These Actors Are Real Heroes

We know them from movies – they rescue people from burning buildings, defeat dangerous enemies, or even save the entire world from destruction: heroes. But some actors also accomplish great things in real life and serve as role models for all of us. That's why we are here to celebrate them in this article!

We asked the community which actors you consider to be real heroes off-camera as well. And one name in particular came up again and again. So without any further ado: here are some truly heroic deeds!

Harrison Ford: Pilot with a Sense of Responsibility

Imagine yourself lost in the wilderness and unable to find your way back. You are desperate – but then finally, a helicopter finds you. It lands in front of you, and out steps… Indiana Jones himself! This happened to a 13-year-old Boy Scout near Yellowstone National Park. Later, the boy was asked if he got Harrison Ford's autograph. His answer:

"No, but I got a hug and a handshake, and that's better than an autograph."

This was not the hobby pilot's first rescue mission. In 2000, he came to the aid of young hiker Sarah George, who had gotten into trouble while mountain climbing. Her companions brought her to flatter ground, where Ford soon landed with his own helicopter. "He was wearing a T-shirt and a cowboy hat," George later recalled. With a wink, she added:

"I can't believe I barfed in Harrison Ford's helicopter."

Danny Trejo: The Action Star as a Lifesaver

One thing's for sure: Danny Trejo is an absolute cult actor – best known to most for the "Machete" movies and "From Dusk till Dawn". But in 2019, he showed in Los Angeles that he's got balls of steel off-screen, too. He witnessed a serious traffic accident in which a vehicle had overturned. Inside was a baby trapped in his car seat. Trejo didn't hesitate for a second; he crawled into the wreckage and, with the help of another bystander, freed the young child. To calm the frightened boy, he told him they had superpowers. Trejo later humbly said:

"Everything good that has happened to me has happened as a direct result of helping someone else. Everything."

Tom Cruise: Helps Wherever He Can

Tom Cruise is famous for his action roles. But even when he's not in front of the camera, he is clearly a man of action: while on vacation in Capri in 1996, Cruise and his wife Nicole Kidman saw a yacht in flames. They promptly saved the lives of five people and took them aboard their own ship.

In the same year, Cruise witnessed a traffic accident in which a woman was hit by a car. He immediately called for help and accompanied the injured woman to the hospital. There it turned out that she had no insurance. Cruise spontaneously decided to cover all the treatment costs.

Matthew McConaughey: Helping Is No Big Deal

During the Toronto Film Festival in 2001, Matthew McConaughey suddenly became a lifesaver. At an event, a woman had a seizure and stopped breathing. McConaughey acted immediately, gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and brought her back to consciousness before the paramedics arrived. The actor later downplayed the incident, saying:

"It was no big deal, she needed help, and I was there.''

Gerard Butler: Lifesaver and Wedding Guest

From rom-coms and musicals to action films, Gerard Butler has pretty much played every type of role there is. But in 1997, he took on his most significant part yet: saving a 14-year-old boy from drowning. Still, Butler doesn't consider himself a hero: "I just acted instinctively," he explained. The boy whose life the actor saved invited him to his wedding twenty years later. Butler gladly accepted the invitation and even gave a short speech.

Robert Downey Jr.: Iron Man Even in Real Life

Robert Downey Jr. is so strongly linked to Iron Man that the line between the actor and Tony Stark sometimes blurs. With the success of the multi-billion dollar superhero, the actor's fortune has also grown – and he has found meaningful ways to use it.

He gave a 7-year-old named Alex Pring an unforgettable gift: Alex was born with an underdeveloped arm and is a huge fan of Iron Man. So Downey Jr. presented the boy with a bionic arm designed to look like Iron Man's. Needless to say, Alex was overwhelmed – both by the gift and by meeting his hero.

Keanu Reeves: The Quiet Benefactor

No list of heroic actors would be complete without Keanu Reeves. His name was, by far, the most frequently mentioned by you all. He is widely regarded as an extremely humble and compassionate person who has had to endure numerous personal tragedies.

His generosity behind the scenes is legendary. He gives a large portion of his earnings to the rest of the film crew and to charitable causes – especially cancer research. He does so partly for personal reasons: his sister battled leukemia for a long time. He is also known for forgoing luxury despite his enormous success. He lives in a modest apartment, takes public transportation, and treats people as equals.

What makes Keanu Reeves so special is not so much a single act, but his attitude: he avoids the Hollywood spotlight, treats everyone the same, and visibly lives out values like gratitude and empathy. While many actors dream of playing superhero roles, Reeves embodies the idea in real life – quietly, humbly, and with a big heart.

Conclusion

As you can see, some Hollywood stars prove to be real-life heroes as well. Of course, not everyone owns a ship, a helicopter, or has the fortune to help others in grand ways. In the end, it is about doing the right thing within your means – whether you are a star or not.