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From starring in Babe to supergluing himself to a Starbucks counter, James Cromwell has gone from beloved actor to full-blown animal rights legend.
Here are 10 unforgettable moments where he stood up for animals and made a difference.
- He Went Vegan for the Animals (inspired by his pig co-star!)
Cromwell’s starring role in the 1995 film Babe was a turning point, as witnessing the intelligence and personalities of pigs on set inspired him to become vegan. Then in 2023, he helped PETA rescue a piglet who had fallen from a transport truck and ensured she was transferred to a sanctuary. He named the piglet Babe (obviously).
- He Called Out Walmart over “Pig Torture”
In a hard-hitting Mercy For Animals campaign video in 2013, Cromwell called on Walmart to stop sourcing pork from farms that confine pigs in tiny crates. He didn’t mince words. He called it torture, and he’s right.
- He Educated the Public
Cromwell used his voice to narrate the short film Farm to Fridge, which helped expose the cruelty of factory farming to a wider audience.
- He Spoke Up for the Environment
He has said that he views animal agriculture as a major cause of global warming and a threat to future generations and the planet.
- He Glued Himself to a Starbucks Counter for Dairy-Free Milk
Dubbed a “troublemaker,” Cromwell uses nonviolent protest methods, even gluing his hand to a counter at a Starbucks location to call for an end to the company’s dairy-free milk surcharge.
- He Sent a Message to McDonald’s About Chicken Cruelty
In 2019, Mercy For Animals teamed up with the acclaimed actor to send McDonald’s a powerful message in defense of chickens.
- He Protested Cruel Animal Transport to Laboratories
He once climbed into a shipping crate at Los Angeles International Airport to protest Air France’s transport of monkeys to labs.
- He Got Arrested for Defending Dogs in Laboratories
His activism led to an arrest during a protest against a lab at Texas A&M University that was experimenting on dogs bred to have muscular dystrophy. The lab was eventually closed, and the dogs were rescued.
- He’s Building a Bear Sanctuary in Vietnam
Yes, really. Cromwell teamed up with Animals Asia to support a sanctuary for bears rescued from the horrific bear-bile industry.
These animals were caged and drained of their bile for years, but now they’re living free from exploitation thanks to this project.
- We Gave Him an Award!
At a Mercy For Animals gala, we honored Cromwell with our Hope Award for his dedicated commitment to animals and compassion for all.
In a world where animal suffering often goes unseen and unheard, James Cromwell shines a light on injustice. He reminds us that compassion is not a weakness but a profound strength. He shows us that one person can indeed make a difference and that a gentle heart can possess an unshakeable resolve. For his kindness, his integrity, and his relentless fight for animal liberation, James Cromwell is and will always be one of our most cherished heroes. Want to help animals, too? Learn how you can take action.
