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The World Wide Web is full of celebrity news (read: gossip) that ranges from shallow questions like “Who wore it best?” to sensationalized relationship drama and flat-out exploitation of celebrities at their lowest moments. Sadly, many of us are watching, reading and liking said stories as we feed the demand for tabloid-worthy tales.
Every now and then, though, we are stopped mid-scroll by a different type of celeb story — something more meaningful and inspiring, a tale that warms your heart and restores your faith in Hollywood (and the damn Internet). Some of the most well-known actors, athletes and musicians are humans with big hearts, humility and generosity, and I think we can all agree that this is the kind of story worthy of likes and shares. Here are things celebs do that make us proud to be their fans:
THEY PUT A RING ON IT
Paul Walker
Before The Fast and the Furious star passed away in 2013, he met a young couple, Kyle and Kristen Upham, who were shopping for an engagement ring when he suggested they “go bigger.” The couple admired a $9,000 ring but left the store without it because the price was just too high. After learning that Upham was soon to be deployed to Iraq for a second tour of duty, Walker purchased the ring for the couple, telling the store clerk not to reveal his identity. The saleswoman called the couple back to the store and handed them their engagement ring, not sharing the story publicly until after Walker’s fatal car accident. Kristen Upham later told CBS, “It’s still to this day the most generous thing anyone has ever done for me.”
Shaquille O’Neal
Love and generosity were also in the air in 2021 at a jewelry store in Atlanta, where the gentle giant Shaquille O’Neal noticed a young man talking to the clerk about his payment plan for an engagement ring. Shaq slyly handed the cashier his credit card, paid for the ring in full, and it was all captured in a heartwarming video. Philanthropy and impromptu acts of generosity are the norm for the 7’1” former NBA star, who earned the nickname Shaq-a-Claus for generously donating an abundance of gifts to children in need each year during the holiday season.
HELPING THOSE WHO'VE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS
Jennifer Garner
America’s favorite sweetheart is as kind as her prominent dimples lead you to believe. In an Instagram post from March 9, 2022, she shared her simple routine for helping those without homes. Garner fills plastic bags with socks, tissues, toothbrushes, granola bars, a little cash and then distributes them to the unhoused.
Keanu Reeves
Reeves is well-known for being down-to-earth, humble and generous beyond expectation. In 1997, photos circulated of the actor giving the gift of companionship and love to a homeless man in West Hollywood. Reeves sat next to the stranger, with whom he shared a snack, laid-back conversation and human connection — perhaps the very things the homeless crave more than money. Reeves has continued such acts of kindness over the years, but does his best to stay under the radar. Humility just may be his true superpower.
REMEMBER WHERE THEY CAME FROM
George Foreman
The sudden death of George Foreman recently shocked the world as he was remembered as a father, man of faith and one of boxing’s all-time greats. He was also an avid philanthropist, who dedicated years of blood, sweat and tears to giving back to his Houston community — and, oh, the lives he changed! He started the George Foreman Youth and Community Center, which is equipped with a boxing ring, weight room and basketball court as a safe haven and positive outlet for local youth. He founded the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston in 1980 and donated $100,000 to Houston’s AIDS Foundation Stone Soup Pantry. George Foreman will always be known as one of the world’s greatest fighters. He should be remembered, as well, for his love of the world and his fellow humans.
Jon Bon Jovi
The rocker’s success has allowed him to live on much more than just a prayer and he is known for sharing his wealth. He opened the first Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, NJ, in 2011, where the non-profit community restaurant offers meals to both paying and non-paying customers. The menu is updated bi-weekly and lists no prices whatsoever. Those who can’t afford to pay are welcome to enjoy a three-course meal and the opportunity to volunteer in the restaurant to keep the operation running smoothly. Those who can afford to pay are encouraged to make a donation, paying it forward for those who can’t. There are now four locations in New Jersey, so if you’re in the neighborhood, treat yourself (and a stranger in need) to a great meal.
What you seek, you find, friends. In this day and age, the internet is a dangerous and sometimes scary place. The power, however, is in our hands. Let’s make it a priority to seek the good in everything we do, including the websites we visit. And let’s encourage Hollywood’s greatest (and the media that features them) to continue their goodwill and generous acts by liking their inspiring stories. One click at a time.
What celebrity do you think of as being particularly kind? Let us know in the comments below.
AARP (Getty Images: 3)
Follow Article Topics: Relationships
