20 Celebrity Good Deeds That Warmed Our Hearts

#20: Taylor Swift

One of the current pop queens makes it a habit of helping others out. For the young fan Naomi Oakes, Taylor Swift went above and beyond. The vocalist learned about the girl’s cancer diagnosis and decided to give back to the listener. Since Oakes missed a concert for treatments, Swift chose to donate $50,000 for medical expenses. This came after the family put out a video detailing the child’s struggles and love for the musician. With the artist sending her a personal message, the girl was completely amazed to be recognized by a huge star.

#19: Jon Bon Jovi

Not only does the artist sing classic songs, but he also helps people working through tough situations. Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea created a restaurant known as the JBJ Soul Kitchen. It’s a relatively simple approach to support those in need, with the establishment taking donations in a pay-it-forward concept. If you can’t afford to spend money on a meal there, you can volunteer your time instead. Those that can chip in some cash to cover their meal and someone else’s. Bon Jovi and his family continue to bolster the community, with multiple locations in the singer’s home state of New Jersey.

#18: Tom Holland, Zendaya & Jake Gyllenhaal

Some sick Marvel fans weren’t able to catch “Spider-Man: Far From Home” in the theater. They received an exclusive chance to watch the film, but that wasn’t the only surprise they got either. Several cast members decided to leap off the screen and visit the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jake Gyllenhaal showed up to surprise the patients, hang out, and show off their costumes. It was a kind gesture that speaks to the grounded and caring nature of the stars. Captured on video, this meet-up showcased how these celebrities took time out to put a smile on kids’ faces.

#17: Misha Collins

Known best for his work on “Supernatural,” Misha Collins helped to organize events for the non-profit Random Acts. A notable one includes the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen. The contest helps to encourage acts of kindness with people answering prompts in creative ways. While he played an angel on his CW show, this gave him an opportunity to work some magic in real life. What started as a cool idea spread into a multi-year affair. Even though GISHWHES later known as GISH stopped in 2022, Collins’ work seemed to promote enough positivity to live on long and possibly inspire other efforts.

#16: Dolly Parton

If you know anything about Dolly Parton, you’re probably well aware that she’s among the kindest celebrities ever. She even has a foundation to prove it. Outside of her larger charitable ventures, Parton isn’t a stranger to helping out when somebody needs a much-needed boost. One terminally ill fan received a final wish of epic proportions. Parton personally called the person in question, sending her love and even singing one of her classics. The country vocalist busted out her best rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” It was a comforting way to acknowledge someone in need of a serious pick-me-up.

#15: Post Malone

With his ability to switch genres, Post Malone has become an eclectic success story in the music world. He’s also willing to make another person’s day in a moment of inspiration. During a stop in Houston, the singer had his drinks paid for by other customers. He then figured out a way to help out employee Renee Brown anyway. Malone paid his own tiny bill in order to tip $20,000, giving the bartender an incredible gift. It was even better given that this all happened on Christmas Eve. The performer seems to have a good soul, choosing to turn Brown’s busy night into an unforgettable one.

#14: Amy Adams

Many people fly everyday, but not everybody turns it into an opportunity to give back. Amy Adams was all set to sit in first class until she saw a military member onboard. Instead of taking advantage of her seating arrangement, she gave her ticket to somebody more deserving. Adams could’ve easily kept to herself, but the Oscar nominee decided to quietly make somebody else’s day. She made the decision to give back to somebody and recognize their impact on society. While it might not seem like much, the gesture goes a long way to reveal the performer’s greater character.

#13: Denzel Washington

Along with being one of the best actors of his generation, Denzel Washington has been known to mentor younger artists. He’s also provided financial support to people. When a group of Howard students needed help paying for a summer acting program, Washington offered money at the suggestion of Phylicia Rashad. One of these students just so happened to be Chadwick Boseman. Many years later, Boseman paid tribute to Washington and mentioned how much the donation meant to him. The Oscar winner ended up helping a future icon, paving the way for the next generation of movie stars.

#12: Chris Evans

For all of his work in the MCU, he’s not just a superhero on the big screen. This “Captain America” actor also goes out of his way to help people in everyday life. When Chris Evans heard about a kid saving his sister from a dog, he stepped to send the boy a message. The performer was clearly struck by the event and wanted to do something special. This inspired Evans to give a “Captain America” shield to the young hero. In this case, somebody that merely plays a Marvel character reacts to someone that’s actually proven to be heroic. It’s a touching tribute to a child that deserves praise for his bravery.

#11: Robin Williams

After meeting at Juilliard, Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve became great friends. This strong bond continued after Reeve’s accident in 1995. The “Superman” star fell from a horse and was paralyzed, forcing him to undergo intensive medical treatment. Williams then decided to surprise his buddy during a difficult time. The comedian visited Reeve in the hospital, pretending to be a Russian doctor in order to make his friend laugh. It arguably helped the man work through his new circumstances. The former roommates didn’t stop supporting each other, being there for each other when they needed it most.

#10: Christian Bale

In 2013, 8-year-old leukemia patient Zach Guillot got a very special phone call from Christian Bale. As a huge Batman fan, Zach was ecstatic to speak with the man behind the cowl. Zach isn’t the only young cancer patient Bale has reached out to either. In 2012, he surprised 4-year-old Jayden Barber and his family with a trip to Disneyland. That same year, a horrific shooting occurred during a screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colorado. Bale paid his respects to the victims and visited the survivors too. Although Bale has faced his fair share of controversy in the past, he’s ultimately proven it's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you.

