Robert Downey Jr. Is on a Mission to Save the Planet — And These 9 Stars Are Too

When we think of celebrities, we often associate them with red carpets, blockbusters, and magazine covers. However, behind the scenes, many of them dedicate their time and resources to science and ecology, surprising the public with their passion and commitment to these fields. Here’s a list of stars who, perhaps unbeknownst to you, are deeply involved in science and environmental conservation.

1. Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson, world-renowned for his role as Mr. Bean, has a lesser-known but equally impressive side: his engineering background. Before becoming a comedy icon, Atkinson graduated from Newcastle University in 1975 with a degree in electrical and electronic engineering. His love of science didn’t end there, as he continued his studies at Oxford University, where he earned a master’s degree in the same discipline in 1978.

He even enrolled for a Ph.D. at Queen’s College, Oxford, following in his father’s footsteps, but eventually decided to leave academia to pursue acting full-time. Despite this change of direction, his scientific background shows that Atkinson has a solid grounding in engineering, in addition to his talent for comedy. Who knows, in a parallel universe, instead of making us laugh at his misadventures, he might be designing circuits or solving electrical problems with the same precision with which he executes his physical humor.

2. William Shatner

It is curious how the life of William Shatner, who for decades played Captain Kirk on Star Trek, has become so symbolically intertwined with reality. After years of bringing to life a character who explored distant galaxies, Shatner became a real astronaut at the age of 90, achieving the historic feat of being the oldest person to travel into space, all aboard a Blue Origin flight, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos.

Shatner’s experience in space was not only historic but also transformative. In an emotional interview after his return, the actor shared how his view of the planet from space changed his perspective on life and the urgent need to protect our environment. The concept of the “Overview Effect,” experienced by many astronauts, describes how observing the Earth from a distance, suspended in the vastness of space, can generate a sense of the fragility of our planet and a strong desire to care for it.

Shatner expressed that the urgency to curb pollution and protect the Earth has never been clearer to him, stressing that we should all have access to this experience to understand the magnitude of the threat we face. This type of experience reminds us how celebrities, beyond their popularity, can contribute to social change by encouraging their followers to reflect on environmental issues.

3. Lisa Kudrow

In addition to being a talented actress, Lisa Kudrow has a strong academic background in science. Before conquering television with her iconic portrayal of Phoebe Buffay on Friends, she graduated with honors from Vassar College in 1985 with a degree in psychobiology, a discipline that combines biology with the study of mental processes and behavior. Her initial interest was in scientific research, which led her to work in Los Angeles with her father, a physician specializing in the study of headaches.

However, her destiny took an unexpected turn when comedian Jon Lovitz, a friend of her brother, inspired her to pursue acting. Although she eventually left science for comedy, her training in psychobiology remains a testament to her curiosity about the workings of the human mind. Perhaps that is why she was able to play Phoebe with such authenticity, a character whose eccentricity concealed great sensitivity and depth.

4. Kristen Stewart

An interesting example of a celebrity who is increasingly involved in causes related to science and ecology is Kristen Stewart. In her directorial debut with the short film Come Swim, she not only explored cinematic art but also delved into the field of artificial intelligence.

In collaboration with Bhautik J Joshi, an Adobe engineer, and David Shapiro, a producer, Stewart co-wrote a research paper on a technique called “Neural Style Transfer.” This uses artificial intelligence to modify images and adapt them to different visual styles, such as impressionism. In her short film, the director used this technology to transform filmed scenes into an artistic style inspired by a painting she had created.

Although this work is at an early stage of exploration, it illustrates how creativity and science can merge in unexpected ways. In addition, these types of initiatives also highlight the positive impact that celebrities can have when they align themselves with important causes, such as technological development and environmental awareness.

5. Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong, a name you may recognize from his comedic roles in films like The Hangover and his participation in Community, has a story that goes far beyond the screen. Throughout his life, he has been divided between two worlds: the medical and the entertainment.

During his college years at Duke, where he graduated in 1990 with a degree in zoology, his fate seemed to be more scientific. However, his participation in a school competition where he performed a song by Lionel Richie led him unconsciously to want to try acting at the university. “It was my first taste of comedy ... I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life,” he said.

Jeong eventually graduated from medical school, but comedy continued to catch his eye. After years of performing at night while practicing medicine during the day, Jeong made a big leap into Hollywood. But over time, Jeong not only found success on the big screen but also devoted himself to returning what he received. One of the main recipients of his donations was his alma mater, Duke University, to which he pledged to make a significant contribution. Its contribution includes a fund to encourage creativity and inspiration in the arts, as well as a scholarship for students with financial needs.

In addition to his support for the arts and education, Jeong has also been an active advocate for medicine-related causes, like cancer. Throughout his career, he has used his fame to promote important causes, recognizing that having a platform where his voice is heard gives him the responsibility to use it for the common good.

