into the mix!

Comedian Jim Gaffigan, and wife Jeannie, are living this reality.

Bowery Boogie thought there was no better family to ask about surviving lockdown than the Gaffigans, and what they’re doing to pass the time. Not only are they normalizing pandemic isolation for everyone with their recent YouTube programming, but they’re using the drummed-up popularity to directly support frontline workers.

Bowery Boogie reached out to Jeannie Gaffigan to hear more about charity efforts, the best family movies they’ve watched during quarantine, and some sound advice that all parents could probably use.

(Read the full article on Bowery Boogie)

When Life Gives You Pears wins a Christopher Award

The Christopher Awards, generally presented each spring, are being delayed until October. The Christophers, though, did announce April 15 the winners in the book category of the awards, which recognize outstanding storytelling that lifts the spirit and shows how every individual has worth and can make a difference.

“Each of these special books can provide a welcome break from today’s troubling headlines while transporting you to a different place or time, to see the world from another perspective that can offer insight, hope and solace,” said an April 15 statement by Tony Rossi, director of communications for The Christophers, founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller. “Books allow us to travel, in place, in time and in thought, without leaving home.”

The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, the arts center of the Archdiocese of New York, presents A CONVERSATION WITH JEANNIE GAFFIGAN

Jeannie Gaffigan joins The Sheen Center’s Interim Executive Director David Di Certo for a conversation about the importance of faith, family and laughter in getting us through these difficult times. She will also share how her own life-threatening health scare has given her a new perspective on the redemptive power of suffering, recounted in her latest book, When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith and Funny People.

Jeannie Takes Part in Story Collider’s NYC Brain Show

The Story Collider is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been working since 2010 with storytellers to develop and share stories dedicated to true, personal stories about science. On March 9th Jeannie joined Story Collider at their annual Brain Show to read excerpts from her book and share stories about her brain tumor. She detailed her thoughts during the uncertain time before undergoing brain surgery and facing the fact that she could have brain damage upon waking up. She asks the question: My brain is “me”, am I “me” without it?

Click here to listen to Jeannie’s story!

Jeannie Speaks at Marquette University

Jeannie was invited to speak at the sold out Marquette Women’s Luncheon, part of Marquette University’s Mission Week 2020. Mission Week encourages students to open themselves up to gratitude, to give gratitude, and to focus on the goodness all around. Prior to a book signing, Jeannie sat down with Acting Dean in the College of Communication Sarah Feldner to share her stories in front of 350 Marquette staff, faculty, students and alumni.


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