Celebrity Activists Changing the World have the ability to significantly alter the course of social impact groups. A celebrity may draw attention to an issue and support NGOs that are changing the world thanks to their fan base, social media following, and public relations chances.
These 12 celebrity activists are utilizing their platforms to advocate for issues that are important to them, either independently or in collaboration with already-established groups.
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1. Glenn Close
Reason: Mental Well-Being
ORGANIZATION: EMBRACE CHANGE
For more than 40 years, Glenn Close has acted in both television and motion pictures. She has starred in films such “The Big Chill,” “Fatal Attraction,” “101 Dalmatians,” “The Stepford Wives,” and several more. The most recent of her six Oscar nominations is for best actress, which she received for the 2011 picture “Albert Nobbs.” Off-screen, however, Close is a co-founder of Bring Change 2 Mind, a charity dedicated to eradicating the stigma associated with mental illness.
The Close family is intimately familiar with the difficulties faced by those who suffer from mental illness. Close has a nephew with schizoaffective disease and a sister with bipolar disorder.
In an effort to eradicate stigma and prejudice, Bring Change 2 Mind creates PSAs and launches social media campaigns to encourage people to discuss their experiences with mental illness.
2. Curry, Stephen and Ayesha
CAUSE: Relieving Childhood Hunger
EDUCATION: PLAY, LEARN, EAT. FOUNDATION
One of the NBA’s most promising talents is Stephen Curry. After taking home the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2015, just when you thought he couldn’t get any better, he repeated the feat in 2016 thanks to an extraordinary unanimous vote.
Though they focus on bettering the lives of children and families in Oakland, the San Francisco Bay Area, and across the nation, Stephen and his wife Ayesha Curry founded the Eat.Learn.Play. Foundation in 2019 and use it to fight childhood hunger in between practices, travel, games, and Nike commercials.
The organization is dedicated to helping each child reach their full potential by making sure they have access to a high-quality education, wholesome food, and secure spaces for play and physical activity.
The organization’s core belief is that children are our future, and it works to create alliances and projects that will benefit future generations.
Because reading is a vital component of both academic achievement and the key to unlocking possibilities for a lifetime, we have made early literacy the centerpiece of our LEARN pillar. Making reading enjoyable, approachable, and motivating is how we want to inspire children to read.
Curry, Stephen, and Ayesha (1)
3. Michael J. Fox (Activists Changing the World)
REASON: Parkinson’s illness
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is the organization.
Although he is most recognized for playing Marty McFly in the “Back to the Future” trilogy, Michael J. Fox’s foundation is influencing how Parkinson’s disease research will be conducted in the future. Along with other symptoms, this degenerative neurological illness may impair mood, memory, and motor function.
Fox rose to stardom as an actor in the 1980s television series “Family Ties.” He then starred in movies like “Stuart Little” and “Teen Wolf” and TV programs like “Spin City” and “The Good Wife.” In1991, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at a young age. In1998, he disclosed his illness to the world. He established the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 with the goal of using bold, risk-taking research to enhance medicines and discover a cure.
The organization has provided more than $450 million in funding for Parkinson’s disease research since its founding. Its research focuses on a variety of topics, such as enzyme activity-based therapies, a vaccination to impede the progression of the illness, and a unified scale for assessing dyskinesia, the most noticeable outward sign of Parkinson’s disease.
4. Jennifer Lopez
Reason: Assistance for Refugees
United Nations Refugee Agency is the organization.
Hollywood blockbusters such as “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “A Mighty Heart,” and “Maleficent” have Angelina Jolie in a number of them. On the other hand, the actress started a career in humanitarian work after shooting “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” in the war-torn country of Cambodia.
She became associated with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) after having this experience. Jolie visited refugee camps in Tanzania and Sierra Leone during her first year with the organization. She also gave $1 million to support Afghan refugees and joined the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador program.
Jolie has gone on several field missions with the organization during her years of employment. She continues to raise awareness and provide assistance for displaced persons throughout the globe in her capacity as Special Envoy for refugee problems.
