Hollywood’s newest trend: saving lives! Kind of. See which stars are worthy of even more admiration.
Next time some pop culture cynic quizzes you about celebrities’ contributions to society, you may just want to ask them when’s the last time they saved someone’s life. Nowadays it’s not enough for stars to be richer and more attractive than us, they’re better people, too. We rate five stars who recently made the headlines for their heroism. The more Thor hammers, the more heroic…you know, because Thor hammers are super hero currency.
Ryan Gosling
The Scenario: Two men were pushing and pulling in the middle of a busy New York street, apparently in an altercation over a painting. Gosling strolled onto the scene in a nautical muscle tee, got between the guys, and broke it up in a matter of seconds.
Thor Hammers: 4
It wasn’t a full-on fistfight, but the fact that Gosling didn’t flinch about stepping into the middle of the exchange is worth something- he even dropped his shopping bag! And his biceps looked very intimidating.
Brad Pitt
The Scenario: While filming a rowdy crowd scene for The World War of Z in Scotland, a female extra fell down. Pitt rushed over and scooped her up, carrying her to safety before she could be trampled to death. Maybe. But she did scrape her knee pretty badly.
Thor Hammers: 2
The popular headline “Brad Pitt Saves Woman’s Life” should’ve read “Brad Pitt Helps Extra to her Feet.” But this is what happens when you’re really, really good looking and everyone loves you.
Gwyneth Paltrow
The Scenario: A few weeks ago a story was reported that on 9/11 Laura Lundstrom Clark was rushing to work at the World Trade Center and jaywalked across the street. That’s when she was lucky enough to almost be hit by Paltrow’s roaring SUV, causing her to freeze and miss her train to work.
Thor Hammers: -1
Regardless of how much life-saving advice Paltrow may be dishing out on GOOP in terms of colon cleanses and customized workouts, this story gets her nowhere (was she even driving?).
Ryan Kwanten
The Scenario: On April 1st, Kwanten came to the rescue of an injured man lying on a Hollywood street. A witness reported that the True Blood star jumped out of his car and rushed to his aid, carrying him to safety and waiting with him till the paramedics arrived.
Thor Hammers: 3
Having no qualms about pulling up to a bloody stranger in LA deserves some recognition, although Kwanten was more of a good Samaritan than a real super hero.
Kate Winslet
The Scenario: Winslet was vacationing at Richard Branson’s Virgin Island property when lightning struck at 4am, setting the mansion on fire. The Oscar winner was quick to act, carrying Branson’s 90-year-old ‘mum’ out of the blaze.
Thor Hammers: 5
This British bird is the real deal. Helping old ladies is admirable enough, but helping them out of a burning building in the middle of the night? That’s straight-up super hero.