There are so many people in Hollywood, who live in a different world; apart from most people. There are many who don’t like America. They also support the cause of the moment, or something else, that mainstream America does not support. It is easy to criticize Hollywood elitism. It is harder to find those who have given back to The United States. This is a list of ten people, who gave back to their country. It is a mix of movie stars and directors. There are a few on this list, who are true American heroes. They answered their country’s call; either through military service, or their tireless fight for American values. Here is the list of people, that understood what sacrifice, honor and devotion mean.
10. Gary Sinise
He is known as Lt. Dan, from Forest Gump. He also played Mac Taylor, on CSI: NY. His accomplishments as an actor are numerous. He has been nominated for several awards, and has won a fair share. He is a familiar face on Memorial Day weekend. He co-hosts The National Memorial Day Concert. It is a moving tribute to all of those who have lost loved ones, or those who served, and suffered trauma or injury in war.
Gary Sinise has toured all over the world, with The USO. He performs with The Lt. Dan Band. This is enough to show his character. He has gone beyond simply entertaining. He has worked with various veterans organizations. He went a step further in 2011, founding The Gary Sinise Foundation. This is an organization that helps the military, veterans and first responders. Gary Sinise has given back, to those who have served or are serving this country.
9. Paul Newman
He was an actor famous for playing anti-heroes. His roles are many. Several are iconic, Butch Cassidy, Cool Hand Luke, Brick and Fast Eddie Felton. Paul Newman played Fast Eddie twice; once in The Hustler, and The Color of Money. He finally won an Oscar for The Color of Money. He was one of the most famous of actors. He appeared in films for nearly fifty years. He was never pretentious. He felt more comfortable doing community theater, than performing before the camera.
Paul Newman gave back enormously. He co-founded Newman’s Own: a company specializing in salad dressing, sauces and pizza’s. All of it’s profits go to charity. It has made over half a billion dollars since it’s creation. He also founded SeriousFun Children’s Network. This is a charity that has summer camps and programs for seriously ill children. It has helped over a million children. Paul Newman left a legacy on film. His contribution to the human condition is an even better one.
8. Clark Gable
Clark Gable was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Judy Garland even sang Dear Mr. Gable, to his picture. He became immortalized on film in 1939. He played one of the most famous characters of all time, Rhett Butler, in Gone With the Wind. He had won the academy award for his role in It Happened One Night, a few years before. He was married to one of the most talented actresses of that time, Carol Lombard. They seemed to have had the perfect Hollywood marriage. Their union was brief. She, (Lombard), was killed in a plane crash in 1942, coming back from a war bond drive.
This loss of his wife devastated Gable. He made a decision to serve his country. He was over the age of mandatory military service. He volunteered for duty. He became a major, in The Army Air Force He flew several bombing missions over Germany, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. He survived and went on to make many more movies. One was Mogambo. It was a John Ford remake of Gable’s earlier film, Red Dust. Gable’s sacrifice for his country, is an example of duty before all.
7. William Wyler
There are a few directors who are a legend. This term applies to William Wyler. He helped make Bette Davis, a star. She won an Oscar for her portrayal in his film, Jezebel. He later made the first true World War 2 propaganda film, in Mrs. Miniver. This movie shows the suffering and sacrifice, of a noble British family during the early days of the war. It won Wyler his first academy award. It’s star, Greer Garson, was reluctant to play an older woman. Bette Davis told her to listen to Wyler. She heeded this advice, and like Davis, won an academy award.
William Wyler was working hard in Hollywood, when America entered the war. His hard work paid off, by receiving an Oscar for Mrs. Miniver. He was not able to accept his award, because he was actively serving in The Army Signal Corps, making films. Wyler, like many in Hollywood, felt an obligation to serve. He made an excellent documentary while in the army. It was called The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress. William Wyler was making a documentary on another plane; when loud noises and enemy fire, cost him his hearing in one ear, and partial loss in another. This injury caused him to be separated from service.
