Hollywood Heavyweights Honor Bono

By Stephen M. Silverman

02/15/2002 at 11:00 AM EST

Tom Cruise, Ray Romano, Drew Carey and Kevin Spacey delivered valentines to U2 singer Bono at a Hollywood fundraiser on Thursday marking the outspoken Irishman's "extraordinary philanthropy, " organizers told Reuters. The event, called "Love Rocks: Celebrating The Biggest Hearts in Entertainment," was held at the new Kodak Theater (soon to be home to the Oscars) and raised money for cardiovascular research; it also attracted such diverse personalities as "I Am Sam" Oscar nominee Sean Penn and Disney CEO Michael Eisner, reports Reuters. In his two decades at the helm of his politically active rock group, Bono (real name: Paul Hewson), 40, has embraced such causes as debt relief and AIDS awareness in the Third World, as well as helped promote Amnesty International and Greenpeace. Cruise, 39, told the assembled that Bono "makes us all proud to be human." Former President Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger each sent videos containing congratulatory messages, while R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, in person, described Bono as a "singer, songwriter, statesman, fashion plate," reports Reuters. R.E.M. performed a short set that included a cover of "I Got You Babe" during which Cher, 55, suddenly appeared from the wings and performed her signature number (with her late ex-husband, Sonny Bono -- no relation to the guest of honor) as a duet with Stipe, 40. She said it was the first time she had ever performed the song without Sonny Bono. In accepting his award, the guest of honor proudly described himself as "a thorn in the shoe" of President Bush's administration due to his efforts to apprise American legislators of the suffering in the world's poorest countries.