Angelina Jolie has received three Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and an Academy Award. She’s also considered one of the world’s most beautiful women. Oh, and she shows up on the red carpet accessorized with Brad Pitt. But what really makes Jolie stand out (at least in my humble opinion) is her humanitarian efforts. And she doesn’t do it for the sake of the press either. Jolie is truly committed to making our world a better place, which is why she continues to personally plead for the lives of those less fortunate. Jolie even admitted to donating a third of her increasingly large income to charity, resulting in millions of dollars earmarked towards her favorite causes. Continued...
Morgan Freeman’s distinctive voice stands out among thousands of others. From Shawshank Redemption to Batman Begins, his talented acting ability can be seen in dozens of films, but there’s one that’s special to me that you can’t see him in. In the English version of the Oscar-winning March of the Penguins, Morgan’s authoritative and empathic voice narrates the story of this heartwarming and inspiring documentary. For another visual dose of environmental empowerment, check out the website for Earth Communications Office (ECO). Freeman–along with Gene Hackman, Patrick Stewart, and others–narrate short video messages, seen in over 100 countries by over a billion people annually, in an effort to bring awareness to environmental concerns. Continued...
Awards are handed out all the time. And from Grammy’s and Emmy’s to even a Golden Globe, Sting has dozens. But how many other celebrities can boast they have a frog named after them? As co-founder of the Rainforest Foundation with his wife, Trudie Styler, Sting was recognized for his commitment to save the rain forest by having a Columbian tree frog named Dendropsophus stingi in his honor. Continued...
When most people think about Richard Gere they may imagine him as 'that movie star who's all about freeing Tibet'. Yes, that's certainly what he's most famous for, as it's perhaps the cause closest to his heart. And though you'd think that the task of solving the Tibetan crisis would be enough to keep him busy, he also commits himself to the causes of AIDS awareness (in India and throughout the world), cultural preservation and human rights. In fact, looking at the enormity of what Gere does, it's surprising that he has time leftover for a film career. Continued...
Bette Midler is a woman who wears many hats. She's conquered the worlds of television, film, Broadway and music. And now she's taking over Vegas with her act 'The Showgirl Must Go On' at Caesars Palace in Vegas. But perhaps her most cherished hat is that of a conservationist. According to a recent appearance on Oprah, cleaning up the environment has "almost become an obsession." It all started when Bette noticed that the parks and open spaces in New York City desperately needed some help-especially in the lower income neighborhoods. So in 1995 she founded the nonprofit organization New York Restoration Project. Continued...
Turning my own home into one that’s eco-friendly with style has been quite a challenge. After all, I didn’t want to sacrifice aesthetics in order to be environmentally conscious. Luckily companies are catching on and creating beautiful, eco-chic products. And if you need someone to help you put it all together, there’s organic interior designer Kelly LaPlante. Based in California, Kelly creates gorgeous rooms that live up to her very high environmentally forward standard. Now, with a new book, Ecologique, and Brilliant Green, a tv special on the Ovation Network, Kelly is ready to give us all a little green inspiration. Here’s what she had to say: Continued...
Natalie has been a part of Hollywood's A-list for so long that it's hard to believe she's only 27. But unlike many of her celebrity peers, Natalie isn't making tabloid news for running amok. As a teen, instead of partying and taking advantage of her celebrity stature, Natalie decided to go to Harvard. Many in the industry believed it was a bad decision. But Natalie was quoted at the time saying, "I'd rather be smart than a movie star." Oh and how smart she is! A few years later Natalie has proved them wrong, as her acting career is still going strong. And in between films, the Oscar-nominated actress dedicates her time to causes that no doubt help make the world a better place. Continued...
I have to admit I'm a little biased with this one because Grammy Award-winning Wyclef Jean is my absolute favorite musician. But that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve the honor of being an eco-celeb. In fact his humanitarian foundation, Yéle Haiti (www.yele.org), actually does a lot more than help the environment. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, about half of the population lives at an extreme poverty rate. Sixty percent of Haitians are illiterate and the education system is in shambles. When it comes to the natural environments, 98% of the forests have been destroyed and two-thirds of the farmland is now destroyed, making it even more difficult to feed the poverty-stricken country. Continued...
If you think Angelina is the only do-gooder in one of Hollywood's most famous relationships, well then you don't know Brad. Sure, she may steal most of the spotlight, traveling the world to raise awareness for her favorite causes. But, perhaps taking note from his gorgeous partner, Brad has a planet saving mission all his own. Created in late 2006, Brad's Make It Right foundation’ aims to build 150 sustainable homes in the Lower Ninth Ward area of New Orleans, which was completely devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Continued...
Equally at home in modern tales like Bridget Jones's Diary and costume dramas depicting days of yore like Girl With A Pearl Earring, Colin Firth makes a serious impact on screen. Whether it's his eyes, his accent or simply his good acting, you can't help but pay attention. Now he has people paying attention outside of the movie theaters with his big-hearted endeavors. With the opening of his new eco-friendly store and a huge supporter of fair trade projects, Colin's mission is to help the world, one purchase at a time. Continued...