6. Patrick Stewart

Actor Sir Patrick Stewart, known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, has been involved with scientific projects on more than one occasion throughout his career. This reflects his interest in space exploration and advanced technology.

Stewart provided voice-over for the documentary Journey to Space, a large format film that chronicles advances in human space travel and NASA’s mission to send astronauts to Mars in the coming decades. In this project, the actor not only brings his artistic talent but also contributes to a larger cause: bringing the audience closer to space science and technological progress.

This type of support is not isolated. Stewart has also shown his support for scientific research through his role as Emeritus Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield in the UK. During a visit, he had the opportunity to meet the Future Metrology Hub, a £30 million research center that seeks to revolutionize the industry by developing advanced sensors that will increase manufacturing accuracy. This type of technology has implications not only for industry but also for medicine, with advances such as the creation of patient-specific medical devices.

7. George Takei

George Takei has not only made his mark on science fiction with his iconic role as Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek. His connection to science stems from his academic background: he studied architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a B.A. and M.A. in theater.

Throughout his career, Takei has supported scientific and technological research and emphasized the importance of space exploration as a collective human endeavor. During a visit to NASA, he was fascinated by the progress of missions such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Solar Dynamics Observatory, praising scientists and engineers as the true pioneers of our time.

For Takei, the diversity that Star Trek promoted in the 1960s was no longer a television utopia, but a reality at institutions like NASA, where international cooperation is advancing knowledge beyond Earth. With his characteristic enthusiasm, Takei recalled that many of today’s professionals in science and technology found inspiration in the series, demonstrating that fiction and reality can come together to build a better future.

8. Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill, the actor known for his role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, has joined a project to offer a series of educational videos about space. The program, entitled “From Science Fiction to Science Fact,” consists of seven parts exploring how advances in space exploration affect everyday life on Earth.

Through this series, Hamill guides the audience into fascinating topics like exercises astronauts perform in zero gravity, how they grow food in space, recycled water filtration systems, and more. Throughout the videos, there are references to Star Wars, adding a humorous and personal touch to the content.

The actor, who is not being paid for his participation, brings his charisma and passion for science fiction to help disseminate important topics such as the development of space robots, the detection of microbes on the International Space Station, and advances in space medicine.

9. Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks has been recognized with the prestigious Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award, awarded by the Space Foundation in 2006. This celebrates those individuals or entities who have made outstanding contributions to the dissemination of knowledge about space exploration and development. In particular, Hanks was selected for his impact over more than ten years, during which he has played a crucial role in improving public understanding of the space programs.

His connection to space began in 1995 with his performance in Apollo 13 and continued as executive producer and director of the acclaimed HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. His fascination with the subject began when, as a child, he fell in love with the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, which led him to follow closely space missions, especially NASA broadcasts.

Although he did not aspire to be an astronaut in his youth, his love of film and science led him to create stories that would eventually become part of his legacy as a space narrator and communicator. Through these projects, Hanks has been able to inspire and educate millions of people, reminding them of the legacy of explorers that humanity has forged and paving the way for future journeys to the moon and beyond.

10. Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr., the actor known for playing Iron Man in the Marvel universe, has embarked on an ambitious initiative to address one of the most pressing issues of our time: the environment. With his plan to clean up the planet in the next decade, Downey Jr. is using nanotechnology to address this problem and does so in a way that reflects his fictional character, Tony Stark. His vision includes harnessing artificial intelligence and robotics to accelerate the process of environmental restoration.

In 2020, Downey Jr. launched Footprint Coalition, an organization dedicated to the care of the environment through innovative technological solutions. Recognizing its role in this field, Downey Jr. expressed a personal sense of urgency and underlined their commitment to be part of the solution.

Based on this foundation, he later launched FootPrint Coalition Ventures, a series of public investment funds aimed at supporting companies developing sustainable solutions. This new initiative is designed to support a wide range of environmental technology companies and encourage creative problem-solving on an issue that requires collaborative efforts from a variety of new startups rather than relying on a handful of mega-companies. The actor himself invested $10 million in the project, convinced of the change that this idea could bring to the world and society.

The actor’s commitment to this cause reflects his belief that we all have a role to play in ensuring a healthier planet. By using advanced technologies and opening up investment opportunities to the public, Downey Jr. shows that even the smallest contributions can have a significant impact on environmental care.

It is impressive to see how some of the most well-known figures in popular culture are also great advocates of science and ecology. From actors with doctorates to celebrities who donate millions to environmental causes, these artists show that science is not only for researchers; it’s for everyone! And who knows, maybe it inspires you to get involved in a similar cause or at least look at the world from a new perspective.

If you want to know more about other famous people who join these causes, don’t miss our article about celebrities who are changing the world.