Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Heaton will serve as the first female master of ceremonies for the New York Archdiocese’s 72nd annual Al Smith fundraising dinner on Oct. 19.
Heaton is known for her roles in sitcoms including “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan will deliver the keynote address at the event, which will be held in the New York Hilton.
The Al Smith Foundation also announced that it has appointed a new vice chair, Mary Erdoes, CEO of JP Morgan Asset Management, as vice chair.
The fundraiser is known for its roasts of top dignitaries.
Last year, Alfred E. Smith IV served as MC and hurled zingers at guests Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.