Bob Perlow, the go-to warm-up comedy act for countless hit sitcoms and variety shows, entertained nearly 200 people attending the 6th annual Reel Hope Boulder, benefiting Boulder Jewish Family Service (JFS). Thanks to generous donors who gave nearly $90,000 to support Boulder JFS’s life-transforming work in the Boulder community!

Before the program, sponsors took photos with Bob Perlow  during a private reception. All guests enjoyed tasty hors d’oeuvres and talking with friends before heading into Boulder JCC’s Levin Hall for the main event.

New this year, guests could purchase Chance Drawing tickets for an opportunity to win one of four prizes, generously donated by Paula Newman Pollachek of Newman Metal Works, photographer Scott Fishman, Adriene Laws of Tula Stone Jewelry, and the Reel Hope Boulder Event Committee.

Emcee Ron Bostwick and Bonni Raderman, JFS associate director of development, welcomed the crowd and thanked Reel Hope Boulder co-chairs, the event committee, sponsors, and donors. They also introduced new Boulder JFS associate director Kammi Siemens and JFS Board chair Charlie Gwirtsman.

The audience was moved by an inspirational video that showcased the help Marcia Dorheim received from Boulder JFS after suffering a traumatic brain injury. Jodi Ansell, Boulder JFS care manager, took the stage to share more about the work she does and examples of how she has helped clients with a wide variety of needs. Ron Bostwick and committee member Karli Sherwinter took the stage to ask people to help expand the impact of Boulder JFS’s work and help more people like Marcia.

Marc Sotkin, past Reel Hope Boulder featured speaker and long-time friend of Bob Perlow, explained what a warmup guy does with a colorful metaphor (if you were there, you remember!) before introducing the guest speaker. He amused the audience with a tale of how he offered Bob a writing position on Laverne & Shirley and then how Bob became a warm-up comedian for the show.

Bob took the stage and shared stories of his fascinating career path—he started as a tour guide in LA and Las Vegas for budget travelers and ended up working on some of the most popular television shows for three decades.

A seasoned entertainer, he walked through the audience while showing video clips and photos from his work on various TV shows, including Friends, Happy Days, Cheers, Newhart, Mork & Mindy, The Golden Girls, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

He had the audience in stitches as he shared behind-the-scenes tidbits about many of the actors he’s worked with over the years. The evening culminated with a short audience Q&A.

If you want to know more about Bob and his juicy behind-the-scenes tales, check out his book, The Warmup Guy. And stay tuned for a documentary about Bob’s life that is currently in the works (there may be some scenes from Reel Hope Boulder, as the camera crew was on site).

Thank you to more than 70 companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals that supported the event through sponsorships. Thank you to event co-chairs Susan Edelman, Heidi Schoen, and Terri Miro, supported by JFS development staff Bonni Raderman and Kate Shephard, and the dedicated committee who helped make this such a successful event!

If you were unable to attend the event and would like to help us surpass $90,000 raised to help more people like Marcia, please donate now!

Check out more event photos…