Steve-O Receives Animal Rights Award

Animal rights activist and Jackass star Stephen “Steve-O” Glover was honored in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday. Nanci Alexander, founder of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, presented him with the Nanci Alexander Award during a reception at her vegan restaurant, Sublime.

Steve-O, who became a vegan after battling addiction issues, has been involved with numerous animal rights campaigns in recent years. In addition to appearing in anti-fur and seal-saving ads for PETA, he also led a protest outside the Edmonton zoo, asking zoo owners to allow Lucy, the zoo’s ill and depressed elephant, to retire to an elephant sanctuary.

PETA president Ingrid E. Newkirk has nothing but praise for the star, saying, “Steve-O may be a comedian, but to animals in trouble, he’s a real champ. There’s lots to laugh about in life, but animal abuse isn’t funny, as Steve-O is quick to point out.” 

The comedian, known for his physical stunts, told PETA, “”Abuse yourself all you want,” he says, “just leave animals out of it.” Of his activism, he says, ““Being a vegan, caring about animals … all of this compassion … in my lifestyle is the reward in and of itself.”