15 Heart-Warming Stories From Around L.A. In 2019

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA — As 2019 comes to a close, we're looking back at stories that touched our hearts, restored our faith in humanity or simply made us smile.

From connecting the dots between the two nicest guys in entertainment, to a widow reconnecting with her late husband on a Netflix show, there are plenty of stories from around L.A. County that made us go, "awww."

We were inspired by a severe burn victim who never gave up, and the subway singer whose life was changed by a cop who listened. We laughed at the driver with the quirky way to survive rush-hour traffic and when Harry Styles threw a crosswalk concert. But most of all, these nice news stories just warm our hearts.

Here are 15 heart-warming stories from around L.A. County in 2019:

1. Tom Hanks Discovers He's Mister Rogers' Distant Cousin

The two actors have been hailed as the nicest guys in entertainment. As it turns out, it's in their DNA.

2. With Marie Kondo, Tidying Up Really Is Life-Changing

This widow's experience on the Netflix show "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" was about more than cleaning — it was about honoring her husband.

3. Emergency Landing With Keanu Reeves Means Free Burgers For All

After an emergency landing trapped the movie star and his fellow passengers in Bakersfield, they made a road trip of the adventure.

4. Severe Burn Victim Inspires With Story Of Strength, Perseverance

First, 80% of his body was burned in a house fire. Then, he was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease. But with determination, he survived.

5. Hollywood Dreamer Turned Porn Star Turns Playwright

Florian Klein's "Shooting Star– A Revealing New Musical," a musical comedy set in the adult film industry, is all about heart.

6. Polite Driver Cracks LA Traffic Code, Cracks Up Internet Too

Navigating L.A. traffic can be a headache at best, but this driver in Culver City came up with a creative way to peacefully merge lanes.

7. Watch: Subway Singer Meets Cop Who Changed Her Life

She was the homeless subway singer. He was the cop who got the world to listen.

8. How A Neighbor's Barking Dog Changed A Man's Life: Author Q&A

Author Richard Lucas was tortured by incessant barking, so he logged every bark for six months. Before long, the Dog Log changed his life.

9. A Dead Thief And Pilfered Picassos Lead To Long-Lost Treasures

Decades after two burglars were imprisoned in a spree of art thefts, a warehouse full of the famously stolen works of art have been found.

10. Watch Harry Styles Stop LA Traffic With Crosswalk Concert

Move over Carpool Karaoke: James Corden and Harry Styles introduce Crosswalk Concert to beleaguered Los Angeles drivers.

11. Stolen Ashes Returned To Husband After Monrovia Burglary

A Monrovia man came home to an unmarked package waiting for him on his doorstep. A glass heart containing his wife's ashes was inside.

12. How A Sharecropper's Son Anonymously Became USC's Biggest Donor

Public Storage magnate B. Wayne Hughes Sr. managed to give USC $360 million while keeping his generosity a secret...until now.

13. Community Rallies Around Palos Verdes Coach Diagnosed With Cancer

Palos Verdes High School basketball coach Brian Edelman was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.

14. CA Couple Dreams Up Solution To Water Bottle Pollution

The founders of KOPU Sparkling Water believe if a water bottle has to be single-use, it should be packaged in aluminum.

15. SpaceX Attempts To Launch Green Slime, Soccer Ball Into Space

Nickelodeon is sending their green slime with SpaceX to teach kids about the basic principles of fluid flow in microgravity.

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