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Home : Top Stories : Colin Farrell helps Toronto homeless man

Colin Farrell helps Toronto homeless man

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CTV Newsnet: Colin Farrell gives generously in T.O.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Thu. Sep. 13 2007 11:19 PM ET

Colin Farrell usually plays the hero in Hollywood films, but the Irish actor became a real-life hero to a homeless man in Toronto this week.

On Tuesday, Farrell took the man on a $2,100 shopping spree. The actor, who told CTV's eTalk that the homeless man is "a friend of mine," walked into a Toronto store with his arm around his pal. He then bought the man, whose street name is "Stress," waterproof jackets, pants, boots, and even socks.

"The homeless guy was grabbing ... whatever he wanted," Dave Mott, manager of Europe Bound, an outdoor gear store on King Street, told CTV Toronto.

"Colin was walking around with the guy and doing the same thing -- grabbed a sleeping bag and back pack, came back down and grabbed more clothing."

Mott told CTV Newsnet that "they seemed like they were really good friends and they were best buddies, like they've known each other for years."

Mott says Farrell made it absolutely clear: "Get him what he wants, get him the best."

But that's not all. Farrell also tried to help "Stress" get off the street. Following the shopping spree, the two friends walked to a bank machine where Farrell withdrew $830. Farrell then handed "Stress" the money so he could rent a room to get off the street. It would help the man cover first and last month's rent.

Farrell met "Stress" four years ago when he was in Toronto shooting a movie. Back then, he helped "Stress" win a $2,000 prize. A Toronto-area radio station had offered the prize to anyone who brought the actor to their studio. Farrell heard about the contest and found "Stress" on the street and took him to the station to claim the prize.

Steven Lomoth, a Toronto street person who sells newspapers, told CTV Toronto he was happy for Stress and impressed with Farrell's generosity.

"Today I can't buy enough papers. I've been through 50 papers already because of Colin Farrell and what he did. He made someone famous today and he's one of us. I'm very happy for the man and I hope he doesn't come back out here."

John Mourtzis, the limousine driver who was chauffeuring Farrell on the day he took Stress shopping, said it shows what kind of a person he really is.

"He proved he's an awesome guy," Mourtzis said.

It appears Farrell may be getting into the habit of giving a helping hand to strangers.

"I ended up talking to his publicist," says Mott. "Apparently, he does this quite a bit."

Farrell is currently promoting his new film "Cassandra's Dream." The film, directed by Woody Allen, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Tuesday.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Chris Eby


Comments are now closed for this story

Ray G
said
0 0

Give a man a fish you feed him for a day. Teach hom how to fish you feed him for a lifteime.
Colin's intentions are good but misguided as this only encourages/enables people.
Better to support those org's that actually try and make a difference. I have some personal experience on this.


DAVE
said
0 0

When reading the article one would say 'Hey nice going Colin, helping this guy out.' The problem is that when you get to the bottom of the article that says Colin helped this guy 4 yrs ago win $2000.00, one must ask, has Colin really helped this guy? Colin gives him over $800 dollars to put down a 1st months rent. If this homeless man wanted to get off the street, he would have 4 yrs ago using the $2000.00 he won. Money would have been better spent giving it to the Toronto Homeless Shelters where it could have helped many more people on the streets than just one guy.

coolio
said
0 0

I normally don't very much like the guy, but if more actors would do that or rich people in general, thats kind of cool what he did and it actually might help a lot in the homeless situation in Toronto.


Roger T
said
0 0

Great to hear and see that SOME celebrities have the heart in them still to function as a normal person. Kudos to Colin Farrell.

Now, let's hope Stress is helping himself get on his own feet instead of wasting the opportunity he has been given.


Bud
said
0 0

That's totally up to the person with the money. If he wants to give help to one instead of many, his choice!


Anne
said
0 0

Dave he did a positive thing let's not make it into something negative. If everyone who had money was so willing to help we would have a lot less homeless people, because some of those people really would put money down on a place to live. I say way to go Colin.


Craig
said
0 0

It's a nice story about an actor helping a homeless man; even if it is temporary. Who cares what the most efficient way of providing donations are?

Mau
said
0 0

Of course Dave, he should have bought a condo with all that money. Or put himself hrough college with that whopping sum of $2000.

That amount wouldn't cover half my monthly expenses here in Toronto.

Vanessa
said
0 0

Here's the thing,yes "Stress" got help 4 years ago with a $2,000.00 to get of the street. Who knows what happened in that 4 years. Maybe he did rent an appartment/hotel/motel,but how long can your 2k last?? It's not like everything is cheap these days. He might have even tried to look for a job, but if no one wants to hire him for whatever reason, lack of experience, appearance or maybe he got a job and got fired/layed off. Even the educated people sometime have a hard time getting a job. Even if you have a degree but no experience, they would give you the time of the day.


