Ben Vereen has starred in everything from the epic miniseries Roots to the the top rated Grey's Anatomy.

He has been on the broadway stage, television and the big screen. He has worked with performers ranging from Sammy Davis Jr. to Barbara Streisand to Will Smith.

Yet the actor said his biggest role came Saturday when he had the opportunity to help raise money for his adopted hometown's health care system. Vereen served as the headliner for Saturday's Putting on the Ritz, a black tie fundraiser for the Scotland Memorial Foundation. The event raised more than $200,000.

"I would say my favorite role is right now," said the 62-year-old actor whose four decades in show business included numbers from "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Pippin," for which he won a Tony Award. "What I have done before is history. What I doing now is the present and in the presence of God. Helping the people of Laurinburg and Scotland County is my greatest role."

Vereen said after a life-threatening injury, he knows first hand what a tough job those in the health care profession have. In 1992, he was hit by a vehicle while walking near his Malibu home, breaking his leg and precipitating a stroke.

"I have always beat the drum (for health care), then one day I was in a position to sit in a wheelchair," he said. "It is different as an observer and a participant. I got to see not only the wonder of prayer but also those who work in the health profession and why we're doing this."

In addition to donating his time, Vereen gave $1,000 to the foundation Saturday night.

Family found

Vereen grew up in the rough Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, N.Y., and attended the High School for the Performing Arts. Even as his fame grew, Vereen lived with blanks in his own story. He found out in his early 20s that he was adopted but could not locate his biological family.

About four years ago, Vereen found that family in Laurinburg. It was the kind of reunion story that echoes the search of his most famous screen character in the miniseries "Roots."

"We joke about it, and say, my God, Chicken George found his roots," Vereen said.

Vereen first visited Scotland County in 2006 with a genealogist on a search for family members. While on the trip he learned his mother had died 24 years before, but that several relatives still lived in the area.

"Finding my family after 50 years of looking was really a phenomenal thing. I want to thank everyone in Laurinburg. They really went beyond the call of duty to help me find my family."

One of those family members — Carolyn Banks — greeted Vereen with flowers and received a big kiss in return on Saturday. She and Vereen are cousins.

"It is great to have him back," said Banks, a teacher who lives between Laurinburg and Wagram. "We also try to see him when he is here. When I tell people we are related they say 'Oh, yeah, I can see it in the cheekbones."

Before his appearance at the Ritz, Vereen took time out Saturday morning to tour Scotland Memorial Hospital with President and CEO Greg Wood.

Vereen visited every room he could on three floors at the medical center. He had a kind word, a joke or just a broad smile for patients and workers alike.

Most of the hospital staff was armed with cameras, in case they had the chance to snap a quick photograph. Vereen posed with anyone who asked.

"How many cameras do you have?" he asked one nurse as he pretended to be exasperated. "They are coming out of every pocket."

Lula Blackmon, who works in women services at the Scotland Memorial, followed Vereen with her cellphone camera until she got her chance. Vereen pulled Blackmon in close and smiled for the camera.

"I'm a big fan," Blackmon said as she watched Vereen head off to another room. "I think the fact that he is here this morning visiting patients and will help tonight is just wonderful."

Joyce McDow, chairman of the foundation board, thanked Vereen for stepping in to replace actor and comedian Jamie Farr, who until late last month was scheduled as the star attraction at the Ritz event. Farr had to cancel due to an illness.

"Ben helped us retain the very positive mood that this year's gala has generated," McDow said. "We're very grateful for his willingness to help."

McDow, who joined Vereen on the hospital tour, was there as a foundation member and county commissioner.

With a sly smile, she said she was also present as a fan. In her hand was a folder containing a large color photograph she had taken with Vereen when he served as grand marshal for the Laurinburg-Scotland County Chamber of Commerce Parade in 2007. She was hoping to get the actor to sign the photo.

"I think he is great," she said. "I have kept up with his career since Roots. He can sing, he can act, and dance. He can do it all. At the same time he is the most down-to-earth person."