Good Times, Better Cause

Dallas power couple's golf and gala event attracts all the celebrities

For the eighth year in a row, the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Gala and Golf Tournament weekend proved to be a hole in one. The weekend kicked off with an exciting round of golf at TPC Craig Ranch. Ultimate bragging rights were awarded to the winning team of Doug Campbell, Dennis Bassler, Braden Taylor, and former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe.

Post golf, guests got glam and headed to the Omni Dallas hotel downtown for a party themed Celebrate. Event chairs Carmaleta and Otis Felton welcomed guests from near and far, who gathered to support the wonderful philanthropic work of beloved Dallas couple Pat and Emmitt Smith.

Celebrity guests — Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Daryl Johnston, Nancy Lieberman, Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, Seema Sadekar, Nate Newton, Torii Hunter, and Melissa Rycroft Strickland — walked the red carpet before enjoying a delicious dinner, which began after Bishop T.D. Jakes opened the evening with a prayer over the meal.

The highlight of the night came when legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach presented his namesake award to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver and 2017 Walter Payton NFL Co-Man of the Year Award winner Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The Staubach award recognizes sports and entertainment professionals who positively impact the lives of children by living courageously and creating opportunities for today’s youth, and Fitzgerald was selected thanks to his First Down Fund, which supports education and recreation for youth, children, and families experiencing health challenges.

“I am truly honored to receive the Roger Staubach Award," Fitzgerald said. "Being able to give back to my community has always been an integral part of my life. The importance of ‘making a difference’ was instilled by my parents and is something that I will continue to do long after my professional career ends.”

Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities supports high-quality programs in North Texas through grants, scholarships, and partnership efforts. In addition to this, Pat and Emmitt Smith personally mentor a group of high-potential, high-performing, underserved students from the Dallas area through their signature program Team 22.

Emmitt Smith, Pat Smith, Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Marianne Staubach, Roger Staubach

Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

Emmitt Smith, Pat Smith, Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Marianne Staubach, Roger Staubach

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Gala preview

Dallas' most glam fall gala to honor Hollywood superstar Charlize Theron

Universal Pictures Presents "The Odyssey" Paris Premiere

Photo by Pierre Mouton/Getty Images for Universal Pictures

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Hollywood star Charlize Theron will be the guest of honor at one of Dallas' hottest-ticket galas of 2026: She will receive amfAR's Award of Inspiration at the organization's black-tie ball on October 24.

For a second year, the glamorous fall fundraiser will take place at the home of Kathleen and Scott Kirby, a release says. Taking over where Dallas' TWO x TWO gala left off when it ended in 2024, the amFAR gala has quickly become one of Dallas' marquee social events, drawing philanthropists, collectors, and high-profile guests in support of amfAR's mission to end HIV/AIDS.

Theron, who won an Oscar for Monster, is currently on a worldwide press tour ahead of her starring role in one of the summer's biggest movies, The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated adaptation of the Homer epic (opening July 17).

Beyond her film career, Theron serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace and founded the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), which supports organizations focused on youth health, HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and combating gender-based violence across Southern Africa.

"Charlize Theron’s longstanding support of amfAR and HIV/AIDS care and prevention through her own foundation make her an inspiration to us all," said amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford in a statement. "We are grateful to her for her tireless work and are thrilled to be able to recognize her at our event in Dallas this year."

According to amfAR, programs supported by CTAOP have reached more than 4.8 million young people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Theron and the foundation also launched the Together for Her campaign with CARE and the Entertainment Industry Foundation to address gender-based violence, and later partnered with the Ford Foundation to advocate for global vaccine equity.

Founded in 1985, amfAR has invested more than $950 million in research grants supporting HIV/AIDS and other diseases in which viruses and the immune system play a significant role. Over the past 26 years, supporters in North Texas have raised more than $66.5 million to advance amFAR's ongoing HIV research and global health initiatives, the organization says.

This year's gala will feature cocktails, a seated dinner, musical performances, and a live auction offering luxury goods, travel experiences, and contemporary art. Tickets and table sponsorships are now available, starting at $2,500.

celebrities dallas gala hollywood star charlize theron amfar galas

Good Times, Better Cause

Dallas power couple's golf and gala event attracts all the celebrities

Emmitt Smith, Pat Smith, Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Marianne Staubach, Roger Staubach

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Gala preview

Dallas' most glam fall gala to honor Hollywood superstar Charlize Theron