One of the best models of celebrity philanthropy is practiced by Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward. Oscar-winning Newman has been married to Oscar-winning actress Joanne Woodward for 45 years. The couple has collaborated on numerous artistic, community and charitable projects, and have made Westport, Connecticut their home base. A recent collaboration was a sold-out Broadway run of the Westport country Playhouse production of Our town, which raised $1 million for the Playhouse, where Woodward is artistic director.

Newman is said to devote half his time to his food company, Newman’s Own, Inc., and charitable giving. Newman and Woodward established the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for terminally ill children, and the anti-drug Scott Newman Foundation, named in memory of Newman’s only son, who died of an accidental drug overdose in 1978. Through his own line of food products that have earned him more than $200 million, he donates 100 percent of his profits to charities such as civil rights groups, schools for the deaf, theater programs for low-income children and many others.

Audrey Hepburn devoted all of her energy for five years until her death in 1993 to working with UNICEF. She herself was a victim of poverty during the German occupation in Holland. She learned first hand about the problems of poor and displaced children in countries all over the world. Audrey made over fifty UNICEF field research visits, assisting projects in Sudan, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia.

These projects enabled her to witness first-hand the distressing conditions of children living in war-torn and drought-ridden areas of the world. She was determined in raising awareness and funds. She spoke in front of Special U.N. Assemblies, shared details with various Press Associations, and lobbied on behalf of children to World Parliaments.

In 1993, her sons and long-time companion, Robert Wolders, created the Audrey Hepburn Memorial Fund at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to commemorate the humanitarian efforts she made as a UNIFEF International Goodwill Ambassador. To date, the Audrey Hepburn Memorial Fund at UNICEF has raised over $1 million for educational programs in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan and Somalia.

Audrey Hepburn’s will and fight on poverty resulted in motivating other celebrities to do the same. Roger Moore, became interested in UNICEF after Audrey asked him to co-host a press conference. He was awed by her passion for UNICEF and the millions of children facing poverty and a lack of education. Moore became inspired by her passion and determination and joined UNICEF along with his wife Christine, traveling the world and visiting various projects and fundraising events. He also became a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund.

They have visited countries such as Mexico, Macedonia, Ghana, Korea and Zambia to see first hand the adversity and suffering among children. He began his mission during the last few years of Audrey’s life, departing on advocacy mission to projects in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Brazil and Guatemala. In 2001, he helped launch a new alliance between the world soccer association, FIFA and UNICEF, communicating safe sex and the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. He also serves as honorary chair of Kiwanis International’s Worldwide Service Project to raise $75 million for eliminating iodine deficiency.

Sir Roger, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his work with UNICEF, has regularly used speaking engagements and public functions to promote UNICEF concerns and fund-raising initiatives. He has supported the advocacy and fund-raising activities of every one of the 37 National Committees for UNICEF. In a way, he has continued Audrey’s work and if she were still alive today, be working along side her on their mission to deplete poverty.

In 1954, Danny Kaye became affiliated with UNICEF. He was a strong advocate for social responsibility. He was a hobby pilot and flew all over the world on trips for UNICEF. When UNICEF won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965, Danny Kaye was selected to accept it due to his strong affiliation. Kaye also conducted major symphony orchestras always with a comedic flare. His stints as guest conductors were entirely done for charity fundraisers, raising more than $5 million. Him and his wife, Sylvia Fine, are named after the Danny and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities.