"This is Steve Carell" — Actor surprises California students affected by wildfires with free prom tickets

The Office actor Steve Carell surprised high school seniors with free prom tickets on March 4. The actor is working with Alice's Kids, a Virginia-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Before the main announcement, Alice's Kids also uploaded a tweet on X, giving hints for the Steve Carell video by saying:

"Thru the end of Feb, we have helped 2,482 children. Speaking of helping children, tomorrow our tweet will appear at about 10 AM and we are going to have some very exciting news - and a very fun video! Hope you'll tune in tomorrow!!"

The Steve Carell video was uploaded on March 4 on Alice's Kids Instagram and X account, in which the actor was seen saying:

"Attention. Attention all seniors. This is Steve Carell with a very special announcement. I work with a wonderful charity based out of Virginia called Alice's Kids. And Alice's Kids wanted me to let you know that they would be paying for all of your prom tickets. And if you've already paid for your prom tickets, they will reimburse you for your prom tickets. It's a pretty good deal."

He further encouraged the students by adding:

"Have fun, enjoy the prom, and remember this is Steve Carell. Take it easy, guys."

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Details of schools that will get free prom tickets by Alice's Kids

As per Alice's Kids posts, six Altadena-based schools will be getting the free prom tickets. The Carell video was sent to all six schools to let the students know of the news.

John Muir High School, a Pasadena-based school that received free tickets, uploaded a video on their Instagram page showing students' excitement about the video.

Alice's Kids posted two more videos on X, showing students' reactions to the news. Along with John Muir High School, Aveson Charter School, Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, Blair High School, Pasadena High School, and Rose City High School also received free prom tickets.

Marshall Fundamental Secondary School also added a statement on their Instagram saying:

"The Marshall Fundamental Class of 2025 is excited and appreciative to Alice’s Kids based out of Virginia, and Steve Carrel for the amazing Senior Surprise announcement that Alice’s Kids is paying for the Marshall Fundamental Class of 2025 prom tickets, and for students whose tickets have already been paid for, will be reimbursed. Have fun!"

Alice’s Kids is donating around $175,000 to cover prom tickets for over 800 students in six high schools.

This initiative has been taken keeping the Eaton Fires in mind, which started on January 7. The fires caused damage to several schools, students, and families, disrupting education and daily life. The free prom tickets by Alice's Kids, supported by Steve Carell, allow students from fire-affected schools to enjoy prom without worrying about the cost.

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Fans are calling it Steve Carell’s way of fulfilling his The Office dream. In the show, his character, Michael Scott, once promised to pay for students’ college tuition but couldn’t. Now, in real life, Carell is helping students, making the Scott’s Tots moment come true.