 Actors Brad Pitt and Jane Seymour answered phones at the event |
Actors Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Renee Zellweger and Johnny Depp have answered phones in a US TV fundraiser for tsunami victims. Madonna, Norah Jones and the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson sang songs during Saturday night's two-hour show.
"We have a choice," actor Clint Eastwood told viewers. "We can either look away or we can help."
It is not yet known how much was raised for the American Red Cross International Response Fund.
Actors Bruce Willis and Robert De Niro were among those who called for donations for victims of the tsunami on 26 December, which was triggered by an earthquake and killed more than 150,000 people in South Asia and Africa.
"This is a concert for hope and thanks to you, there is hope," said former US President Bill Clinton, who appeared with his predecessor George Bush. Clooney, who helped plan Tsunami Aid for NBC, said stars were doing it to raise awareness, and not "to get famous and to get attention".
Among the stars taking calls from the public were actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan and Tim Robbins.
The first song performed on the show was John Lennon's Imagine, sung by Madonna, and it closed with Diana Ross and her hit Reach Out and Touch.
 George Clooney helped organised the telethon |
It also included musical performances from Nelly, Annie Lennox, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz and Sir Elton John.
"We thought it was the right thing to do," said NBC Universal Television Group chief Jeff Zucker.
"I think we're gratified at how many people stepped up and volunteered. Everyone has been so selfless in this."
The show was announced a fortnight ago and about 600 people worked on putting it together.
"If you get a couple of big-hitters first, then that sort of starts the ball rolling," Clooney said.
 Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones lent their support |
"Then you call up Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman and they go, 'I'm in'," he added. A number of stars were in LA anyway for Sunday's Golden Globes, and so were able to do the Saturday show as well.
A benefit show held for victims of the 11 September attacks on the US raised nearly $130m in 2001.
A DVD compilation of comedy clips is to be released in the UK to raise money for the tsunami appeal. The Best Comedy DVD In The World will include Little Britain, Phoenix Nights, Ricky Gervais, Monty Python and Bo Selecta.
It is expected to go on sale for �9.99 in the first week of February with all profits going to Unicef and all clips donated free by UK video labels.
At least �4 of the price is to go to Unicef and more if organisers manage to persuade the Treasury to waive VAT on sales.
And broadcaster Chris Evans will return to radio after more than three years off the air to interview Prime Minister Tony Blair, as part of Monday's tsunami benefit show UK Radio Aid.
The 12-hour special will be broadcast on more than 200 commercial radio stations, including Evans' ex-station Virgin Radio, on 17 January.
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