Susan Sarandon, 50 Cent Among Stars Honoring CNN Heroes in Gala Award Show

Heroes, not celebrities, will be honored tonight in a red carpet gala as the sixth-annual CNN Heroes award ceremony airs LIVE from Los Angeles.

Celebrity presenters, who will read the incredible stories of each of the ten heroes, include Susan Sarandon, Viola Davis, Glee’s Jane Lynch, David Spade, and Modern Family’s Rico Rodriguez.

Each of the ten finalists already received $50,000, but one will be named CNN Hero of the Year and receive an additional quarter million dollars to continue their work.

Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones and hip-hop star 50 Cent will also join host Anderson Cooper for CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, December 2 at 9pm ET. Three-time Grammy Award winning singer songwriter NE-YO is set to perform as the musical guest.

The event will be preceded by “CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight.” Cooper interviews Ben Stiller, Christy Turlington Burns and NE-YO about their passions and charity work, on behalf of foster care, Haiti, and maternal health. The hour will feature live red-carpet coverage and interviews with luminaries in attendance.

“As we enter the season of giving thanks, we are grateful to these talented and caring entertainers who are joining us in this celebration of the human spirit. We appreciate the time they’re taking to raise awareness for the life-changing work of this year’s CNN Heroes,” said Kelly Flynn, Senior Executive Producer for the “CNN Heroes” initiative, CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight and CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute.

Now in its sixth year, the CNN Heroes initiative has received more than 45,000 nominations from more than 100 countries reporting on everyday heroes doing extraordinary work.

Click to see the Top 10 CNN Heroes and see their charities that will be honored tonight.

More at www.cnn.com