Famous Vegans
Although veganism—the ethical philosophy of avoiding all animal products, especially in diet—is by no means a recent stance, it goes without saying that celebrities like Pamela Anderson, Ellen DeGeneres, Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand have played a major role in popularizing it. The 18th century American reformer Amos Bronson Alcott—the father of writer Louisa May-- advocated a vegan diet even before the term was coined! The English animal rights advocate Donald Watson is credited with coining the term “vegan”; he also founded the Vegan Society. However, veganism as a social justice movement started gaining mainstream prominence only in the past few years with the emergence of vegan activists like Gary Yourofsky, Peter Daniel Young, and Shmuly Yanklowitz. In the contemporary times, several actors, directors and musicians are actively engaged in spreading awareness about veganism and animal rights. Actors Natalie Portman, Hillary Swank, and Tobey Maguire are prominent spokespersons for veganism as are musicians Russell Simmons and Moby. Famous vegan spiritual leaders like Alfredo Sfeir and Thich Nhat Hanh are also engaged in dispersing the message of universal peace for all irrespective of the species. Read on for more information about the life and works of famous vegans.
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1
Lena Headey
(Portrayed Cersei Lannister in HBO Series 'Game of Thrones' )
Birthdate: October 3, 1973
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hamilton, Bermuda
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
2
Bryan Adams(Best Selling Pop, Pop-Rock Singer-Songwriter Of All Time)
Birthdate: November 5, 1959
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kingston, Canada
Canadian rock guitarist and singer Bryan Adams, known for his cult classics Everything I Do and Summer of '69, has won 20 Juno Awards and a Grammy. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee is also an avid animal rights activist and a professional photographer who has held several exhibitions.
Birthdate: March 14, 1965
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Considered one of India’s most influential and best actors of all time, Aamir Khan is known for his interesting choice of films, which are well-crafted, entertaining and commercially successful. They mostly have a social message and are appreciated both by critics and the people. Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots, PK and Dangal are some of his acclaimed films.
4
Tricia Helfer
(Canadian-American Actress Best Known for Her Role on the Sci-Fi Television Show 'Battlestar Galactica')
Birthdate: April 11, 1974
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Donalda, Canada
Tricia Helfer is a Canadian actress and model. She gained international fame after portraying the enigmatic Cylon model Number Six in the Battlestar Galactica TV series. She began her career as a model and won the Ford Models' Supermodel of the World contest in 1992. Later on, she quit modeling to pursue a full-time acting career.
5
Carl Lewis(American Track-and-Field Athlete Who Won Nine Olympic Gold Medals During the 1980s and 1990s)
Birthdate: July 1, 1961
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama, United States
A dominant sprinter and long jumper, Carl Lewis has won ten Olympic medals, nine of them gold. From 1981 to 1991, he topped the world rankings in the 100 m, 200 m and long jump events, slowly starting to lose his dominance thereafter, eventually retiring in 1997. Currently a businessperson, he has also appeared in films and television productions.
Birthdate: March 7, 1971
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Illinois, United States
Peter Sarsgaard is a versatile American actor known for his work on stage, films, and TV series. A world-renowned actor, Peter is equally good with women and has dated several good-looking women like Dita Von Teese and Shalom Harlow.
7
Shannon Elizabeth(Actress and Poker Player Best Known for Her Films: ‘American Pie’, ‘Scary Movie’, and ‘Love Actually’)
Birthdate: September 7, 1973
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States
Shannon Elizabeth is best known as Nadia from the iconic sex comedy American Pie. She also appeared in films such as Scary Movie and Thirteen Ghosts, and on shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing with the Stars. She now manages her non-profit Animal Avengers in South Africa.
