Michael Sheen has always been known for his ability to play larger-than-life roles. Now, he’s proving that some of his most remarkable work takes place off-screen. By using £100,000 of his own money, the actor managed to clear £1 million of debt for 900 people across the United Kingdom. The twist? Those helped by his act of generosity will never know who he is—and he doesn’t know who they are either.
Sheen revealed the story to the BBC, explaining that he deliberately chose to remain at arm’s length from the lives he transformed. “I knew where they would live and I knew the kind of debt it was,” he said, “but I would never know who they are and I still don’t know who they are.”