# Which of today's actors are "class acts" or genuine nice guys? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 15, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475 "2009-01-15T19:12:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/61 "2009-01-16T17:51:44Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > I’ve read many stories about Dolly Parton being one of the nicest celebrities around. Apparently, even after all the wealth and fame, she never lost touch with having grown up a poor country girl. Humility: what more celebrities need. One of my friends adores Dolly Parton because an incident when he was nine. He was at Dollywood and Parton showed up. All the little kids flocked around her and she started giving out hugs. My friend was one of those kids. In Opposite Land we find Andie McDowell. Another friend used to deliver pizzas in Asheville and found himself delivering one to McDowell’s son one night. According to him, she was a right bitch when she answered the door. ---
**Author:** ![Grey\_area](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Grey\_area](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey_area)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/62 "2009-01-16T17:57:38Z")
I think this goes beyond class act, but whenever the topic of praiseworthy celebrities comes up, I have to mention Steve Buscemi. A former firefighter, when 9/11 happened he went to his old station and volunteered to work at ground zero, all the while refusing photos and interviews. I think it took a while for the public to find out about his heroism. Bit unfortunate though that he’s usually typecast as the weirdo/pervert. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/63 "2009-01-16T18:36:21Z")
> [@winterhawk11](#): > > Moving just a bit further afield of the OP and into authors (all the Gen Con anecdotes reminded me of this): Michael Stackpole is one of the nicest “famous” people I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for almost 20 years (in the sense of “he recognizes me at conventions and we can sit down and chat for awhile”, not in the sense of “we do lunch every Friday and send each other Christmas cards”) and he has never been anything but gracious, funny, and accommodating of fans. I’ll never forget when he came to our college’s gaming convention back in the early '90s and GMed a Shadowrun game for us. He took a group that consisted of everything from hardcore roleplayers to annoying kids and stitched the whole thing together into one of the best RPG sessions I’ve ever had. Tell him Revenant was his best book and I want a sequel! ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/64 "2009-01-16T18:48:57Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Rampant drug use, alcoholism, compulsive sex. Waking up from a chemical haze in a bed full of your own shit. This line applies to some of the best people I have ever known. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/65 "2009-01-16T18:58:28Z")
But not the classiest people you’ve known, right? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/66 "2009-01-16T19:14:15Z")
> [@](#): > > But she’s not anything like a class act. Her whole act is based on the fact that her life is the epitome of what class is not. Rampant drug use, alcoholism, compulsive sex. Waking up from a chemical haze in a bed full of your own shit. Whatever that might be, it’s not class. Sure, pick on Margaret Cho. But nobody ever says a word to Judi Dench. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/67 "2009-01-16T19:33:37Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > But not the classiest people you’ve known, right? Yes, as I define class. Caring, kind, giving, friendly, genuine. The way someone _was_ may be quite different from the way some IS. Just saying, is all. I don’t know Margret Cho from a hole in the ground. But if she did that in the past, she could still be a classy person now. ---
**Author:** ![Lo-Slung\_Denim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@Lo-Slung\_Denim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lo-Slung_Denim)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/68 "2009-01-16T19:35:34Z")
I hear Gary Oldman is a good old boy, but quite indiscreet when it comes to blabbing about what his Hollywood mates have been up to. Alex Zane, perhaps a bit of a UK-centric one - he presents a lot of music TV shows - is a bit of a dick. He was at university same time as me. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/69 "2009-01-16T22:53:00Z")
Tom Hanks cheated on the wife he had before Rita Wilson, so that took away the classiness for me. Paul Newman, too. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/70 "2009-01-16T23:03:23Z")
Well I don’t know if he cheated on his earlier wives, but I would nominate Harrison Ford. He’s on the board of directors of Conservation International, is a trustee for the Archaeology Institute of America, served food at Ground Zero, and flies his own helicopter out to assist in search and rescue missions near his home. Plus he poked fun of himself in that commercial where he had his chest hair waxed to raise awareness against deforestation. ---
**Author:** ![GythaOgg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@GythaOgg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GythaOgg)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/71 "2009-01-17T01:28:31Z")
I have heard from friends I had who worked TVLand publicity events behind the scenes that both Mister T and Henry Winkler were just wonderful to everyone they interacted with. George Takei is also well-known as one of the Trek celebs who always is genuine, kind, and fun. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a local SF con. I had no camera with me, but he had members of his fan club/entourage there taking pictures of him with each person he signed an autograph for, for nothing. They took my name, my email address, and a few days later I had a picture in my email. Just a small thing, but thoughtful to make sure everyone he met got a little something besides their autograph. I have heard Tim Gunn is very much the same way, but have never gotten to meet him in person. I’d love to at some point. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/72 "2009-01-17T01:47:42Z")
> [@GythaOgg](#): > > I have heard Tim Gunn is very much the same way, but have never gotten to meet him in person. I’d love to at some point. I listened in on a press conference with him pimping his show a year or two ago. Obviously you can never trust that celebs in public settings are being genuine, but he did seem warm and friendly, and was pretty open about his personal life when asked. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/73 "2009-01-17T03:01:01Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > What’s the scoop on George Clooney? Or Jon Stewart? I heard Clooney is really nice… usually, but definitely has off days and even off conventions. I’ve heard Jon Stewart is just a regular guy, I heard that without makeup it’s really hard to even notice him on the street, not impossible mind you, but hard. He’s not “classy,” but definitely not “mean,” just kind of like your next door neighbor or co-worker (unless all your neighbors and co-workers are dicks, in which case feel free to substitute some cool dude you met that has his flaws). ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/74 "2009-01-17T03:27:21Z")
