Steve Carell surprises Southern California high school students with free prom tickets
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Steve Carell is sending Southern California high school students affected by the devasting wildfires in Los Angeles to the prom for free.
The “Office” actor and comedian said Tuesday in an Instagram video that he was working with the Alice’s Kids charity to pay for prom for seniors at six high schools in Pasadena.
“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.
The Los Angeles area fires destroyed more than 16,000 homes, businesses and other structures and killed at least 29 people in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and Altadena area north of Pasadena. It also scorched school campuses, upending the lives of thousands of students and parents who were left scrambling looking for classrooms for their kids to go to.
Alice’s Kids will donate about $175,000 for more than 800 students to attend the annual right-of-passage dance for graduating students. Tickets typically range from $100 to $150 each.
“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,” Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of Alice’s Kids, said in a statement. “Hopefully this allows the students to unwind and have some fun after a devasting year.”
An Instagram video posted by John Muir High School, one of the recipient schools, show students clapping and cheering as they were surprised with Carell’s announcement during a school assembly.
Another recipient includes Aveson Charter School, whose campus for kindergarten through 5th grade students burned down in the fires and building for sixth through 12th graders is damaged and unusable.
Carell also participated in the star-studded “Skate for LA Strong” hockey tournament last week to raise money for fire relief.
In closing, the actor said: “Have fun, enjoy the prom. And remember, this is Steve Carell.”
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Steve Carrell delivers good news to Altadena teens affected by Eaton Fire
KTLA
by: Christine Samra
Posted: Mar 5, 2025 / 09:27 AM PST
Updated: Mar 5, 2025 / 10:46 AM PST
Steve Carrell is helping local kids impacted by the Eaton Fire get to prom.
“The Office” actor posted a video to X, formerly Twitter, making a major announcement.
“Attention! Attention all seniors!” he exclaimed in the video. “This is Steve Carrell with a very special announcement. I work with a very special charity out of Virginia called Alice’s Kids and Alice’s Kids wanted me to let you know that they will be paying for all of your prom tickets.”
For those who already paid for their tickets, the charity will reimburse those individuals.
“Today, about 800 seniors at six high schools in Altadena will see this message from our friend, Steve Carell. He’s delivering the news that we are paying for their prom tickets!” the X account for the charity said.
Carrell assured the students that this was “a pretty good deal.”
“Have fun. Enjoy the prom and remember this is Steve Carrell,” he joked. “Take it easy guys.”
The organization is donating about $175,000 to send the students to prom.
Alice’s Kids’ executive director said they wanted to erase the worry of paying for tickets knowing the financial pressure many of the families are going through.
He’s hoping this allows students to unwind and have some fun after a devastating year.
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