#9: The Game & Drake

Through The Robin Hood Project, The Game set out to give one million dollars to people in need. In 2013, the rapper extended a helping hand to Anna Angel from Ohio. While working a shift at Burger King, Angel’s boyfriend and five children died in a house fire. Heartbroken, The Game donated $10,000 to pay for their funerals. While speaking with The Game on the phone, fellow rapper Drake decided to pledge $10,000 as well while an additional $2,500 was chipped in by the producers behind The Game’s reality show, “Marrying The Game”. In the midst of this unspeakable tragedy, the power of kindness truly emerged from the ashes.

#8: Dave Grohl

During the 2006 Beaconsfield Mine collapse, three miners were trapped underground. One of the three died in the rockfall, but a rescue was organized for Brant Webb and Todd Russell, during which Webb asked for an MP3 player full of Foo Fighters music. The men not only received the music, but a note from Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl as well. The rocker promised the miners tickets to any Foo Fighters show, along with cold beer. A few months after both men were rescued, Grohl made good on this promise and met Webb at the Sydney Opera House. This ordeal would additionally inspire Grohl to write an instrumental piece called “Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners,” proving that music can provide a light even in the darkest of times.

#7: J. J. Abrams

Diagnosed with spindel cell sarcoma, Daniel Fleetwood found out from his doctors in July 2015 that he only had about two months to live. Daniel’s dying wish was to see “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which was scheduled to come out in December of that same year. In hopes of seeing an early screening, Fleetwood’s wife, Ashley, launched the #ForceforDaniel campaign. The news eventually reached several “Star Wars” actors and director J.J. Abrams granted Fleetwood's wish, showing him an unfinished, unedited version of the film. After Daniel's passing, Ashley announced, “He is now one with God and with the force.”

#6: Zach Galifianakis

Like Alan from “The Hangover,” comedian Zach Galifianakis can be totally unpredictable and he caught plenty of people off guard with this act of kindness. Long before he was a household name, Galifianakis met and befriended "Mimi" Haist at the Santa Monica laundromat where she slept and folded clothes for tips. Later, Galifianakis repaid Mimi for her friendship by helping her find an apartment and paying her rent. Then in true Cinderella Story fashion, Galifianakis offered to take his 87-year-old friend to “The Hangover Part III” premiere. Meanwhile, Haist would become the subject of the documentary, “Queen Mimi,” chronicling her unlikely journey to the red carpet.

#5: Paul Walker

Upon returning from his first tour of duty in Iraq, Kyle Upham set out to buy his love, Kristin, the perfect engagement ring. At a jewelry store in Santa Barbara, California, a $10,000 diamond enticed her. To the couple’s astonishment, an anonymous stranger purchased the ring for them and exited the shop with no strings attached. Even more astonishing, the buyer turned out to be Paul Walker – with whom Kyle had struck up a conversation earlier that day before the pair had left the shop. Store clerk Irene King kept Walker’s involvement a secret for almost a decade, but following the actor's untimely death in 2013, Irene felt the world needed to know about the actor’s generosity. Walker's selfless nature just proves the world lost him far too soon.

#4: Johnny Depp

Captain Jack Sparrow might be a bit of a scoundrel, but the man underneath all those dreadlocks can certainly have a different side to him. While shooting “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” Johnny Depp set a course for Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Dressed as Captain Jack, the Oscar-nominated actor got into character and surprised the sick children. Along with co-star Stephen Graham, Depp spent over two hours with the patients and their families. This is one act of kindness that perfectly sums up the saying, “not all treasure is silver and gold.”

#3: Keanu Reeves

While some celebrities have messy personal lives, Keanu Reeves proves time and time again that he’s an exception. He’s compiled a long list of charitable and kind acts over the years. These include helping out his collaborators on “The Matrix” series. After a tough shoot filled with amazing maneuvers, Reeves gave stunt team members Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He didn’t just reward the stunt coordinators either. Instead of taking a back-end deal on the franchise, the actor gave a financial boost to other crew members like the special effects team. He’s never one to steal the spotlight and often prefers to spread the love.

#2: John Cena

This WWE Superstar is the definition of a gentle giant. Outside of acting, rapping, and wrestling, John Cena has done incredible work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Going above and beyond to help children with life-threatening medical conditions, he became the first celebrity to grant 500 wishes. Cena reached this milestone in 2015, when he surprised 8-year-old cancer patient Rocco Lanzer on “The Today Show.” Rocco not only got to spend time with his hero, he also received tickets to “Monday Night Raw” and the belt of a champion. Cena is showing no sign of slowing down with Make-A-Wish, inspiring children everywhere to never give up.

#1: Robert Downey Jr.

The technology depicted in the “Iron Man” films might be more feasible than we initially thought. Through 3D printing, college student Albert Manero and a specialist constructed a bionic limb for then-7-year-old Alex Pring, who was born with a partially developed right arm. Since Alex is a big superhero fan, it only made sense to model his new robotic arm after Iron Man’s armor. And who better to present Alex with this gracious gift than Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr.? Maintaining the persona of the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, Downey Jr. unveiled the artificial limb to Alex with adorable results. RDJ may be Iron Man on the big screen, but this kid is one step closer to becoming a real-life Avenger.

Did we forget another celebrity that did a good deed? Let us know in the comments below.