The Center has the honor of working with these celebrities who use their platform to advocate for the welfare of pets everywhere.
Alicia Silverstone is an actress, author, and lifelong animal rights advocate best known for her iconic breakout role as Cher Horowitz in Clueless. Her film and TV work spans The Crush, Batman & Robin, and Blast from the Past, with several 2025 projects forthcoming—including A Merry Little Ex-Mas, Pretty Thing, Bugonia, and Y2K—and she is set to reprise her role as Cher and as an executive producer of the upcoming Clueless sequel series on Peacock. Off-screen, Silverstone is a devoted vegan and prominent voice for animal welfare, partnering with organizations like PETA, Farm Sanctuary, and Mercy for Animals, and authoring The Kind Diet and The Kind Mama to promote plant-based, ethical living.
Alison Sweeney is an award-winning actress, television host, producer, director, and author with a career spanning more than four decades. She is best known for her iconic role as Samantha “Sami” Brady on Days of Our Lives, hosting The Biggest Loser, and starring in and producing numerous Hallmark movies and mystery franchises, including Murder, She Baked and The Chronicle Mysteries. A passionate advocate for animals, Alison serves as an Ambassador for American Humane, supporting programs such as Pups4Patriots, which pairs shelter dogs with veterans and first responders, and has also been a spokesperson for pet health and nutrition initiatives, promoting healthy weight and responsible care for pets. She is also the 2026 recipient of the Humane Award presented by the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Andie MacDowell is an acclaimed actress known for her breakthrough in Sex, Lies and Videotape and memorable performances in Groundhog Day, St. Elmo’s Fire, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Magic Mike XXL, as well as her work on the Hallmark series Cedar Cove and the action drama Granite Mountain. A longtime L’Oréal spokesperson, she is equally devoted to her life off-screen, where she spends time with her family, her horses, and her many pets—including her beloved rescue dog Ava, who waited two years for a home before joining her family. A passionate supporter of animal welfare, MacDowell served as the Featured Luminary for the Helen Woodward Animal Center in 2023. She continues to use her voice to encourage others to adopt, reminding people that countless loving animals are still waiting for forever homes.
Bo Derek and John Corbett are a longtime Hollywood couple whose shared love of animals is central to their lives and advocacy. Derek, best known for her iconic role in 10, is a passionate animal-welfare champion who has served as a spokesperson for the Animal Welfare Institute’s campaign to end horse slaughter, worked as a Special Envoy for Wildlife Trafficking for the U.S. Secretary of State, and traveled globally with the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking; she also advanced safety and welfare reforms during her tenure on the California Horse Racing Board. Derek received the Humane Award from the Helen Woodward Animal Center on behalf of her work on rescue and equine-protection efforts. Corbett, known for his acclaimed roles in Northern Exposure, Sex and the City, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, shares her commitment to compassionate living, supporting her extensive animal rescue efforts. Together, they fill their home with love and their cherished dogs—Chico, Smokey, and Luc—reflecting a life deeply rooted in kindness toward animals.
Danny Trejo, the beloved actor known for Machete, Heat, Spy Kids, and hundreds of film and television roles, is celebrated for his big heart and deep commitment to animal welfare. A devoted dog lover with several rescues of his own, Trejo has long partnered with many animal welfare organizations and various local rescues to advocate for adoption, foster programs, and compassion toward shelter animals. He frequently uses his public platform to highlight adoptable pets, support fundraising efforts, and encourage responsible pet care, making his impact on the animal-rescue community as meaningful as his enduring presence on screen.
Diane Keaton, the beloved Academy Award–winning actress known for iconic performances in Annie Hall, Something’s Gotta Give, and The Godfather series, was also a dedicated champion for animal welfare until her recent passing. She served on the Board of the Helen Woodward Animal Center for over twenty years. A lifelong dog lover and advocate, she supported numerous rescue organizations, used her platform to spotlight adoptable pets, and frequently promoted the work of shelters and humane groups through public appearances and social media. Keaton’s compassion extended beyond her celebrated career—she consistently encouraged adoption, foster care, and responsible pet ownership, leaving behind not only an extraordinary artistic legacy but a meaningful impact on the animal-rescue community she cared for so deeply.
