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by Suellen Crano
Actor Michael Constantine has starred in eminent roles throughout his career, but he has never forgotten about others in the world. From his rise to fame on Broadway and television to his epic role in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” Michael has truly done it all. More recently, he donated his time, effort, and his on-screen persona to appear in this WiRED video to help spread awareness about our aid to people in developing and war-affected regions. Michael appeared in a second video that we use to help physicians in our focus countries.
Although younger members of this audience may know Michael from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” many here can recall his role of Principal Seymour Kaufman in “Room 222” in the late 60’s and early 70’s. That TV show was produced by former WiRED board member, the late Billy D’Angelo. Michael, while fortifying his 50-year acting career, has always remembered the hardships faced by people throughout the world.
When asked why he would back an organization that specifically targets health care and awareness in developing regions, Michael said, “The question should probably be why wouldn't anyone want to help promote WiRED? Here is an organization that spreads medical knowledge to places in the world that don't have it. Who could be against that? You only have to look at the AIDS situation in Africa to see why WiRED is needed.”
Not only did Michael show up to our modest film set ready to read them scripts that were written, but he spent hours with us analyzing the content and getting the script right. WiRED was blessed to have a true professional who understands the importance of precise language to deliver our message. He didn’t just phone in the performance, he insured that the message was distinct and delivered in the best possible means.
Michael often speaks of a conscientious side that seems to translate its way onto his screen work. He suggests that the best way for the younger generation to help the world cause is to, as he put it: “take a spiritual view of the world, not a religious one, but a spiritual one. There is so much in the society today that tells them, like Michael Douglas in ‘Wall Street’ that ‘greed is good.’ That one’s goal must be financial. Well, we all have to make a living, but if that’s all we focus on we will be very poor.”
Through it all, Michael has remained a resilient actor, an advocate for human compassion, and more recently a writer and producer of shows that are both written and created by him. He has an incredible ethic that has helped him rise to fame, and he has never forgotten about the global citizenship that many celebrities neglect.
On behalf of WiRED’s volunteers and its board, I want to thank you very much, Michael, for your wonderful support and for your abiding concern about our efforts to advance global health through information.
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