12 Celebrities Whose Selfless Deeds Make the World a Better Place

Celebrities aren’t just popular people who appear on our TV screens. They’re also often role models that millions of people look up to. On one hand, that imposes great responsibility and restrictions, but on the other hand, one can use their fame for good and help a large number of people — and the following stars know this better than anyone.

Here at Bright Side, we adore celebrities who aren’t just professional workers, but who are also good people. So scroll down if you do too.

1. Reese Witherspoon advocates for gender equality in her industry.

The Oscar-winning actress built a company with a new work ethic. Hello Sunshine is a firm focused on telling female-oriented stories through movies and TV series. Witherspoon demands equal pay for equal work and gives a voice to female actresses, directors, and screenwriters.

2. Ashton Kutcher combats human trafficking.

Ashton Kutcher actively battles against human trafficking. In 2012, he and his ex-wife, Demi Moore, co-founded a non-profit organization, Thorn, which is dedicated to the protection of vulnerable children. The organization aims to use resources from big technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, to help the government stop human trafficking and other crimes.

3. Eva Longoria created the Eva’s Heroes fund, which helps developmentally disabled children.

The actress became a co-founder of the Eva’s Heroes Foundation, whose main goal is to develop programs for people with special intellectual needs. Longoria is trying to draw attention to improving their quality of life and the ability to exist as full-fledged members of society. Longoria also regularly supports Latin American organizations in the fields of education and entrepreneurship.

The actress also fights for equal representation and diversity. Longoria is a member of the Time’s Up movement (a charity that supports victims of harassment). While filming Desperate Housewives, Longoria was working toward her master’s degree, and for her thesis, she chose to write about the importance of opportunities for Latina women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers in the US.

4. The Weeknd has donated $1million to the UN’s World Food Programme to help fight famine in Ethiopia.

The famous artist donated $1 million to the United Nations’ World Food Programme to provide 2 million meals for people in Ethiopia. In an Instagram post, the singer mentioned his Ethiopian heritage and asked his followers to donate to WFP as well.

5. Jessica Chastain advocates for women’s rights.

Jessica’s social awareness became known through her Twitter a long time ago. Now Chastain takes part in campaigns for access to affordable reproductive healthcare for women with the Planned Parenthood organization, which she credits for giving her “the career I have today.”

6. Ian Somerhalder created a foundation aiming to protect wildlife.

Ian Somerhalder is an actor and environmental activist who is known for investing in saving and protecting wildlife. He created the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to advance science and speak publicly for the conservation of natural resources. They also have special grants that are provided to help animals in need.

7. Kesha is an LGBTQ activist.

The famous singer, Kesha, is also known for supporting the LGBTQ community (as she relates to it herself), and now she also contributes to activism by officiating weddings! The singer was ordained in 2012 when she married 2 female friends.

She shared that it was an amazing experience to help 2 beautiful women cement their commitment and that she can’t understand why any person or any law would stand in between that kind of love.

8. Benedict Cumberbatch declared that he will only do films where his female co-stars are paid equally.

We know Cumberbatch as a brilliant actor, but he’s also doing a lot of activism and charity work. He was one of the first actors to announce that he will only do films where his female colleagues are paid equally. Cumberbatch states that equal pay and a place at the table are the central tenets of feminism.

9. Dolly Parton’s foundation promotes literacy.

Dolly Parton is a living legend known not only for her music but for her philanthropy work. The singer opened The Dollywood Foundation and started programs like The Imagination Library, sending out books to children all over the world to promote literacy. Her foundation also offers scholarships and financial aid to improve the quality of life for children.

10. Edward Norton is the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity.

Edwards Norton’s father is an environmental lawyer, and the actor grew up to be an activist. He is now an advocate for renewable energy — Norton bought a solar energy-powered home in Los Angeles and a hybrid car.

He also took part in creating The Solar Neighbors program, which aims to install photovoltaic panels on rooftops of households in California. Moreover, in 2010, the UN named Norton the Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity and a spokesperson for the Convention on Biological Diversity.

11. Shakira made a great contribution to education and literacy.

Shakira, a Colombian singer, record producer, dancer, and actress, was awarded the World Literacy Foundation Award for her contributions to literacy around the world.

In 1997, Shakira created the Pies Descalzos Foundation to build special schools for poor children all around Colombia. The main task is to help through education, and now the foundation has many schools across Colombia that provide education and meals for 80,000 children.

12. Mark Ruffalo’s nonprofit is advocating for clean energy.

Oscar-nominated actor, Mark Ruffalo, who has played Hulk in the Marvel Universe, is also an environmental activist. His nonprofit, the Solutions Project — which was co-founded with other leaders — is promoting clean energy and accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources.

When was the last time you did a selfless deed? We’d be happy to see your pics and comments in the section below.