You know them from the big screen, but many Hollywood celebrities were seen on a much more human scale yesterday as they joined dozens of volunteers to dish up turkey feasts to thousands of homeless people outside the Los Angeles Mission.
Among Hollywood’s elite who turned out to deliver holiday cheer to those less fortunate themselves were Tony Danza, Minnie Driver, Kevin Nealon, Sally Kirkland, Jason Ritter, and Judy Tenuta. But, the celebrity I was most surprised to see (on a television news report) show up at the Mission was “Spartacus” star Kirk Douglas. The actor, who turns 90 next month, appeared with his wife to dish out food to the thousands of homeless people in line.
Douglas told reporters it was his “duty as a human being” to be there. Actress Minnie Driver agreed and told reporters:
“I’m in the position of such fortune in my life, and as far as I can see, it’s not very many steps away from being homeless.”
Driver, Douglas, and their other celebrity pals loaded plates with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie for the four-hour 5th Street event held in the heart of downtown’s Skid Row. More than 3,000 people were served during the event. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission Community Clinic also provided foot care and medical exams to those in need.
I later learned that the Los Angeles Mission is a place near and dear to the Douglas’s hearts. It is home to the Anne Douglas Center for Women, which was created more than a decade ago. In June, the Douglas’s were on hand when 10 computers were donated to the center.
Personally, after spending much of the year blogging about celebrity squabbles, lawsuits, and petty mud slinging, it is refreshing to hear about those Hollywood A-listers that find time to give back to the community. A warm and fuzzy celebrity blog—who knew?