How about ADMIRABLE celebrities?

vespacat · Apr 4, 2005

Which celebrities do you think are talented enough to actually deserve the title, or who make a difference in the world by raising their celebrity status to another level (i.e. celebrity turned humanitarian)?

The first person who comes to mind is Eminem. He's a multifaceted artist, not afraid to take professional risks, and is decidely very bright by encouraging people to view media/politics/celebrity with a critical eye. Though I'm not that keen on his music, admittedly he's got a good vision and strategy to rake in the dough. And he comes from NOTHING. Not unlike famous actors Hilary Swank and Jamie Foxx who deservedly won Oscars this year for their talent, not based on "who" they are or "where" they come from.

me-n-my guys · Apr 4, 2005

Sandra Bullock-she donated 1m to the tsunami relief, & has donated large amounts to other causes..
I like Billy Bob Thornton. Theres a multi-faceted guy. I loved him in Sling Blade. He is always playing something different & interesting.
How 'bout that rookie quarterback who donated his playoff check to the tsunami relief fund? (Steelers fans, you know who he is!)

vespacat · Apr 4, 2005

Actually, despite the Leonardo Di Caprio bashing, he also donated a hefty sum to tsunami relief (and he was AMAZING in The Aviator!). Yes, Sandra Bullock obviously does have a big heart.

I loved "Sling Blade" too.

Originally Posted by Me-n-my guys

Sandra Bullock-she donated 1m to the tsunami relief, & has donated large amounts to other causes..
I like Billy Bob Thornton. Theres a multi-faceted guy. I loved him in Sling Blade. He is always playing something different & interesting.
How 'bout that rookie quarterback who donated his playoff check to the tsunami relief fund? (Steelers fans, you know who he is!)

zoe'n'misskitty · Apr 4, 2005

Can it be groups? lol
Pearl Jam comes to mind. They work with causes they believe in, like the Vote For Change tour last fall and their fight against TicketMaster. Plus, Eddie is a raging liberal and I like that. haha
U2 have done a lot, too. Bono gets annoying and pompus at times, but the band stands up for good causes.

vespacat · Apr 4, 2005

For sure!

I remember the whole Pearl Jam fight against TicketMaster gouging.

I would agree, and add that U2 are also fantastic for engaging in the many charitable efforts they have over the years, but I have a beef with Bono right now because he's using his "celebrity" by unduly getting involved in Canadian politics (he's on friendly terms with our Liberal Prime Minister, Paul Martin) when he isn't even a Canadian citizen!

Originally Posted by Zoe'n'MissKitty

Can it be groups? lol
Pearl Jam comes to mind. They work with causes they believe in, like the Vote For Change tour last fall and their fight against TicketMaster. Plus, Eddie is a raging liberal and I like that. haha
U2 have done a lot, too. Bono gets annoying and pompus at times, but the band stands up for good causes.

mom of franz · Apr 4, 2005

Hands down for me are Paul Newman and A.E. Hotchner...okay I know most of you are saying "A.E. Who?" Hotchner is a writer who is the other half of Newman's Own Charitable Org. He wrote a great book on Hemingway, "Papa Hemingway" and one of my fav books of all time "King of the Hill", a memoir of him growing up as a kid in St Louis during the depression. Though I read the book a dozen yrs ago it has always stayed with me. So much so that about a year and a half ago I wrote him a love letter thanking him for the book. I thought gee he's in his 80s, I better tell him now! I also told him that I have given it to some of my homeless kids at the shelter as inspiration. I told him all about The Floating Hospital and the work we have done with the underserved for the last 138 years. Lo and behold a few months after sending him my letter, The Floating Hospital got a check for ten thousand dollars! Just think of it he AND Paul Newman read MY letter. So I guess you can see why they are tops with me!

vespacat · Apr 4, 2005

That's great news, Susan!

And kudos to you for your own work on social causes.

Originally Posted by Mom of Franz

Hands down for me are Paul Newman and A.E. Hotchner...okay I know most of you are saying "A.E. Who?" Hotchner is a writer who is the other half of Newman's Own Charitable Org. He wrote a great book on Hemingway, "Papa Hemingway" and one of my fav books of all time "King of the Hill", a memoir of him growing up as a kid in St Louis during the depression. Though I read the book a dozen yrs ago it has always stayed with me. So much so that about a year and a half ago I wrote him a love letter thanking him for the book. I thought gee he's in his 80s, I better tell him now! I also told him that I have given it to some of my homeless kids at the shelter as inspiration. I told him all about The Floating Hospital and the work we have done with the underserved for the last 138 years. Lo and behold a few months after sending him my letter, The Floating Hospital got a check for ten thousand dollars! Just think of it he AND Paul Newman read MY letter. So I guess you can see why they are tops with me!

katspixiedust · Apr 4, 2005

Though some people bashed him horribly in the other thread, Leonardo DiCaprio seems like a good guy to me. He actually came to UCF and spoke to a small group (200 students...which is small compared to the 43,000 students we have) of us about the environment and what he felt. I just sensed that he was a passionate kind of person, and I like that. Here's a pic from that event actually, I was 2nd row center

:

Believe it or not that pic is actually a whole bunch smaller than the original one I had put up there. Hope it's not TOO big guys!

Also I think Meg Ryan is a good celebrity. She and Robert Kennedy also came to UCF and spoke aobut some other important issues. I just thought it was amazing that someone like her would come and speak to maybe 200 of us about something she believed in.

Both of those were very exciting for me as well! So, perhaps I'm a bit biased about them thanks to those things, but I do think they're great!!

vespacat · Apr 4, 2005

Okay, I already posted these details in the Paris Hilton bashing thread, and it's pretty much repetition, but here goes...

