Earlier, during a morning stop in San Jose, Kerry picked up the endorsement of renowned Chrysler executive Lee Iacocca, who backed Bush in the 2000 presidential election.
Intel Chief Executive Andrew Grove joined Kerry for breakfast, and a Wednesday evening fundraiser in Silicon Valley drew the likes of director Rob Reiner and Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt.
In all, Kerry raised $9.5 million in 48 hours -- about a million dollars every five hours and 20 minutes. The donations will help finance his campaign and the Democratic National Committee, as well as a joint campaign fund controlled by the DNC and the Kerry campaign.
DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe told reporters that Hollywood entertainers who attended the fundraiser were "all obsessed with beating George Bush" and would be even more visible in the Kerry campaign in the months to come.
"We plan on using entertainers extensively," he said, particularly in appealing to undecided voters and young people.
Affleck said he wasn't sure his efforts would sway any votes, but he believes the entertainment industry can help spark interest in the election.
"Really, the celebrities are the ones who have something to lose.... We like people from both sides of the aisle to come see our movies and concerts," he said. Still, he called Hollywood's heightened political interest "a healthy thing" and said it should not be discouraged.
When asked why he was backing Kerry's candidacy, the actor said he saved $1.5 million in federal income tax last year, thanks to Bush's tax cuts. Affleck asked, "Does anyone here think that's appropriate?"
Inside the hall, a partisan crowd cheered as Nelson performed classics like "On the Road Again" and Crystal cracked jokes. "I realize that 9/11 is also his SAT scores," the comedian said of Bush.
Some speakers struck a more somber tone, bemoaning the state of the country under the current administration.
Streisand performed her 1964 hit "People," but with new lyrics: "Rumsfeld, we must get rid of Rumsfeld/He's the spookiest person in the world.... This war we're lost in/Don't ask what it's costing/What's a trillion or two to rule the world?"
At the end of the concert, Kerry sought to end the evening on a more positive note. While agreeing there is much frustration with the Bush administration, he added: "We're not just motivated by the things we don't like. We're motivated by the things we love."
