Joe Patane is an ordinary-looking 30-year-old with a Brooklyn accent and a small one-bedroom Manhattan apartment.

FORBES: Almost Famous

"He loves his fans, and he's completely flattered by the fan response, " Patane said.

CNN: Fans keep Wozniak 'Dancing With the Stars'

Patane shares his friend's passion for philanthropy and runs his own foundation and the site joesworld.org.

CNN: Fans keep Wozniak 'Dancing With the Stars'

Patane, who is also executive producer of the documentary "Camp Woz: The Admirable Lunacy of Philanthropy, " said he enjoys watching his friend dance each week.

CNN: Fans keep Wozniak 'Dancing With the Stars'

Up until last year Patane and his fellow cast members were anomalies: "regular" folk who became famous, however modestly, for having their lives broadcast on television.

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"He's the most uniquely giving, loving, happy man, " Patane said.

CNN: Fans keep Wozniak 'Dancing With the Stars'

Joe Patane is a longtime friend of Wozniak's and one of the officers for the official "Vote for Woz on ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars' " Facebook group.

CNN: Fans keep Wozniak 'Dancing With the Stars'

Participants in other reality shows agree to similar restrictions: Patane got clearance to write his Real World book only after he jawboned an attorney filling in for MTV's vacationing regular lawyer.

FORBES: Almost Famous