Though I'm not too crazy about the ad campaign, one thing I find VERY respect worthy about Pamela Anderson is her anti-fur stance (and the work she's done with PETA), as well as the fact that she lives a vegetarian lifestyle. She is NO shrinking violet when it comes to animal rights. She's also involved in a campaign with M.A.C Cosmetics, who raise mucho funds for AIDS research.

Frankly, despite the cosmetic surgery, she has always been an attractive woman (ever see her prior to Baywatch?). She's been well known here in Canada for a LONG time.

jin & spawn · Apr 4, 2005

Originally Posted by Me-n-my guys

Sandra Bullock-she donated 1m to the tsunami relief, & has donated large amounts to other causes..

I'll second Sandra Bullock for the same reason! She was the first one that came to mind. And she's gorgeous, too!

catherine · Apr 4, 2005

I've always liked both Tim McGraw and Faith Hill even before they were a couple. They both donate to several causes but most importantly, they give back to their communities.

I'm from the south and I love the fact that they have kept their "down-home-southern attitudes". They have not forgotten where they came from and just seem to be great people to be around.

I give both of them a

!

vespacat · Apr 4, 2005

I absolutely agree about Leonardo DiCaprio... He has supported a lot of charitable causes, and he uses his celebrity to promote causes bigger than himself (the reason I started this thread!), and he may not be gorgeous to "some", but I usually find people attractive based on the merit of their actions. Perhaps that's why I would find Pamela Anderson to be quite attractive, but think Paris Hilton is as ugly as sin.

Originally Posted by katspixiedust

Though some people bashed him horribly in the other thread, Leonardo DiCaprio seems like a good guy to me. He actually came to UCF and spoke to a small group (200 students...which is small compared to the 43,000 students we have) of us about the environment and what he felt. I just sensed that he was a passionate kind of person, and I like that. Here's a pic from that event actually, I was 2nd row center

:

Believe it or not that pic is actually a whole bunch smaller than the original one I had put up there. Hope it's not TOO big guys!

Also I think Meg Ryan is a good celebrity. She and Robert Kennedy also came to UCF and spoke aobut some other important issues. I just thought it was amazing that someone like her would come and speak to maybe 200 of us about something she believed in.

Both of those were very exciting for me as well! So, perhaps I'm a bit biased about them thanks to those things, but I do think they're great!!

mom of franz · Apr 4, 2005

I had to laugh when I read years ago that David Letterman set up a scholarship at his old college--Ball State in Indiana..however it's ONLY for "C" students...he was a "C" student at Ball State. I have a gut feeling that he gives a lot to charity, but does so only if it's not advertsized. He's too private a man to do so otherwise.

valanhb · Apr 4, 2005

Angelina Jolie. She may be eccentric, but her work in Cambodia speaks loads about her soul.

vespacat · Apr 4, 2005

Yes, she's great... hopefully no sinister tape comes out of the woodwork that would ruin her reputation.

Originally Posted by valanhb

Angelina Jolie. She may be eccentric, but her work in Cambodia speaks loads about her soul.

hopehacker · Apr 4, 2005

I guess I'd have to say, my own Paul Stanley of the rock band Kiss. For many years he's been involved in an organization in Canada called "About Face". This organization helps people with facial differences, which can devistate their lives. I'm sure some of you Canadians may have heard of About Face. Paul has given and been involved with numerous charities and organizations that help people, and he keeps most of his work secret, not seeking out glory or recognition for what he does for others.

Recently Paul along with the rest of Kiss, gave of themselves for a little boy who had finally become cancer free. They came to the "Ellen" show to make this little boy's birthday special, because this little boy's favorite band was Kiss.

The thing about Paul is that few people recognize him for his good deeds, because he seeks no recognition. To me, that is the true sign of a truly admirable celebrity.

vespacat · Apr 4, 2005

Wow, I never knew that about Paul Stanley... I guess because he doesn't seek any recognition. "About Face", what a fantastic cause!

Originally Posted by HopeHacker

I guess I'd have to say, my own Paul Stanley of the rock band Kiss. For many years he's been involved in an organization in Canada called "About Face". This organization helps people with facial differences, which can devistate their lives. I'm sure some of you Canadians may have heard of About Face. Paul has given and been involved with numerous charities and organizations that help people, and he keeps most of his work secret, not seeking out glory or recognition for what he does for others.

Recently Paul along with the rest of Kiss, gave of themselves for a little boy who had finally become cancer free. They came to the "Ellen" show to make this little boy's birthday special, because this little boy's favorite band was Kiss.

The thing about Paul is that few people recognize him for his good deeds, because he seeks no recognition. To me, that is the true sign of a truly admirable celebrity.

hissy · Apr 4, 2005

Peter Paul and Mary, even after all these years their music speaks to the people about causes and issues that affect us all-

Robert Redford and his enviormental causes

Nicholas Cage and his work in Africa

Harrison Ford and his contributions of his helicoptor to help those in distress and the use of his plane to fly aid workers into third world countries

ugaimes · Apr 5, 2005

Originally Posted by Zoe'n'MissKitty

Plus, Eddie is a raging liberal and I like that.

Me, too! That's why I also include Leo DiCaprio and Ben Afflek on my admired celeb list- for that very reason!

Hope, that is an extremely interesting tidbit about Paul Stanley's good deeds. My brother was born with a double cleft palet, so I know how difficult having facial differences can be for kids. Adding Paul to my list, too!

How about ADMIRABLE celebrities?

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