Although many of us often tend to forget, celebrities are just like us. They are humans, they go through some good times and some hard times, they have emotions and many of them – like many of us – are just trying to make the world a better place. It's truly inspiring when a Hollywood celebrity uses their elite status and undeniable star power to help lift others up, rather than party, drink and do drugs.
We are so used to seeing these famous celebrities appear all over the media for immature stints such as checking into rehab, going to jail or simply going haywire. That's why is quite refreshing to see some celebrities using their names to others' advantages. With that being said, here are fifteen of the most amazing acts of celebrity kindness. Many of these you might not even have known about.
1. John Cena
Pro wrestler, John Cena holds the record for the most wishes granted by a single individual for the Make-A-Wish foundation. John, who has granted over 450 wishes stated, "I can think of no greater honor than someone who can have any wish they want in the world, yet they choose to spend their time with me. I will continue to grant wishes as long as there are children who request me."
2. Colin Farrell
While filming The Recruit in Toronto, a radio station ran a contest that they would give $1000 to whoever got Colin Farrell to show up at the radio station. This contest upset Colin, because he thought it was an invasion of his privacy. However, the actor decided to make a deal with a homeless man named, Dave, allowing him to bring Colin to the station and that Dave could keep the $1000. Years later, Colin came back to Toronto and found Dave. He took him shopping, out to eat and gave him enough money for an apartment and food. Dave ended up turning his life around.
3. Carrie Underwood
At a 2012 concert in Des Moines, Iowa, Carrie Underwood lost her voice after singing for 90 minutes. She had a couple of songs left of the 'Blown Away' concert, but Carrie unable to continue singing, told the crowd, "I feel real guilty about making any money on this show tonight… So whatever I'm making is just going to go right back into this community. I feel that's the right thing to do."
4. Zach Galifianakis
Before Zach Galifianakis made it big in Hollywood, he used to frequent Fox Laundry in Santa Monica, where he met and became friends with 87-year-old, Elizabeth 'Mimi' Haist, who lived in the laundry mat and collected tips for helping people with laundry. Zach stopped frequenting the laundry mat after his success with The Hangover, but when he learned that Mimi was homeless, he decided to help. Zach rented an apartment for her and continues to pay all of her bills. He has also brought Mimi as his date to the movie premieres for Hangover 2, The Campaign and Hangover 3.
5. Dave Grohl – Foo Fighters
In 2006, two Australian miners were trapped in a mine after it collapsed. The two miners asked for an iPod loaded with Foo Fighters music to be sent down the mine while they waited. They received the iPod, along with a personal note from Foo Fighters lead singer, Dave Grohl. The note read, "I want you to know that when you come home, there's two tickets to any Foos show, anywhere, and two cold beers waiting for you. Deal?
6. Tom Cruise
In 1996, Tom Cruise witnessed a hit and run accident. He pulled over, called 911 and stayed with the victim until the ambulance got there. Cruise then followed the ambulance to the hospital to make sure the girl was okay. When he found out the girl was uninsured, he paid the $7000 hospital bill.
7. Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp always brings his Captain Jack Sparrow costume with him when he travels, so he can make impromptu hospital visits. After receiving a letter from a 9-year-old school girl, asking for Captain Jack Sparrow's help to stage a mutiny against the teachers, Johnny Depp made a surprise visit to the school in full costume.
8. Russell Brand
Russell Brand is frequently spotted hanging out with homeless people in Los Angeles. He gives them food, clothes, cash and rides. Russell has been spending more time in the UK recently and has opened up his $3.4 million mansion to his homeless friends. They're supervised by a friend of Russell's and he reports, "They just chill out and watch TV in the home cinema, or relax by the pool overlooking LA. They're never seen anything like it in their lives."
9. Keanu Reeves
When Keanu Reeves was negotiating profit-sharing for the second and third Matrix films, Reeves chose to give some of his profit points to the special effects and costume design teams, because he felt they deserved it. The amount Keanu ended up giving to his co-workers was approximately $75 million.
10. Steve Buscemi
Before making it big in Hollywood, actor Steve Buscemi used to work as a New York City firefighter. After 9/11, Buscemi returned to the FDNY and worked 12 hour shifts for a week, with fellow New York firefighters, sifting through the rubble from the World Trade Center. Steve even declined to be interviewed, because he said he wasn't doing it for publicity.
11. Cristiano Ronaldo
In March 2014, a family wrote a letter to Cristiano Ronaldo asking for a pair of signed shoes and a shirt. They wanted these items, so they could auction them off in order to fund an operation for their 10-month-old baby. Their child needed the operation in order to live and the costs of the operation was 66,000 euros (approximately $90,000). Ronaldo sent them the signed shoes, shirt and a check for 83,000 Euros (approximately $112,000).
12. Bill Murray
Bill Murray is not afraid to get personal with fans. The actor reportedly hates signing autographs, because he thinks they're impersonal. When asked by a group of guys to sign autographs, Murray said, "No." Instead, he agreed to star in a fake film trailer with the guys. Last month, Murray was approached by a Bachelor party attendee at a steakhouse, but was turned downed for a meet and greet. A few minutes later, Bill Murray showed up at the Bachelor party and gave an impromptu and inspiring speech about love and life.
13. Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson is known as the 'Prince of Darkness,' but the musician seems to have a heart of gold. In 2000, Marilyn Manson visited a teen with terminal cancer at his home. Manson brought tons of memorabilia for the boy and stayed at the home for hours. The two chatted, played video games, played guitar and read comic books. The boy passed away three weeks later and was wearing a Marilyn Manson shirt at the time of his death.
14. Metallica
Margaret, an 85-year-old woman got the attention of Metallica in 2009, when her story surfaced about how she believed Metallica's music helped her battle her fight against cancer. The band invited Margaret to their already sold-out concert and had the 85-year-old woman come backstage beforehand. Each member of Metallica spent time with her and during the concert, lead singer James Hetfield dedicated the song 'Nothing Else Matters' to Margaret.
15. Bradley Cooper
While filming Silver Lining's Playbook in Philadelphia, Bradley Cooper bought hundreds of winter coats for the homeless and personally, handed them out. When a homeless man complimented the coat Bradley was wearing, Cooper took the coat off his back and gave it to the man.
Source: Entertainment V
