Halle Berry Interview: Best (Supporting) Actress

Halle Berry opens up about why giving back is so important.

Prime Example of Hollywood's Generous Spirit

We read about them every week: celebrities who are selfish and self-indulgent, people with too much money and not enough good sense. Obviously, though, everyone in Hollywood isn't that way. Hundreds of big names in television, movies, music, sports and media give their time and money to raise awareness, and more money, for causes near and dear to their hearts. Often they get involved because of one intense experience, such as the illness of a friend or family member. They suddenly realize, as Halle Berry puts it, "These things don't just take care of themselves."

Berry, 38, the flawlessly beautiful Oscar-winning actress, is a prime example of Hollywood's generous spirit. A diabetic, she helps raise funds for the research and treatment of childhood diabetes. She does hands-on work at shelters of the Jenesee Center for battered women. Since Berry's own father abused her mother and older sister, and she herself has admitted being partially deaf in one ear because a man she was involved with once struck her, she relates in a fundamental way. She also works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which tries to grant the dreams of terminally ill children. Berry recently met with Reader's Digest and talked about her causes and the amazing payback they bring.

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