E-mail a friendApril 13, 2005
Philanthropist Oral Lee Brown explains how she made good on her promise to send a classroom of first graders to college. Sahara star Steve Zahn says the academic approach to drama wasn't for him.
Oral Lee Brown
Oral Lee Brown
Oral Lee Brown has made a real difference. She was born in poverty and put herself through college. Deeply affected by an '87 encounter with a hungry girl who skipped school, Brown pledged to send an East Oakland, CA first grade class of at-risk students to college - on her real estate agent salary of $45,000 a year. All 23 students graduated from high school and 19 attend college or grad school. Brown's Foundation is committed to adopting a new class every four years. She tells her story in the book, The Promise.
Steve Zahn
Steve Zahn
Actor Steve Zahn first discovered theatre in high school, where he honed his skills by making fellow students laugh. After studying at the prestigious American Repertory Theater, the Minnesota native got his break via an off-Broadway play. Ben Stiller was in the audience and cast him in a supporting role in the film, Reality Bites. Zahn's film credits include Out of Sight, Sahara and, his latest, Management. He's done voice work for films such as Dr. Doolittle 2 and is also an accomplished singer-guitarist.