I'm thinking specifically of film stars but happy to broaden the topic if people want to.
Let's just start by ruling out any "reality" stars as a given. My definition of a star is "bums on seat" an actor like Tom Cruise. Acting ability does not come into it, can you sell a movie on your own.
So famous people who on closer examination don't really deserved to be called a star. That doesn't mean they are not famous or well known but that their work does not match their celebrity status (bums on seat).
Zsa Zsa Gabor. I would call her the founder of the Z list celebs. Frequently seen on chat shows in the 1970's she was introduced as a film star. A quick look at her career shows she made a few cameo's in several Hollywood movies and "starred" in a few B pictures. But film star? I think not.
George Clooney. This maybe controversial but Clooney whilst a successful TV actor has never really transferred that success into films. Yes he is enormously famous and gets loads of great fawning press but on the whole his films commercially have been patchy. He tends to be successful when working with other big Hollywood stars but on his own not so much.
Julia Roberts. Like Clooney very famous but again her big hit movies tend to be against a big Hollywood male star e.g. Richard Gere Pretty Woman.
Meryl Street. A brilliant actress who chooses to focus on the work rather than the money. It's a bit unfair including her here because she doesn't try to be a "star" but again her movies whilst lauded do not put bums on seats.
Richard Burton / Lawrence Olivier Great actors who made many many flops.
2 actors who do deserve the title are Arnie and Sly. Neither can act their way out of a paper bag, and they are too old now. But back in the eighties they made a shed load of money for their studios and didn't need a big Hollywood star along side them. Most of their movies starred fairly unknown actresses.
Enough from me. Remember ability and awards aren't the point. It's do they sell tickets.
Let's just start by ruling out any "reality" stars as a given. My definition of a star is "bums on seat" an actor like Tom Cruise. Acting ability does not come into it, can you sell a movie on your own.
So famous people who on closer examination don't really deserved to be called a star. That doesn't mean they are not famous or well known but that their work does not match their celebrity status (bums on seat).
Zsa Zsa Gabor. I would call her the founder of the Z list celebs. Frequently seen on chat shows in the 1970's she was introduced as a film star. A quick look at her career shows she made a few cameo's in several Hollywood movies and "starred" in a few B pictures. But film star? I think not.
George Clooney. This maybe controversial but Clooney whilst a successful TV actor has never really transferred that success into films. Yes he is enormously famous and gets loads of great fawning press but on the whole his films commercially have been patchy. He tends to be successful when working with other big Hollywood stars but on his own not so much.
Julia Roberts. Like Clooney very famous but again her big hit movies tend to be against a big Hollywood male star e.g. Richard Gere Pretty Woman.
Meryl Street. A brilliant actress who chooses to focus on the work rather than the money. It's a bit unfair including her here because she doesn't try to be a "star" but again her movies whilst lauded do not put bums on seats.
Richard Burton / Lawrence Olivier Great actors who made many many flops.
2 actors who do deserve the title are Arnie and Sly. Neither can act their way out of a paper bag, and they are too old now. But back in the eighties they made a shed load of money for their studios and didn't need a big Hollywood star along side them. Most of their movies starred fairly unknown actresses.
Enough from me. Remember ability and awards aren't the point. It's do they sell tickets.
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