Is
James Cromwell really an animal rights activist?
Dear John,
I have heard that the star of the movie
"Babe", James Cromwell, is actually a vegetarian, and an animal
rights activist. Is that true? I loved that movie, and so did my
kids!
Linda
Dear Linda,
Yes, James Cromwell, who played the pig-owning Farmer Hoggett, is
a vegetarian. He has been one since 1975, and became a vegan in
1994, while making "Babe."
And yes, he is an animal rights activist as well. On July 3, 2001,
the actor was arrested at an animal rights protest at a Wendy's
restaurant.
"I don't regret the protest," Cromwell said at his trial. "I regret
animal abuses are still happening." Outside the courthouse, protestors
carried signs saying, "Please don't eat Babe for breakfast."
He pleaded no contest, and the judge ordered him to stay out of
Wendy's restaurants in the county for a year and suspended a $1,000
fine. "In a just world," Cromwell said afterwards, "factory farmers
would have been on trial today."
I greatly admire James Cromwell for taking a stand on behalf of
compassion. When he uses his celebrity status to advance the cause
of caring, he does our world a service.
