Winfrey helping Obama get celeb funding

Washington -- TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey has agreed to hold a fundraiser for the presidential nomination campaign of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Obama has been competing with U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., for celebrity support as they campaign for the 2008 Democratic nomination. The Illinois senator gained a vital ally in Winfrey, who will hold a Sept. 8 benefit for him, The Chicago Sun-Times said Wednesday.

Winfrey reportedly contacted "Ray" star Jamie Foxx and singer Beyonce Knowles to perform at the event.

Clinton has support from film director Steven Spielberg, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and singer Barbra Streisand.

Obama has been endorsed by "Ocean's Thirteen" star George Clooney, actress Halle Berry and film director Oliver Stone, the newspaper said.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.