Eric Klein was born in Salem, Massachusetts but currently resides in Venice Beach, California. He attended Florida Atlantic University and shortly after his graduation, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting and modeling. He was featured in Men's Health and also appeared on the HBO comedy series
Sex and the City .
In 2004, he was involved in a car accident and was immediately delighted when he received the settlement money. He relates that although it may sound crazy, being hit was like winning the lottery for him because it finally allowed him to do what he always dreamt of doing—giving back in a big way. Instead of using the money to repair his orbital eye socket, he went to Sri Lanka and aided in the tsunami disaster relief program. One of his fondest memories there was when he went body surfing with the villagers who used to be terrified of the water. Eric also stayed in the Gulf Coast for one year, helping out the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He is currently busy being the founder and CEO of Can-Do, a non profit organization that also allows donors to see where their donations are spent.
Eric Klein's favorite giving back moment took place in Namibia, Africa in 1998. After learning that it gets cold and the kids there don't have much, he organized a clothing drive at the bar where he worked and he was amazed with the children's reactions when he gave them the clothes. He videotaped it and played it at the bar, where the people who donated the clothes were all mesmerized after watching it.
Among Eric's favorite food are sushi and dark chocolate. He enjoys cheesy songs and loves the films Man on Fire and The Last King of Scotland.
Eric Klein is one of the 10 contestants on ABC's reality game show
Oprah's Big Give , where each contestant is given a large sum of money as they compete in finding “the most powerful, sensational, emotional and dramatic ways to give to others.” Eric sees this as an opportunity to show people the simplicity behind giving and to inspire them to do the same.
(Photo courtesy of ABC)