Mark Ruffalo screens documentary at Burns Court Cinema

Being a celebrity gives people a certain amount of boosted influence. Fans' adoration for Hollywood actors often continues long after the ending credits roll — and into their personal lives and interests.

It's not something actor and director Mark Ruffalo takes lightly. For him, it's important to use that influence for something meaningful.

In Director Jon Bowermaster's documentary film, "Dear President Obama," which explores the environmental, economic and health impacts of fracking, Ruffalo narrates, lending his celebrity to a cause he says is important to him.

Bowermaster and Ruffalo appeared at Burns Court Cinema Thursday, May 12, to screen the film and discuss the controversial oil-drilling practice. 

"Being a celebrity in this country means a lot," says Bowermaster. "When you look around, you see that being used in so many bad ways. Mark uses it to support something important and profound. His voice carries a weight that really helps." 

Both men live in New York, currently the only state in the country to have outlawed the process, following a large grassroots political movement in opposition to fracking, which has been shown to pollute water and airways and cause serious health complications in those living near active drilling sites (about 17 million Americans, according to the film).

It was there that they became passionate about informing others about fracking dangers, and they're currently touring the film in 40 states in an effort to spread the message, which, as the title suggests, they hope will reach President Obama.

According to Ruffalo, many Hollywood actors are hesitant to get involved in rallying for the anti-fracking movement, out of fear of backlash. He laughed as he recounted words of advice from one of his "Avengers" co-stars.

"Robert Downey Jr. told me, 'Ruffalo — you've gotta stop this shit. They're going to kill you. No; I mean it. Like, dead.'"

But Ruffalo says the cause is something that's worth fighting for. 

"This is my way of giving back," he says.