Hollywood is full of celebrities, who go through the motions. They do tv or make movies. They go home afterward, to their nice house. Attending parties, or hosting them, may be on their social calendar. It may be how they get their worldview, and their political ideology. The careers of most of these entertainers, is playing other people. This could explain why an understanding of other viewpoints, may escape them. Many who have become famous in tinseltown, work for causes. These are not always identifiable to the common man or woman. Despite this anomaly, there are and have always been celebrities, who go beyond the pale. The ten celebrities listed, understood what America means.
10. Tim Allen
If anyone understands pick yourself off the floor, its Tim Allen. He was in college, and was arrested for distributing cocaine. His story might have ended at that point. It is fortunate that it did not. He became a standup comedian. He was able to take his comedic skills to television, with Home Improvement. It was during this time that he became a movie star. He starred in the popular Christmas movie, The Santa Clause (1994). He parlayed this success into Toy Story (1995). Both of these movies were box office successes. He made sequels to both films. The Toy Story movies became a box office franchise.
Several years after Home Improvement left the air, Tim Allen got back into television. In 2011, he starred on Last Man Standing. This Show lasted nine seasons on two different networks.It was a show that has a family man, with conservative values. He is raising three daughters, with his wife. Tim Allen is a conservative himself. The show doesn’t get too political or preachy. It was in the long run, a show that entertains, and tugs at your heartstrings.
Tim Allen’s phenomenal success, has given him an ability to give back. He has fought homelessness in Los Angeles. He has also given to various community projects in the area. It is this type of giving that casts a positive light on celebrities.
9. Joe Mantegna
He is best known as agent Joe Rossi on Criminal Minds. Joe Mantegna has a long history of acting. He has worked with Al Pacino in The Godfather Part 3, and many other screen roles. He has done much work on the stage. This work includes many productions of his friend David Mamet’s plays. He was in the original production of Glengary Glenross.
Mantegna’s acting talent is immense. His work outside of the entertainment industry stands out. He co-hosts The National Memorial Day Concert, every year. Joe Mantegna has hosted this somber event, since 2005. He tells the stories of veteran’s sacrifice’s This event brings veteran’s together. It also helps the American people understand, that the holiday, is about honoring their war dead. The stories that Mantegna often tells are heartbreaking. They are usually about military families coping with loss or their loved one’s physical and/or mental rehabilitation. Joe Mantegna not only hosts this concert, but has been involved in helping many families. This kind of dedication, defines American spirit. It is also why Joe Mantegna, stands out in Hollywood.
8. Bette Davis
She was the best star of her time. She also won two academy awards. She made every movie that she was in a little better. Her performances in Dark Victory and Old Acquaintances, helped to cement her screen icon status. She later was able to transition to television. This is something that requires a major adjustment. Bette Davis showed her true professionalism by accomplishing this.
Books have been written about Bette Davis life. Some focus on her career. Others on her often times scandalous younger years. These sell, but her story goes beyond this. Bette Davis could have enjoyed life while men went to war. She did not. She co-founded The Hollywood Canteen. This was a way for servicemen to relax, before shipping out. There were many Hollywood starlets who helped out with this. Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich and Betty Grable, were some of the prominent ones. They cooked meals, welcomed GI’S and performed. This noble and unselfish effort, lasted until November 1945. Bette Davis, understood that defeating the Axis, was a unified effort. She insisted that there would be no segregation in The Hollywood Canteen. This went against a long standing and wrongful policy in the military. She was ahead of her time. Bette Davis patriotism gives her a well deserved place on this list.
7. Billy Wilder
One of the reasons that makes America great is immigration. People from all over the world have come to its shores seeking a better life. America was called the great melting pot, because of all the ethnicities that compose it. Everyone from Europe to Asia have contributed culturally and materially. There are so many men and women from different backgrounds, who made great contributions to our country. The books that have been written about them, could fill a library. A man who made a great contribution, was Billy Wilder.
Wilder was a young man in Germany, trying to make his way in life. He was working in films, and became successful. His film career was interrupted, when Adolph Hitler came to power. Billy Wilder, being Jewish, left Germany, and came to America. He left his mother, Grandmother and stepfather. They refused to come with Wilder, and sadly they all died at the hands of the nazi’s.
