Celebs Shell Out Serious Cash for Clooney-Hosted Obama Fundraiser

Mixing celebrity and politics, the stars and their mega check books attended George Clooney'd fundraiser for President Barack Obama at the actor's L.A. home on Thursday night (May 10)

Raising $15 million dollars, Clooney's 150 closest (and richest) friends paid $40,000 a piece to attend the event catered by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, and after mowing down on artichoke salad, roasted duckling, lamb cheek and sweet corn tortellini the guests listened in as Mr. Obama praised Clooney.

Poking fun at his famous Hope poster, President Obama revealed he had been sitting next to Clooney at an event in 2008 when the iconic snap was taken and jokes, "This is the first time that George Clooney has ever been photo-shopped out of a picture. Never happened before, never happen again."

When it came time to thank the rich and famous crowd for their generous contributions he kept the jokes rolling saying, "We raised a lot of money because people love George ... they like me; they love George."

Before ending his little speech, Mr. Obama praised George saying he "seems to occupy a constant state of grace, and uses his extraordinary talents on behalf of something truly important."

Among the stars at the swanky event were Robert Downey Jr, Tobey Maguire, Salma Hayek, Jack Black and Clooney's girlfriend Stacy Keibler.