Famous homeless people

Being homeless brings with it a new way of living. Everything a person enjoyed while being able to provide for oneself changes in an instant. “Homeless” is the only adjective used to describe you. That is all you are to the rest of the world. 

"Let’s go feed the homeless, here are some shoes for the homeless, there are too many homeless downtown in the park, the homeless man was arrested for stealing a car, a homeless woman walked across the street, the homeless guy asked me for money.” 

Ever found yourself in the check-out line at the supermarket, a dollar short because you forgot your credit card at home? Did you ask someone to help you out? Does asking for money make you homeless, is this behavior indigenous to the homeless? 

How about “let’s feed the people at the shelter”? You must be aware that when taking food to a shelter, not only the homeless benefit. In many cases employees have access to your donation as well, eat at the shelter and take food home. Some shelters even have food pantries for low income families from the community. 

And the guy who stole the car is a car thief, if he has an address doesn’t matter. How about “the six foot tall man was arrested for stealing a car,” does that make all six footers car thieves? Of course not, but by using the term “homeless” people unconsciously express their impressions of and expectations from that segment of society. 

Here is a list of a few formerly homeless people:

Chris Gardner

Adam Makowicz
Benjamin Franklin
Suze Orman
Richard Fagan
Tyler Perry
Troy Donahue
Harry Houdini
Martin Sheen
Jim Carrey
Frank O'Dea
Daniel Craig
Michael Oher
Ella Fitzgerald
T. Casey Brennan
Lars Eighner
Kelsey Grammer
Don Imus
Vinnie James
Phil McGraw
Patti Smith
Mark Webber
Cary Grant
D-Vine
Cheri Honkala
Halle Berry
Sylvester Stallone
Harry Edmund Martinson
Carmen Electra