celebs you look up to?

[summer]

With all the Cosby stuff happening, I was thinking about which, if any, celebs I look up to, or think of as a role model, where I would be really disappointed if they were found to have a serious character defect.  

Right now I would say Kerry Washington is someone who I think is a great role model for young people. I like that she is politically active and speaks on it, I like that she is so thoughtful, and humble, and funny, and intelligent in interviews.  There is something very old soul about her.  

Emma Watson is young, but her interviews are also full of a kind of grace that I find refreshing in Hollywood.  

[stealthmom]

David Conrad for sure. He's not very famous but he's super smart and from my experience is a great guy. I would be absolutely crushed to find out bad stuff about him.

This is going to sound crazy but I love Dolly Parton. And I don't mean as an artist. I'm not a fan of her work, except for maybe Steel Magnolias. I just respect what I know about her as a person.

Oh and Amy Ray and Emily Sailers. Again, not big celebrities, but I love their politics and how they have maintained their career. Not only do love their music but I really respect them and how they've used their gifts to shed light on political issues.

[IIOY]

I love Emma Watson at the moment.

Winnie from the Wonder Years for being smart and trying to get girls interested in math.

[saz]

If Tom Hanks turns out to be a perv or breaks up with Rita Wilson, I don't know what I will do. I'm pretty sure they are the only celebrity types that I feel that way about.

[mx27]

Nov 22, 2014 8:10:29 GMT -5 @songforyou said:

Look up to is strong,

Agreed.

I reserve admiration for people I actually know.

[jillboston]

He is more than a "celeb" but I admire Bruce Springsteen a great deal, not only for his talent and work ethic but how he has handled his celebrity and used it for good.

[KateAggie]

Gary Sinese.

[StrawberryBlondie]

I will quit life if anything about Tom Hanks is anything but sunshine & rainbows and wonderful.

I'd also be really sad to hear Idris is a douche.

I don't really look up to either. They just both seem like such good people.


ETA: William H. Macy.

Bryan Cranston

[pescalita]

I don't think I feel that way about any actors. Well, Phylicia Rashad.

Now rock stars. If you tell me Eddie Vedder or Dave Grohl did something wrong I don't believe you.

[ttt]

Elizabeth Warren.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Nov 22, 2014 10:28:15 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Nov 22, 2014 10:18:03 GMT -5 ttt said:

Elizabeth Warren.

I don't think of her as a celebrity though. I didn't include politicians, judges, humanitarians, popes, etc...

My first thought was Ruth Bader Ginsburg. But I think she's also in this category.

[ttt]

Nov 22, 2014 10:28:15 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Nov 22, 2014 10:18:03 GMT -5 ttt said:

Elizabeth Warren.

I don't think of her as a celebrity though. I didn't include politicians, judges, humanitarians, popes, etc...

No I know, it was TIC

That said, if it ever comes out that she's involved in serious shady stuff, my heart will be broken.

[partyinmytummy]

Jon Stewart immediately came to mind for me.

[CallingAllAngels]

Nov 22, 2014 11:00:54 GMT -5 partyinmytummy said:

Jon Stewart immediately came to mind for me.

Colbert did for me. He seems like a genuinely smart, kind family man. I would be pretty sad to find out otherwise.

[saz]

Nov 22, 2014 11:00:54 GMT -5 partyinmytummy said:

Jon Stewart immediately came to mind for me.

Oh yeah. And Stephen Colbert. It wouldn't be the heartbreak/questioning life and everything I believe like Tom Hanks but it would definitely make me sad.

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2014 10:03:10 GMT -5 nuggetbrain said:

Part of the reason I love Tom Hiddleston is because he seems to grateful for and to his fans.

I think a huge part of his and Cumby's appeal is their refreshing approach to celebrity. They enjoy their work and they play the part they need to in promoting those works. And it doesn't seem fake or a sell, kwim? They genuinely seem to appreciate that they can do what they love and it comes through.