William Wyler came home and was reunited with his wife and children, after a long separation. He adapted to his hearing loss. He soon began working on The Best Years of Our Lives. This film details the problems, that soldiers had adapting to civilian life. It won Wyler his second academy award. He would become only the second director, to win multiple awards. He won a third Oscar for Ben-Hur. William Wyler never regained his hearing, and continued working steadily in Hollywood for several decades. He is a true example of sacrifice, and overcoming great obstacles.
6. John Ford
John Ford was an acclaimed director in 1941. He won three academy awards. He was 47 on December 7th. He could have stayed in Hollywood, but didn’t. He chose to become an active naval officer. It was his dream to go to sea. He was already in the naval reserve. He left his wife and children behind, to serve his country. Ford also loaned his beloved yacht, The Araner, to the navy, for the duration of the war.
John Ford got his wish. He was able to go to sea, and perform valuable service for his country. There are many who may say it was the Ford luck. He was in the right place at the right time, in 1942. He had a perfect stage for a film. This was the battle of Midway. Ford was able to shoot this documentary, despite a limited amount of film. He was also wounded while performing his directorial duties. This didn’t deter him, and he kept filming. He ended up getting a first hand account for American audiences to theaters. It was a major piece of history, because this battle, turned the tide, in the Pacific theater. John Ford was also involved in the film December 7th. It chronicles the events, leading to Pearl Harbor, in a critical way. It was so critical of United States policy, that The War Department, wouldn’t allow its release. This film didn’t see the light of day for decades.
John Ford, was before his release from the navy, requested to make a special film. It was to feature the navy’s PT boats. It also details the painful, but necessary decision, to abandon the Philippines. This decision was made worse because soldiers were left behind. This movie called, They Were Expendable, was released in 1945, and starred John Wayne and Robert Montgomery. It wasn’t well received upon its release, but remains a powerful film.
After John Ford was discharged, he continued making movies for twenty more years. He directed the cavalry trilogy with John Wayne. He received an unprecedented fourth Oscar, for The Quiet Man. Ford was a groundbreaking director, turning westerns into cinematic art. No director in Hollywood’s history contributed more to film. John Ford received numerous awards during his career. He said the thing that gave him the most pride, was his service in the navy.
5. Hedy Lamar
Hedy Lamar was considered the most beautiful woman in Hollywood. She acted with the big stars, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and James Stewart. She competed for many years with the biggest actresses. While many actresses did their part, during the war, she went above and beyond. Lamarr and composer George Antheil patented the Secret Communication System. It was an idea to prevent the enemy from blocking signals, from radio controlled missiles, during World War 2. This technology couldn’t be applied during the war. It was successful several years later. This technology is also used in cell phones.
Hedy Lamar also worked with Howard Hughes. He was a billionaire, aviator and film producer. He also owned an aircraft company. She was instrumental in designing more aerodynamic aircraft. This was very helpful to the war effort.
Hedy Lamarr appeared in many films. Her major film was Sampson and Delilah opposite Victor Mature. She acted for a few more years, and retired to Florida. Her onscreen beauty and acting ability are remembered. It is her intelligence and her service to the country that should also be her legacy.
4. Bob Hope
There was man in America, who was for decades, its foremost entertainer. He was Bob Hope. He was known for his movie work, mainly for the road pictures, with his good friend, Bing Crosby. He later became a television fixture. He always had specials featuring stars, that were a big hit. He appeared frequently on talk shows. He hosted The Academy Awards, a record 13 times. Hope was an avid golfer, and for many years, there was a tournament named after him. The proceeds from this event, went to charity.
Bob Hope began to visit military bases, starting in 1941. This started the beginning of major USO tours. Hope continued doing this for fifty years. He would entertain the troops during the Christmas holidays: giving up the warm sunny climate of Southern California, and his family. He was happy to bring smiles and laughter to military personnel all over the world. Bob Hope made it a point to talk to the enlisted men. He didn’t fraternize with the top brass. He wanted the men to feel that he identified with them.