5. Nelson Willie
Family farms are the cause.
ENTITY: FARM ASSISTANCE
Willie Nelson has put out 68 studio albums and has been a mainstay of country music since the 1960s. Loved for hits like “Always on My Mind” and “On the Road Again,” his 83-year-old fan base still going to watch him perform live across the nation. However, Nelson’s impact goes beyond country music charts and radio stations.
Neil Young and John Mellencamp performed at the first Farm Aid event, which Nelson organized in 1985. The celebration of family farmers, money-raising, and encouragement to select food from family farms have brought thousands of people together for over 30 years. To further their causes, Nelson and Farm Aid gather some of the best performers in the world each year. Past performers include Jewel, Tegan and Sara, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. King, The Beach Boys, Bonnie Raitt, and Kris Kristofferson.
With no indications of stopping, Farm Aid has collected more than $50 million since its founding to assist small farmers.
6. Tebow Tim
The cause is human trafficking.
TIM TEBOW FOUNDATION is the organization.
Tim Tebow, an American professional baseball player and former football player, was born in the Philippines to missionary parents. His commitment for giving back and becoming even more active as a worldwide speaker, ESPN sports commentator, and three-time New York Times bestselling book aligns with his athletic accomplishments.
Tebow established the Tim Tebow Foundation in order to provide love, hope, and faith to those in need of light during their darkest hours. He has devoted time to prom king and queen ceremonies, adopting overseas children with special needs, funding adoptions of children with life-threatening illnesses, and demonstrating love via outreach in a variety of other inventive ways.
I went to a far-flung town that had never had tourists when I was fifteen years old. There, I met Sherwin, a youngster who would have the most influence on my life of anybody I have ever met. Sherwin was considered “cursed” in his community since he was born with his feet on backwards. People recognized that everyone may benefit from the good message of Jesus Christ when they seen me holding Sherwin. That’s when my desire to serve others really took off.
Tim Tebow II
7. Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller
THE CAUSE: Alzheimer’s
HILARITY FOR CHARITY (HFC) is the organization.
Thanks to his comic roles in films and television series including The Interview, Pineapple Express, Superbad, Neighbors, and more, Seth Rogan is almost a household name. After beginning his career in stand-up comedy as a teenager, this Canadian actor, comedian, and writer is now changing lives in whole new ways alongside his wife, Lauren Miller Rogan.
With a personal connection to Alzheimer’s illness, Lauren is a philanthropist, director, screenwriter, and producer. In 2012, while her mother was barely 55 years old, an early-onset Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis was made. In order to inspire the next generation of activists, she and Seth Rogen co-founded HFC at that time.
HFC is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families affected by Alzheimer’s, inspiring the next generation of champions, and setting the standard for brain health research and instruction.
After experiencing intense sadness and rage for a while, Seth and I came to the realization that, by investing in youth and prevention, we might utilize this platform to not only improve the caregiving experience but also, over time, alter the long-term course of Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, in 2012, we established Hilarity for Charity (HFC), which has served as a kind of parallel professional path for the two of us ever since.
Rogan, Lauren Miller, 3
8. Gary Sinise
CAUSE: Assisting Former Military Personnel
GARY SINESE FOUNDATION is the organization.
For his four decades in theater, cinema, and television, Gary Sinise is most renowned. Does “Forrest Gump”‘s Lieutenant Dan Taylor seem familiar to you? That’s just one of the several roles that helped Sinise get nominations for awards such as the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.
Following September 11, 2001, Sinise concentrated on assisting individuals who were deploying in reaction to the awful events. Having always supported service personnel and felt a strong connection to veterans via his family, he elevated his involvement and established the Gary Sinise Foundation.
We can always do a little bit more, in my opinion, to show our appreciation and support for the men and women who voluntarily put their lives in danger to keep us secure and free.
