Hollywood is full of people who are woke. They believe that everyone should give back a large slice of their income. The everybody means everyone but them. The hope of this majority, is to have a utopia of sorts. This ideal is for a perfect Marxist world. This won’t work even in their fairy tale stories, crafted in tinsel town. There has always been a light in the darkness. This is with the celebrities, mentioned in the previous lists. The current list will also show those celebrities who risk their careers , standing up for America and giving back to it.
10. Fred Grandy
He was known to millions as Gopher, on The Love Boat. Grandy could have, like many stars, waited for another show. It would have been too easy. He chose politics as his next career move. Grandy ran for Congress in his home state of Iowa. He won. Grandy fought for his constituents for several years. He made the decision to run for governor. Grandy lost that race. His political career was over. It was not the end of serving the public. Grandy became the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries. He held this position from 1995-2000.
Fred Grandy was also a radio show host for several years, in Washington. He was also a political commentator for NPR. Grandy has also taught as a guest about non-profits, at The University of Maryland. Fred Grandy suffered major health issues with his heart. This did not stop him. He altered his lifestyle, and continued his media career. Fred Grandy has made an impact.
9. Candace Cameron Bure
She is known for playing D.J Tanner on the show Full House. Candace Cameron Bure became famous in the entertainment industry. This could have been enough for her.The work came in. Her fame still held.She made many television movies, on The Hallmark Channel. Her movies were mainly centered on Christmas. They gave her fame. This wasn’t enough. She was guided by her Christian faith. When she was a child, there were problems in her parent’s marriage. She didn’t have a formal Christian education, and decided to attend church. She understood that it was God who gave her everything. She was introduced to her husband Val Bure, by a cast member on Full House. He is a retired NHL player. In a touch of irony, Val Bure, who is Russian, learned English, by watching Full House. They got married not long after they met. They have three children together, and have been married for thirty years.
Candace Cameron Bure, later starred in a revival of her show. It was called Fuller House. She also is a best selling author. The actress had much success with Hallmark movies. Despite this, she wanted to showcase her faith. She did what many have done in Hollywood. She formed her own production company. It was called Candy rock Entertainment. The company produces many films particularly Christmas ones. Candace Cameron Bure is also the Chief Content Officer at Great American Media. Candace Cameron Bure, was a child star, who became a successful actress. This is rare in Hollywood. She sets an example with her lifestyle. She has given a broad face to Christian values. Cameron Candace Bure is a successful media executive, and has given back to America.
8. Bo Derek
She married the actor John Derek, when she was nineteen. They remained married until his death in 1998. This is rare in Hollywood. She made the movie, 10, in 1979. She became a movie star. Bo Derek continued to make several films, through her husband’s production company. Her career slowed down, but she became involved in other projects. One of her passions, was animal rights, a cause in which she is still involved. Bo got her start doing this, while visiting an exotic animal ranch. She and her husband, John, also helped out with chores. She had a great love of horses and later bought a horse ranch. She is involved in many organizations, associated with horses.
Bo Derek is involved in Republican politics. She has spoken at the national conventions and endorsed previous presidential candidates. She is an active member of the NRA. She expressed strong support for Charlton Heston, who was the president for several years. Her involvement in politics has sadly cost her work and friends. This has not deterred Bo Derek. It has only made her more determined. She has used her status to give back to this country.
7. Kirk Cameron
He was the star of the television show, Growing Pains, at age 14. Kirk Cameron,became a teen idol for the seven years that the show was on the air. He did not do what most celebrities would do after a show concluded its run. This actor, was led by his Christian faith. He did not simply accept any jobs. He decided to make movies that were Christian based. He did the Left Behind series of movies, Cameron starred in the movie Fireproof. This independent film made the most money of any independently produced film in 2008. Cameron did not accept a salary for this film. He donated it to his charity,The Firefly Foundation. Cameron does not receive royalties from the film.
