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.
