Famous personalities have a way of easing a relatively unknown practice into public acceptance. Although success is ultimately determined by what is actually being offered, the public will always be interested of whom among the “who’s who” are into what. It is no different in the topic of veganism.
The list of vegan practitioners transcends cultures, gender, career and age. It includes film, stage, TV, and radio personalities; politicians and statespersons; engineers, scientists and medical professionals; models and photographers; singers, musicians and composers; activists and environmentalists; sports personalities; business people; and theologians, spiritualists and religious leaders. Some are dietary vegan practitioners who conform to the prescribed dietary considerations while others are considered true-blue vegans and referred to as ethical vegan practitioners.
Notable vegan practitioners from the movie world in the US include entertainment personalities such as Casey Affleck, Gillian Anderson, Alec Baldwin, Ed Begley Jr., Linda Blair. Ellen DeGeneres, Daryl Hannah, Woody Harrelson, Jared Leto, Tobey Maguire, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, Summer Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Alicia Silverstone, and Olivia Wilde, among others. The music world is ably represented as well by Andre 3000, Emilie Autumn, Sean Brennan, John Feldman (Goldfinger), Crissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Casey Kasem, Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Forrest Kline (Hello Goodbye), Ian Mackaye, Josh Max (The Maxes), Jason Mraz, Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes), Prince, Kirsten Rosenberg, Justin Sane (Anti-Flag), Dean Allen Spunt (No Age), Ruben Studdard (American Idol), Jaci Velasquez, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and Adam Yauch.
US sports personalities who espouse veganism either as a diet or a way of life include Molly Cameron (cyclists), Robert Cheeke (bodybuilder), Luke Cummo (mixed martial arts fighter), Bryan Danielson (wrestler), Mike Mahler (bodybuilder), John Salley (basketball player) and Mike Tyson (boxer). Some of the other notable vegan practitioners based in the US include Carol Adams (ecofeminist), Cesar Chavez ( American civil rights activists), George Church (scientist), T Cooper (novelist), H. Jay Dinshah (activist and founder of American Vegan Society), William Clay Ford, Jr. (executive chairman), Bob Harper (personal trainer), and Coretta Scott King (civil rights leader). Those who have been known to have practiced veganism at some point in their lives include Liv Tyler, Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, and Angelina Jolie.
From UK where the Vegan Society started, vegan practitioners include Donald Watson (founder of the British Vegan Society), Robin Gibb (BeeGees), Cathy Jameson (Scottish Parliament), Steve Kilbey (The Church), Morrissey (The Smiths), Geoff Rowley (skateboarder), Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), Peter Tatchell (activist),Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Ingrid Newkirk (founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals),and David Pearce (philosopher). Canadian vegan practitioners include Bryan Adams (singer), Avril Lavigne (singer), Alanis Morisette (singer), Carrie-Ann Moss (actress), Georges Laraque (ice hockey player), Daniel Negreanu (poker player), Paul Watson (activist), and Sarah Kramer (writer). There are other famous vegan practitioners based in other countries such as Australia, India, Vietnam, Sweden, Pakistan, Norway, Italy, Mexico, Japan, Jamaica, and Ireland.
The latest poll conducted showed that only an estimated 0.3% of UK population and approximately 0.5% of US population see themselves as practicing vegans. The number is slowly but steadily increasing. While the popularity of a certain personality does not necessarily equate to the popularity of veganism, the mere fact of association lends credence to the practice itself. With success typically on their side, these personalities lend a face to veganism that is healthy, strong and worthy.
Far from the image of weakness and frailty as often associated with a non-meat diet, these people show that healthy living can indeed be achieved through veganism. It likewise shows that denial of the use of animal-based products is not a deterrent to achieving career goals and higher aspirations. In fact, most would attest to greater clarity in personal objectives as physical well-being is achieved.
Countless vegans will remain unknown although their contribution to society is not less valuable. For a practice that is based on high ethical grounds, every minute contribution is considered a step closer to perfection. Famous people just make it easier to get attention to hopefully provide a better option to everybody.
Celebrities who have adapted the vegan lifestyle can do so much to bring its message to public consciousness. Most have shared their popularity by speaking on behalf of related associations and organizations. The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) enjoys strong support from personalities like Alicia Silverstone, Natalie Portman, Pamela Anderson, and Lindsay Wagner who are incidentally vegan practitioners themselves. PETA goes by the motto “Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment”.