Kirk Cameron is an actor who chooses roles that reflect his Christian faith. His acting has given him a special status. He has used that status to better the human condition. Kirk Cameron has co-founded a ministry. The charity, that he and his wife,Chelsea Noble, helped to found, The Firefly Foundation, helps children. The charity has a summer camp every year for terminally ill children. Kirk Cameron could have enjoyed an actor’s life, full of riches, public adoration and parties. His Christian lifestyle showed him the way, and he used his Hollywood success to give back to his country.
6. Shirley Temple Black
She was one of the biggest stars of the 1930’s. She held box office records from 1935-1938, beating Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Joan Crawford. The amazing thing was that she was a little girl with curly hair who was bursting with talent. She could sing and dance with the best of them. Her image paid off in merchandise, such as dolls and records. She charmed everyone in movies like Curly Top, Bright Eyes and Little Miss Marker. Shirley Temple even won a juvenile Academy Award. She is the youngest person to win an Oscar. When her childhood career ended, she took on adult roles in Since You Went Away and Fort Apache. Her charm from her childhood roles carried into these movies.
It was shortly after making a few films as an adult, that she retired from the industry. This did not mean she would sit back and watch the world go by. Shirley Temple served her country. She was an ambassador to Ghana and later to Czechoslovakia. She also served as a United States delegate to The United Nations. She was also named Chief of Protocol for The State Department. Shirley Temple also was elected to the board of directors of Walt Disney Productions. A film legacy, like Shirley Temples is rare. Her genuine dedication to government service, makes Shirley Temple Black, a true American.
5. Irving Berlin
He made America come alive with his songs. This was the musical genius of a Russian immigrant named Irving Berlin. This man, although not known for his starring roles, was very much a Hollywood celebrity. The songs Berlin wrote are standards in the Hollywood film cannon. His most famous song, being White Christmas. It became the most recorded song until recently. It also cemented Bing Crosby as a music legend. Irving Berlin received the academy award for best song. Berlin became equally as famous for writing God Bless America. This song became America’s unofficial anthem, during World War 2. It regained its popularity after September 11, 2001, once again uniting America.
Irving Berlin toured with his all soldier show, This is the Army. He not only went to stateside locations, but toured both The European and Pacific Theaters. All proceeds from the show were given to war relief funds. Berlin wrote music for several films. One of the best known is White Christmas. This was a musical showcase for the man. His songs were sung by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. Irving Berlin’s musical efforts were rewarded by three president’s, Eisenhower, Ford and Reagan. Berlin was also one of the founders of The American Society of Composers,Artists and Performers, (ASCAP). This organization protects the creative rights of people in the entertainment industry.
One of Irving Berlin’s most noteworthy achievements, was his marriage. He stayed married to his second wife, Ellin, until his death in 1989. His bride was the daughter of Clarence H. Mackay. He was a very rich man, due to owning a very large silver mine, The Comstock Lode. Mackay was also a strict Irish Catholic. His daughter married a Jewish man. Mackay could not accept the marriage and disinherited his daughter. They reconciled several years later, after the death of the Berlin’s son, Irving Jr., on Christmas day. Irving Berlin gave his wife the gift of a song, Always. This gift paid her handsome royalties, for many years.
Irving Berlin was an example of the American dream. He had very little, and made a fortune writing songs. Berlin looked out for the people in his profession, helping them make money off their work. There are very few people in the industry who loved America more than him. Irving Berlin, through his songs and helping his fellow Americans gave back his heart and soul to his country.
4. Robert Montgomery
He grew up leading a privileged life. His father died, and the family fortune was destroyed by the Depression. Henry Montgomery Jr., was forced to find work. He worked various jobs. A friend suggested he try acting. This certainly wasn’t the executive work his father did as president of a large company. Things did work out for Henry. This budding actor changed his name to Robert Montgomery. He was a star for several decades. His best known role was as Philip Marlowe,in the Lady in the Lake. Montgomery, while in the navy, did a film, starring John Wayne and directed by John Ford. It was called They Were Expendable. It told the story of the naval evacuation from the Philippines, and showcases the navy’s P. T. boats.
