Skip to main content
Part of complete coverage on

CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • How have celebrities been inspired by CNN Heroes?
  • We asked stars to share with us the causes they're most passionate about
  • Many of this year's celebrities have been involved with CNN Heroes for several years

(CNN) -- Many celebrities have taken part in the CNN Heroes campaign and attended the annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" shows. Here, we reach out to some of them and learn about the ways they've chosen to get involved and give back.

Common
Hip-hop artist Common wants to create a supportive community for youths on Chicago's South Side. The Grammy Award winner started the Common Ground Foundation to help underserved youth develop leadership and life skills.
Common's story Video | Q&A

Wynonna Judd
Country music star Wynonna Judd is a supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that helps injured service members and their families.
Judd's story Video | Q&A

Rainn Wilson
Actor Rainn Wilson is dedicated to improving the lives of young people around the world. The star of "The Office" works with the Mona Foundation, which supports educational initiatives for children in developing countries. He is also involved with Planting Peace and its program to deworm children in Haiti.
Wilson's story Video | Q&A

Gary Sinise
Actor-director Gary Sinise has touched the lives of thousands of U.S. service members. Sinise often travels overseas to honor and entertain the troops with his Lt. Dan Band, and his Gary Sinise Foundation helps support them when they return home.
Sinise's story Video | Q&A

Kristin Davis
Actress Kristin Davis is an ambassador for Oxfam, an international alliance of 15 organizations striving to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. As part of her efforts, Davis advocates for vulnerable women around the world.
Davis' story Video | Q&A

George Lopez
George Lopez is helping to create positive change for underprivileged children, adults and military families. In 2009, he started The Lopez Foundation, which provides and supports education and health programs for those in need. The group also increases awareness about kidney disease and organ donation.
Lopez's story Video | Q&A

J.R. Martinez
Actor and Iraq war veteran J.R. Martinez is the spokesman for Operation Finally Home, an organization that provides free, custom-built homes for injured veterans.
Martinez's story Video | Q&A

Lucy Liu
Actress Lucy Liu is an ambassador for UNICEF, an organization that gives children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. Approximately 21,000 children die every day from preventable causes, according to UNICEF, and its mission is to reduce that number to zero.
Liu's story Video | Q&A

Nate Berkus
Designer and TV host Nate Berkus is a member of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet, which helps to highlight the organization's initiatives and response efforts. Founded in 1881, the American Red Cross is part of a worldwide movement that offers humanitarian care to victims of war and natural disasters.
Berkus' story Video | Q&A

Kristin Chenoweth
Actress Kristin Chenoweth started Maddie's Corner, an organization that supports animals in need.
Chenoweth's story Video | Q&A