Al
said
0 0

I've always said that you could stand on a street corner, give money away and someone would find fault with it. Well Dave just made my words come true lol
Kudos to Mr. Farrell.
Stress is having a good day!


Eric
said
0 0

Hats off to Colin. Can't knock a person for being generous. It's certainly not anyone else's place to question where a person chooses to donate their money.


Sophie
said
0 0

Better to have helped one than to have helped none. If a total stranger had done this, it wouldn't probably not be in the news, and if it were, noone would critique that gesture.
It's easy to point a finger, but note that 3 fingers point right back to you.
Good on Colin for having remembered.


person
said
0 0

He didn't change his life he made his day or his week depending what he does with a glimmer of opportunity. Fact is $2000 or $830 will not get anyone very far. It will only be temporary.

Vanessa
said
0 0

I would like to correct my last sentence. They WOULDN'T GIVE YOU THE TIME OF THE DAY. I say yaay for Collin.


Rose
said
0 0

Hats off to Colin; if only
more of our celebrities would join his club, every little bit of $$$ helps our homeless, and I say it was a wonderful gesture.
Thanks Colin!! Maybe Stress will take some of his newfound wealth and help other homeless like himself.


Nick J Boragina
said
0 0

I agree with a teach a man to fish. This man was given a “second chance” by Colin a long time ago, and now he’s back for a third chance? The resources already exist for those who want to improve their lives to do so, anyone can pull themselves off the street if they want it badly enough.

erran
said
0 0

How many of you are going to go see the movie now that you think Colin is a good guy? He just bought priceless publicity for $800.

Garry
said
0 0

My hat is off to Mr. Farrell, and I feel sorry for the people who feel he's not helping by doing this. What about all the people across our country that we give our tax dollars to every month? A good number of them need and deserve our support but a good number of them are also quite capable of working but choose not too. Good job Colin.


Kim Dobranski
said
0 0

Pure self-promotion. If he really cared he would do this without the fan-fare.

We are a society of enablers. Like a previous poster put it, "Give a man a fish, he knows someone will soon be along to give him another one." There are some legitimate people who need help from society but most would rather slug it out on the streets then slug it out in life, like the rest of us have to....


Ken
said
0 0

It is by all means his choice to dictate what he does with his money. But it is debtable that what he has done is a will change this guys life. But it probably made his day, his week or maybe even his month,depending on what "stress" chooses to do with it. But we all know how far $2000 dollars will get you and that is barely through a month.


Nat-p
said
0 0

Great publicity to promote his movie.


Amanda
said
0 0

Colin does what so many of us should and yet don't. But I do agree that if Colin is serious about helping the homeless...it's more than writing a cheque or handing out cash.
So many of the homeless have mental illnesses, are severely uneducated or are stuck in a rut with substance abuse. There are some who arent though.
These people need more than 830 bucks. They need drastic overhauls and interventions in their lives.
I do commend Colin for choosing homelessness as his charity of choice.
Maybe the next time Colin wants to help this STRESS, he could get to know him, for real, listen to his story and help him form a plan to get him off the street. He may have given this man first and last months rent, but how will this man continue to pay for the apartment?


greg
said
0 0

What is wrong with some of you people?

Bottom line is a person who cared, helped.

Don't got into text book theories over this. Colin is leaving town Friday but took the time to assist someone less fortunate!

Congrats Colin ! Good Luck to Stress


Eric
said
0 0

What one choses to do with someone else's good intentions is a personal choice.This is a actor who you only hear bad things about, now a good story comes out and you hardly even hear about it.


Karen
said
0 0

To all those people who are downgrading what Colin has done for this person, I shake my head at you! How many self centred actors and actresses are out there these days with mountains of money and they use it all to purchase worthless items that they will never use or go out partying and drain it away of booze and drugs. My opinion is that anyone that shells out money to someone in need is a good person and should be commended. Good for you Colin and I commend you for thinking of others. It might be only one person but you may think of it as sowing a seed in people hearts about the goodness of giving to the havenots!


Eleanor
said
0 0

What a judgemental and criticizing society we have become!
The point is the actor did a human kindness for another human being!He could have walked by with scorn on his face like so many do ,but he chose to help, and I say God Bless him for that.God only knows
the world needs more human kindness.


Simon Yao
said
0 0

Good job, peons.

That fact you read this like me proves that it was money well spent by his publicists boosting his image.


Andrea
said
0 0

Hi,

I have to agree with Ray G. and Dave. I myself have donated plenty of money to worthy causes and volunteered plenty of time to the less fortunate.

