By respect, I mean their intelligence, attitude, and behavior on and off screen and any contributions to society other than smiling.
I really like Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs and the voice over of almost every Discovery Channel program. I don’t know how smart he is, but he really knows his philosophy, is articulate and genuinely seems to enjoy getting out from the recording booth and putting his hands into nasty things.
I have been ordered to freeze the DVR anytime he is shirtless so my wife can get in a few oogles. I have to confess that I have oogled, too.
George Clooney. He seems like genuinely nice guy, supports charitiable efforts, deflects criticism with self deprecating humor and doesn’t sweat the small stuff.
James Garner. Years ago someone asked him about his success; he replied that his real job was raising his children and being a good husband–acting was just a way of paying the bills.
My number one response to this is Clint Eastwood (as has already been named). Paul Newman was always a class act as well.
Reese Witherspoon came off as really down to earth on, of all things, the MTV movie awards when she addressed today’s young actresses, basically telling them that you don’t have to be “bad” with scandals and sex tapes to make it in the business.
Having worked for the Make-A-Wish Foundation I have run across many varieties of celebrity. Many of them love visiting with the children and that is a good thing, however, if you can believe it, some refuse to see the children.
Based on perceived compassion from those who I have met and witnessed being just really awesome people, I’ll list:
Robin Williams - always goes above and beyond to grant wishes.
Al Pacino - drove from LA to Phoenix [during a shoot and when his agent said NO to coming] in one day to meet a kid for a couple hours…
Outside of Make A Wish -
I like Anthony Hopkins career and philanthropy, as well as Harrison Ford [even though Ford had issues with infidelity.
I like what Richard Geer is doing with his Buddhist Philanthropy.
Oddly, Jimmy Fallon is quite philanthropic and does a lot of charity work.
Elton John is not my cup of tea personality-wise (I like the strong silent types), but what he’s done for AIDS funding and informing people about homosexuality is really amazing. His impact on the world will go well beyond his musical achievements.
Another odd choice is Pam Anderson. She seems to be a legitimately lovely mom and has passionately supported PETA for many years. Someone I may not like, but have to respect, I suppose.
Odd, but aside from Paul Newman, I can’t think of somebody I both like(d) and respect(ed) at this moment.
Dan Rather. Thoughtful, articulate, intelligent.
Robin Roberts. A class act all the way. Very smart and very very funny all at once.
Paul Newman. Shot the annual auction in CT at his camp a few years ago. He was the real deal, and had zero compunction about calling in every favor he could to bolster the camp. Much respect.
Jerry Orbach. A gentleman. A real true gentleman and, a gentle man. I spent a week with him and his lovely wife in Marrakech. Copious tales about the old days on Broadway.
For a younger actor, I’ve become a fan of Wil Wheaton. He’s the anti-Charlie Sheen, in that Wheaton constantly praises other people and his fans on his blog. If you believe what he writes, and there’s no reason not to, he’s a devoted family man who appreciates a good beer or whisky, but goes all out for his fans at cons and other shows. And his stupid cell phone videos are hilarious. But I really like his attitude when he writes how much he appreciates the people he works with, and those who buy his books and come to watch him live.
I don’t like Wil Wheaton because he is very annoying and jumped on the bandwagon with the Wesley Crusher bashing and he tries way too hard to be a cool nerd.
Jon Stewart. He’s intelligent, witty, doesn’t take himself too seriously, and is passionate about his causes (the 9/11 rescue workers health care, his proposal to Bill O’Reilly about supporting a ban on assault rifles - this was during the Common controversy). And, when he’s on the other side of the desk, he’s Batman. He’s fucking prepared.
And, as O’Reilly once said, Stewart takes cheap shots, but he defends those cheap shots.
Richard Dreyfuss - I hope he’s cool off-screen…he seems very intelligent
Jim Carrey - great stories about the check to his dead father and his quest for true love
Sandra Bullock - seems incredibly together and down-to-earth for all the success she’s had
Fran Drescher - has seemingly dealt well with her adversities, very graceful interviewee
Sean Penn - totally committed to relief work in Haiti
After 9/11, Steve Buscemi went to the firehouse where he’d previously worked as an NYC fireman, and put in 12-hour shifts rescuing people, all totally anonymously. (Well, it came out later, obviously.) I have always really respected that.
Mike Rowe, George Clooney, Paul Newman. And now I add Steve Buscemi.
Mike Rowe is not actually acting on Dirty Jobs (or his various narration jobs), but if I ever wanted to sit down and drink a beer or three with someone, he’s number one.
Clooney, because if ever a guy had reason to be a total prick, it’s him. But he seems like a genuinely nice person.
