With fame and fortune comes the responsibility to give back to those less fortunate. Celebrities are known for donating to charities and even starting charities of their own. Many celebs advocate for causes near and dear to their heart, using their public platform to bring awareness to those in need. Some celebrities devote more time and money than others—these eight famous individuals are some of the most influential philanthropists today!
Oprah Winfrey
The powerhouse television personality has donated over $40 million to a charity that bears her name, the Oprah Winfrey Foundation. The charity has a strong focus on bringing educational opportunities to women and children around the world.
Jami Gertz
A lesser-known actress but active philanthropist, Jami Gertz and her husband Anthony Ressler have donated a record-setting $10,569,002 to the Gertz-Ressler Foundation which assists many facilities like the LA County Museum of Art and Cedar-Sinai Medical Center.
Herb Alpert
You may not know his name, but musician Herb Alpert has donated $9,104,829 through his Herb Alpert Foundation, a charity that brings awareness to the arts and important attributes like compassion and well-being.
Mel Gibson
One of Hollywood’s leading men, Mel Gibson has supported multiple charities that align with his strong Catholic faith, including donating $6,853,020 to the A.P. Reilly Foundation which distributes donations to the Holy Family Church.
George Lucas
The leader of the Star Wars enterprise, Lucas has donated $4,250,000 through his own charity, the Lucas Film Foundation, which focuses on educating children to become upstanding adults.
Meryl Streep
For decades, Streep has dominated the Hollywood movie scene while also lending her time and money to causes important to her, such as donating $4 million to the Silver Mountain Foundation of the Arts.
Nora Roberts
Romance novelist Nora Roberts has touched the hearts of many through her books for years. At the same time, she’s been contributing some of her hard-earned funds to charities, such as $3 million to the Nora Roberts Foundation, which advocates for literacy.
Ndamukong Suh
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end, Ndamukong Suh, donated a whopping $2,600,000 to Nebraska University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College.
This list is not exhaustive—there are so many more celebrities using their elevated status and platforms to make the world a better place. In fact, most famous individuals participate in some sort of philanthropic endeavors. So, chances are, your favorite celebrity is making a difference too!