As for looking up to celebrities, I don't think I do per se but I have a ton of admiration for Angelina Jolie. She pretty much lived the life she wanted to when she was young, maybe made some crazy decisions but once she decided to bring children into her life, she settled down into that life and she uses the platform and her finances to give her time and attention to causes that need it. I'm not sure why I don't extend that same admiration to Brad Pitt though. I don't hate him or anything. I guess I feel like Angie brought him to common sense, not that he came there on his own.

I have some admiration for Matt Damon too. Marrying someone that most people wouldn't expect, who already had a child, etc but he's also one who has used his fame and finances for a cause and hasn't been obnoxious about it either. He really tied that down when he did the ice bucket challenge with toilet water. I was all, okay, he's totally committed. I'm down with that.

[decemberwedding07]

Nov 22, 2014 10:36:59 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

I admire and I'm very grateful for Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves.
I don't know where my students would be without their generosity.
Their foundation has saved many lives.

I've never heard of their foundation, so I just looked it up. That's really wonderful!

[ttt]

Nov 22, 2014 11:24:21 GMT -5 CallingAllAngels said:

Nov 22, 2014 11:00:54 GMT -5 partyinmytummy said:

Jon Stewart immediately came to mind for me.

Colbert did for me. He seems like a genuinely smart, kind family man. I would be pretty sad to find out otherwise.

FWIW I met him years ago at a work event. He was incredibly nice and warm and funny. I <3 him.

[sparrowsong]

Kate Winslet - for her refusal to accept Hollywood demands on weight and body image

Bob Barker - for his life long work for animal welfare

Leonardo DiCaprio - for his serious commitment to environmental issues


I know there are more. Might come back and add to this as I think of them. Basically I admire any celebrity who keeps their head on straight, isn't a jerk, and uses their money and fame to influence the world and make it better, rather pissing the money away as just another greedy consumer and then whoring themselves out on reality shows etc to keep their coffers full.

[cattledogkisses]

Nov 22, 2014 8:08:10 GMT -5 Stan said:

Connie Britton. Patrick Dempsey is very real IRL.

Dempsey comes back to his hometown in Maine every year to lead the Dempsey Challenge, which raises money for cancer.

[starlily]

Nobody ruin Michelle Kwan for me, ok?

[ttt]

I will always love Benedict Cumberbatch for this www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/aug/21/benedict-cumberbatch-news-london-sherlock

[Brie]

Michael Sam.

[lilibet]

Nov 22, 2014 10:09:22 GMT -5 pescalita said:

Now rock stars. If you tell me Eddie Vedder or Dave Grohl did something wrong I don't believe you.

Dave Grohl was my first thought.

Also Emma Watson and Reese Witherspoon.

[ringstrue]

None.

[SmartyCat]

Look up to is maybe a bit strong, but I would be sad if Tom Hanks, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, or Stephen Colbert turned out to be jerks.

[jln]

Mariska Hargitay. She's done a lot for rape victims that I think is very admirable. I would also say Oprah, as well.

[mominatrix]

I'm loving Patrick Stewart more every day:




Cumberbatch and Hiddleston, too. There's something about the Brits, where fame doesn't... I don't know... pollute them like it does "stars" from this country. Like, if an American did Sherlock and hit it big, he'd be off doing movies like Star Trek and The Hobbit and wouldn't even think of returning to the TV show.  These guys, they do the big movies, then they do West End theater and BBC productions, and I think it keeps them more grounded.

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2014 15:44:01 GMT -5 lilibet said:

Nov 22, 2014 10:09:22 GMT -5 pescalita said:

Now rock stars. If you tell me Eddie Vedder or Dave Grohl did something wrong I don't believe you.

Dave Grohl was my first thought.

Also Emma Watson and Reese Witherspoon.

You didn't see her drunken mess video when she got arrested for being a pain in the fucking ass?

[lizlemon19]

Tina Fey , I would say I identify with.
Resse Witherspoon (ok she had some drunken behavior but gets a pass).

I love love Shemar Moore and would be upset if he was a dick IRL.

For actual role models, I would say Maya Angelou and Rachel Lloyd. If I found out bad stuff I would be devastated and in denial. For Rachel Lloyd, it would be if she were a fraud/made up her trafficking stories or was embezzling or something.