SEATTLE, Washington — When one thinks of actor and humanitarian Danny glover, the first thing that comes to mind is his assertive presence on screen. He has played in numerous movies such as The Places in The Heart and Sorry to Bother You. As an activist, he has been a rock for those who are voiceless, utilizing his platform to help the needy.
Glover’s Background, Success and Activism
- Danny Glover was born on July 22, 1946, in San Francisco, California to parents Carrie Hunley Glover and James Glover who were proud members and activists of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). His parents’ dedication to equal rights and racial justice doubtlessly inspired Glover’s future activist endeavors.
- Glover carried his parents’ legacy and values onto his college years at the University of San Francisco State. He attended the university in the late 1960s and contributed to the first non-white department of the university. He personally sought its establishment by participating in a student strike in 1968. The resulting department was the first of its kind in the United States. While channeling his efforts towards bettering the lives of the African American community, Glover simultaneously pursued his acting aspirations. He began his pursuit by acting in a play by Amiri Baraka.
- Glover trained as an actor in the Black Actors’ Workshop at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco as well as acting at the Shelton Actors Lab. After his years at San Francisco State University, he worked in the Model Cities Program from 1972 to 1977. It was soon after this that he started to become a household name in the acting community. This allowed him to further his humanitarian and human rights efforts via his newfound platform.
- After fully choosing acting as his career focus and passion, he starred in his first feature film, Escape from Alcatraz. Since then he has played prominent roles in movies and films such as The Color Purple, Switchblade and Predator 2. His outstanding performances have won him many awards such as the Cable ACE Award. Even so, one can see his contributions to developing countries in some respects as the highest of his achievements.
- In addition to domestic activism efforts, he has used his platform as a bullhorn for global human rights, economic justice, social justice, climate change and education. As such, the humanitarian Danny Glover was named an ambassador for UNICEF. He has used his platform to reach out to communities in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Glover has devoted himself to helping the needy rise from poverty, prevent the spread of disease and improve their economies.
Insight on Glover’s Impact
For more insight on the topic of celebrity philanthropy, The Borgen Project spoke with news anchor, radio personality, actor and treasurer of Ball State University’s National Association of Black Journalists Joel Riley.
“I think that it’s very important for celebrities to give back to those who are less fortunate than them,” said Riley. “I think it would be a little weird if a rich celebrity didn’t at least donate one dollar at some point to an organization. But in no way are they obligated to do those things”
When asked about Glover’s legacy, Riley stated, “He is very outspoken and stands up for the rights of the black community, has often called out those who are against us and has no doubt inspired many young black people across the globe with his actions and words.”
Actor and humanitarian Danny Glover, a husband and father of one, has received various sought-after accolades. But he did not stop there. He pushed past just acting and devoted himself to championing humanitarian causes, both domestically and abroad. Through his philanthropy, he has benefited millions of lives, directly or indirectly, and has left his mark on the world.
–Dorian Ducre
Photo: Wikimedia Commons