Assignment 1-3-2, Journal Article Analysis, Deb Sweinhart

The Death of Fame:

How Famous People Are Affected

Deborah A. Sweinhart

Popular Culture HUMN 240, Assignment 1-3-2

Professor Martin Poston

December 8, 2011

The Death of Fame:

How Famous People Are Affected

     Everyone who grew up watching television and listening to the radio knows that celebrities – famous people – come and go. I grew up in the 1960’s and 1970’s watching shows like The Beverly Hillbillies. I remember having a crush on the tall, dark-handsome actor, Jethro who played the part of Jed Clampett’s nephew. I remember thinking to myself if only he was not so naïve and ignorant, I would like him even more. So how does the stigma of playing a ‘not so bright’ actor affect his career? Well, Max Baer, Jr. himself calls it the ultimate case of typecasting. He told Biography Magazine, “I was born Max Baer Jr., but I’m going to die Jethro Bodine.” Max Baer is an actor that did not walk away or try to change his image as Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies. In fact, he moved on with his life retiring in 1980, with hopes of starting up a gaming resort in Reno (2001, p. 32). Other actors and actresses may not be as fortunate in maintaining their core self.

     There is considerable evidence that many famous people display signs of mental disorders. In researching this topic Smalley and McIntosh (2011) discuss what it is like to be famous. They describe celebrities as often feeling like there is no safe place to relax out of the public eye, partially due to media personnel such as reporters and Paparazzi (p. 386). They describe depression as one of main causes of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as suicide among celebrities (p. 387). Smalley and McIntosh report on three possible reactions to the loss of fame: clinging, reinventing, and downward spiraling (p. 388). As mentioned above in the case of Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies, Max Baer (who is now in his 60’s) successfully accepted the role as Jethro. In other words, he is a celebrity that clings to the role, incorporating it into his life. But some other celebrities end up hating themselves because they are unable to accept their public role (p. 388). Sometimes these celebrities end up finding a new way to make a living and leave their public role altogether, this is referred to as reinventing – they do not center their lives on their former fame (p. 391). For those famous people that media focuses on who end up in jail, hospitalized, or dead because of alcohol, drugs, or suicide they most likely experienced downward spiraling. These people continue to pursue the goal of fame despite the fact that the public no longer desires them (p. 392).

     I do agree with the authors’ main point in that famous people may fall victim to the perils of being famous, but there are many famous people over the years who have celebrated career successes. In my opinion most of those people looked at their acting, artistic, and musical careers as jobs – a way to gain a financial leg up – and moved on to more satisfying and rewarding careers that is out of the public eye, just like ‘Jethro’ did.

     This article is important because it helps the reader (who may be the ‘public eye’) understand what it is like to be famous. Being famous may not be as glamorous as we think.

References

Bioscope. (2001, September). Max baer, jr. Biography Magazine, 5(9), 32.

Smalley, K. B. & McIntoch, W. D. (2011). The loss of fame: psychological implications. The Journal of Popular Culture, 44(2), 385-397.