Jay Leno raises $100,000 for Gulf Coast recovery

Entertainer Jay Leno jokes with Rich Westfall, right and hidden by oversized check, president of Gulf Coast Community Foundation about the money raised by Leno's one-night, one-show only benefit concert at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss., Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, for Mississippi oil spill victims. Leno said after looking at the over $90,000 collected in ticket sales, that he would contribute $10,000 to raise the amount to $100,000. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

August 22, 2010 6:03:32 PM PDT

BILOXI, Miss. (AP) - August 22, 2010 --

Jay Leno brought comedy and cash to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to help the area recover from the BP oil spill.

More than 1,000 people watched Leno perform Saturday night at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi to raise money for the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Tickets were $40 to $150.

At the end of the show, Leno presented an oversized check for $90,336 to foundation president Rich Westfall. Leno chipped in some of his own money, topping off the evening's fundraising total at about $100,000.

Map My News