The question here is not whether or not to help a person in need. The question is, how "best" to help a person in need. There is no question I would buy a pair of winter pants for a homeless person, or donate gifts to a women's shelter. But is it really necessary to spend $1200 on luxury goods? That money could have gone towards a full winter wardrobe, food, etc.

Additionally, let's not underestimate the power of a dollar. While $2000 would not buy a university education it would go a long way towards getting a GED or even one life skills course.

Like Ray G. said, give a man a fish feed him for a day, teach a mean to fish feed him for life.

There is no problem with helping a person in need, and celebrity giving is a spectacular thing, but let's give real meaning to the value of a dollar. If our society could seperate needs from wants we would be much better off.

If I were Colin Farrell, I would buy the man the essential items he needs and also still be able to contribute to programs available for people who take the necessary steps to improve their own lives.


Concerned
said
0 0

It is just great that Mr. Farrell was generous and helped out the homeless man.
Wouldn't it be something, if other movie stars visiting Toronto at this time each year could befriend a needy person and put a smile on his/her face?
They have so much.
A few hundred dollars means nothing to them, but to a street person it could be a real blessing.

The poor deserve more than just a hand out from government agencies. They do need a personal touch and feeling that someone cares. Agencies are needed for everyday survival, however
nothing replaces a personal contact and a human heart expressed directly.


Brad B
said
0 0

For all those with negative comments: any idea how much Colin gives to homeless shelters? I don't, and I doubt you do either. I sincerely doubt this is an isolated charity incident. This just happens to be a much more public one. Kudos for ANY help given.


Kelly
said
0 0

Kudos to Colin. It doesn't hurt to give someone a gift now and then, no matter whether they are homeless or not. Colin is obviously very generous, and I am sure he gives, what he wants and what he can to different charities/organizations. You just have to hope that Stress will use the money and items wisely and it will help him, the way Colin intended.


Eric P
said
0 0

A $3000 PR stunt. With a movie opening in the days to come, it's a really inexpensive promotion to appeal to a consumers goodwill.


CJP
said
0 0

I can't believe the negativity that people have towards a "good samaritan" event such as this. This is a nice thing to read when most things in the media aren't nice. This gives me some hope for humankind.


Pam
said
0 0

I can't believe the negative comments people have submitted here. How mean-spirited. What Colin did was an excellent gesture. If only everyone helped out a homeless or needy person in some way.


Pete Fisher
said
0 0

Clearly tells you that Mr Farrell has more money than he knows what to do with it. Back to your fantasy world, Colin.


Tim
said
0 0

Well Mr. Farrell has done more for this man than probably any organization has, however, i must admit giving a homeless person 830 dollars to find a room by himself doesn't do much...I would've gone to an apartment building with the guy and said, "Do you like this apartment?" cosign for it, pay first and last myself, and put his name on the lease. Regardless...this is what the more fortunate should be doing: sharing the wealth.


David R.
said
0 0

There are so many people with means that won't lift a finger to help anybody. It's nice to see Colin take the time, effort and financial sacrifice to help someone. Since it seems to be a habit of his, who knows how many people he has helped over the years. I wish I had the resources to help more people than I do. It all comes down to doing as much as you can for others with what you have. Let's see more people follow Colin's example.


N.M.
said
0 0

This is a really nice thing Colin did for "Stress".
It comes on the same day that a homeless man did something for my husband and I.
Usually when we go downtown to the Jays game there are a lot of homeless people mulling around and I feel sorry for them and somewhat frustrated that they are there.
But last night, upon reaching the underground garage, one of these men opened the door for us.
I know this doesn't sound like a big deal but it was to me.
He didn't want money.
Unfortunately we didn't have any cash to give him or I would have.
When I said "I'm sorry we don't have cash."
While holding the door, he said "That's okay, you just have a nice evening now."
I thanked him twice for his kindness.
It was a small gesture but for me it went a long way.


Jeremey
said
0 0

It's his money and if this is the way he chooses to help people, so be it.


Shawn Pearce
said
0 0

Farrell is a good guy. Nice to see this type of thing.


Liz
said
0 0

When celebs give money everyone thinks they're heroes when really it's no different than Joe Average giving what he can afford.

I think what he did was great. Colin Farrell would probably give a panhandler change if he made an average wage...but he has more so he can give more.

Don't knock the guy for helping out.

Remember, we can all be everyday heroes too...just like Colin.



Janette
said
0 0

"If I give the street guy money he'll only get drunk"

For some of the street people there is no Hollywood ending and maybe a good stiff drink is better than an empty belly.
The man Colin Farrell help is a lucky one...lucky to meet a person who does not judge, but who does what he can in the moment. We would like to see everyone "come in from the cold", but it does not happen...in real life.
Well done Colin for acting. And next time you pass a street person, chose to give, or not, based on how you feel, not on what you judge the street person will do with your two bucks.