Robert Montgomery’s career was acting. This isn’t his only legacy. He was the president of The Screen Actor’s Guild from 1935- 1938, and again in 1946-1947. His union activities, exposed organized crime’s involvement in Hollywood. He served in both the European and Pacific theaters, during the war. Montgomery was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during D-Day. Montgomery was later a friendly witness for The House Un-American Activities Committee.
When Dwight Eisenhower became president, the actor, got another job. This was The White House Image Consultant. The job of Robert Montgomery, was to advise Eisenhower on how to come across on television. He did not accept a salary for this position. It was Montgomery’s work in his new job that pioneered the term political image consultant. The president later said that if Montgomery had been Richard Nixon’s image consultant, he would have won the 1960 election.
Robert Montgomery’s movie career waned, like most stars. This did not stop him. He hosted a television show, Robert Montgomery Presents, for several years. This gave his daughter, Elizabeth Montgomery, her first acting job. She followed in her father’s footsteps. starring as Samantha Stevens on Bewitched. Montgomery also promoted American business. He served on the board of directors of several major corporations. This included Macy’s among others. Robert Montgomery rebuilt his shattered life to become a movie star. He contributed beyond the silver screen, by making great contributions to America.
3. Roy Rogers
His given name was Leonard Slye. This man had various jobs as an adult. He found his calling as a singer. Slye founded The Sons of the Pioneers. This group gave him fame. They sang on the radio. The talents of this man were needed on a bigger stage. Hollywood found him,and this person started a movie career. The studio gave him a name. Roy Rogers would become a legend of westerns. The image he projected was of the good guy, who always beat the bad guys. Children loved his movies as did the adults. Roy had a comfortable life. It was missing something. That was a special someone, named Dale Evans. They fell in love and married. They became legitimate Hollywood stars. They also had their movie horses, which they adopted, Trigger and Buttermilk, who became just as famous as the duo.
Roy Rogers made almost 100 movies. He then had a successful television show. This allowed for mass marketing. The money he made from his media ventures, set him up for life. Roy and Dale could have enjoyed retirement on the ranch. They didn’t. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans created The Happy Trails Children’s Foundation. They developed a deep love of children through their live shows, and visiting hospitals. The couple raised four children of their own. They adopted more children: some of different ethnic backgrounds. Differences didn’t matter to them, only the welfare of children.
Several years after his television show left the air. Roy Rogers received an offer. He was asked to lend his name to a western themed restaurant, that specialized in hand carved roast beef and freshly made hamburgers. He agreed, and made several appearances at them. Roy was as good as his word in advertisements. He assured people that the food was delicious and it was. This brought America’s beloved cowboy back to the center stage. The restaurants thrived for a few decades. They made much of their business on the east coast. They later downsized, but there are still a few of them around.
Roy Rogers not only became a Hollywood star, but a true star of a man. He was a man of faith. He regularly performed religious songs in his live shows. He respected the 2nd amendment to the constitution. He was a member of the NRA. Roy Rogers even made a commercial for the organization, when California, wanted gun control. It is an amazing thing that love can survive in Hollywood. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans marriage lasted over forty years, until his death in 1998. After his death, America lost a champion. Roy Rogers lived his life giving back to his country.
2. Frank Sinatra
He was a skinny kid from Hoboken, New Jersey. He was inspired to become a singer when hearing Bing Crosby on the radio. This young man named Frank Sinatra, got his break, singing for Harry James orchestra. He left James to perform with Tommy Dorsey. This made him a singing star. Sinatra left Dorsey’s band to record on his own. It was a huge step, and very few vocalists were successful after leaving. This was Frank Sinatra, and he was different from the norm. He became a singing sensation, eclipsing Bing Crosby. Sinatra attracted large crowds wherever he went. He developed a large following of female fans, known as Bobbysoxers.
