FOR A GOOD CAUSE:Lessons within the laughter

Larry Miller may have played plenty of jerks in his lifetime — including a vindictive doorman on “Seinfeld,” the belittling and conniving Dean Richmond in “The Nutty Professor” and the obscenely flirtatious Max Berman in “Best in Show” — but he vows it’s just an act.

The stand-up comedian and actor is much more benevolent in real life, and he’ll prove it when he comes to Orange County on March 17 to entertain audiences at the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa’s annual spring benefit, which supports the organization’s major community programs.

“I may not be curing any diseases, and I may not be feeding someone, but I think humor, if it’s good, is a very nice gift,” Miller said by phone Monday, while taking a break on the set of NBC’s “Medium.” “Each time performers do their job well, frankly, I think that’s helping to take care of each other.”

In addition to his paid work as an entertainer and writer, such as this month’s engagement, Miller makes it a point to donate his pleasantry to various causes and people, which includes visiting injured U.S. soldiers at the Walter Reed National Army Medical Center whenever he’s on the East Coast, though he insists he is no Mother Teresa. He simply relishes the opportunity to be funny.

“I do what I do, and it’s something. But there are a zillion more Americans who do far more than I do with all their extraordinary volunteer and charity work,” he said. “I ought to be horsewhipped if I didn’t do this much.”

Inspired by the regular political humor column he has been writing for the Weekly Standard for more than five years, Miller recently penned his first book, “Spoiled Rotten America,” a collection of 17 essays on everyday life in the Untied States. More than the “average yukfest,” he hopes to send a message about the common threads that link Americans, and asks people to recognize and seize the wealth of opportunities before them.

“Let’s be honest. We all work hard, but of course we are a little spoiled,” he said. “My father had three jobs and went to school at night, but if I go to the gym and the cleaners in one day, I need a nap.”

Assistance League organizers are eager to give fundraiser guests an opportunity to have a good time while contributing to a good cause, with the event’s proceeds earmarked primarily for the league’s Cheri Harris Children’s Dental Center, which serves more than 3,000 children from low-income families each year and was recently acknowledged by Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County with the Leaders in Oral Health Award.

“We try to appeal to a large audience by looking for celebrities who are lighthearted and entertaining at the same time,” said Bev Eppey, president of the Newport-Mesa chapter. “Any time we blend humor with getting the message out, we are more likely to be listened to.”

Following the luncheon, Miller will autograph copies of his book, which will be for sale at the event.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: A Laff-ternoon with Larry Miller,the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa’s annual spring benefit

WHEN: 11 a.m., March 17

WHERE: Marriot Newport Beach, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach

COST: $125 per person

INFO: For event reservations, call (949) 645-6929. For more, go to www.alnm.org