It’s fine to judge an actor by the performances he or she gives. A great actor can bring life to a character and can transform a film from enjoyable to incredible. However, even if someone is an amazing actor, he or she can still be a not-so-pleasant person to be around. So which of Hollywood’s greatest actors are also great people?
Neil Patrick Harris
Everyone knows who Neil Patrick Harris is – from his Tony Award-Winning performances on the Broadway stage to his role as Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, his talents seem to be endless. However, Neil Patrick Harris has also supported numerous charities for a variety of causes, including cancer and AIDS research. He has yet to show up in the news for being anything less than a class act in public, and he always gives off the vibe of being self-aware and down-to-earth.
Tom Hiddleston
As Loki, Thor’s younger brother in Marvel’s Thor movies, Tom Hiddleston has managed to make the villain one of the most popular characters in the Marvel movie universe. Outside of the movies, Tom Hiddleston is the complete opposite of his movie persona.
One of the best stories that shows the kind of person he is involves a Loki cosplayer. Fahr Sindram was at the Thor 2 premiere in Germany wearing her Loki cosplay when Tom Hiddleston approached her and actually knelt in front of her. After this he hugged her and posed for some pictures with her. Earlier that day he had seen her cosplay pictures and asked to meet with her. That Hiddleston would take the time to acknowledge someone’s work says a lot about him.
Fred Rogers
Mr. Rogers is one of the most beloved characters on TV. From his ever-present smile to his trademark sweaters, he always brought a smile to people’s faces. Fred Rogers was the same off-camera as he was in front of it; he also never smoke or drank and was a vegetarian. In addition, he was a huge proponent for public television and spoke to Congress about the necessity for funding it. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he managed to convey kindness and respect whenever he spoke, and he will always be remembered that way.
Angelina Jolie
In her most recent performance in Maleficent, Angelina Jolie carried the movie wonderfully, and her performance in Girl, Interrupted was rewarded with an Academy Award. However, she is recognized for her charitable work at least as often as she is for her acting. She used to work with the United Nations as a Special Envoy and a Goodwill Ambassador, and one could even picture her rolling up her sleeves and getting to work building homes for people. She has six children with her husband, Brad Pitt – three of whom are adopted. Even though she’s one of the highest-paid actresses, there’s no denying she’s giving back wherever she can.
Sandra Bullock
From Miss Congeniality to Gravity, Sandra Bullock has shown she’s got a strong set of acting chops, and her Oscar for The Blind Side proves it. In 2013, she received another honor: the Favorite Humanitarian Award at the People’s Choice Awards. She adopted a school in New Orleans that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina and donated $100,000 to restore the facility to working condition.
She has also donated thousands of dollars in scholarships to students looking to advance their education, and she donated $1 million dollars to the American Red Cross relief in Japan when it got hit by a large earthquake in 2012. She has also adopted a child from New Orleans, whom she keeps out of the spotlight to raise in as normal an environment as possible, considering his mother is a famous actress.
It’s easy to pick out the actors who are also good people. While many may see charity work as a publicity stunt, the people who keep returning to it time and time again are the ones who show their true colors. Additionally, it’s more than just charity work – the actors’ interactions with their fans also indicate what kind of people they are.
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Andy Wedge 13th September 2014
You can add Scarlett Johansson to that list too. As far as I’m aware she uses her status as a celebrity to help charities rather than use charities to help her status as a celebrity.
She’s been an Oxfam Ambassador since 2004. She also supported USA Harvest by handing out food to victims of Hurricane Katrina, and in 2008, she volunteered in AIDS clinics in Rwanda.