Sinatra not only became a singing star, but appeared in many movies. He started out by playing in musicals. Frank Sinatra thought that he was more than just a talented singer on the big screen. He was able to convince the studio heads, to give him a strong dramatic role. He received the role of Maggio, in From Here to Eternity. Sinatra received the academy award for his performance. This garnered him starring roles in movies like The Man With the Golden Arm and The Manchurian Candidate. These roles gave him movie star status, for several years.
Hollywood made Sinatra visible to the world. It was his music that made him an icon. It was during the 1950’s that The Chairman of the Board, made history, with his Capitol recordings. Three of his albums from this period are In the Wee Small Hours, (1955), Songs for Swingin’ Lovers, (1956) and Only the Lonely (1958). They are considered masterpieces of the era. A few years after this, Sinatra along with Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. formed The Rat Pack. This was a music and comedy act, in Las Vegas. They were later joined by Joey Bishop. This trio not only did their act, but performed in films. The most famous being Oceans 11.
Frank Sinatra was hoping to have it all. He became active in democratic politics. He worked tirelessly to get John Kennedy elected in 1960. Unfortunately, Frank Sinatra was a victim of his own success. It was during the Kennedy administration, that organized crime was investigated. Sinatra’s associations with known criminals came to light. He said he was being friendly with people who ran clubs where he performed. The damage was done, and his career was almost derailed. Sinatra, didn’t give up, and went back to the recording studio. This gave him some of the biggest hits of his career. These included Strangers in the Night, That’s Life and My Way. His song, My Way became his theme.
It was a few years after the organized crime scandal, that Sinatra switched sides. He campaigned for Richard Nixon. He later performed for the president at the White House. When Ronald Reagan was president, Sinatra often appeared with him. They had known each other for a while. Sinatra campaigned for him when he ran for governor of California. Reagan later awarded Frank Sinatra, The Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Frank Sinatra lived a full life as an entertainer. His legacy would fill many books. The legacy that isn’t always mentioned, is his giving back. Frank Sinatra was front and center in the civil rights movement. He help desegregate Las Vegas hotels and promoted the hiring of minorities. He held a fundraiser for Martin Luther King. Frank Sinatra willingly gave large donations to charity. He appeared on Jerry Lewis annual telethons for muscular dystrophy. He started The Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational. This is a golf tournament, that raises money for abused children. Sinatra, during his lifetime, gave money to many children’s charities. Frank Sinatra was a larger than life personality. He was friends with the elite of Hollywood, a few presidents, and gave many celebrities, like Don Rickles, their start. He was above all else an American who gave back, many times over.
1. Donald Trump
He started off managing his father, John’s, New York City properties. He later ran the family real estate business. The father was successful. The son, Donald John Trump, would become a real estate tycoon, changing older run down hotels into successful businesses. One example was The Commodore Hotel. Several years later, he built Trump Tower. This was a large building that had luxury retail, residential and office space. Trump later expanded his holdings with casinos and golf courses all over the world. He built Mar-a- Lago. This is his estate, which is also a private club. Donald Trump enjoyed massive success in real estate. He later co-wrote several books. One of them, The Art of the Deal, sold over a million copies. This helped to cement his fame. This might have been satisfying to many people, but not Donald Trump.
Several years after publishing his first book,The Art of the Deal, Trump became a television star. The Apprentice debuted in 2004. The show focused on Donald Trump and his business. People would compete for an executive job working in Trump’s business. Every week, someone would be kicked off the show. Trump’s catchphrase was “You’re fired.” This show lasted in different forms until 2017. Donald Trump was a real estate mogul and a television star. What could he possibly do to top these achievements?
