Tom Hanks takes light approach for ACLU online fundraiser

Host Tom Hanks kicked off an online fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union by feigning confusion over the recipient. (Photo: Tom Hanks/Facebook)

Host Tom Hanks kicked off an online fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union by feigning confusion over the recipient.

Hanks began with a rousing speech Friday about supporting basketball at the University of California, Los Angeles, before saying he’d mixed up the ACLU and UCLA acronyms.

The actor kept things light but on point as he chatted with studio participants including Tracy Morgan and Nia Vardalos.

The live-streamed fundraiser from New York City turned more serious as other celebrities talked about the ACLU’s role in a changing nation.

Author and TV host Padma Lakshmi said that as an immigrant she was shocked by President Donald Trump’s travel ban, which the ACLU is fighting.

Norah Jones was among the fundraiser’s musical performers.