Five True Hollywood Role Models

Scandals. Sex tapes. Divorce. Adultery. Alchoholism. Drug abuse. Racial slurs. Hard to fathom that there might actually be some decent role models still coming out of Hollywood. Well, there are. This list is, by no means, all-inclusive, but it is a fair representative sampling of the few role models Hollywood still has to offer America.

5. Kirk Douglas

While the legendary Hollywood actor hasn't lived a perfect life (no one on this list has) and though many of his social and political views may be objectionable to my conservative readers, Kirk Douglas belongs on this list of Hollywood role models for two compelling reasons.

First, he's veteran. In a town where many did their best to avoid military service, Douglas interrupted his rising stage career to join the Navy and participate in World War II. He returned to acting only after completing his service to his country in its time of need. Patriotism and a willingness to serve is indeed a role model trait.

Second and most significantly for today, Kirk Douglas has one of the longest-lasting marriages in Hollywood. While that, in and of itself, doesn't say much, Douglas has been married to the same woman (Anne Buydens) for 52 years. He is bettered in that record only by Charlton Heston (62 years), who doesn't make this list only because he has completely retired from Hollywood. (Heston is in the final stages of Alzheimer's). Douglas, though he's all but retired, has still appeared in a couple pictures over the last several years.

Long-lasting Hollywood marriages are a thing of the past. In fact, long-lasting marriages in general are becoming a thing of the past, with marriage itself declining in popularity. Unfortunately, today's celebrity-consuming public is more likely to follow the example of Britney Spears than Kirk Douglas. This is sad, because when it comes to marriage and relationships, Britney Spears is no role model. Kirk Douglas is.

4. Patricia Heaton

One of the most controversial choices for such a list as this is Patricia Heaton. She makes the cut, because finding an outspoken Christian is quite difficult in Hollywood, yet Heaton does little to hide her faith-based convictions. Her faith has been a guiding force in both her public and private life - both as the Emmy Award winning female costar of the hit sitcom Everyone Loves Raymond and as the chairwoman of Feminists for Life.

Let's face it. It's hard to be a Christian, let alone a Christian conservative, in Hollywood. Yet Heaton has been both - and openly so. This makes her a role model for people of faith. She has spoken out repeatedly against abortion on demand as well as embryonic stem-cell research. She has also been a tireless proponent for autism research.

Though Raymond has wrapped, Heaton continues her Hollywood career. Among her projects, she appeared in ABC's controversial The Path to 9/11 and is helping to produce Amazing Grace, a 2007 feature film about William Wilberforce, the 19th century English crusader against the African slave trade.

3. Jackie Chan

The comedic action superstar from Hong Kong, who has taken the United States by storm, is definitely one of the most admirable celebrities in Hollywood. Chan, well aware of his role model status, has refused to speak in vulgar language (including the notorious 'f' word) and engage in graphic sex scenes. Moreover, even his action sequences are known more for their over-the-top hilarity than for their apparent violence.

Chan has also opened his wallet generously for charity causes, setting up the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, which supports Hong Kong youngsters, disaster relief, the performing arts and medical science. He has directed, in his will, that half his remaining funds are to go to charity - the other half to his family. He is surpassed in his generosity by only a few Hollywood celebrities. And in those cases, it is mainly because he is simply not as rich as they are (not yet anyway).

2. Gary Sinise

An accomplished actor, Gary Sinise is perhaps best known for his starring role in CSI:NY and for appearances in Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, and Ransom. Sinise was also outstanding as the title lead character in the HBO miniseries Truman.

He is an energetic, committed supporter of our troops overseas. He's made numerous NSO trips to visit our troops, including in war-torn Iraq. He formed the "Lt. Dan Band" - named after his character in the moving Forrest Gump. He is also a strong supporter of Disabled Veterans for Life.

Not content to be one of those celebrities who exploits the challenges of Iraq to attack George W. Bush, Sinise has put his money and time where his mouth is. He co-founded Operation Iraqi Children (OIC), a worthwhile organization which provides educational materials to Iraqi students.

Sinise also supports the "One Day Pay" campaign, aimed at establishing September 11 as a nationally recognized day of service, charity and compassion. Says Sinise: "It would be an incredible blessing if we could transform one of the worst events in our history into a day where all Americans come together to volunteer their time in honor of those lost and injured."

1. Chuck Norris

While most of his days as a Hollywood star are behind him, Chuck Norris' impact on popular culture continues beyond reruns of Walker, Texas Ranger on cable television or Blockbuster rentals of Missing in Action or Delta Force.

A true role model for underprivileged and disadvantaged youngsters, the Chuck Norris story begins in a poverty-stricken family with an abusive, alcoholic father. Norris struggled through his childhood, finished high school, and joined the US Air Force. Sent to South Korea, Norris honed his appreciation of the critical importance of drive and self-discipline by learning the martial arts. He earned black belts in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, and Shito ryu Karate, and eventually in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

His training in the martial arts continued over the years, as he mixed and merged various styles and helped found new approaches in martial arts. He began training other martial arts students and excelled in competition, winning the Professional Middleweight Karate championship six years in a row. This was, of course, in addition to all his other competition victories, which were many. The remarkable thing about all this is that Norris was never a naturally gifted athlete. In fact, he admits to having a slow metabolism. He became one of the leading martial artists in the world the old-fashioned way. He worked his tail off. It was due to grit, determination, and self-discipline that Norris became a world champion. That alone makes him a role model.

And then there's acting. Anyone who has seen Norris act knows he doesn't have a lot of natural talent. But through hard work, perserverance, and determination, Norris has cultivated an effective screen presence, a loyal fan base, and commercial success. Again, Norris has proven that natural talent ain't all that. Hard work and self-discipline equals success.

In addition to being a role model in personal success, Norris has worked hard to influence the culture with his values. His KickStart program (originally named Kick Drugs Out of America) has helped underprivileged youth learn self-discipline and build self-esteem. An outspoken Christian, Norris promotes personal faith and Bible study, and is an advocate for prayer in public schools. He remains a tireless opponent of drug abuse.

These celebrities are not perfect. Many of them have made serious mistakes in their lives, and some of them no doubt advocate views disagreeable to many readers. Nevertheless, they have set their lives according to their convictions, not their feelings. They have not allowed fame and fortune to drive them. They are role models.