Newman tops celebrity giver list

Paul Newman was the most generous celebrity of 2008.

The late 'Cool Hand Luke' actor - who passed away last September - donated more money to charity than any other US star, giving a huge $21m (€14.2m) to various initiatives and campaigns, according to a list compiled by The Giving Back Fund for Parade magazine.

Also included on the list of most generous celebrities are Angelina Jolie and her partner Brad Pitt, Mel Gibson and Oprah Winfrey.

Jolie and Pitt spent an estimated $13.4m (€9m) on good causes including a health clinic in Ethiopia and the redevelopment of New Orleans last year.

The couple also donated $1m (€680,000) to help children caught up in the Iraq conflict, through education programmes via their Jolie-Pitt foundation.

Upon donating the money, United Nations ambassador Jolie said: "These educational support programmes for children of conflict are the best way to help them heal."

Pitt added: "We hope to encourage others to give to these great organisations."

Meanwhile, Mel Gibson invested $6.5m (€4.4m) to causes including a Holy Family Church in California and Oprah Winfrey created scholarships for kids in the hometown of her longtime partner, Stedman Graham.

Singing legend Barbra Streisand was also among the most charitable famous faces.

The Giving Back Fund calculated their list of most generous celebrities using public records to see who had donated what during 2008.