Bob Hope was honored by Congress for his efforts. They made him an honorary veteran. In addition to entertaining soldiers, Bob Hope had a personal relationship with every president, going back to Franklin Roosevelt. He famously played a game of golf in the 1990’s with Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush.
Bob Hope, like many Hollywood stars, made money. He invested it in real estate, becoming one of the biggest landowners, in Southern California. He gave back to many charities, becoming one of the industry’s biggest philanthropists. Bob Hope is an example of what celebrities should be. He is also a true example of Americans helping others, through giving.
3. James Stewart
He grew up in the small town of Indiana, Pennsylvania. His intent was to stay, but the acting bug bit him, while doing community theater. Stewart traveled to New York, acting on and off Broadway. He eventually made it to Hollywood. After a few years, in many movies, James Stewart found success. He made a name for himself, with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. He achieved every Hollywood actor’s dream, winning the Oscar for The Philadelphia Story. He didn’t keep it, but gave it to his father, to display in his hardware store. James Stewart, was a young man with everything, but left it to serve his country.
James Stewart joined the army in 1941, months before Pearl Harbor. He was an experienced pilot, and was placed in The Army Air Corps. He trained for months, piloting B24 flying fortresses. After training, he became a squadron leader, and flew twenty combat missions, in Europe. He received The Distinguished Flying Cross, and other awards. James Stewart at the end of the war, received the rank of colonel. He was later in The Air Force reserves, retiring as a brigadier general.
After the war, Stewart resumed his acting career. The first movie he made, was Its A Wonderful Life This movie mirrors James Stewart’s small town life. It’s story about giving back, is a true American value. The family life that is depicted, would be similar to Stewart’s later marriage to his wife Gloria. It was a marriage that lasted until his wife’s death in 1994.
James Stewart was an American who gave back, never forgetting his roots. He may have been able to stay stateside, during the war, but wanted to do his part, fighting fascism; putting his safety and life on the line. He survived the war, but unfortunately lost his son, in Vietnam. This tragic loss, was very overwhelming. He adopted him after his marriage. He maintained his professionalism, through his grief, filming a movie, after this tragic news.
James Stewart left a legacy of films. There are many, like his four films with Alfred Hitchcock, that are classics. His work with director, Anthony Mann, transformed westerns into gritty hard bitten dramas. There are so many who get the title film legend. James Stewart deserves it. He also makes a person proud to be an American.
2. Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston played larger than life characters on screen. They ranged from Moses to Michaelangelo. He defined epic, with his academy award winning performance in Ben-Hur. He was one of the very first actors, to be independent of the studio system. His off screen persona was as big as his on screen ones were. He could have led a simple uncomplicated acting life. He chose not to do that.
Charlton Heston saw problems in the movie industry. He chose to address these, by becoming actively involved in The Screen Actors Guild. He served as Vice President and then as President. He fixed a taxation problem in the industry. Many things, including unused scripts, were taxed He also campaigned for pay per view movies. This foresight has allowed Hollywood to make movies and make a profit, outside the box office.
Charlton Heston always championed civil rights. Charlton Heston was an early supporter of this issue. There were many in Hollywood, who talked about injustice at cocktail parties. Heston acted to right a wrong. He supported Martin Luther King and contributed large amounts of money to him. He marched with King, and was at his side, when he gave his famous speech in Washington. He never backed away from working for the good of all.
Heston’s fame waned after the 1970’s. He stayed active in politics, and changed parties, becoming a republican, actively supporting Ronald Reagan. This may have been enough for most people, but not for the man who played Moses. He saw the second amendment of The United States Constitution, being threatened and took action.
Charlton Heston’s action was bold and direct. He became the President of The National Rifle Association. He was its leader from 1998 until 2003. It was at their 2000 convention, that Heston showed the man of conviction, that he was. He held a flintlock above his head, saying, “From My Cold Dead Hands”. This action earned him both enmity and respect. Charlton Heston, being the man he was, didn’t care. He made his point, about the second amendment.
It is Charlton Heston’s film career, that most people know. It takes a man of principle, and a strong conscience to recognize wrongs and right them. He was that. This is something that every American should do. Charlton Heston gave back unhesitatingly. He is worthy of the title great American.
- Ronald Reagan
He was known by many names. He was called The Gipper, The Great Communicator and Dutch: a name his friends called him. His full name was Ronald Wilson Reagan. He was for eight years, called Mr. President. It was a title that he earned. He also earned the respect of many Washington insiders. The most important thing was that he gained respect for the office at home and abroad. The image of the presidency, had suffered greatly, in the preceding twenty years.Vietnam, social unrest, Richard Nixon’s resignation, and Jimmy Carter‘s failed policies, were the major contributing factors for this poor image.
Ronald Reagan was raised in a small Illinois town, and eventually found his way to Hollywood. He started to live out a dream, becoming a movie star. He even found love, marrying Jane Wyman. The marriage didn’t last. Reagan of course, found lasting love with Nancy Davis, marrying her in 1952. Reagan wasn’t happy just acting. He became the President of The Screen Actors Guild. He held this position from 1949 until 1960. It was in this position, that he began his long fight against communism. He found many in the industry, were either communists or sympathetic toward them. He managed to weed out the Marxist influence, getting members to pledge loyalty to The United States.
It was also during this time, that Reagan like many in his profession, found television a good thing. He signed on to be the host of GE Theater: an anthology series featuring known stars, and Ronald Reagan, periodically. It was while hosting the show, that Reagan developed his public speaking skills. He toured GE plants across the country speaking to the employees. It was while doing this, that he developed an appreciation for hard working Americans, and their values.
It was after leaving GE Theater, that he became a Republican. He later campaigned for Barry Goldwater in 1964. His political activities were noticed by influential Californians, who convinced him to run for governor. He won the 1966 race, beating incumbent Jerry Brown. His two terms as governor, transformed the state. He cut taxes, and got many people back to work.
Ronald Reagan ran unsuccessfully for president twice. He finally won in a landslide, in 1980 over Jimmy Carter. Reagan was faced with enormous problems at home and abroad, when he took office. The Soviet Union was a threat to the free world, and inflation was running rampant. Ronald Reagan held down inflation through tax cuts. He was able to negotiate with The Soviet Union, by several meetings with it’s leader, Mikail Gorbachev. These were brought about by Reagan’s ability to communicate the threat of communism to the country. Reagan used all of his skills that he learned with SAG, to get the soviets to agree to a major nuclear arms deal. Ronald Reagan on visiting The Berlin Wall in 1987 said “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” This statement brought into the light the stark difference between America-The Shining City on the Hill, and The Evil Empire. It was his oratory skills and his push for a strong national defense, that helped topple the soviet empire. It collapsed, a few years after Reagan’s presidency ended.
Ronald Reagan shows that sometimes success in life isn’t enough for a person. He knew he could do more and did. He performed valuable service as a labor leader. He continued to transform in California. The service that Ronald Reagan performed for his country must never be forgotten. He faced the greatest threat ever known by man, in the Soviet Union, without flinching. He ended the Cold War, without firing a shot. This achievement, was something seven presidents couldn’t accomplish. Ronald Reagan learned about the human condition, through hard work. It was because of this that he goes into history, as a man who loved America’s ideals, and made it the beacon of hope and freedom. Ronald Reagan’s achievements in the White House, have given him a premier status among presidents. His selfless giving back, and true love for America, make him one of the greatest of Americans.
These ten celebrities became much more, because of what they gave back. It takes a very special and very dedicated person to do what they did. There are other Hollywood celebrities, who could have made this list. These ten, stand out because of their brave and self sacrificing actions. They should always be remembered, by all Americans.