Billy Wilder came to Hollywood, not speaking a word of English. He was fortunate enough to meet fellow German emigre and director Ernst Lubitsch. He took Wilder under his wing, getting him a screenwriting job. He had great success, writing Ninotchka, starring Greta Garbo. Wilder took the next logical step, which was directing. The movies he made were mostly successful. These include critically acclaimed films like Sunset Boulevard. This movie is always lauded as a fine example of film noir. He cemented Marilyn Monroe’s image, as a sex symbol, with The Seven Year Itch. He later cast her in her biggest film, Some Like it Hot. Wilder managed to make two major stars, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, funny in drag, in that film. He kept the laughs coming with The Apartment, making a comedy revolving around adultery.
It takes a lot of talent and hard work, to make it in Hollywood. Billy Wilder did this. He achieved the American dream. It came with the high cost of losing his family. He was deeply affected by this. He somehow went on to mold two film genres. They were comedy and noir. Wilder managed to give stars more of an identity when casting them. This holds true for Barbara Stanwick and Fred MacMurray. The two of them were doing well, but the movie, Double Indemnity, expanded their acting talents. Billy Wilder’s success proves that America is the land of opportunity.
6. George Stevens
He was an academy award winning director. George Stevens won two Oscars for directing A Place in the Sun and Giant. He had a large body of work. He directed Shane; a classic western. He also gave audiences The Greatest Story Ever Told. This was an epic tale about the life of Christ. He made a name for himself directing comedies. Many of them featured Hollywood’s biggest stars, such as Astaire and Rogers, Tracy and Hepburn and Cary Grant. The director’s work was appreciated, and then came World War 2.
George Stevens joined the army signal corps, and was attached to the motion picture unit. He used his directorial skills, filming the D-Day landings, and the liberation of Dachau. War transformed him. He saw the inhumanity of man in Dachau. This transformation made him a serious director. He never directed a comedy again. His footage of Dachau, was used as evidence at The Nuremberg trials.
It was a loss for filmgoer’s, that Stevens stopped directing comedies. It was also a gain. He developed a strong moral conscience. He directed The Diary of Anne Frank. It was the first movie that talked about the Holocaust. It gained a nomination for him and the film. War changes people. George Stevens and any celebrity who served on active duty, was never the same. It was this American director who helped justice to be served. George Stevens’ footage of Dachau, helped convict the evil men who committed the atrocities. He was a man who not only gave back to his country, but to the world.
5. Fred Thompson
Many people know him from his acting career. Fred Thompson was working for the public good, since graduating from law school. He was an assistant U.S Attorney. He entered the political arena, in 1972, working on Howard Baker’s senate campaign. In 1973, he was the republican minority council for Watergate. His questioning regarding white house tape recordings, contributed to Richard Nixon’s resignation. He left the public spotlight, going into private practice. He won a high profile wrongful termination lawsuit. This was brought by Marie Ragghianti, who was fired from her job, as chairperson of the state of Arkansas parole board. The case was made into a movie, called Marie. Fred Thompson played himself. This exposure got Thompson several film roles, including The Hunt for Red October.
This might have been enough for most people. It wasn’t for Fred Thompson. He represented the people of Tennessee, in the United States Senate, serving from 1994 until 2003. During this time, he stood for many American values. These included Pro life and second amendment issues. He also was a proponent of securing America’s border.
After leaving politics, Fred Thompson didn’t go back to practicing law. He went back to acting. He had a role as District Attorney Arthur Branch, on Law and Order. He left the show to concentrate on a presidential run in 2008. It wasn’t successful, and he backed the Republican nominee, Senator John McCain. He later co-hosted a radio show with his wife, from 2009-2011, offering his opinions.
Fred Thompson ably served as a United States senator. He was a man who fought for the people. He was a celebrity, who understood what America meant. He gave his best in giving back to his country.
4. Frank Capra
Nobody told the story of 1930’s America, better than Frank Capra. He told the story of the underdog, with films like Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. He gave James Stewart overnight stardom and increased the acting profile of Gary Cooper. He won three academy awards for directing; It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and You Can’t Take It With You. Capra’s movie, It Happened One Night, is considered the first screwball comedy. It also got Clark Gable an Oscar. It was his only one. Capra was the president of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1935-1939. This was a tumultuous time for the movie industry. It was through his leadership, that differences were resolved, and the academy was saved.
Frank Capra was a revered director, when America entered World War 2. He became an officer in the army Signal Corps. He was in charge of the motion picture unit. He was responsible for final review of propaganda films. Many of his fellow directors worked for him including John Huston and William Wyler. Capra’s contribution to the war effort, was The Why We Fight series of films. During his tenure, William Wyler’s excellent documentary about The Memphis Belle was made. Capra did an exceptional job, and came back to Hollywood, after the war.
Capra’s first postwar film, is the immensely popular Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. This was the one and only movie released by his company, Liberty Films. The movie had a poor box office performance on it’s release. The performance of the film’s stars, James Stewart and Donna Reed lend credibility to its story about self sacrifice and human kindness. It is the culmination of all Capra’s films, and gives a good depiction of small town life. After making this movie, Frank Capra made very few films, after Its a Wonderful Life. Hollywood films had changed, and Capra couldn’t. His impact on films was solid, particularly about American life. This and his contribution to the war effort, make Frank Capra a man who gave back to the USA.
3. Danny Thomas
He was a struggling performer. This makes Danny Thomas, one of many in the entertainment field. He did a few movies, including a remake of The Jazz Singer. His big break came with The Danny Thomas Show (1953). It lasted for several years. His success led him to be associated with other shows through his production company. They included The Andy Griffith Show (1960), The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) and The Joey Bishop Show (1961). The Andy Griffith show has never stopped running since its premiere. The Dick Van Dyke Show was one of the wittiest and best shows ever to run on tv. The Joey Bishop Show mirrored reality. Joey Bishop played a national talk show host for most of the series. He later hosted a short lived talk show.
Danny Thomas contribution to Television was immense. His contribution to children is even greater. It was when Thomas was a struggling entertainer, that he prayed to St. Jude. He is the patron saint of lost causes. He asked the saint, for his help. He said he would build a shrine to him, if he were successful. When he got to the top, Danny Thomas proceeded to do that. He was of Lebanese descent, and asked everyone whose heritage was Arab, to help build a hospital for children. It took several years of fundraising. St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, was completed in 1962.
When the hospital was built, children’s mortality rate for cancer was very high.There was a twenty percent survival rate Since its founding, the survival rate is eighty percent. The hospital handles children with all types of life threatening diseases. It treats the children without costs. The parents can stay with their child without costs to them. Danny Thomas understood the value of giving back. His fundraising efforts, formed an organization of Americans of Arab heritage, called ALSAC. This organization still heads up fundraising for the hospital. It is a prime example of Americans of any background, coming together, for the greater good of mankind. Danny Thomas lived the American dream, and gave back.
2. John Wayne
There probably isn’t a more under appreciated actor than John Wayne. He played in countless westerns. Unlike many, he graduated to solid dramatic roles. His roles in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Sands of Iwo Jima, The Searchers and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, prove his acting abilities. He is lauded by many critics for his role as Ethan Edwards in The Searchers. Many of his movies were directed by his friend, John Ford. It is a testament to the character of John Wayne, that he remained friends with Ford. The director often berated him, when they made films. He was very critical of John Wayne, for not serving his country during World War 2. Fortunately for John Wayne, he had lifelong friends like Maureen O’Hara. She stood up for him, and would not tolerate abusive behavior toward him.
John Wayne was one of the hardest working men in Hollywood. Before he became famous, he would be on the set before dawn. He would apply his own makeup, using a car’s headlights and a small mirror. He worked long hours making B-westerns for several years. It was during this time, that he was asking John Ford, if he had any roles for him. The role that makes an actor, finally came in 1939. Wayne got the lead as The Ringo Kid, in Ford’s Stagecoach. The roles kept coming after this. He did Ford’s cavalry trilogy. This series of films solidified his career. He became a box office success for over three decades. He starred in films as varied as The Quiet Man to True Grit, for which he won an Oscar. His film company, Batjac productions, was involved in making his later films. He kept many people in Hollywood working. He had his own stock company, like John Ford. His friends, Ward Bond, Richard Boone and Maureen O’Hara worked on these productions. His best friend, Ward Bond, became a television star with Wagon Train. Unfortunately, Bond died while doing the show. This devastated Wayne. He served as a pallbearer. John Ford, on his deathbed, asked John Wayne, if he thought about Ward. His response was everyday.
