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Frequently Asked Questions

Get Informed

Who founded Famous Fone Friends?

Famous Fone Friends was founded in 1986 by a group of Los Angeles IATSE Local #884 Studio Teachers using contacts with actors on children's shows to make personal connections with seriously ill children. (Studio Teachers are California credentialed teachers who teach academics to California minors who work on television and film shows.)

What is the purpose of Famous Fone Friends?

The purpose of Famous Fone Friends is to connect seriously ill hospitalized and home-bound children with celebrities through phone calls, videos, or live chats.

Who refers the children for calls from Famous Fone Friends celebrities?

Children who are called by Famous Fone Friends celebrities are referred by doctors, child-life specialists (CLS) and social workers (SW) from hospitals throughout the country and Canada.

Is there a limit to the number of referrals a hospital can make?

There is no limit to the number of patients a Child-Life Specialist or Social Worker can refer, nor is there a limit to the number of calls a child may receive. A child can have many FFF celebrity callers, but only one call from a specific celebrity. He can receive multiple calls from different celebrities.

Approximately how many children have been called by FFF callers since its inception in 1986?

There have been thousands of connections made to seriously ill children by FFF callers since 1986.

Is there a fee for calls to children?

There is no fee to families of children called or to hospitals who refer children. Famous Fone Friends is a 100% volunteer-run charity

How is Famous Fone Friends funded?

Operating funds for Famous Fone Friends are from donations from Studio Teachers and other community supporters of FFF.  Hospitals, families and celebrities are never solicited for donations. Famous Fone Friends runs on an annual budget of between $3,000 and $4,000; fund-raising is not necessary. Annual expenses include office expenses, literature and postage. Every child called is mailed a script from a favorite children's show. Everyone involved with Famous Fone Friends is a volunteer.

Is Famous Fone Friends tax-deductible?

Yes, Famous Fone Friends is a tax-deductible, 501(c)(3) charity.

If I am a CLS or SW or a member of a child's medical team, how can I refer a child?

Referrals can be made from the REFER A CHILD link and submitted from this website.

Or, referrals can be emailed to: famousfonefriends@gmail.com, including the following:

  1. Child's name (first name only is ok)

  2. Child's age

  3. Brief description of child's medical condition (optional)

  4. Parent's name and cell number 

  5. Hospital nurse's station number

  6. Best time to call the child and time zone

  7. Interests/hobbies of the child (for conversations starters for FFF callers)

  8. Three (3) choices of celebrities from the CELEBRITY CALLERS link on this website  

  9. Referral person's name and cell number

  10. Hospital and state (especially important because of different time zones)

If I am a celebrity on a popular children's show or an athlete or Youtuber,  how can I become a Famous Fone Friends caller?

If you would like to participate in Famous Fone Friends, email famousfonefriends@gmail.com. Indicate the show you are on, the name of the character you portray, or your sport and affiliated team name. Include the best means of contact. The commitment is for one telephone call or video (for the little ones, often shy on the phone). The policy of Famous Fone Friends is that a child will receive only one call from a specific celebrity, but may receive multiple calls from many different FFF callers. This prevents a child from becoming fixated on a specific celebrity.

How can I become a supporting member of Famous Fone Friends?

Donations are not solicited or encouraged from celebrities, families of children called or members of a child's medical team. But, if you are NOT a celebrity, a member of a child's hospital team, or a family member of a child called, you can add your name to list of SUPPORTING MEMBERS by sending your tax-deductible donation to:

Famous Fone Friends

9101 Sawyer Street

Los Angeles, CA 90035

     OR

VENMO at

Famous Fone Friends

Who are the Famous Fone Friends volunteer staff members?

Linda Stone, Director
Laurel Geare, Assistant Director
Alisa Gichon, Celebrity Director
Kelly Manthe, Tribute Coordinator
Linda Resnick, Secretary
Jeff Gross, Treasurer
Max E.S, Website Coordinator

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