8
Eugenio Derbez
(Mexican Actor and Comedian Best Known for His Films: 'Instructions Not Included' and 'CODA')
Birthdate: September 2, 1961
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Villa Milpa Alta, Mexico
Eugenio Derbez is a Mexican actor and filmmaker best known for co-creating and starring in the family sitcom La familia P. Luche. After establishing himself in the Mexican film industry, he ventured into American films and TV series as well. His feature film Instructions Not Included became the most successful Spanish-language film in US.
Birthdate: October 4, 1957
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Queens, New York, United States
Russell Simmons is a controversial American businessman who co-founded the hip-hop music label, 'Def Jam Recordings', and established the clothing line 'Phat Fashions'. He is noted for Harriet Tubman Sex Tape which generated a lot of heat in 2013. Simmons who calls himself a Christian yogi is accused of sexual assaults on several women. He has adopted veganism and advocates non-violence.
10
Alba Flores
(Spanish Actress Best Known for Her Role as 'Saray Vargas' in the TV Series 'Vis a Vis')
Birthdate: October 27, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Alba Flores, the only daughter of Spanish musician Antonio Flores, achieved international fame as Nairobi in the Spanish series La Casa De Papel, or Money Heist. Apart from drama, she is trained in the piano, too. She is also an avid animal lover and has campaigned for PETA.
11
Krista Allen(Actress and Stand-up Comedian Known for Her Television Series ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Baywatch Hawaii’)
Birthdate: April 5, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ventura, California, United States
Krista Allen is best known for playing Billie Reed in the series Days of Our Lives. She also played the titular role in the erotic movie series Emmanuelle in Space. She has also been part of films such as Liar Liar and series such as Significant Mother.
12
Summer Phoenix
(Actress and the Youngest Sibling of Joaquin Phoenix, Rain Phoenix and River Phoenix)
Birthdate: December 10, 1978
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Winter Park, Florida, United States
American actress Summer Phoenix is also an active supporter of numerous charities and activist groups. Summer is a member of The Paper Cranes, an alternative band that plays the New York City club. She appeared in the movies Kate's Secret and in Russkies and later appeared in movies Wasted, Dinner Rush, and The Faculty. Summer played lead roles in the movies Esther Kahn and Suzie Gold.
Birthdate: January 5, 1962
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Suzy Amis Cameron is the wife of Titanic director James Cameron. Suzy is an environmental activist and had initially been an actor and a model. She appeared as Lizzy Calvert in Titanic, as Eddie in The Usual Suspects, and as the titular character in The Ballad of Little Jo.
Birthdate: August 10, 1971
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Birthdate: April 12, 1981
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Maoputasi County, American Samoa Leloaloa, American Samoa, U.S.
Born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, US Representative Tulsi Gabbard formed the environmental non-profit Healthy Hawai’i Coalition as a teenager. At 21, she was the youngest member of the Hawai‘i State Legislature. A US Army major, she later became the first Hindu to be part of Congress.
16
James McCartney
(English Musician and the Son of The Beatles Legend Paul McCartney)
Birthdate: September 12, 1977
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England
Known for his uncanny resemblance to his father, legendary musician and former member of The Beatles Paul McCartney, James McCartney is a talented musician in his own right. Though he has played in some of his father’s tracks and has also released his own music, he has mostly been away from the limelight.
17
Soko
(Actress and Singer Known for Her Remarkably Emotional Performances )
Birthdate: October 26, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bordeaux, France
Soko is a French musician and singer-songwriter. The song We Might Be Dead by Tomorrow, which is part of her debut album I Thought I Was an Alien, reached the ninth position on the Billboard Hot 100. Soko is also a critically acclaimed actress, earning César Award nominations for her performance in films like In the Beginning and The Dancer.
Birthdate: April 8, 1984
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
19
Maria Brink
(Frontwoman of American Alternative Metal Band 'In This Moment')
Birthdate: December 18, 1977
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Albany, New York, United States
Maria Brink is a singer and songwriter best known as the lead singer of the rock band In This Moment. She developed an early interest in performing and received encouragement from her mother. She began her musical career as a young woman and played with numerous other bands before forming In This Moment. She is also an aspiring artist.
