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Chicago Tribune
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Steve Carell surprises Southern California high school students with free prom tickets
LOS ANGELES — Actor Steve Carell is sending Southern California high school students affected by the devasting wildfires in Los Angeles to the prom for free. The 'Office' actor and comedian said Tuesday in an Instagram video that he was working with the Alice's Kids charity to pay for prom for seniors at six high schools in Pasadena. 'If you have already paid for your prom tickets, they will reimburse you for your prom tickets. It's a pretty good deal,' Carell said. The Los Angeles area fires destroyed more than 16,000 homes, businesses and other structures and killed at least 29 people in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and Altadena area north of Pasadena. It also scorched school campuses, upending the lives of thousands of students and parents who were left scrambling looking for classrooms for their kids to go to. Alice's Kids will donate about $175,000 for more than 800 students to attend the annual right-of-passage dance for graduating students. Tickets typically range from $100 to $150 each. 'Going to prom should be a celebration, and we wanted to help make the big night just a little easier for seniors whose lives have been turned upside down by the wildfires,' Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of Alice's Kids, said in a statement. 'Hopefully this allows the students to unwind and have some fun after a devasting year.' An Instagram video posted by John Muir High School, one of the recipient schools, show students clapping and cheering as they were surprised with Carell's announcement during a school assembly. Another recipient includes Aveson Charter School, whose campus for kindergarten through 5th grade students burned down in the fires and building for sixth through 12th graders is damaged and unusable. Carell also participated in the star-studded 'Skate for LA Strong' hockey tournament last week to raise money for fire relief. In closing, the actor said: 'Have fun, enjoy the prom. And remember, this is Steve Carell.'
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pasadena high school seniors, Steve Carell has a surprise for you: Free prom tickets
"Despicable Me" star Steve Carell delivered some Gru-d news for hundreds of Southern California high school students affected by this year's devastating wildfires. The beloved "Office" and "Evan Almighty" comedian announced on Tuesday that he is working with a Virginia-based charity to send every senior at six Pasadena high schools to their respective proms — for free. In an Instagram video, Carell informed students that the charity "Alice's Kids wanted me to let you know that they will be paying for all of your prom tickets." The actor, described by the charity as a "longtime supporter," added: "And if you have already paid for your prom tickets, they will reimburse you for your prom tickets. It's a pretty good deal." Read more: Among thousands of Angelenos displaced by fires, celebrities face the same devastating losses Alice's Kids said in a Tuesday news release that it will donate approximately $175,000 to send more than 800 students to their dances. The offer will extend to students at Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, Aveson Charter School; and Blair, Rose City, Pasadena and John Muir high schools, the release said. Students at John Muir High School got word of Carell's "very special announcement" on Tuesday during an assembly. Video shared to the school's Instagram page shows students clapping and cheering for the news. And why not? Prom tickets across the selected schools reportedly vary in price, ranging from $50 to $200 each. "Surprises and smiles, another day in Stangland," reads the Instagram caption. Read more: LAUSD sets aside $2.2 billion to rebuild burned campuses, make schools more resilient Free prom tickets could provide relief to the high school seniors, whose graduating year was upended by the ferocious Eaton fire in January. The blazes ravaged much of the Altadena neighborhood, destroyed about 9,000 homes and killed 17 people. Five school sites of the Pasadena Unified School District — which educates 14,000 students — were also severely damaged or destroyed in the fire. "Knowing the financial pressure families are feeling, we wanted to at least erase the worry of paying for prom tickets," Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of Alice's Kids, said in Tuesday's release. Since the wildfires (including the Palisades fire that tore through the coast) in January, handfuls of celebrities and Hollywood entities have shown their support for SoCal communities. Now, Carell is part of the mix. Read more: Column: Stay in Altadena? 'We're torn, because we love this neighborhood and we love all these people.' As Pasadena's high school students face the long road of recovery and rebuilding their community, Carell reminded them to "have fun." He concluded his video: "Enjoy the prom. And remember, this is Steve Carell. Take it easy, guys." Times staff writers Teresa Watanabe and Daniel Miller contributed to this report. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Pasadena high school seniors, Steve Carell has a surprise for you: free prom tickets
'Despicable Me' star Steve Carell delivered some Gru-d news for hundreds of Southern California high school students affected by this year's devastating wildfires. The beloved 'Office' and 'Evan Almighty' comedian announced on Tuesday that he is working with a Virginia-based charity to send every senior at six Pasadena high schools to their respective proms — for free. In an Instagram video, Carell informed students that the charity 'Alice's Kids wanted me to let you know that they will be paying for all of your prom tickets.' The actor, described by the charity as a 'longtime supporter,' added: 'And if you have already paid for your prom tickets, they will reimburse you for your prom tickets. It's a pretty good deal.' Alice's Kids said in a Tuesday news release that it will donate approximately $175,000 to send more than 800 students to their dances. The offer will extend to students at Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, Aveson Charter School; and Blair, Rose City, Pasadena and John Muir high schools, the release said. Students at John Muir High School got word of Carell's 'very special announcement' on Tuesday during an assembly. Video shared to the school's Instagram page shows students clapping and cheering for the news. And why not? Prom tickets across the selected schools reportedly vary in price, ranging from $50 to $200 each. 'Surprises and smiles, another day in Stangland,' reads the Instagram caption. Free prom tickets could provide relief to the high school seniors, whose graduating year was upended by the ferocious Eaton fire in January. The blazes ravaged much of the Altadena neighborhood, destroyed about 9,000 homes and killed 17 people. Five school sites of the Pasadena Unified School District — which educates 14,000 students — were also severely damaged or destroyed in the fire. 'Knowing the financial pressure families are feeling, we wanted to at least erase the worry of paying for prom tickets,' Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of Alice's Kids, said in Tuesday's release. Since the wildfires (including the Palisades fire that tore through the coast) in January, handfuls of celebrities and Hollywood entities have shown their support for SoCal communities. Now, Carell is part of the mix. As Pasadena's high school students face the long road of recovery and rebuilding their community, Carell reminded them to 'have fun.' He concluded his video: 'Enjoy the prom. And remember, this is Steve Carell. Take it easy, guys.' Times staff writers Teresa Watanabe and Daniel Miller contributed to this report.
