Bing Crosby, who was born on this day (May 3) in 1903, was the greatest megastar of his era, called the “Voice of America.” But he was also a generous and dedicated philanthropist, who donated fortunes to charity and was always ready to lend a friend a helping hand. 

Crosby’s kindness, compassion, and empathy have too often been overlooked or denied over the years because of allegations against him made by his son, Gary, who later admitted (as Gary’s siblings had always strongly maintained) that the allegations were false—his father was a loving, not a lousy, dad. But Crosby’s kids were not the only ones to have happy memories of him, as countless charities, coworkers, students, friends, and U.S. soldiers all had their lives brightened by the Oscar-winning singer and actor Americans voted the “most admired man alive” in 1948. 

Related: Bing Crosby in WWII: A Star’s Heartfelt Letters to Soldiers and Families

BingCrosby.com described some of Bing’s philanthropic efforts:

One of the earliest known contributions was a donation to the defense of the Scottsboro Boys, nine young black men accused of raping two white Alabama women. His increased radio presence allowed him to promote different causes with ease – the Red Cross, the United Appeal (now the United Way), Sister Kenny’s Polio Fund, the March of Dimes, and youth programs such as the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, Boys Clubs, and 4-H Clubs.

He even recorded a number of public service announcements for radio and television, ranging from conservation (Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Save the Atlantic Salmon Campaign, U. S. Forest Service) to causes of social import (the U.S. Olympic Team, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Toys for Tots, the Christophers, the Family Rosary Crusade, the Shriners Hospital).

Read Also: James Baskett: History-Making Actor and ‘Uncle Remus’

So enjoy a movie or song today from the “Voice of America,” the “squarest guy in Hollywood,” one of those rare megastars on whom friends, coworkers, and victims of tragedy could always rely for a kind word and a helping hand.

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