JD
said
0 0

Celebrities are accustomed to $2000 massages, $3000 bottles of scotch, million dollar birthday parties and etc... who cares if colin spent it on one guy? He did something nice for someone who is less fortunate and thats all that matters. Would you complain if someone did that for you?


John Connelly
said
0 0

What impresses me in this situation is not the money. Colin Farrell can well afford to give away a few thousand dollars. I'm impressed by the time Farrell invested in this man. He didn't just hand him a wad of cash and walk away (which would have cost him very little), but rather he spent time with the man and tried to equip him with things he really needs, whether he makes a new start for himself or not. Farrell can't be responsible for the choices the man makes with the money he has given him, and he has no guarantee of a positive outcome, but his personal investment of time and energy suggest a level of caring that goes well above and beyond the call of duty.


Happy Gilmour
said
0 0

Colin has a big heart and I will hat off to him.
Even if he did it for publicity purposes it is difficult to find the same guy after 4 years.


Shawn
said
0 0

It's better to give than receive. I'm sure Colin donates to charities and the alike, maybe he even does give money to food shelters. Either way, even helping one person is better than helping no one. It's to bad that the rich don't give more to the poor though. If this was a perfect world, greed wouldn't run it. There would be no such thing as homelessness.


Vaness
said
0 0

It was a spur-of-the-moment gesture. He's not going to sit down with the guy and draw up a plan with step-by-step objectives on how to better his life. He probably wouldn't even know how to himself:)
He didn't have to make someone's day. Even if it did help promote his movie, I can't think of a better way to do so than to help someone less fortunate. Way to go, Colin!!!


Rick
said
0 0

"A $3,000 PR Stunt"
That's a good one.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar!




Andy
said
0 0

Wow, A multi-millionaire actor forking over the equivalent of about 1 minute of work.
My Hero! Us in the west really have sunk to a new low in the cult of celebrity status we now "enjoy".
I have given homeless guys up to 10 dollars before. That was a bigger chunk of change, in relation, than Colin gave.
Where is my front page news story?


beatrice
said
0 0

It's better to help someone than not to help anyone, like most people do. In one of the richest cities in the world here in Vancouver, we have an epidemic of homelessness, shame an all of us.


Chuck
said
0 0

WTG Colin!
I do the same to the poor panhandlers, of course my handout is much smaller (loonies or toonies) but the gesture is still a very nice one. Put yourself in the Homeless' shoes. Not everyone has the courage or motivation to climb out of that terrible rut, and every dollar helps.
I'm sure Colin would have done the same even if the media wasn't following him.
The negative posters here probably never give to charity.


claire
said
0 0

It's already been stated, but yes, it would be a little more helpful to the homeless if he donated funds to a shelter, or maybe found homeless people jobs. Hand-outs don't serve the long-term purpose, and that's what we need to be more concerned with I think.


S. Rutledge
said
0 0

Who cares if 'Stress' doesn't use the money properly...Who cares if Colin helped this man for the wrong reasons...Who cares if other organizations could have put better use to the money...At the end of the day isn't it nice to know that this particular individual had a place to stay, some clean clothes on him, food in his stomach, and shelter to keep him cozy. Good for Colin and other kind hearted individuals that care enough for whatever reasons to try to help the less fortunate.
Thanks Colin :)


Padev
said
0 0

It never ceases to amaze me that given a snippit of details about a circumstance everyone becomes an expert. By assumption most everyone concludes that Mr. Farrell's only contribution was to this particular person on one occasion. But as was noted by another, not only did he donate money, but personally accompanied the gentleman to purchase goods. Then of course, by assumption, the homeless gentleman is an uneducated, alcohol and drug dependent irresponsible person who is otherwise unable to care for himself. Perhaps he is ill, has other issues that prevent him from being an earner etc??
I think most of the negative comments come from those who just are unable to accept the fact that sometimes a good deed is simply that. My condolences to you and many kudos to Mr. Farrell for doing something most of us, including myself haven't done, give OUR TIME to those who need it.


Leah
said
0 0

It is a sad world that we live in when people take away the goodness of an act of generosity.. take away the fact that it was Colin that gave the money. At least he had a heart to give and help Stress get ready for the cold nights ahead of him. Way to go Colin..
As for the $2000 that Stress already received ever think that he as well gave it to friends in need as much or more than he..
PAY IT FORWARD!!


amazed
said
0 0

No kidding. You give money away and some people can find fault. Give the guy credit


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