20
Killer Kowalski
(Canadian Professional Wrestler)
Birthdate: October 13, 1926
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Died: August 30, 2008
Height: 6'7" (201 cm)
Birthdate: July 23, 1940
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Riverside
Died: December 27, 2019
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
22
Pete Holmes
(Known for his impressions, including most notably his one of Batman)
Birthdate: March 30, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
23
Dave England
(American Stunt Performer and Former Professional Snowboarder)
Birthdate: December 30, 1969
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ventura, California, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Birthdate: November 20, 1975
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rochester, New York, USA
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Birthdate: February 15, 1980
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Birthdate: August 20, 1981
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Michael Rady is best known as Kostas Dounas from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and its sequel. He also played prominent roles in series such as Melrose Place, Greek, Intelligence, and Swingtown, and has appeared in quite a few Hallmark TV movies. He is a strict vegan.
Birthdate: January 8, 1978
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Hong Kong
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
28
Hannah Teter
(Olympic Gold & Silver Medalist in Snowboarding)
Birthdate: January 27, 1987
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Belmont, Mount Holly, Vermont, United States
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
29
Brian Greene
(American Theoretical Physicist and Mathematician)
Birthdate: February 9, 1963
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
American theoretical physicist, mathematician, and string theorist Brian Greene is noted for popularising string theory through his books like The Elegant Universe, and The Fabric of the Cosmos and related PBS television specials. Greene taught as professor of physics at Cornell University, and presently serves as a professor at Columbia University. He is the co-founder and chairman of the World Science Festival.
30
Jason Gillespie
(Australian Former Cricketer Who Played All Three Formats of the Game)
Birthdate: April 19, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
Birthdate: November 29, 1979
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Gants Hill, Ilford, England
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Birthdate: March 20, 1950
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Handsworth, Birmingham, England
Birthdate: April 25, 1932
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England, UK
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Birthdate: March 29, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
Starting his music career with the Hungarian metal band Tormentor, Attila Csihar also worked with the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem after the suicide of its lead vocalist. Not known to many, the black metal vocalist is an electrical engineer and has also taught math and physics before venturing into music.
35
Jeff Mangum(Founder, Songwriter, Vocalist and Guitarist of 'Neutral Milk Hotel')
Birthdate: October 24, 1970
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ruston, Louisiana, United States
36
Caroline Vreeland
(German-American Actress, Singer-Songwriter, Model, and Columnist)
Birthdate: October 26, 1987
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Washington, D.C, United States
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
37
Jim Morris
(American Bodybuilder)
Birthdate: August 31, 1935
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: January 28, 2016
Birthdate: April 3, 1962
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lynn, Massachusetts, USA
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
39
Dennis Kucinich
(Politician)
Birthdate: October 8, 1946
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
Birthdate: August 5, 1980
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Birthdate: September 25, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
42
Zack Sabre Jr.
(British Professional Wrestler)
Birthdate: July 24, 1987
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Isle of Sheppey, England
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Birthdate: January 13, 1968
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: North Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
Birthdate: August 17, 1968
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Died: February 14, 2010
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
Birthdate: April 18, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Birthdate: July 29, 1994
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Brea, California, United States
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
47
Julia Butterfly Hill
(Environmental Activist)
Birthdate: February 18, 1974
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mount Vernon, Missouri, United States
Birthdate: May 3, 1957
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
49
Rikki Rockett
(American Drummer for Rock Band 'Poison')
Birthdate: August 8, 1961
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Rikki Rockett is an American musician best known as the drummer of the popular rock band Poison, which he co-founded along with Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, and C.C. DeVille. Rikki Rockett is also credited with co-forming a rock supergroup called The Devil City Angels. A multi-talented personality, he holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
50
Michael Greger
(General Practitioner)
Birthdate: October 25, 1972
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: America