Many people scratch their heads when people make bold announcements. This was the reaction of many when in June 2015, Donald Trump declared he was running for president. He could never win, everybody said, because there were so many established republican candidates. Trump was a lifelong Democrat, but had switched parties, a few years before. Donald Trump did what he did his entire life. He beat the odds. He officially became the party’s candidate at their convention. Trump would face off against Hilary Clinton. She was heavily favored. Nearly everyone who ever covered politics, didn’t give Trump a chance. These veteran members of the media, were proven wrong by a majority of the American people. Donald Trump beat the odds, and defeated the former first lady, senator and secretary of state. Presidential politics were about to change forever.
Donald Trump was not like many of his predecessors. He did not have a need to be liked. The press would print and say negative things about him. He called them out. There were many times Trump called out their employers. Donald Trump was not satisfied with Republican party politics. He changed the way the party operated, calling out leaders who opposed his approach. The party found a bold new face in Trump. He also called out the opposition, many times giving them nicknames. They often fit. His bold new approach worked. It was a combination of Harry Truman and Theodore Roosevelt. His detractors hated it. His supporters loved it.
The new president, during his campaign,focused on border security. He built a wall at the southern border. Donald Trump let Americans keep more of their money. He gave them a tax cut. Trump also focused his efforts on one sided trade deals, that harmed America economically. He renegotiated them, making them in America’s best interests. He flipped foreign policy on its head. Donald Trump told Europe, that the country was no longer footing the bill for them. This was especially true for The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, (NATO). Trump also made a bold impression in The Middle East. He managed to get The Abraham Accords signed by several countries. This agreement acknowledged the state of Israel. This was an unprecedented achievement in diplomacy. Donald Trump managed to keep the dictator of North Korea at bay. This leader had been threatening The United States for several years. Trump met with him in North Korea. There was never a sitting president to ever do this. Donald Trump also improved America’s relationship with China. This was something that wasn’t done on a large scale, since Richard Nixon. Donald Trump even had a solid relationship with the president of Russia. This hadn’t happened on a large scale since Ronald Reagan.
Donald Trump took the economy to the highest level since Eisenhower was president. He kept the country safe, by rebuilding the military. He even survived two impeachment attempts. There are times in American history, where this isn’t enough for people. The 2000 election was such a time. Donald Trump faced off against a life long politician, Joe Biden. Many things happened that turned the election. The Congress certified Joe Biden as the 46th president. It seemed that Donald Trump would become John Adams or George H.W. Bush. Donald Trump would do what he did his entire life. He took defeat and stared it in the face. Trump was determined to lead America a second time.
The presidency of Joe Biden led to high inflation. Jobs left America. The American presence in Afghanistan disappeared not in months, but in a quick withdrawal. This did not help America’s image. There were also bad trade deals and bad treaties. This not only helped Donald Trump, but it destroyed Joe Biden’s career. His party deserted him, and decided Kamala Harris was a better choice. She wasn’t. Donald Trump enjoyed one of the biggest margins of victory in a presidential election.
Donald Trump was sworn in on January 20, 2025, as our nation’s 47th president. He has, since that time, lived up to his campaign slogan, Make America Great Again, MAGA. The president has stopped the flow of illegal immigration at the southern border. He gave a permanent tax break to millions of Americans. He has prevented Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. President Trump has also withdrawn from The Paris Accords. This was a treaty that put severe limits on fossil fuels. He has also started up oil and gas drilling, where it was stopped. This puts America on the road to energy independence. Donald Trump was given a second chance to lead America. He has continued to give back to America, in every way possible.
This list comes out as America celebrates its 250th birthday. The celebrities are all exceptional. They all realized what they accomplished professionally wasn’t enough. Some served their country, by fighting for it. Others served in a civilian capacity. Many understood that they were given special gifts. They formed charities, that helped millions of people. No matter what they did, America is better off because of them. Hollywood has many gifted people. Millions of people see them on the big screen or on television. There are many of them who whine and complain about the country. This majority, should redirect their efforts. They should take a lesson from the people on this list, and give back to America.