For the first time, the Champaign County Arts Council’s Bad Art by Good People fundraiser has a national celebrity participating.
Emmy Award-winning actor/comedian Fred Willard donated an autographed artwork to be auctioned during the CCAC’s annual Bad Art fundraising dinner on Feb. 24 at Brownridge Hall, 220 E. Court St. in Urbana.
Willard was asked to donate an artwork for the event by his friend, Daily Citizen Sports Editor Steve Stout.
“I love to draw, although I wish I was better at it,” said Willard, 77, a native of Shaker Heights who currently lives in Encino, California.
Willard has starred in over 100 movies and television shows during his long acting career.
He was nominated for an Emmy three times for his portrayal of Hank in “Everybody Loves Raymond” and once for his role as Phil’s father Frank in “Modern Family.”
Willard has recurring roles on both ABC’s “Modern Family” and CBS’s “The Odd Couple.”
His movie credits include “This is Spinal Tap,” “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show” and “Anchorman.”
Last summer, Willard received the prestigious Johnny Carson Comedy Legend Award in Carson’s hometown of Norfolk, Nebraska.
Willard appeared on “The Tonight Show” over 50 times when Carson was host and over 100 times when Jay Leno hosted the show.
Tickets for the Bad Art fundraising dinner are $25 each and available at the CCAC office in Urbana.
The public can vote for their favorite artwork using PayPal on the Arts Council’s website, www.champaigncountyartscouncil.org. The public can also cast votes with cash, check or credit card at the Arts Council, 119 Miami St., Urbana. The office is open Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