Dylan Walsh is an accomplished American actor best known for his acclaimed turn as Dr. Sean McNamara on FX’s Nip/Tuck, followed by starring roles in Unforgettable, Blue Bloods, and Superman & Lois, as well as films including Secretariat, The Stepfather, Congo, and The Lake House. A devoted father of five, Walsh is also a quiet but passionate supporter of animal welfare; in 2019, he helped drive adoptions for San Diego–based rescue The Animal Pad, and he and his wife Leslie share two beloved rescue dogs, including Riley, who is currently thriving after treatment for osteosarcoma. Walsh served as the Featured Luminary for the Helen Woodward Animal Center in 2025.
Kaley Cuoco, best known for her long-running role as Penny on The Big Bang Theory and recent acclaimed performances in The Flight Attendant and Based on a True Story, is also one of Hollywood’s most passionate animal advocates. A devoted rescue champion, she co-founded the pet-care brand Oh Norman! and frequently partners with organizations such as Paw Works, The Humane Society, and various horse- and dog-rescue groups to spotlight adoptable animals and promote responsible pet ownership. Kaley served as the Featured Luminary for the Helen Woodward Animal Center in 2024. Cuoco has adopted numerous dogs, horses, and farm animals, using her platform to raise awareness, support fundraising efforts, and inspire her millions of followers to adopt, foster, and advocate for animals in need.
Kristen Bell, the award-winning actress known for Veronica Mars, Frozen, The Good Place, and countless film and television roles, is also a devoted and outspoken advocate for animal welfare. A longtime supporter of organizations such as the ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, and the Humane Society of the United States, she frequently uses her platform to promote pet adoption, foster programs, and responsible pet care. Bell has personally adopted and fostered numerous rescue animals and regularly highlights shelter pets on her social channels, helping drive awareness and support for animals in need. Kristin was the recipient of the Humane Award from the Helen Woodward Animal Center in (what year?). Her compassion off-screen is as widely admired as the warmth and humor she brings to her celebrated career.
Kristin Chenoweth is a Tony- and Emmy-winning actress and singer celebrated for her iconic turn as Glinda in Wickedand a wide-ranging career across Broadway, television, film, books, and music. She is currently starring on Broadway as Jacqueline Siegel in the new musical The Queen of Versailles, adding to her long list of acclaimed stage roles. Offstage, Chenoweth is a devoted animal lover and advocate; she adopted her beloved dog Thunder, who also assists her in managing vertigo related to Ménière’s disease, and she frequently uses her platform to champion rescue pets, responsible pet care, and animal-welfare causes. Her compassion for animals is woven into both her personal life and her public advocacy, reflecting a deep, ongoing commitment to helping pets in need.
Trevor Hoffman, a Hall of Fame major-league pitcher best known for his legendary closing career with the San Diego Padres—including a then-record 601 saves and induction into Cooperstown in 2018—remains a hometown hero in San Diego for his on-field achievements and his community presence. Beyond baseball, Hoffman has shown support for animal welfare, lending his name and influence to pet adoption campaigns and rescue efforts in the San Diego region, helping shine a light on the importance of forever homes for shelter animals.
Trisha Yearwood is a Grammy-winning country superstar, bestselling author, and Emmy-winning TV personality whose genuine warmth extends far beyond the stage. A passionate animal advocate and proud rescue-dog mom, she has praised the Helen Woodward Animal Center for its life-changing work, saying, “I’m so proud of the work you do every day to make sure the animals find good homes.” Yearwood created the Trisha Yearwood Pet Collection and founded Dottie’s Yard—named for one of her beloved rescues—to support shelters, donate food and supplies, and champion pet adoption nationwide.
Wynonna Judd, the legendary country music superstar and member of the iconic duo The Judds, is also a lifelong animal lover and devoted advocate for rescue pets. A former national spokesperson for North Shore Animal League America’s “Tour for Life,” she has long championed adoption and speaks openly about the joy her many rescue animals bring to her life on the farm. As she beautifully puts it, “All my life I’ve felt a special bond with animals. I don’t know what I would do without my own rescue pets and their unconditional love.”
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