Jessica Simpson was honored at Operation Smile's 8th Annual Smile Gala at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel on Friday, October 2.
Simpson is the International Youth Ambassador for Operation Smile, an organization that provides free reconstructive surgery to tens of thousands of children and young adults in 25 developing countries and the United States and brings them new hope and new lives.
Hosted by Access Hollywood presenter Billy Bush, the Smile Gala honored Jessica’s entire family for the work they do with the charity, as well as Stephen Berman of JAKKS Pacific, the Honorable Richard J. Riordan, Roselyn Sanchez and Eric Winter. Jessica, Ashlee, Tina and Joe Simpson have proven themselves beyond exemplary in their dedication to improving the lives of children throughout the world suffering from facial deformities. Jessica began her relationship with Operation Smile as a Smile Ambassador and attended an Operation Smile medical mission to Kenya with her father Joe in October, 2005. Jessica has also traveled to Washington, D.C. with Operation Smile founder Dr. William Magee and spoke to members of Congress on Operation Smile’s behalf.
The Universal Smile Award was presented to Roselyn Sanchez and Eric Winter. Roselyn and Eric are both Smile Ambassadors and attended a medical mission to Managua, Nicaragua, in 2008. Award-winning actress Roselyn Sanchez is currently starring on the CBS series Without a Trace and has appeared in Rush Hour 2, Chasing Papi, Basic, The Game Plan, The Perfect Sleep and Venus & Vegas. Eric Winter will star in the new ABC series Single with Parents and has had recurring roles on hit television shows Brothers & Sisters, Viva Laughlin and the cult vampire drama Moonlight. His other credits include CSI, Charmed, Pepper Dennis, Wildfire and Love Inc. He also co-starred in the films The Ugly Truth and Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.
To read more about Jessica Simpson’s work with Operation Smile, including how she came to be part of the organization, see our special profile here.