Back when I was a valet in college, it was well-known that the best tippers and coollest celebrities in town were Mike Ditka and … Dennis Rodman. I’ve also heard multiple accounts of Rodman giving to charity but asking for anonymity, staying to sign autographs, etc. Oprah, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/75 "2009-01-17T03:52:27Z")
Thinking of geek heroes, I met Mike Nelson and Kevin Murphy (Mike and Tom Servo of _Mystery Science Theater 3000_ fame) briefly when they were presenters at the Wisconsin Film Festival. They were hanging out in the cafe area in front of the theater beforehand, very casual, and I got to talk to them for a few minutes. Both were very nice and just how any _MST3K_ fan would hope they would be IRL. They were totally laid back, obviously old friends, and were cracking jokes with each other and the few fans who were there early. Kevin Murphy started singing a silly little song at one point. It was especially funny to meet him because his real voice is the Tom Servo voice. They did an autograph session later and were really nice about signing multiple items for people who’d brought a big stack. I’d been prepared for them to be much more stand-offish, especially considering that they must have their share of awkward/creepy fans, but they seemed happy to chat with everyone there and answer questions about the show. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/76 "2009-01-17T04:03:54Z")
\*\* Which of today’s actors are “class acts” or genuine nice guys? \*\* I’ll nominate Harrison Ford. I’ve heard he is a nice guy, not to mention that he has participated in a couple of rescues in his helicopter. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/77 "2009-01-17T04:42:52Z")
> [@Verminary](#): > > I met Nathan Fillion at GenCon SoCal in 2004, and he came off as a remarkably nice and down-to-earth guy… From my online experience with him and most of the cast I’d agree. Maybe Joss, who loved us, told them to play nice. Adam Baldwin, OTOH…was a real nice guy with, er, _notions contrary to mine_ regarding vaccinations and politics. We agreed we were happier not talking. Which, I suppose, means he’s a nice guy. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/78 "2009-01-17T07:09:48Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Ben Affleck befriended a boy with a rare disease and as a result of that friendship has done a lot of charity work for the disease. He spoke at the boy’s graduation in suburban Virginia a couple of years ago. My friend was a teacher there and said Ben Affleck was really low key and friendly. …and will tip you into the next tax bracket. 🙂 > [@dropzone](#): > > From my online experience with him and most of the cast I’d agree. Maybe Joss, who loved us, told them to play nice. Didn’t they also show up to a canceled convention to not disappoint their fans once? I’m sure the “diva” rating is quite high, but **Elton John** impressed me. I got to see him last April when my family went to our last Mother’s Day concert at WSU (I was there four, as was my sister, this was her last year). Mother’s Day tickets were sold out in 45 minutes, a good portion to people who were NOT students. People were extremely upset. Having sat through subpar acts for every year they’d been at school, finally a headliner shows up for their senior year, and now they can’t get tickets on mom’s weekend?!?!?! Elton John then schedules a SECOND concert the following night, and opens tickets up to students before the general public. Not only did Elton John play Pullman, WA. He played it TWICE to allow more people to go. Godspeed Sir Elton. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@Cat\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/79 "2009-01-17T13:38:02Z")
What about Will Smith ? The husband & I were talking about him this morning, saying how we’ve kind of grown up with him and how his film roles have changed, expanded, wondering if we’ll be watching him get Oscars/lifetime achievement awards into his 80s while the “youth” say “wow is he still alive ?”. I like the man I see in interviews but as others have said that could be an act … so anyone know what he’s really like ? ---
**Author:** ![Tal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/54ee81/32.png) [@Tal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tal)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475/80 "2009-01-17T14:23:16Z")
> [@Verminary](#): > > I met Nathan Fillion at GenCon SoCal in 2004, and he came off as a remarkably nice and down-to-earth guy, so much so that the line to meet and hang out with him was longer than the line to see Morena Baccarin at the table right next to him (not that she wasn’t very nice too, but Fillion was just amazingly congenial). He was wearing this beaded bracelet a fan made for him that said “W.W.M.R.D.” and happily showing it off to everyone who came to the table. He also thanked everyone who came up to see him and seemed genuinely overwhelmed by the turnout and reception he was getting from all the attendees. > > Apparently later that afternoon he went upstairs at a fan’s invitation and actually sat in on a homebrewed Firefly game – I think they were running GURPS, since the actual _Serenity_ RPG didn’t come out till the year after. That to me just says “class act” all over. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Nathan Fillion on a few occasions now (once at a private party that was given as a thanks for a group of people working on a charity project he’s involved with - he showed up as a surprise) and I agree, he’s a class act, he goes out of his way to make fans feel good. He’s a lovely guy and all his cast mates and co-workers (I’ve spoken to a couple of directors that have worked with him) and even the media say he’s a genuinely kind considerate human being. Yup, I’m a fan 🙂 P.S. He’s got a new series starting in March on ABC called Castle [http://www.castletv.net](http://www.castletv.net) I’ve met the rest of the Firefly cast as well and they’re all genuinely great people who go out of their way to be friendly to fans. It’s not unusual for Adam Baldwin for example to make his way to the bar if there’s one at the convention venue and casually hang out with fans (not getting drunk, don’t think he’d ever do that in public, not his style) He’s also just celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary! I think that says a lot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-actors-are-class-acts-or-genuine-nice-guys/481475.md?page=5)