Mike Birbiglia—celebrated comedian, writer, director, and actor—brought his signature storytelling style to Houston, blending humor with heartfelt insight. Known for his acclaimed solo shows including Sleepwalk With Me, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, Thank God For Jokes, The New One, and The Old Man & The Pool, Birbiglia has performed on stages around the globe, from Broadway to the Sydney Opera House. His Netflix specials and recent 2024 Emmy nomination for The Old Man & The Pool further cement his place among comedy’s most unique voices. He’s also known for roles in Trainwreck, The Fault in Our Stars, Orange Is the New Black, and his podcast Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out.

The Broach Foundation was founded in honor of James Broach, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2011—just ten months after an earlier diagnosis of a grade II astrocytoma. James faced numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and clinical trials with resilience and determination. Alongside his wife Jamie, he turned his fight into a mission: to accelerate adult brain cancer research and raise critical funds for a disease that remains under-funded and extraordinarily complex.

“James was truly an inspiration to all who knew him,” says Jamie Broach. “He knew the research wouldn’t come in time to save him, but he wanted to help others. Research takes resources, and the faster we can fund innovative projects, the faster we can find a cure.”

James Broach passed away on August 26, 2013, but his legacy lives on. Since its founding, The Broach Foundation has raised over $6.5 million to support cutting-edge research aimed at improving outcomes and finding a cure for brain cancer.

Over 450 guests were seen in the crowd: Jamie Broach Byrd, Jeff Byrd, Parker, Harrison and Oliver Broach, Deanna and Bryan Kotrla, Jan Bres, Kate and Steve Gibson, Chuck Yates, Jennifer and Farzad Askari. Mistress of Ceremonies Ilona Carson, Amy and Wynne Snoot, Patty Biggio, Sally Holzinger, Megan Davis and James Kalick, and David and Cory Le Norman.