Hollywood actor Steve Carell is stepping in to bring some joy to high school seniors in Southern California who have had a devastating year. The comedian announced on Instagram that he is covering the cost of prom for students at six high schools in Pasadena, offering a much-needed celebration after the recent wildfires upended their lives.
A Helping Hand in a Time of Crisis
The wildfires that tore through the Los Angeles area left destruction in their wake, displacing thousands of families and reducing entire neighborhoods to ashes. The Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas north of Pasadena were among the hardest hit, with at least 29 lives lost and over 16,000 homes and buildings destroyed. Schools were not spared either, leaving students and teachers scrambling for temporary classrooms.
For many seniors, prom is supposed to be a special night, a rite of passage before graduation. But with families struggling to rebuild, spending hundreds of dollars on a dance was the last thing on their minds. That’s where Carell stepped in. Partnering with Alice’s Kids, a nonprofit known for providing financial assistance to children in need, he ensured that over 800 students wouldn’t have to miss out on their big night.
Free Prom Tickets for Hundreds of Students
Carell’s initiative covers prom tickets for seniors at six Pasadena schools, amounting to a donation of around $175,000. The cost of prom tickets typically ranges between $100 and $150 per student, a significant expense for families dealing with the aftermath of a disaster.
“If you have already paid for your prom tickets, they will reimburse you for your prom tickets. It’s a pretty good deal,” Carell said in his Instagram announcement.
Alice’s Kids Executive Director Ron Fitzsimmons echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the goal was to bring some normalcy back to students’ lives. “Going to prom should be a celebration, and we wanted to help make the big night just a little easier for seniors whose lives have been turned upside down by the wildfires,” Fitzsimmons said. “Hopefully, this allows the students to unwind and have some fun after a devastating year.”
Cheers and Applause at Pasadena Schools
The news was met with excitement and gratitude. A video posted by John Muir High School captured the moment students were informed of the surprise—cheers and applause erupted as the announcement was made during a school assembly.
Another school receiving assistance, Aveson Charter School, had been directly impacted by the fires. Its elementary school campus was destroyed, while the building for older students was left badly damaged and unusable. The donation means that students there, too, will get to enjoy prom without worrying about the cost.
More Than Just Prom: Carell’s Broader Fire Relief Efforts
This isn’t the first time Carell has stepped up to help those affected by the fires. Just last week, he participated in the “Skate for LA Strong” hockey tournament, a star-studded charity event aimed at raising money for fire relief efforts.
His support has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult year for many in Southern California. While the road to recovery is long, gestures like these remind communities that they are not alone in the rebuilding process.
To close out his Instagram message, Carell added a lighthearted touch: “Have fun, enjoy the prom. And remember, this is Steve Carell.”
