Don’t let the latest onslaught of celebrity gossip fool you; they’re not all Christian Bales and Sean Penns. Some celebrities have managed to make names for themselves rising above the fray of their elite status, making time for everyone, from the loyal fan to the restaurant waiter. These are the celebrities who refuse to let their super status turn them into super snobs, making them all the more remarkable for considering others despite the ceaseless duress they endure as fodder for the public.
“The fact that these people in this environment can separate all that and still be nice people is kind of amazing,” says Susan Young, a longtime former Oakland Tribune TV critic who now freelances for the likes of Variety, People and film.com. “Because [Hollywood] is not something that nurtures that kind of person.”
Which is exactly why we’re recognizing some celebrity standouts who rightfully deserve our love and devotion.
Hugh Jackman
He acts! He sings! He dances! This renaissance entertainer blew away his naysayers with his well-lauded Oscar hosting duties, and he did it without ever losing class. He’s rarely found without that charismatic smile, even when stalked by his most rabid admirers. That usually includes the fanboy/fangirl crowd, thanks to his role as X-Men’s Wolverine. If Jackman can please the comic fans with his humbleness, he can please anyone.
George Clooney
Whether you want to befriend him or bed him (or both), Clooney is said to be the kind of guy that makes you think either is possible. “He’s exactly who you think he’d be,” Young says. “You would think his fame is something that would have gone to his head ... he’s like ‘the cool guy,’ and once you’re the ‘cool guy,’ it’s real easy to turn into the ‘jerk guy,’ and he never did that. He’s always recognized where he came from and never let go of that.”
Jay Leno
Say what you will about the man’s comedy and talk show skills, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who says the late-night host isn’t a genuinely nice person. Leno consistently makes Autograph Magazine’s Top 10 Signers list and he recently announced that he would be throwing a free comedy night in Detroit for anyone who’s suffered an economic blow as a result of the worsening economy. It’s that kind of selfless attitude that earns Leno a spot on our list.
Oprah Winfrey
She’s topped the most generous celebrity list for years through her charity contributions, and her generosity toward her audience has set a standard for every other talk show host worth her salt. And just when you thought Winfrey couldn’t give any more, she figured out a way to have others do it for her via her ABC show Oprah’s Big Give. Her philanthropy knows no bounds, putting Winfrey head and shoulders above her celebrity brethren and sistren in terms of kindness.
Sarah Jessica Parker
She’s essentially Carrie Bradshaw without the bedpost notches. Fun, stylish, and incredibly endearing, Parker has long been adored by everyone for simply being herself. She’s the actress on set who takes extra steps to make sure no one is put out, as evidenced by stories from the Sex and the City shoot. She’s seen as affable without being phony, making her accessible to fans and preserving her sweetheart image.
Tom Hanks
They say he’s eased up on the autograph-signing front these days, but Hanks is generally considered among Hollywood’s top good guys. He’s a dedicated husband (to actress Rita Wilson) and he doesn’t have an air about him that many actors possess. “He’s never had a sense of entitlement, he likes being a good role model and a good guy and it comes easy to him,” Young says.
Ellen DeGeneres
She’s the woman you can envision among your group of friends. Down to earth, hilariously self-deprecating, and cool to fans, DeGeneres has nailed the art of connecting with people on and off camera. Plus, she’s open about who she is and isn’t afraid to put herself out there, making her the real deal.
Barack Obama
Sure, his official title is Leader of the Free World, but he’s also a bonafide superstar who’s as comfortable on a basketball court as much as he is on the national stage. And what other celebrity can claim the covers of Time, Entertainment Weekly, and the Amazing Spider-Man? Obama’s proven he can hobnob comfortably with his constituents as well as possess the patience to sign autographs for fellow politicians following a congressional speech. No doubt, our President is indeed celebrity royalty sans the attitude.
The fame, the money, and the entourages may come easily for most celebrities, but you have to give credit to the stars who know how to take it all in stride and appreciate their good fortune under the limelight. “You have people who go into a profession where they’re judged on a daily basis, not only on their talent, but on the way they look,” Young said. “It’s a very personal kind of business, so it takes a certain type of person with a certain type of ego to withstand that.”