Gary Sinese four
Amazon recently announced that it would provide Amazon Alexa devices, Amazon fresh foods, and staff volunteer hours at events throughout the nation to help the Gary Sinise Foundation over a multiyear period. The smart homes that are being created for our country’s injured heroes will also benefit from these gifts.
9. Ferrera America
CAUSE: Justice in Race and Society
THE ENTITY: HARNESS
After the 2016 presidential election, America Ferrera used her love of activism to co-found Harness with Wilmer Valderrama and Ryan Piers Williams. The Netflix version of “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” was Ferrera’s directorial debut. She is most recognized for her performance as Betty Suarez in “Ugly Betty.”
The goals of Harness are to improve civic, gender, and racial justice. The nonprofit shares the tales of the underrepresented and misrepresented populations in popular culture with the goal of promoting cultural change, community development, artist involvement, and industry influence.
Many people have been afraid their voices won’t be heard since the election. For the sake of our communities’ rights, dignity, and safety, it is imperative that we unite as artists, women, and most importantly, as committed Americans.
Ferrera 5 America
Ferrera has a history of speaking up for civil rights and taking part in women’s marches. She also collaborates with Eva Longoria Baston and other Latina leaders via the nonprofit organization Poderistas, a digital lifestyle network, with the goal of transforming lives, families, and communities by affirmation, inspiration, and knowledge.
10. Amal and George Clooney
CAUSE: Violations of Human Rights
CLOONEY FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE is the organization.
For many of us, George Clooney is a familiar name. Over his lengthy career as an actor and director, he has received several honors, including two Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and a British Academy Film Award. After graduation, he landed a modest role in a feature film, which launched his career, which expanded swiftly.
One thing about George is that his altruism increased along with his stature and power. He devotes most of his time to humanitarian issues and views himself as a fervent supporter of the First Amendment. In times of global emergency, he has even introduced himself to the UN Security Council.
The Clooney Foundation for Justice was established by George and his wife, Amal, in an effort to counteract the increasing number of journalists and democratic activists who are being arrested, charged, and imprisoned. Through their work, they help LGBTQ+ persons, women and girls, and those who are the targets of violence and harsh legislation.
11. Emma Watson
CAUSE: Women’s Advocacy and Rights
United Nations Women
Emma Watson is a British actress who has starred in several films, including “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” as Sam and as Hermione in the “Harry Potter” series. She won the Trailblazer Award at the MTV Movie Awards in 2023 and the Calvin Klein Emerging Star Award at the ELLE Women in Hollywood Awards in 2023.
By the middle of her 20s, Watson had already begun to look beyond activism for a higher cause. She had been involved in initiatives to support girls’ education and humanitarian causes in Bangladesh and Zambia. In order to further her enthusiasm for gender equality and the empowerment of young women, Watson was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador in July 2014.
I can’t think of a more thrilling opportunity since women’s rights are so profoundly personal, ingrained in my life, and intrinsically related to who I am. Although I still have a lot to learn, as I advance, I want to be able to contribute more of my unique knowledge, understanding, and experience to this position.
Six Emma Watson
12. Anthony DiCaprio
CAUSES: Animal rights, the environment, and climate change
LEONARDO DICAPRIO FOUNDATION is the organization.
Since “Titanic,” Leonardo DiCaprio has captured our hearts and hasn’t let go. Because of his diverse acting abilities, he was able to get significant recognition for his environmental advocacy both in Los Angeles and beyond.
DiCaprio is a vocal supporter of several groups these days, including the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the World Wildlife Foundation.
In order to carry on his work as an environmental activist and address global issues by preserving endangered species and repairing ecosystems, he established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. DiCaprio co-wrote and produced “The 11th Hour,” a documentary on global warming, in 2007. Ever then, he has persisted in exploring novel and inventive approaches to raise awareness of significant environmental issues.
There is only one planet for us. Massive accountability must be taken on behalf of humanity for the willful devastation of our shared habitat. The deliberate growth of our species is the key to safeguarding our future on our planet.
Seven Years of Leonardo DiCaprio
