Colin
Firth is a British actor who appeared on stage, in movies and on British TV for
years before his breakthrough role in a BBC serial adaptation of Pride and
Prejudice in 1995, which catapulted him into celebrity status as a British
heartthrob. Since then he has appeared in numerous movies, such as in the Bridget
Jones' Diaries movies. Offscreen, Colin Firth has been active in promoting
many causes. His steadfast campaign to persuade the British government not to
deport a Congolese nurse back to the Democratic Republic of Congo where she was
likely to be murdered, was a success and focused national and international attention
on Britain's immigration policies. Colin Firth has passionately advocated the
Make Poverty History campaign's efforts to end global poverty and actively promotes
Oxfam's Make Trade Fair Campaign that helps third world farmers receive fair prices
for their crops so that they can lift themselves and their communities out of
poverty. Colin Firth is also Co-Director and the celebrity face of Café Progreso,
a chain of Fair Trade cooperative cafes, where the profits are shared directly
with the farmers that grow the coffee beans in third world countries. In November
2006, he was awarded the distinguished title of Campaigner of the Year by European
Voice, Brussels’ most important and prestigious weekly, for his active role
in advocating for fair trade for poor countries.
