Nerdist CEO Chris Hardwick to Host EXTRAORDINARY: STAN LEE in L.A.

Chris Hardwick - Nerdist CEO, comedian, actor, TV host, producer, and podcaster - is slated to host Extraordinary: Stan Lee, a highly-anticipated live event paying homage to the world's most iconic comic creator. Taking place on August 22 at the Saban Theatre in Los Angeles, the once-in-a-lifetime tribute in the vein of "This is Your Life," will bring together heavyweights of the comic book world along with a number of leading TV/film talent.

"Stan is not only a living legend who has birthed so many of our most cherished cultural icons, he is also a lovely human being whom I am proud to call my friend," said Chris Hardwick. "I couldn't be more proud to be involved with this tribute and look forward to an evening honoring him with thousands of fans in Los Angeles and across the country via live stream. Excelsior!"

Celebrity guests including Michael Rooker (Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, The Walking Dead), Lou Ferrigno(The Incredible Hulk) and Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars), to name a few, will be on hand to give thanks through retrospective segments highlighting different periods in Mr. Lee's life. "ScreenJunkies" and Honest Trailers founder, Andy Signore, will also be in attendance. Others including Aisha Tyler (Archer) and writer J.D. Shapiro (Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Guardian Project) will appear in video tributes throughout the evening, bringing to light untold stories of how Stan Lee has influenced, touched and inspired lives and creative endeavors.

"Back when I started writing, I never could have dreamed that someday these little characters I thought up would connect with so many people in so many places, let alone on the silver screen...I'm just floored," said Mr. Lee. "I'm so lucky to have such great friends and supportive fans who continue to inspire me and have kept me going."

Tickets for Extraordinary: Stan Lee live at the Saban Theatre (1,800 seats) are currently on sale through Ticketmaster ranging from $95.00 for general seats to $350.00 for VIP seats and a meet and greet. The ceremony will also be streamed live to movie theater venues across the country (tickets will go on sale mid-July), allowing real-time access for fans outside of Los Angeles to share this truly extraordinary experience. In-Theater Live and Agents of Mayhem are producing the tribute event in partnership with Stan Lee Collectibles.

Additionally, Stan has partnered with the online fundraising platform Omaze, delivering fans the ultimate opportunity to attend Extraordinary: Stan Lee while supporting a great cause. Starting July 11, fans can visit Omaze.com and donate as little as $10 to enter for the chance to be flown out to Los Angeles, receive a complimentary hotel stay and enjoy two front-row seats at the tribute. To complete the VIP experience, the winner and his or her guest will also have the chance to talk all things Marvel with Stan in a private meet and greet, as well as attend the exclusive VIP after party. Proceeds raised from the campaign will support Make-A-Wish to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Known to millions as The Man whose superheroes propelled Marvel to its preeminent position in the comic book industry, Stan's co-creations include Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, The Fantastic Four, Iron Man and hundreds of others. He introduced Spider-Man as a newspaper strip, which became the most successful of all Syndicated adventure strips having appeared in more than 500 newspapers worldwide. Stan currently remains Chairman Emeritus of Marvel, as well as a member of the Editorial Board of Marvel Comics.

Omaze is an online fundraising platform that makes giving fun and easy by offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive merchandise in support of critical causes. Our campaigns connect influencers, nonprofits and donors to create lasting impact, and have raised funds and awareness for more than 200 charities with donations from over 175 countries.

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 33,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 34 minutes. It has granted more than 285,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 15,300 in 2016 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org to learn more.

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