Person of the Week: James Cromwell

While we best know actor James Cromwell for his exceptional work in projects such as 1995’s Babe (for which he earned Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Green Mile (1999), The Sum of All Fears (2002), The Queen (2006), and in the television series Six Feet Under (2003–2005), there’s more to this talented gentleman than most people know. For all of the great impact he’s made on our collective world culture as an actor, Mr. Cromwell has made an even greater contribution on the world’s animal community.

The six foot, seven inch tall actor became a vegetarian in 1974 after touring a Texas stockyard and observing the terrible conditions therein--remarking on the "smell, terror and anxiety.” During the filming of Babe in 1995, Cromwell furthered this cause by becoming a vegan and frequently speaks on behalf of PERA on issues regarding animal cruelty. One of his predominant concerns is the ethical treatment of pigs. Furthermore, Cromwell narrated the short film Farm to Fridge--a documentary produced by Mercy for Animals—which supports his chosen cause.

However, it’s not just pigs which warrant the award-winning actor’s attention. Cromwell works to ensure the safety of all animals, both domestic and wild, through his continued research and service. For his devotion to the animal kingdom, James Cromwell is our “Person of the Week.”