Catalyst
Donor Spotlight: Lauren Shuler Donner
Lauren Shuler Donner has truly had a global impact. A celebrated Hollywood producer whose films (the X-Men series, Free Willy, Dave, You’ve Got Mail, Pretty in Pink, The Secret Life of Bees and many others) have grossed over $7 billion worldwide, she has touched the lives of millions of people spanning multiple generations. Yet, for Shuler Donner, questions of legacy go beyond her cinematic success.
"My late husband [legendary filmmaker Richard "Dick" Donner, who directed blockbusters like Superman, The Goonies and the Lethal Weapon series] and I have always believed in giving back," she says. "For us, doing well professionally has meant contributing financially—giving resources to make a difference for people and the planet."
"Economically, this is a very difficult time, but if people can do it, I hope they’ll donate. If each of us extends ourselves to give a little, think about what a better place the world can be."
Over the course of decades, the Donners have given generously to a wide variety of causes, including care for veterans, research into curing lupus and efforts to stop animal abuse. In the last several years of Richard’s life, as he struggled with cardiac issues, the couple began investing even more in healthcare and scientific discovery.
"Very few people go through life without having a medical problem, and institutions like Cedars-Sinai are everything," Shuler Donner says. "The bulk of Dick’s doctors were from Cedars-Sinai, and they were there for us when we needed them. We felt strongly about supporting their work as they dedicated themselves to the business of saving lives."
In 2022, just a year after her husband’s passing, Shuler Donner pledged $2 million to Cedars-Sinai to help push the boundaries of medicine. Her gift will be split between the Women’s Guild Neurology Support Fund and the Cedars-Sinai General Fund, which allows the medical center to channel resources to the areas of greatest need.
"My father had both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and I wanted to play a role in moving the science forward in those areas, which is why I dedicated some of my funds to neurology," she says. "But I also know the folks at Cedars-Sinai have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the community, and I felt it was important to let them decide where to direct some of the money."
Shuler Donner hopes others will follow her philanthropic lead. "Economically, this is a very difficult time, but if people can do it, I hope they’ll donate," she says. "If each of us extends ourselves to give a little, think about what a better place the world can be."
Learn more about becoming a Cedars-Sinai donor and Why Your Gift Matters.