John Wayne was the biggest screen hero of all. He did have a real life hero. That was Davy Crockett. His dream for many years, was to play him on the screen. He got his chance, when he made The Alamo. It is one of a handful of films directed by Wayne. This movie is not a song of praise for David Crockett. It is a tale of bravery, that focuses on the men involved, Col. Travis, and Jim Bowie among others. The acting is very good. It is a gripping story about American courage, against all odds. The real story is in the making of the movie. John Wayne was determined to make this film. It went over budget, and stretched his finances to the limit. His health suffered as well. He was nearly at his breaking point. Many would have given up. The Duke kept on going, making an exceptional movie about American heroes, that was a box office success. This is one example of John Wayne and his patriotism.
John Wayne loved America. He supported its involvement in Vietnam. He decided to show his support, by making a movie supporting his country, The Green Berets. It is a propaganda film, much like the WW2 films. The film achieves its purpose, and is a good film with plenty of action. The movie wasn’t well received at the time. It did well at the box office, and kept John Wayne at the top. The Duke had shown his love for America, and also supported the troops.
John Wayne’s politics were conservative, and he was attacked for his views. He didn’t care. He always wanted to show what was great about America. He even did a television special called Sing Out Sweet Land. This show told the story of America. It featured an all star cast. Among them were Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball Jack Benny and Ann-Margret. Hope, Crosby Ann-Margret and Wayne had gone on tours for the troops in Vietnam. The show’s highlight is John Wayne reciting America, Why I Love Her.
John Wayne was someone who even today, seems larger than life. There is probably nowhere on earth where he is not known. When he was making The Green Berets, in Thailand, the local children pointed at him, and said cowboy. The legacy of the Duke, is undeniable. He changed westerns forever. He will alway be remembered as the great American cowboy. All film fans can be thankful for this. He gave back to America in his films, but also his generosity. He gave his friends jobs. He never let politics stand in the way. Many of his co-stars were the polar opposite of him. He even employed a screenwriter for True Grit, who was blacklisted. There will never be another John Wayne. His love of this country, and the difference he in it, should always be remembered.
1. Audie Murphy
There are many movie stars who worked their way up to stardom. They may have done films with a line or two, maybe getting to B-pictures. They finally got their break, and entered Hollywood stardom. There are others who came up the hard way; being stuntmen or stunt doubles. They too would eventually get to the top. There is one person, who became a movie star, in the hardest way possible.
Audie Murphy was a boy from Texas. He joined the army when he was seventeen. He saw combat in Africa and Europe. He saw many men die on both sides. This included one of his close friends. He singlehandedly held off German soldiers for over an hour. During this time, he was wounded, but still kept fighting. This action and others, made him the most decorated soldier of World War 2. Among his medals, was America’s highest honor, for a soldier: The Congressional Medal of Honor. Audie Murphy at the end of the war went from a boy, to a man who became one of America’s greatest heroes.
Audie Murphy’s hero status attracted the attention of Hollywood. One of its biggest stars, James Cagney, invited him to The Dream Factory. He stayed and after years of struggle, finally made it, starring in a variety of films. He even starred in the movie version of his autobiography, To Hell and Back. It was Universal’s highest grossing film, until Jaws. He never forgot his roots, and bought a ranch in Texas.
Audie Murphy was a real hero and a film hero. Offscreen, he did a thing that may have taken more courage than what he did in battle. He admitted to having PTSD, (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). He talked about it and worked with veterans to help them cope. It is known today as something combat veterans experience. Murphy became someone who brought the discussion forward. This enabled professionals to treat it properly. Sadly this great American hero, was killed in a plane crash, in 1971. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. This is where our nation’s heroes are buried, and Audie Murphy is definitely among them.
This list was made up of a compilation of all sorts of people from all backgrounds. Some were first generation immigrants, like Billy Wilder and Frank Capra. Others like Danny Thomas, gave new meaning to America as a melting pot. Joe Mantegna points out true military heroes, many who gave all. The list has directors Frank Capra, Billy Wilder and George Stevens. They made a difference and made some of Hollywood’s best films. John Wayne played heroes and did much for film, and America. Audie Murphy was someone who answered his country’s call, and was rewarded by the government. All of the people on the list, made a difference in America, in a special way. The Hollywood elites would do well to follow their examples.
Very informative, enjoyable read.