"Nothing will benefit human health or increase the chances for survival of life on earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." Albert Einstein

Some of my particular heroes growing up were celebrities who used their noteriety to advance the cause of animals and a vegetarian lifestyle. In my teenage years, these included such women as Brigitte Bardot, Joanna Lumley (the New Avengers, Absolutely Fabulous), Chrissie Hynde (the Pretenders) and the late and much-lamented Linda McCartney.

Of course there have been a lot of famous vegetarians throughout history, including Einstein, Charles Darwin, Mahatma Gandhi, Buddha, Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and many more. A lot of stars today are continuing in that tradition. Here's a list of some well-known vegetarian celebrities.

Actors:

Alec Baldwin, Alicia Silverstone (clearly she's not really Clueless), Angela Bassett, Anna Paquin (Piano, X-Men), Anne Hathaway (Princess Diaries), Anthony Hopkins, Ashley Judd (sadly looks like she's given it up in pursuit of a low-carb diet!), Barbara Feldon (99 in Get Smart), Brad Pitt, Brooke Shields, Danny de Vito, Daryl Hannah, Demi Moore, Doris Day, Drew Barrimore, George Harrison (Beatles), Gillian Anderson (X-Files), Jennie Garth (Kelly on 90210), Joaquin Phoenix, Jude Law, Julia Stiles, Kim Basinger, Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic), Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings), Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H), Mena Suvari (American Beauty), Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future), Nastassja Kinski (Catpeople), Natalie Portman (Star Wars), Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings), Pamela Anderson, Richard Gere (An Officer and a Gentleman), River Phoenix, Tobey Macguire (Spiderman), Wendy Malick (Just Shoot Me), Woody Harrelson.

Musicians:

Bob Dylan, Bryan Adams, Daniel Johns (Silverchair), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Janet Jackson, K.D. Lang, Lenny Kravitz, Melissa Etheridge, Michael Bolton, Moby, Natalie Imbruglia, Olivia Newton John, Ozzy Osborne, Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Prince, Shania Twain, Sting, Tina Turner.

Other Celebrities: