Today's Evil Beet Gossip

Josh Hutcherson Is Amazing

A photo of Josh Hutcherson

You guys. You guys. Josh Hutcherson is the best thing that’s ever happened to Hollywood. Josh Hutcherson is the best thing that ever happened to the world. I know it’s a little sudden, but I’m starting to think that Josh Hutcherson might be to me what Adrien Brody is to Sarah. He’s headed in that direction, at least. It’s a big deal.

But why is he so amazing, you might be wondering. Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in, because I found not one, but two stories about Josh today that absolutely warmed my heart.

Here’s the first one: did you know that Josh Hutcherson is a huge supporter of gay rights? This weekend at the GLAAD Media Awards he’ll receive the Vanguard Award, which is presented to a person in the entertainment industry who has done a significant amount of work in promoting equal rights. He’s also the youngest recipient of the award at 19 years old. He does a lot of work with a group called Straight But Not Narrow, whose mission is to help influence younger people, primarily, that any sexuality at all is ok. Here‘s a little from Josh about that:

“My mom has always been a big advocate, especially in the gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual community so for me it’s always been a part of my soul,” Hutcherson says.

He recalls a letter that Straight But Not Narrow received from a 14-year-old high school freshman in Florida. “He was in this very right wing and religious sort of area and he sent a letter saying how SBNN changed his life and how he was able to feel more comfortable coming out to his friends,” Hutcherson says. “I was almost bawling reading it. That makes all our work worth it.”

He also reveals that two of his uncles died from AIDS right around the time he was born, and that they have a little bit to do with his passion:

“This is what my family is most proud of and the same for me,” Hutcherson says. “Acting is one thing, but actually trying to change the world and the way people think to make people’s lives better? That’s the stuff I’m most proud of.”

When I ask if he thinks his uncles are looking down at him, Hutcherson says, “I’m not a religious person in that sense. But at the same time I do believe in some sort of something, just not sure exactly. But yeah, I’d like to think that they see what I’m doing and that they’re proud of me.”

And here’s the second story: he adopted a puppy! The dog is a pit bull, and probably came from a rough environment, because Josh couldn’t adopt him until he had surgery for a broken femur, and he’s also missing a few toes. But Josh says that “He’s incredible. He’s doing great,” and that “His eyes are like that grey, silvery-blue pit eyes. They’re so beautiful.” And here’s the picture:

A photo of Josh Hutcherson

See what I mean? Amazing, right?

6 CommentsLeave a comment

  • AND he’s friends with Avan Jogia, who is to me what Adrien Brody is to Sarah (Avan Jogia started SBNN). So extra points.

    And Josh Hutcherson is, or maybe just was(?), super close friends with the musician Simon Curtis. Bonus, bonus points.

    Lovely post. Your fondness for him is as adorable as he is.

  • I’m not an active supporter of gay rights or well, anything really, but I don’t believe in all of this hate crap and have a lot of respect for those that are actively trying to promote tolerance and understanding … as long as they go about it inteligently. But he primarily gets a +1 in my book for adopting a homeless dog. My wife and I have adopted 2 … Daisy and Duke (Daisy Duke, get it?). Daisy’s a smaller than average red pitbull that loves to play and be around people almost to the point of being annoying and Duke’s a red lab mix who hangs around people as long as he thinks he’ll get something out of it but for the most part ignores us. They’re great dogs and everybody that adopts a homeless dog (and treats them well) gets a +1 in my book.

  • Oh my gosh. So at first when you wrote, “He believes in gay rights,” and I was kinda like, “So?!?! Everyone should!” But then you detailed all the work he actually does, which really impressed me. And then! The pitbull story. He’s so adorable in an awkward sort of way. Be still my heart.

  • I have a pit bull puppy that looks exactly like that (beautiful eyes and all) :) I’m happy he supports gay rights because it let me know not all celebrities are complete nuts…